House Convenes

One two three four five six seven eight. Nine ten. I am by the member staff press and guests in the gallery to stand to be led in prayer by Dr rex Horne retired pastor Emmanuel Baptist church here in Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Let's pray. Father reminded in this time of year that you've given the order to creation. Our seasons. Fall and winter spring and summer. Even in our day. Morning and evening day and night we thank you for that order an order thankful that you've created us to be people that also like to get things done see something accomplished see some fruit of our labor. And so today I pray for this session and for the matters that will be face today and throughout the session that you would give a respective conviction that you would give the women and men of this house the discernment that you would help each one to do what they deem bass and that board through it all we would have respect and growing admiration for the work of the house and for one another so we commit this time to you and we thank you for health for opportunities to serve in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate the presence by pushing your yellow present button present machine Mr Clerk. Casts up the ballot Mr Plurk. With ninety eight present jerseys a quorum are there any requests for leave. Representative Payton for what purpose leave you're recognized leave a representative Miller is leave granted for representative Miller. Leave is granted. Are there any other request for leave. Represent Fredrick Love Me as we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objections so ordered or the Reports from select committees and committees. Are the Reports from standing committees read the reports Mr Clark. Mister Speaker. Mister Speaker recommend in agriculture to in forestry economic development to whom was referred house bill sixteen seventy nine house concurrent resolution to fourteen Senate bill thirty three thirteen Senate bill four nineteen beg leave to report that we have the same to consideration I'm here they're trying the same with the recommendation that do pass exactly seventy and Vaught chair Mister Speaker we are a committee on agriculture forsaken of development to was referred house bill thirteen fifteen beg leave to further over the seventy consideration hit the terms that same recommendation that do pass a current sentiment Senate Amendment number one thank you senator Jon Eubanks last year. Mr Speaker we are committee on agriculture forestry and forestry and economic development to whom was referred house bill sixteen forty beg leave to report that we felt the same way to consideration and herewith return the same with recommendation that do pass as amended number one stick with me to DM Vaught chair Speaker your committee on agriculture forestry and economic to whom was referred house bill seventeen twenty nine beg leave to report that we had the same under consideration here through turned the same with the written recommendation that do pass exactly Senate Jon Eubanks vice chair. Is there any unfinished business are there any Executive communications. Read the letter from the senator from the Senate. March sixteenth twenty twenty one the honorable sherry stacks to parks and a capital Little Rock Arkansas seventy two I want to miss stacks The Senate respectfully requests the return to the to the Senate Senate bill seventy two sekali submitted an Cornwell Secretary of the Senate. Is leave granted for the return of the SP seventy two to the Senate. Leave is granted. Send the bill back to the Senate. Morning hour is amended Mr Clark read house bill fourteen twenty seven. Also fourteen twenty seven by representative Miller to clear for requirements registry records checks and criminal background checks for in home care givers of Medicaid beneficiaries. I think we're going to pass over that one Mr not represent Miller's not here. Mr Clark read house bill twelve ninety nine. Also thirteen twenty five a representative warned house bill twelve ninety nine. House Bill throw ninety nine bye representative warned to amend provisions of the Arkansas concerning the Arkansas teacher retirement system represent Warren you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues house bill twelve ninety nine will increase the percentage of total personnel cost that can be used as incentives to get tenured and non tenured people to voluntarily retire a year early the percentage will increase from one percent to five percent given the significant variance in sizes of our institutions of higher education this will allow the smaller ones to be able to exercise its provisional more this is just allowing the institutions to reallocate their existing budgeted funds there is no new money there's no cost to the system I visited with Kevin Anderson in the shared with me that he actually expects to see some cost savings as a result of this. I would appreciate a good vote. Representative forms explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Warren is closed for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve ninety nine where the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety two U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark read house bill thirteen forty three. House bill thirteen forty three by representative warned concerning voluntary retirement deferred retirement employer current employer contributions that benefit multiplier Election to participate the board of trustees of the state police retirement system and system costs. Represent Warren you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker today I'm excited percent house bill thirteen forty three to change the number of years required for an Arkansas state trooper to retire from thirty years to twenty eight years I have worked with secretary cook and colonel Bryant to come up with a bill that will take our state police in a positive direction and help with competition. The key components are as follows. The Arkansas state police will allow a slightly greater percentage of their budget to be used to fund the annual retirement cost for the tier one and tier two members we have language taking the percentage of the Arkansas state police budget from twenty two to twenty six percent of the active member pay roll this will cover roughly seven hundred thousand of the one point two million cost of this bill. The governor has also committed to an additional annual amount of five hundred thirty thousand to cover the difference between the budget change above and the cost implement this change the big key in all of this is that the multiplier will be adjusted to allow the retiring Arkansas state police members to receive the same benefit at twenty eight years that they would have received at at the retired thirty year mark Arkansas state police officers will get to retired two years earlier at the same retirement pay they would have had at the end of thirty years. Our state troopers put their lives on the line every day. This is a move that I think we owe them I would be glad to answer any questions. I would appreciate a good vote and appreciate you state troopers. Representative warns explained a bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent warrants close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen forty three per the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety six J. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Members are doctor of the day is Dr Shannon's with the from Clinton and our nurses they is miss Sheri Bernard. Mr Clark read house bill one zero zero six. Six a representative Lowery to create the parent child interstate relocation Act. Represent Larry recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. House Bill one zero zero six. Deals with really what is probably one of the most painful dynamics that that a child can undergo. And that is separation from a parent. State of Arkansas currently. Has an interstate compact with other states that if a. Studio parent moves out of state that there is an automatic notification that had there's a notification has to take place but there is no current law if there is an intrastate relocation. This is a bill that has come before this house in the previous session it was sit back to committee for amendments all those amendments have been added on this time I did not get a chance to re run it the last time let me just kind of hit some of the highlights of this. If it of judge singleton came before the aging children youth we we presented it early in the session and really his testimony was just going to be that the judicial council was neutral on the bill members of the committee will confirm this for you that he actually ended up speaking in favor the bill by saying that there is nothing in this law in this particular bill that is problematic to the judges being able to exercise their authority and that's really a key critical issue because just because a final order of custody is is have that does not mean that the judges finished with that case the judge actually has jurisdiction over custody arrangements it up until the time that the child is eighteen. Judge singled and pointed out that right now there is no current law that would require a parent who's relocating more than seventy five miles which is what this bill says seventy five miles from the primary residence there's no requirement that they notify the court there's also no requirement that they notify the non custodial parent. I started off by saying that this is one of the most painful situations that a child can go through it and I can honestly attest to that. My children were ages four and two when their mother and I divorced. And the it came as a surprise to me matter of fact I was driving to work when I got a call from the county clerk's office saying asking me if I wanted to pick up my divorce decree or the order or did I want to be served and I sent my want. In in one day I went from tucking my children into bed every night to only getting to see them every other weekend. But you see I went beyond that as most fathers do noncustodial parents sometimes it's a mom they go beyond that visitation they want to go to PTA meetings they want to go to parent teacher conferences they want to pick up their child if it's permissible after our after work to may be taken to make Donald's B. C. that is problematic if the non because or the custodial parent is going to move seventy five miles away. Hundred fifty mile round trip. So what this does is it requires the court be notified the noncustodial parents if if there's no objection by the non custodial parent we would hope I think we would all hope best case scenario is that those two parents would get along that they would work things out and if they do work it out there's nothing that the judge then has to do it is ordered that there is a new primary residence. There if there is an objection then the noncustodial parent does get to file an objection and then the court makes the decision upon what is in the best interest of the child. Some of the language that I took out of the original bill was related to a burden of proof and that it's been taken out that that's what satisfy the judicial council is that there is no burden of proof on either one of the parents the non custodial or custodial parent but that the judge to be given the liberty to be able to make the decision of what is in the best interest of the child. So I've tried to hit the highlights were no there may be some other issues that might wanna be raised and I will try to answer those questions. Representative Bob what purpose. You're recognized for a question does this mean that someone has already been awarded full custody has to go back to court. Full custody without any visitation. just full if they've been awarded full custody with visitation. They would if there is a visitation if there is an order in place that does not dictate primary residence or the ability for the custodial parent to move then yes they would have to file a petition but that that doesn't necessarily mean that they would go back to court they would only go back to court if the noncustodial parent objects follow up. Thank you at so if I'll say I was divorced and I had children and I had a better job offer and it was seventy six miles away I would have to wait three four months before I could actually decide if I could take that job because I have to wait for a court date in. Is this would this be true you know it was is not the three four months is I think a date a timeline that you're coming up with that that's not in the law no no no I realize that I'm just talking about how long it would take to get into the court system to be heard if there's no objection by the non custodial parent that it would be done it would be approved immediately. Follow up. Do you know how many times that there is objection or not objection whenever we're doing testimonials. We we don't know because there is no current law that deals with the intrastate location even though multiple states do have it ranging anywhere from a sixty mile move to in the state of Utah a hundred and fifty fifty mile so really there's no information on how many times it would be contested and I think our hope would be that both parents would be able to work out a new visitation schedule representative Deborah Ferguson for what purpose question you're recognized I'm over here March. A does this apply to a noncustodial parent that does not have visitation rights in other words the they might be in an abusive situation where the the non custodial parent was not allowed visitation with they still have to notify well in this bill I'm just assuming it in and I know that's a mistake if you're trying to assume legal issues and you're not an attorney but if they if they do not have any visitation rights and they probably do not even have parental rights and that would not put them in a position where they would be able to object. Okay and it just wasn't very clear in the bill thank you okay Senate love for what purpose chin you're recognized in representa Lowery I'm going to pick up where represent a Ferguson left off because my my main concern with this bill is in regards to like the violence against women is at How would this bill how this situation in which there was a situation where violence was against the estate custodial parent it could be a man or woman how would the issue be resolved because sometimes you don't want to disclosure address to a perpetrator of violence okay the of the custodial parent has the right to be able to seal the order which they filed the order with the court they make can make the motion or they can request that the information be sealed and so that that that information would not be able to be revealed that included in that would be what school the child would be attending with their new address is going to be all that information could be sealed to protect the custodial parent as well as the children. Representative Cavenaugh for what purpose question you're recognized this only applies thank you Mr Speaker this only applies to custodial parent correct. Custodial the custodial parent you say it only applies to them if they move yes. well yes because the other in the other case the only thing that would be affected would be the visitation schedule. Follow institute and if they've moved far enough away that it's going to hamper their visitation then that's that's on them what would it not be fair that if we're going to put a burden upon the the custodial parent that we have to get all they have to get approval from the non custodial parent to move that it would be just is proper for the non custodial parent to get the same from the custodial parent with an equity is not really the issue in terms of you know whether it's fair to one of the other again the non custodial parent only has one right and that's the right to visitation in if they have chosen to move far enough away that it is going to affect their visitation then then they forfeit that ability to be able to be a part an active part of that child's life which I think would be unfortunate unfortunate follow up Mr well with that logic the parent that's been awarded custody has gone through the process of there being the one that's been deemed that there is a proper for the children they should have the right man to know whether or not the other parents going to be in the child's life so why would there not be the give and take between the two because the the relocation really just applies to the issue of custody not non custody. Thank you. I appreciate your support for the bill. President Lowery has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representive adds and you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues and I've been in committee that a couple of times that we've heard this and as an attorney who has actively spend a good amount of time trying to stay out of domestic relations court I have been fortunate to have the council of people who do practice more often here's the concern that I have about this bill if this was just about sending notice of the move so that if a custodial parent was going to move and they have to file a formal notice that be fine. The problem that we run into though is that anytime we start making it more onerous for one parent or the other it costs money it takes time. And it generally creates a bigger issue than what we have now representative Vaught is right if you're talking about going to court three to four months. Is a good. Time. It often takes much longer and bear in mind that this requires that the non custodial parent gets thirty days to respond which means that you're looking at a month out from the get go if there is any contest to it. Now what I mentioned in committee and what I will say here again. Right now if you violate visitation order your remedy is to file a motion for contempt. That's what you do. In this bill which is my understanding is supposed to make this process easier you have to file this petition you have to attach a proposed visitation plant you have to serve it the court is to issue a warning order and there are a number of steps that are now included in how we notify one parent or the other of their visitation rights and the fact that one parents moving whereas right now you file a motion for contempt nine No representative Lowry disagrees with me on that but this is a practical concern if my visitation order says that I get the kids every day after school and I move to Fay and in my spouse moves the fate bill obviously I can't exercise that visitation which means that my ex spouse is now in content there is a process already that handles this the judges that I have spoken to have said this process works well I would note that a neutral a neutral standing for the judicial council is not the same as approval of course the judges can handle it we throw a lot item all the time but when we're talking about giving another weapon in the arsenal for parents who want to hold the other parent hostage simply because they're mad at them this will be it I encourage you to vote now thank you. Representive Hudson the spoken against the bill we would like to speak for the bill. President Gazaway you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker as someone who has practiced a fair amount of family law in my time I just want to say that all of these issues should always center on the kids okay. And many of the arguments that you just heard or about what's best for the parents and I think what representative Lowery is tried to do here and he's worked with the judicial council he's got them to a neutral position which I think says a lot. About the work that he's done which is to say that the child who's caught in the middle of two parents and really what I think representative Lowery is trying to emphasize here is that parents deserve to have our kids deserve to have both parents active and involved in their life and if one parent seeks to alienate another parent by taking that child far away. Then that they should have to give notice and I think that that is a fair ask and that's what representative Lowery is trying to do with this bill it's about the children it's not about the parents this is a good bill I supported and I would ask you to support it too thank you very much. President Gazaway president Gazaway 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 to speak for the bill. Colleagues. Thank you Mr Speaker I just want to speak in support of this bill because regardless of the contention between parents children do need both parents so if there's any way that we can try to facilitate keeping enabling parents to be active in their children's lives even if they're the non custodial parent I would support that and I did in my life I supported that when my ex husband was not the custodial parent I did everything I could to enable my son to be able to spend time with his father and I would appreciate a good vote on this bill person flowers for the purpose. Well question but okay represent Brown is left the left the well. Purpose of brown has spoken for the building would like to speak against the bill. President Vaught you're recognized speak against the bill. I really didn't want to do this I have a actually been fighting representative Lowery on this bill since I've been here in the house of representatives there's a few things I worry about. A single mom the husband is probably gonna make more than she does and he's going to be able to afford those attorney fees and she may not be able to afford those turn fees the other thing I want to worry about is when I brought up earlier the full custody that's already been awarded. What happens they have to go back and petition the courts and that could be very dangerous it's undermining what our courts have already done I brought this up several times also as some other child who lived through abuse I would hate to know that I was forced. To live with the parent who abused me. Whenever the court had already deems that the other parent could have full custody of me and that's why I have been fighting this bill since the beginning thank you. Resembled a spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent Lowery. You're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. One of the issues that was brought up in it had been brought up by and not the opposition witness And then it and then echoed here would be that the non consider the custodial parent would be found in contempt of court if they move that's not true at all. Not unless there is something specifically in the initial order that says that the custodial parent cannot move a certain distance away that's the only point where contempt of order it can contempt of court order could be filed in unfortunately what happens a lot of times in in the discussion is well you know we ought to anticipate these things attorneys and parents they are not on the on anticipate this and clearly defined that up front. Well if any of you ever been to divorce especially where children involved it is unfortunately anything in the court system is an adversarial situation and sometimes you have a parent like in my case I didn't want the divorce. Well the last thing I wanted to do was raise some point of contention. yeah I was hoping for reconciliation and so the last thing I would do is try and and handcuff my wife then my ex wife of say well you know I'm just gonna be punitive I'm I'm gonna tell you I wanted in the order that you can't move so we don't do all these things in anticipation of it we hope that there's always going to be cooperation. There was not cooperation early on in in my divorce but later on it came almost to the really to the point where when my son was in high school my ex wife came to me and said would you please let entry come to live with you because I'm having difficulty keeping up making sure that he. Studies that he does his homework and so that was a cooperative sense but it wasn't always there so we're trying to enable that think representative gas ways point is very well made we're not talking about the convenience of parents were talking about what is best for the child and that's exactly what the judge is going to be taking into consideration nothing else they're gonna be looking at the entire gamut of information what is in the best interest of the child. Some of the things that would enter into that is if that custodial parent is moving away from grandparents who maybe have been able to provide free child so that instance of maybe making more money that that extra income if that's the case is going to be eaten up by having to pay for child care when you didn't have to if that state in the primary residence so I understand that this is a really is a gripping issue it certainly was for me when I went through it and I just hope that you'll understand that is also a gripping issue of a hurtful entry issue for children who want their both of their parents they want to get along but more importantly they just want the parents to be involved in their life and I think that this legislation will enable that and I would appreciate your support and have voted for the bill thank you. President Lowery has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill one thousand six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By forty eight forty four Nays and six present the bill is failed. Members of with this today in the gallery we have Michael Morrison who is a staffer with congressman Westerman is office. And also in the west gallery we have representative Brooks wife Jenny and his seventh grade son Ethan. Members were gonna pass over house bill fifteen sixty two Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen fourteen. House Bill sixteen fourteen representative Cozart to amend provisions of the code concerning state foundation funding aid to create the teacher salary equalisation fund and to declare an emergency. Represent Cozart you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Ladies and gentleman this is a. Bill that will. Your teachers will of. This act to Give them a raise what else can I say this kind of plainspoken that's basically what this bill does give them a raise. Lake View ruling by the Supreme Court identifies a teacher salaries are not comparable to around a state surrounding states and disparities in teacher salaries within the state. Was very different. So in person states Arkansas's lowest profile What what what trial of the SRB states we're that's amazing that we are because a lot of things we are in the very top of that is already there are salaries now or in the lowest because everybody else is raise their salaries a. despairs disparities in our state in two thousand nine was a gap was a from sixty thousand nine hundred dollars at the top of the to the lowest at thirty nine five which is twenty one thousand dollars difference in salaries. So this is a a bill that would Take the average teacher salary. And raise about two thousand dollars over the next two years no this is not the local in this hour this is not minimum salary we've already done that this is the median salary so that would raise that up. So this is a a a a bill to create a teacher's salary equalisation categorical fund which will be for FY twenty to the amount of one hundred eighty five dollars per ATM. So that will be a line item over categorical just like we have for supplemental transportation all those things so we won't go in the matrix so this is money that has to be paid to the teachers and there are ways that have to do that so they can't double dip the sixty million we did in two years ago was for this for the minimum salary so they can't be getting that and get this yet so once that minimum salary money is gone and if they qualify they can get this money to raise our teacher salaries it's a good bill I think it'll really bring our schools up to match with other states around us and I appreciate a good vote I'll take questions for you have any. Seeing none thank you president Cozart explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Cozart is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen fourteen prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill I'm sorry the bill in the emergency clause or passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen seventy seven. Sixteen seventy seven a representative Cozart two men various provisions of the Arkansas code concerning public school funding amounts and to declare an emergency. Cozart you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker play gentleman back with the no the bill for schools this is our funding bill that we do every session for our schools over the next two years this is what we come up with our adequacy study when we set in those rooms for eighteen months during the summer when you're all out playing on the lake and we're here in education have a meeting so no I'm just kidding I know everybody else's meetings too but we uh we work on adequacy funding and trying to figure out the funding for schools during any time so we Our results of that this year. Come up with this bill and this is what we do every time and and I'll give you a generalization of it from from the last session when the funding for per student was six thousand eight hundred ninety nine that will move up to seven thousand one hundred eighty two for the first year and seven thousand three hundred and forty nine for the next year so that is your ATM average of has a few moving parts Senate the Alternative learning for students four thousand seven hundred and ninety four the first year four thousand eight hundred ninety the second year ESL funding is a that's a pretty low number but is three hundred fifty nine dollars for yourself funding and I think that's flat for two years and then we go down to the Actually does go to three under sixty six I'm sorry did see that. So the next thing in this bill is the enhance student achievement which used to be in SO money this is R. ESA money this is a free or reduced lunch money so there's three different levels of that and in his book a higher in poverty or higher in your free reduce launching lunch account gives you more money so the. I miss if I get this right the top amount if you're of higher up at night and I don't have those percentages of what these glasses I am having trouble seeing anyway so I'll give you the number so sixteen thirteen is the higher amount thousand sixty three for the next tear down and then Five hundred thirty eight dollars for the lower one so if you're if you don't have a lot of free reduced lunch and that's what you would get from those at all or. The professional development funding which is our Bill Simmons unless the appeal so you'll get that on a little bit of professional development it is a forty dollars and eighty cents and that is flat. Funding. Funding for the professional development for our PLC's of was for this year. And make sure you get the right as a fourteen million five hundred thousand dollars and for the second of years sixteen million five hundred thousand dollars and that is growing and we're getting more people cities all across the state so it's really working good so that's pretty well just of this bill and if you have any questions I'll try to answer Richard good vote if not go ahead. Authorized representative Kinsey for purpose. A question you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker and thank you for your patients in cooperation with me you know I've got some heartburn about the PLC's so my question that came to mind after we just and I I've asked for more information but I haven't seen the contract yet these two years of the the fourteen sixteen million are we already contractually bound to this private entity for those two years. I can't answer that us to the Department of it I I'm not sure we've already signed those contracts you we are okay I just got the yes from of the other ones okay I wasn't sure if we signed those yet but I guess we have consent follow up please. Okay that helps me a little bit and trying to put down a yes that I don't want to the additional funding is that also a contract contractually bound or is that something we decided above the contract to go ahead and give them this additional funding it's it's a I think the contractors according to how much we do and how much we spread out so as we spread out the the more money is involved in it and and and that's what we've been doing we start out of the small amount and we've grown it was we as we grow other schools it takes more money and I'm not sure how that contract is written and how it actually plays out John I know that if you need to speak to that I'm sure would represent you make permanent more about that thank you. I appreciate a good vote. Represent Cozart is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Cozart is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen seventy seven prepared machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark number ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill an emergency clause are passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen seventy. Also thirteen seventy one by representative brag to create Arkansas child academic opportunity scholarships and grants pass. Person Bragg you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleague's house bill thirteen seventy one helps children empowers parents directs extra funds to public schools and it saves actually taxpayer money. Let me just explain the intent behind this bill you know what I believe that each style each child in this state should have an opportunity to receive an appropriate education that fits his or her needs regardless of their income and regardless of the artificial geographic boundaries. One size just does not fit all I think our public schools do a good job but there's always going to be exceptions of where a child needs a different educational experience. Ahrendts made a choice only the poorest families don't have a choice this bill is not about public versus private it's about opportunity for children in need of a different educational experience. First let me frame the structure and basically how it works and then we'll look at some of the detail. This bill creates a tax credit for individuals or companies to contribute to one of two separate funds. or they could contribute to both of which they wish. One fine for scholarships for certain category public school students to go to a private school that fund is has a maximum cap of four million to four million dollars. One fine for certain categories schools to apply for grants for their own individual school that has a maximum cap of six million dollars. A five oh one C. three organization will administer this program they're kind of the hub of the of the program here they're college students support organization referred to that as an SS so. The Department elementary and secondary educational certify this as those and the private schools are involved in the program and the department of finance and administration will handle the tax credit so that's kind of the basic structure. And now let's look at the private school part and how it actually works. Private schools that are interested in being a part of this program will apply to the Department of elementary and secondary education for certification there's certain criteria for that. Individuals or companies can contribute to the fund through the SS so the election make their contribution to the SS so families meeting the criteria will apply to the SS so for a scholarship fund scholarships granted then that family applies to approve those to schools for admission then the SS so handles all the financial transactions apparent whenever receive direct funding you know from the scholarship. Now for the public park similar to the private part this is handles all the all the details of an individual again our company can contribute to the fund for the SS so. the individual schools will apply to this is so for the grants and has not by school district is by individual schools and their certain criteria for that and then the grant will be awarded. So it to be an eligible student. they have to be previously enrolled in a public school. they have to be eligible they can be eligible for the succeed scholarship. the family income has to be less than or equal to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level. They can have a parent in the National Guard or active duty or one that had been killed in the armed forces or in foster care or adopted. Eligible student support organizations have to be federally tax exempt after the Arkansas registered nonprofit they will be certified by the Division of elementary and secondary education there's certain criteria for that They'll receive the contributions that administer the the scholarships the private school student organization will make payments to the to the private schools in the public school student organizational actually make payments to the individual schools. A public school can be eligible if their student population is fifty five percent or greater than the federal freighter's launch level. Let me explain what some of the expenses are approved in section six eighteen twenty two FOR talks about the eligible expenses for the private school students on the basic education expenses like tuition fees uniform and the online learning tutoring course materials fees for national certified exams college entrance exams services provided by public schools of a if a student in a private school wants to take a course in a public school is not offered they can do that and the scholarship will pay the one six cost for that public school it can also cover specialized services such as speech therapy language pathology occupational therapy audiology certain special services for that certain amount transportation expense limited to ten percent but again no funds go directly to a parent it's all handled through the through the SS so. As far as the public schools the six million dollars for them to be used for technology enhancements wireless cable computers laptops it could be use actually for building upgrades if there's roofing heating cooling ventilation issues resources for response to intervention. Remote learning intervention platform technologies social and emotional well being programming for public school students and parents of public school students. Parent support centers for parents of public school students are economically disadvantaged. Parents support centers for parents of public school students with intellectual or developmental disabilities professional development training for public school staff specific to diverse public school student populations. Professional development training for public school staff specific the economically disadvantaged public school student populations sensory rooms and equipment for indoor and outdoor special education services that public school students use for hands on learning. Funding for economically disadvantaged public school student populations this could include personal care items clothing if it's if a student needs of a winter coat grants can be used for that math and literacy and one thing I'm really excited about we we amended the bill to include resources for equipment for workforce and skills development of the school wants to enhance their their CT programs like about welders CNC machines supply for grants to train kids for jobs and these are all eligible expenses for errors or outside the schools budget that's with this and is intended for us to cover expenses that can't be covered by the regular budget. And then the next session talks about the application for the SS so to become an eligible there certain criteria for that they have to have incorporation papers audits of proof of financial stability and then the taught at the next session talks about some operational guidelines of it you know how they they can spend up to ten percent for administrative services they can carry over twenty five percent they must spend at least seventy five percent of the funds in in the year the goes on to talk about how they make payments the next session of talks about the application process for the scholarship a parent will apply to the SS so if they meet the guidelines you know based on the criteria set then they'll be granted the scholarship than that parent will go to one of the pre approved schools on the list and and apply to them and then the the SSL setup of accounting system for them. The as CPA certification financial stability meet state and local health standards and other other qualifications they'll also required to file an annual report. there's also another section about rules you know the department of elementary and secondary educational also develop the the necessary rules you know to implement this the students under the scholarship if there's like school close to the three hundred eleven three hundred fifty limit the the determines consolidation if they lose the student It will not count towards towards that. And then there's you know other other you know codes in here about the the eligible taxpayers can be individual or Really just goes into the fund goes through the application process then the rest the bill just basically talks about some temporary language about the you know the timing and and when it's effective I'd like to touch on the fiscal impact some of you seen that total cap of ten million dollars again four million for the private fund six million for the public funds and The. Let let let me talk about the public's on first the six million dollar taxing credit will reduce general Avenue. By the six million dollars from the General Revenue that's what tax credits work but that six million dollars is being returned back to public schools through these grants for the specific expenses on the private fund. Seven thousand dollars that's the foundation funding although it is that we just found out that's been increase a little bit but for our purposes were using seven thousand dollars that's how much this scholarship will be based on the foundation funding that that tax credit will actually reduce general revenue again so that seven thousand dollars comes out of general revenues but on the other hand that seven thousand dollars is not being spent on the student that next year. the average per people expense according to a spreadsheet I got from department of ed is ten thousand one hundred fifty five dollars that might change you know and in the next year so not only are not spending the seven thousand dollars on that student. For a public school you're also not spending the extra three thousand one hundred fifty five dollars so the. To me it's simple math for actually saving over three thousand dollars per student which based on this enrollment of five hundred seventy one students that this would to accommodate that's almost one point eight million dollars a year so when you say taxpayer money is going to private schools it would never happen if these private donations than go in to this program in the first place and if you have a philosophical opposition to public funds going to private schools we're doing that already through the succeeding program which is is tremendously successful and we just recently passed of a bill ninety three to one the other day to send private funds are send taxpayer dollars to private colleges so it's it's not unprecedented to to claim that taxpayer funds go to a private school. I want to discuss the again this the the specific fiscal impact because this is quite an an impact that we go and I'm not gonna go through all all the detail but I went through the bill and there's about fifteen items that the department of education had had to do and There's about the same list that they gave me and I came up with a cost of four hundred and thirty three thousand dollars and four hundred and seventy two four thirty three thousand four hundred seventy two dollars Of those fifteen items six items were one time events that once they're set up for the program they're they're done they don't have to be re done. Three of those items or once a year in advance once they're done that year they don't have to be re done and then six items or what you might call interment events I don't the nine some work needs to be done they might need to hire some people but I do question whether they need to hire six additional people at a cost of four hundred thirty three thousand dollars. The same for the FNA there's a few few items they have to do and again I don't deny there's some work involved in handling tax credits that's basically what they'll do what I do question is the need to hire seven people. there from a revenue manager an audit supervisor three auditors into fiscal support specialist. I'm not a supervisor and three auditors when the SS so is actually paying for the audits and reporting them to the department that's a total of four hundred sixty five thousand dollars so that the saying it's going to cost almost nine hundred thousand dollars to administer this program. Louisiana has a program much larger than this the FAA in Louisiana has no extra personnel to handle it spoke to administrator in Louisiana that that handles their voucher program they have six thousand students on voucher program they have two thousand students on tax credit program I have another four hundred fifty on IT the vouchers they have for us as opposed and this administrator managed all of this themselves one person and so I'm just putting that in perspective I'm not saying that there is a some extra work done might even hired I have a few people but don't think it's going to take thirteen people to manage a program much smaller than than what was intended Some of our cost for the essay the essay and the FI's almost nine hundred thousand dollars for thirteen people four five hundred seventy one kids and maybe two or three as as so. so that is the bill that's the fiscal analysis and and my understanding of it my opinion of it and so I'll be glad to take some questions. No questions at. The president wouldn't for what purpose question you're recognized. Representative director Joe as the Attorney General about opinion how this month for the Lake View case. Now. I'm not sure what would. Well you're diverting money of education actually this doesn't come out of education would just. I've heard explanation. And and and people may donate to. But what I'm asking you is is going to have an impact on general revenue of some for whether it's a million or ten million. How will this apply to the Lake View losses to those address adequacy of the public schools and told us how much we had to do or what we had to do in order to the and in compliance okay we just talked about. Raising the adequacy funding that that that's guaranteed based on the matrix okay. This tax credit comes out of a general revenue fund we have a lot of things that come out of general revenue that don't affect. Education funding this is this is just another item that will come out of general revenue just like any other expense the adequacy funding is guaranteed for the schools were not deducting anything from adequacy formula. The recognized are you are you aware of that the cares that the new one may very well look at any funds that are diverted from where they are presently being used because of the amount of money that is flowing into the state coffers. I'm not aware of how this would affect. that we're receiving five hundred and fifty eight million dollars from the second round yes and are you aware of the state is going to get two point six billion yes and if we divert money out of the coffers we K. take that month. Thanks under consideration and I think yet to be determined I don't know that we've had a a final decision on that. Thank you thank you. No other questions appreciate a good vote. Percent Bragg is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representative Deffenbaugh you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm not trying to talk on my phone it just comes over my hearing aids. All right here we go. obviously I'm against this and I may ask you to vote against it You know party testimony sitting on the committee yesterday. And you know we're led to believe that this is going to help a lot of people and it's like the answer to a lot of our problems the you know the truth of the matter is an and we can close as you can correct me if I say anything wrong here but thank five hundred seventy two may get the voucher to begin with. All right which is that's about one and a half person per school district that's not many. Also that's only a minuscule part of. Public school students is four hundred seventy thousand public school students are so it doesn't. When these youngsters apply for this Ballinger there's gonna be many of a missed many disadvantages are going left behind they expect I mean it sounds like they're going to all be considered for a for a voucher and they're not there's so many of them that are going to be left behind gonna be sorely disappointed I think one of the biggest things we talked about committee yes. You know can't talk about S. S. so I don't know how many of you know what S. S. O. is I didn't either to yesterday but it's student support organization they're going to be in charge of ten million dollars we don't even know who that committee is or if they even have a committee yet. Okay so they're the ones supposedly in charge of it so. And representative Bragg said the only accountability is according to the parents they want to have their child in that private school or not okay so there's not my perspective is I don't see a whole lot of real accountability. Second part of that too is I don't see how how how do they how do we know what's going on there where is the transparency coming from. Of. It was the oversight coming from you know in public schools you're pretty well watch like a hawk. But in these kind of situations there's just not a whole lot of oversight that I can tell. Yesterday and in the meeting we talked about a lady shared Batterson being dyslexic in the basically the school just blur off okay that's what she said it's against the law for public schools to just do that they have to they have to give services to any dyslexic so for supports the disadvantage is that part of it. That they have programs to take care of my son was dyslexic I know how it was work he went to school he had plenty of opportunities because of this dyslexia Private schools. Thank you cherry pick who they want if they don't like to they got they can just a. You know they get rid of all they don't have to keep all right if they're real problem they don't have to keep in public schools they got to take care bye knows teachers are working like hectic to to educate youngsters. We ask for proof give us improved according to give some proof about how will This these voucher programs or work obviously ever stayed the U. S. that do it there's some that have had problems I wrote him down Ohio Louisiana he mention Indiana Washington DC Milwaukee Cleveland some of the city's also had problems where the the results of the people that had vouchers there was no significant difference between what they were making it public schools and private schools. Also this is obviously we know what's going to escalate because the bill said so if they if the voucher program reaches ninety percent effective efficient if they feel ninety percent of the slots then the next year there there were there contributions will go up twenty five percent it didn't take long for that the bill that. This support organization S. S. like I said. I don't even know if they're organized now I didn't hear anything about that maybe the represent Bragg will analyze and like I said we don't even know who they are. One last one thing and I'm a quick. Once you start taking these of these youngsters are coming out of public school so once you start taking those youngsters out of public schools then you're gonna lose teachers. Who are not paying in teacher retirement so it's going to cost a teacher bench with prostitutes retirement money that we can if we can afford to lose. And then the last thing is I think this is a quote from coach wooden feel like this the beginning this is the beginning of the demise of public education thanks. Representive Deffenbaugh has spoken against the bill we would like to speak for the bill representive rate you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I'd like to start by commending representative Bragg for your leadership on this issue for your diligent work on this bill. Colleagues in speaking in favor of this bill because I believe that every child regardless of their zip code that they live in. Or their families level of income. Deserve an education that meets their individual needs I think what representative Bragg is developed here. By creating a scholarship program that's funded with the tax credit and then creating a grant program for public schools is funded to a tax credit is an innovative solution that helps all of our schools. The public school system always has and always will serve the vast majority of Arkansas children because it works for the vast majority of Arkansas children. I'm a strong supporter of public education I have family members who have worked in public education and work today in public education. But I support all of our schools not just our public schools and too often I think we can fuse education and schooling. Education is the goal schooling is a means to get there to reach that goal. Which brings me to this discussion about choice. In nearly every facet of our life we have a choice from the cars we drive to the investments that we select for our retirement to the careers we choose to earn our living in and that's where education is moving it's moving toward more diversity and pluralism it's not a one size fits all template. It's a mosaic the world is better when people are empowered to choose. Just look at the trends in other states they're moving toward more choice if we don't adapt if we don't empower people with choice. Is it's like being trapped in the eight track system and iPad world. And I've heard it said before before in this debate as I watch the meeting yesterday I. We already have a choice. We do have a choice if you're rich. It may sound unconventional or you haven't thought about it this way but with our current system where you go to the school that you're assigned to based on where you live. Education is basically a commodity that is bought and sold to the real estate market. If you can afford to live in a good school district then great. But if you're too poor to move out of a bad school district then tough luck that's where we are today. In almost NO aspect or facet of our lives does your zip code determine your choice or lack there of on something like this. How absurd would it be if we had grocery districts. You want to shop at whole foods sorry you don't live in that grocery district it sounds absurd right. What if you or your loved one. I had cancer and you call the oncologist I said I'm sorry Sir I'm sorry ma'am you don't live in this oncology District. We wouldn't stand for that. We file a bill to fix it today. No I've heard it said just a few moments ago. That we don't this would have accountability the representative Bragg is put lots of accountability measures into this bill but I'll tell you what's real accountability a real accountability as a mother. Who loves her child with all of her heart and her soul and her mind. I've heard it said that we shouldn't spend public dollars on private schools. We did that yesterday and this chamber I believe we got north of ninety votes. I don't hear anybody arguing that we should take away Pell grants that we should take away lottery scholarships that can be used to go to private colleges and universities in our state. And we use. What money for all sorts of private things elsewhere in government for years G. I. F. was given away to private organizations and I didn't hear too many people complain about that. I don't hear a lot of people complain when ADC gives incentives I a public money to already profitable private corporations. There's another there's another tax credit Ark Code it's a dollar for dollar tax credit and that pretty much all of us avail ourselves of it's the political contribution tax credit. And we use that tax credit to encourage people to donate to our political campaigns. I would submit to you today that if we can use a political tax credit to generate donations for our political campaigns then surely we can justify using a a tax credit to grant scholarships to low income kids in this state. I was I was moved yesterday when I watch one of my colleagues testified in Education Committee with a very moving and compelling story. it was I found it quite powerful my personal story is not quite that powerful but it did impact my life so I'll share it briefly with you. I was the first person in my family to go to college my dad was a land surveyor my mom was a receptionist our family was certainly not poor but we certainly weren't rich either. And we live in a school district near Memphis Tennessee that wasn't exactly known for great academics and my parents were bound and determined that what they wanted me and my two brothers to be the first in our family to go to college. the problem was on what they made it wasn't really going to be possible. And so I watched my dad. Who in addition to is normal forty hour a week job would go on work nights at a sporting goods store often on and then on the weekends he would pick up trash. And sometimes I would go with them. And. As a result me and my two brothers all went to college and we all graduated. And I'll forever be grateful to my parents for what they did. And for us that was the right decision. But for every for for other families they may choose a different path this is just about making that possible for a family just a little bit lower on the income ladder. That would have never even been an option. So when I leave here at the end of the session I want to be able to tell people that I try to create more opportunity for people in our state not less. And I'll finish by saying the same this same this session we've dealt with a lot of issues I think we would all agree that were. Pretty partisan from one to one extent or another. And there's a lot of things that. Our partisan in that we fight over. But education doesn't have to be one of those things. We can stop fighting over kids and we can start to start fighting for kids. Education. This should come first kids should come first over politics over unions and over party affiliation. Districts don't have kids. Schools don't have kids. Parents are the ones that have kids and this bill helps the kids and that's why I'm voting for thank. President ray is spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represents speaks you're recognized to speak again. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I'm here today to ask you one question let us not forget the schools the money that is from the school's words that's not what we're down here for we're down here for the children. And today. There are several a few that are gonna make votes that not a child in your district will receive one penny of this. There's going to be thousands of children out here that will not be eligible to get this money. And I we need to put our minds our money our. The work behind to help in our public schools and help in those little children that are being left behind so today I'm going to ask you along with me. To vote no for this and let's get busy and help our public school help those children that will never receive one penny of this money thank you. President speaks is spoken against the building would like to speak for the bill represent Brooks you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues imagine for me if you will a third grader walking into a new classroom he looks mildly terrified and very unsure of what this year will look like school is not been easy for him. What seems to come somewhat naturally for his friends doesn't for him. Imagine that same child's face a lifetime of diagnoses evaluations tests therapies in generally a really hard time. Imagine a mother. Whose fault form since day one she's given up her career and put callous talents on hold because she loves them that much. She's cried over and she's prayed over and she's bad for people to just give him a chance. Imagine a dad spent endless nights worrying about how he might provide when the next huge bill comes in and wonders if a near six figure sum. Is ever going to be enough to actually make a difference. Imagine a brother and sister who loves so much and don't even realize what they're sacrificing for the good of their brother. And the third grader imagine the takes almost an entire semester. The process is IP and then for two full school years he spends a third of this state in a class with seven other kids of varying academic and developmental challenges learning almost nothing. Third grade becomes fifth grade in seventh grade and in tenth grade by that point he'll likely become just another statistic perhaps one of more than sixty percent of students in our state I can't read on grade level. Not to mention his other academic issues. And developmental challenges in this build over into every area of life. Now imagine colleagues that child has no other choice. My friends I don't have to imagine it. Because my family's lived it. The one difference. My family. And my child. I had a choice. Most of us around this hollow chamber have choices and have options. But too many thousands of families in Arkansas don't. And they're living the exact scenario that I just described to you with utter hopelessness. H. B. thirteen seventy one is not the boogeyman the sum would like you to believe it is. It's not the systemic dismantling of public education I'm a proud son and grandson of public educators. A vibrant part of the public education system is good for all of us. However. Let's remember who's dollars are being spent. Just like we allocated state funds to pay for that child needs speech therapy. And has the choice to seek the best clinician out. Or perhaps Senate bill two eighty nine which passed overwhelmingly yesterday with ninety one votes on that board. It enables students to spend grant dollars a private institutions of higher education. These programs don't benefit from some magic pot of public dollars there is no such thing. They benefit from tax dollars which earned by the hard working our Kansans thank you and I represent every single day. And with these taxpayers have children who are in desperate need of a choice for a better way. They deserve the right to make that choice. For a very small for you H. B. thirteen seventy one at least creates an opportunity for a choice. It doesn't destroy your local public school. In fact it explicitly benefits them. The journey of my family is one as some might call outrageous I get that. It even let my wife. To move a thousand miles away and live in a four hundred square foot hotel room for six months with two teenagers mind you. But the outcomes for are now seventh grade son that have come as a result of the choices that we were afforded. R. one to quite literally tens the course of his life. Yesterday committee was asked if there's examples of things like this working. Members in fact Allori. Antilles up they're not in that gallery so it's a perfect example of one one that I'm proud to call my son. Most families thankfully will face as radical road as we did. But many. Better in your districts. And mine. Face amount they just don't know how to climb. This bill least give them hope to know that there's a path to the top. I would appreciate your support on this bill and a good vote thank you. Represent Brooks is spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill representive Wooten you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr. Her. Colleagues the first thing I want to tell you don't the may feel guilty about this bill. I'm telling you this bill. Is the final nail will be driven in the education public education as we know within this state. What we're seeing today is a progression. Thank you little bit here thank you a little bit there a little bit over here and the next thing you know public education is Gaul. And if you thank. But these private schools are gonna take ever come or the comes to their door your food yourself we see that today. We see the X. this is the progression. They don't want anything to do with this. But athletics today with this bill I got one more step. We sent back and we love them we don't bother athletics. And today look at the situation we're facing. If they got so much concern what a day in the past ten years spent thirty million dollars. Home football scholarships if they're so concerned about these five hundred. One school spent three point four million. In the past six years for athletic scholarships let me tell you what to do. The mission areas I think it by accident example I'm in this of motor system I already represent speak into the bill represent Lowery for what purpose one of order what's your point of the the Speaker is not speaking to the bills come up football scholarships and academic athletic scholarships of that's not in the bill. Thank you senator Lauer your your. Most read to represent wouldn't let me respond as plus points well taken the chair generally allows some leeway but represent wouldn't please keep your remarks focused on the bill thank you Sir. Twenty nine pages. Two pages to tell you what they want to do. They want to offer five hundred students of four hundred and seventy thousand Scholarship. Tell me what this is is who is it what are they going to do and how they're going to spend some money are they going to use it like this private schools do. Mister who they give that money to how you gonna qualify for. Talk about a loss and I'm not talking about this bill being unconstitutional I'm talking about the lake view lawsuit we've already had two lawsuits in this state. Dealing with with funding and taking care of a public schools and we've done a tremendous job as a result of the second one the first one with a taken care of itself if the Director of the Department of Education and the governor at that time had struck one line. That. Los. Thank you sealed the Attorney General standing there and the judge saying well metal. Your ten million dollars and gave it over here. I don't care where it came from is coming of general revenues. There's a. Two point six billion dollars or come into this state. When you have it all up. That's controlled by the federal government. There what you. You start devoting money health or private schools and let me say that was a mistake yesterday and I started to get up and speak against it rather than do. I wish the. I was a set up for today. Well accreditation. Let's talk about accreditation. In the rules. None. Zero. Thank you X. amount of time to get a credit. If no new is a provision in here. Thank you make their decision as to where they want their child to go to school. They will pay the twelve or fourteen thousand dollars a year to prevent a private school they could do that. But I. Exes in White County. I want to have money taken from one can only to falter cannot to be spent as a private school. A representative forty two thousand people. How many of them. Do you feel their children will be accepted. Let me let me just share with. Ever private school. As the entrance test. Interview. They look at past transcript. They call past schools. I have a religious litmus test. No one private school. Thanks everyone who comes to there's no. They take those that they will. Follows the wall. The private schools. Are using this. As a progression. To get more and more and more. In public education's goal. Thank the products are teachers. What was made by representative Deffenbaugh. Your students your teachers. The point. This is about the children let me sir well to children I coach for twenty five years. I saw some of the hell that some of the kids lived in and the only place I go there to relieve was when they came to school. Sure there to say this what we're dealing with today. We call a four year over education. I submitted two years of failure in some of our home games. To encourage. To promote to push. The need to be educated. I'm the most agreed person baby. My three children thanks in large. All three have a college education. A master's degree. My two grand dollars have a bachelor's and a master's. Three or more in public education. And they're all products of the public school. I'm a product of the public schools they never did me wrong it benefit me so the opportunities the other head. In my life. Because of the fact that I have a fourth grade teacher. That would. The. Is this gonna be all right. After she's by the. Is the most concerning point to me is that the private schools will not to over all comers. They don't have to. We do. And rightfully so when public education which shall come through our door there will also be the involves loving compassionate understanding staff. Welcomes them there. We don't have enough private schools in this study to be able to start down this road. Again don't be made to feel guilty. Warren saying that we're not compassionate or if we don't do this we're not. I'm telling you we spent fifty five percent of our state revenue on education. Sure New York spends more sure Florida does California they got more people. More folks. We run. In the thirties or forties relative to state nation wide but you look at what we write in per capital effort. That we might occasion. Fifty five percent of our money goes to educate the children so long stand up here and make me feel why. I'm not doing my part if I don't vote for this bill I promise you I'll stand here every day. Now five forever right of every child in this study. To be able to have a had a quick and actionable Education the constitution says it is the state's responsibility there's not one for use in the constitution of this state that refers to if you will. A private school is is is the state's responsibility don't be fooled this is a progressive effort to interfere with the education of four hundred seventy thousand young people in this state and I'll thank you for voting though when thank you Mr Speaker purpose of witness spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill representative wing you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues when I was a sportscaster I was used to being at the end of the news cast and taking whatever time was left I promise to be very brief with some headlines one as we talk about SS those we have an SS so already in action with our succeed scholarship it has been working very well for years secondly this bill represents a massive compromise to in an effort to get some educational options for our families this bill is different from bills that you have seen in the past and I commend representative Bragg for putting together these compromises so that we can actually fund public education at a higher rate than private in this bill secondly we talk about public funds a lot and it has been pointed out that public funds are actually taxpayer funds this is our money and as taxpayers we need to ask why are we even in the business of education in the first place what is our role here we recognize collectively that it is in our best interest for the rising generation to have an education and so as such we are collectively putting our resources it and for an educational process for good outcomes we as taxpayers should want the best possible outcome for each child and this bill gives our families the option to choose what is best for them collectively we all benefit and then finally we come to the house here and all the time we will have competing principles sometimes it's not clear cut as to what we should decide and so we have to apply principles to say what takes precedent. You've heard a lot of things today you've heard a lot of concerns that come from superintendents you've heard a lot of concerns that come from concerned people about what how this will affect our public schools when it comes to what is the most important principle for us to decide what is best we need to think about what is best for our children. And that is the principle that will have be pushing a yes vote as taxpayers we should expect this returned and as parents we should expect this and want this for our children I encourage yes vote resembling spoken for the bill we would like to speak against the bill represent god for your record. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I'll do my best to be brief I do want to say it is difficult to add to speak against a bill sponsored by someone I like and respect so much I'm as representative Bragg and also a representative Brooks in your compelling testimony both yesterday and today I'm actually do want to speak in favor of representative Bragg and representative Brooks even I'm speaking against the bill because I actually believe that they and many of the co sponsors of this bill are genuine and their commitment to educational opportunity and fairness for students and that's where we do agree my driving core values as a professional both when I with the public educator and now as a legislator our educational equity and empowerment for students but I believe that our public schools and our public school educators are the Avenue through which we can achieve that equity and empowerment no I am not a blind defender of public education as an institution you can ask any boss I've ever had I joked yesterday in committee that I you know in every public school job I've gotten in trouble for being too aggressive too passionate and to destructive to the status quo and it's because I know we have opportunities to improve and that not all kids are getting what they deserve but that type of work the hard exhausting work of investing in and improving public schools is worth it and that's our job if we are putting into code over a page of needs that public schools have everything from roof repairs to professional development for teachers to physical and educational needs of students that we're admitting that we're not there yet. Our public schools need help and support as well as accountability and improvement and having private nonprofits meet those needs instead of us living up to our responsibility to provide an adequate and educational education for all kids is not the way to go and I appreciate and no vote. President Godfrey spoken against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill representive Wardlaw. For what purpose. Your motion media consideration. That's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The noes have it. Godfrey spoken against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill represent a clear you're recognized speak for the bill. I will be brief thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues I will be brief I know we are tired of listening to this I want to start off by saying that I am proudly married. To a woman. The dedicated her career as a public school educator. Who is the daughter. Other public school educator and the school board member. All through our family on both sides are filled with public school educators. I'm proud of our public school educators and our administrators. They have a tremendously difficult job and with the pandemic it's been even more difficult. We need to make sure that our public schools. Are equipped and funded properly to do their best to serve our community. And our children. For most of us in rule areas are public schools are the cornerstone of our community. To me this bill is not about taking away from education it's about adding to education. Regardless of how many programs that we come up with in the public school education regardless of the hours of hard work regardless of the amount of money that we spent there are still a few children that slip through the cracks that do not succeed. There are a plethora of reasons why for that. We would never get to the end of the different scenarios a family space. This bill targets to me in my interpretation low income parents and low income public schools. The threshold of fifty five percent to qualify fifty five percent of free lunches to qualify for grants affects all the schools in my particular school district this makes them eligible for more grant opportunities when a low income family has a struggling child. They often feel trapped and they feel hopeless. They don't have the resources as it's been mentioned to go spend and moved their kids and pay a tuition at another school. Do I tell that parent not tell the child that they have limited choices because we didn't want to help that they because of their financial situation the date. Can't get help. Do I tell them that because of the economic area that they live in the zip code they live in that they can't get help. I want to tell them that they have the same choice. As kids who have more financial. Responsibilities. Is there someone is going to try to misuse the system if we voted in. I would assume is most system somebody's going to try to figure a way to abuse and abuse the system probably so we're probably going to have to come back later and try to fix problems. But today. From a family of public school educators. And from someone who is sitting on a College Board. I choose to chop. I choose the child. I understand education require systems it requires institution and it requires been cruciferous ABS certainly not against those. But yet as we debate and I listen to what's going on here as I listen to dollars and I listen to systems I listened to territorial issues what I see in my mind is the faces of little children that I know that are not making it. And each one of those cases none of those parents have the financial wherewithal to be able to get those kids the help they need will this program help I'm not sure. But it's a parent to child we must remember that education is about one thing it is about the child. What about the child then what about the teacher we need to have that conversation later we just help the teachers a little bit we need to help them a whole lot more. But it's about the child. What another school help some of these kids I'm not sure. I see parents that abuse the school choice I move kids around from school to school. However I am willing to give this a chance I want to give children a chance I want to give a parent a choice. So today I'm going to vote for low income children to have a choice I'm going to vote for a low income public schools to have another grant opportunity thank you. Or some clear spoken for the bill we would like to speak against the bill represent all that you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues. I know you're tired. I know that a bunch of pretty much anything that I want to say or anybody else is going to say for the remainder of this day's going to sway your vote that hasn't already been swayed one way or the other. But I've been sitting here listening to the debate and watching everyone in their corners making the same arguments that weren't unsuccessfully made in two thousand fifteen two thousand seventeen two thousand nineteen. And hopefully again today. Some will say that this bill is about creating choice. Well we have a choice in Arkansas. A parent and a student. Can go to a public school. They don't want the public school that they're in. Then they can school choice to other public schools. Yes some two or three more options they don't like that they can go to their charter school. If they don't like that option and they can go home and go virtual public school. All these options are free to them all these options are supported by taxpayer money and all these options have standards and accountability put on them. That's why they are options paid for by taxpayer money. But you know what parents in this state also have two other options. You have the option to home school your child. You have the option to take your child to private schools. These are options to parents but these are options that are not supported by taxpayer money. These are options that are given to them because they don't have standards and accountability on the they have the freedom to educate a child how they want to. Let's call this bill what it actually is. It's a taxpayer funded voucher bill for private schools. Let's say what it does. Well number one. It moves public school kids to private schools. Now I don't know how many of you have actually read all twenty nine pages of this bill. But I have. And I have my attorneys look at it and I've had other analysts look at it and I look at it from all sides because this superintendents that's what we do. This bill specifically targets public schools. Home schooled kids can't take advantage of this unless you go through the loophole. And any home school parent if this passes I want you to know this here's your loophole in this you enroll your child I have three year in a public school and you qualify. Your term you qualify on usually go straight to a private school. Straight on this bill if it passes. It doesn't help all kids. You for the cap number five hundred seventy one. Let's talk about what this bill does number two. It's a move that will repeat segregate students from public schools to private schools. Right behind me six a monument on this Capitol grounds. It's a monument of the Little Rock Nine. DO fought to desegregate schools. Well I don't know about you. But I won't tell you about the Delta. Yes what private schools are made up of. What a minority kids. Back do you know of one single minority private school that exist in this state. Do you. Do you even know a private school in this state that has any. Kind of real percentage of minority students who attended. One of my private schools in the delta. And in the Delta where I'm from if you're black you go to public school if you what you got a private school. One of my private schools was on the time magazine on November the fourteenth in nineteen sixty nine. It was talking about how it was going to be a segregation in school. In its fifty two year history of existence. Not one single minority child. As ever intended to. This school qualify. And I will make that no because no one knows that sit in Little Rock no one's going to check it out is only going to be on what's the paper work sentence and minorities in my area are going to know not to apply it's not gonna be said. It's implied. Number three. This is a bill that will for the first time in history of Arkansas the department of education in the private school business. You've heard the expansive this hiring all this extra personnel nine hundred and seventy one thousand dollars well I bet that was an added on to the poorer pupil expenditure that was quoted. If you do that's an extra seventeen hundred dollars per instance of every child. You will create two separate but I am in the school systems of accountability are you getting ready for this here's the systems of accountability for the private school you're ready. They have to have a profit on it in fact this all it can be done by the parent of the child or should be done by the bookkeeper at that school there's no rules and regulations on it they just have to have a profit on it. And number two. Accountability. That child will only take these that child only will take the state exam. But public schools. Have hundreds if not thousands. The things that we have to follow for that same taxpayer money we have to have a licensed teachers we have to meet standards of accreditation. We have class requirements like the computer science this bill that we're going to vote on we're gonna make it a graduation because it is crucial to our kids to have that as a graduation credit in public schools but guess what private schools don't have to do it. We're gonna have that a through F. ranking remember that. How many community in your communities how many of you have had economic. Issues because of a ranking your school gets. All ranking was billed as how will parents ever known. What school their child is going to get but guess what those private schools and get that a through F. ranking. Because they're just going to be a soon to be great schools with no evidence at all. The last thing this will do. And I want you to hear me if you've not heard anything else. And you know what. My tone always comes across as angry representive all I just want to say I appreciate you say that for the will yesterday I appreciate you saying you know I'm sorry I you know I sounded angry or whatever because I've had that problem my whole life. But I I want to tell you representative all. I didn't hearing hearing your voice. Because this is what I know about you and this is what I hear in your voice every time you speak C. passion comes across as aggression to the un motivated. This is my life this is twenty years of what I have put an end to this and so believe me when I tell you this is what is really going on that we are called up again today. And this is what this bill does. It privatize public education this is a nationwide movement that is struck many different states. And not one of them's been successful. We've already started this process and we've been at it in Arkansas for a while. Start with charter schools. Then we spend millions of dollars on PLC's. Now this this last year we've turned over the Arkansas leadership academy to a private organization. T.. What this bill does And those essays a little bill it doesn't do much. It's one tenth of one percent. Expandable by twenty five percent each year sorry to four million dollars. Increases twenty five percent per year. Ten percent of it. They can be used for administration fees. Well if you start years zero as four million next year be five by year ten of the thirty seven million two hundred and fifty two. Thousand nine hundred three dollars by year twenty it'll be three hundred forty six million nine hundred and forty four thousand six hundred ninety five dollars and by year twenty five it'll be over a billion dollars. But no I didn't do anything. So what does the research say well let me read you the research the actual scientific. Data that has been done on this bill. This is not from public schools this is independent groups. Thousand programs across the country are not shown to be successful in improving student achievement in the last few years several studies have shown that a voucher program in Indiana Louisiana is reference Ohio in Washington DC hurt student achievement often causing moderate to large declines. Reports on the Cleveland and Milwaukee voucher programs to fill on little or no difference in voucher or public school students performance the two thousand seventeen major study of Louisiana voucher program reported negative results in both math and reading. A recent study of the Indiana school voucher program also reported dismal results. Indiana lawmakers in this report promoted this state school voucher program as a way eighty four children from poor and lower middle class families to leave public schools that fail to meet their needs see if we wanted just dress that component we are have that in place is called the secede Scholarship. And when you hear parents speak about that most of those parents already qualify for that all we had to do is lift the capped so I'm going to ask you the question why do we need twenty nine pages of other stuff. Well it's because it's not about the children. Is the Trojan horse bill. To privatize public education. A two thousand eighteen National Council of the study by the National Council on disability is found that vouchers do not free of create real choices are better opportunities for students it deprive students with disabilities to service and deprives students of rights and protections under federal law. Bouncers leave behind many disadvantaged students because private schools may not accept them or do not offer the you need services they need. So what does this do for public schools. Well let me ask you. You've heard what all of this stuff that they put in. I'm going to say this. All of this is allowable expenditures that we get money for now you've been told that we don't get money for this it's all payable out of ESA funds except for the roof in an H. FAQ which come out of partnership money this was not developed in partnerships with public schools. And I want to make that clear. Representative Bragg said yesterday. Well excuse me let me let me back up. All kids so it's about kids. So let's consider the kid going to private school. This kid gets a scholarship the parents dropping their kids off and Cadillacs Mercedes Land Rovers kids monster often often the mini van they don't have in style clothes you know what that's like as a kid if you don't I encourage you do this dressed in black jeans a gray tee shirt and a black hoodie and come to the capitol and walked through the halls after hours. You'll know exactly what that slot. A child being singled out to take a state test is meaningless to I wish had been left out of the bill. With this private schools this bill private schools can use this to recruit. Yes why athletics. I'm gonna try to hurry this long. But I got a lot to say. And I will say this. I believe this. Representative Brad believes in his heart this is the right thing to do and I have a great deal of respect for represented Brecht. One of the comments that he made yesterday. And this is why I know that you care. Is if I intended this to be the camel's nose under the tent I would go through with this bill. This is where we have a fundamental disagreement. Is not only do I think that camel's nose under the tent I think the whole camels about to be in the tent if this is passed. Representative Bragg may quotes yesterday. I want to quote some people who are for this we don't have private schools in our area so it's not going to hurt us. We need to pass a voucher bill and this is the least damaging bill to public schools. It won't solve much but it will help a couple kids. What's of you. I've been told. Call pole. Telling you that this is a party platform issue I didn't get that phone call wonder why. I guess I see a different world in my twenty years of education. I see a world where public education work. And I want to say this and and I'm about done. Representative Bragg said this he said superintendents have a very vociferous objection to this bill. Well I didn't even know what that meant I've never I've been I've object July things but I didn't know what vociferous me to you don't either is a vote him out outspoken or vocal objection well. I do have a. I do. This is firstly object to this bill. Because of all the things that is doing. I'm asking you to do what you did in two thousand fifteen two thousand seventeen two thousand nineteen and vote this bill down. If if not. Vote yes and put us out of our misery. But the final nail in the coffin of public education. But I want to say this last thing. In the spirit of choice I'm going to offer you the third option. One where we vote this down. And we come together. As Democrats Republicans private school people public school people. And we revise education in this state and educational opportunities in the state that we work through your craft and education system that works for every child in this entire state. Not put a bandaid on it not. Five hundred seventy one kids out here let's vote this down and let's do something that's actually meaningful. Something that actually makes a difference in all kids lives and something that we can all support. And as you can tell today in in Maine pass out of this chamber but as you can tell today this is not something that we. Are all for and we're we're not all for it. We can't be all in it for kids. Thank you. Percent tall it is spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent Bragg you're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you colleagues for your patience and I would been here a long time now we've heard. Several things about some bills today about schools this is. About students. you know a lot of people can understand why I'm carrying this bill because of of declared my support for public schools. My wife's retired teacher. I think there's room for public schools private schools charter schools on schools. Again I want to reiterate reiterate if it anyway I thought this bill is going to damage the public school system I really wouldn't be running it. Keep in mind the very narrow scope of what we're talking about you know we've talked about the need for options. And this really we talked about school choice is really about choice you know we have choice now business said before. Some people can exercise that choice because of their income status. Lower parents is lower income parents just don't have that option. This Arkansas child academic opportunity scholarship grant act will offer some children that opportunity to meet their individual needs and succeed it also does put funds into the public schools. You know when I go into school invariably within a few minutes we hear that the discussion about how it's all about the children. And I believe that I believe are superintendents are staffer dedicated their sincere. So when the conversation is about the kids. Until you bring up a transfer to a private school. Then that conversation changes and there's here's what I'm I hear you know from my experience in this. When a conversation changes they don't talk about the student they talk about how private schools don't have to follow the same guidelines they have to follow I just don't want to lose a student to a private school we've talked about accountability. Well I looked up. There is there's a whole document here about what private schools the standards they have to meet as everything in here about curriculum requirements looks to me like it's the same thing as a public schools keep in mind the Department of elementary education secondary education will approve these private schools if they don't meet a certain standard then they won't be approved. The conversation changes they don't talk about the student they talk about the money. They don't like the bill because they'll lose seven thousand dollars per student. Even though the state saves money overall granted that district will lose that money but the state as I said before we'll save overall we're not taking funds from the private school fund that's funded by the matrix this is a different. Fun. Plus keep in mind this bill turns back six million dollars to public schools that they could apply for grants. I don't talk about the student to talk about the devastating effect this will have on public education. If one tenth of one percent of the students leave public schools. You know there's been about five hundred students leave over the last couple years through the ace program I don't think any public schools of collapsed. Ace is one of the SS so that could be potential for this they're fully funded through philanthropic. Donations. So I ask the superintendents in light of all these objections what then do you do with the child. That needs a different educational experience what what do you do with them. And I don't get an answer that that involves some comments about private schools in some form or another. The limitations that they have compared to private schools hardly any of them address the public aspect of this but there's six million dollars available for their schools. They lose state instead of public schools now through open school choice I see as a Billboard every time I go home advertisement you know come to our school you see it on emails. Social media it's time to register now for school choice. I don't mind recruiting from other schools to take three percent from another school to come to their school it's what the limit is. Yet they won't give up one tenth of one percent of the students that need us a special opportunity. Let's look at the scope I want to narrow down on the scope of impact five hundred seventy one students. I mentioned that my arm span is sixteen hundred fifty one millimeters. You take a pencil shavings shave off the wood from. And take that pencil lead. That pencil lead. Is about one point six five millimeters that's one tenth of one percent. Of my arm span so picture me holding a pencil lead out here. That's the impact. This is going to have on public schools I know there's an escalation. Clause. But it's going to take a long time to even get up to one to one percent. That's the the impact we're talking about minimum. I understand the pressure from superintendents you're hearing very. Loud and vociferous objections to this bill you thank your political future is at stake. I want to tell you in no one's lost an election running in support of this kind of bill. You're not hearing from are those faceless voiceless children who are struggling and need a different environment. You won't hear from them. They have no voice. You'll never see their face. You won't hear from them but you'll hear from your superintendents about why these children should not have that opportunity to succeed. Why would you deny that. So is maintaining enrollment more important than the future of the student. Is keeping seven thousand dollars more important than the future of the child. Is leading animosity towards losing a student to a private school more important than the best interest of that child. I did service in the committee that yesterday let me share some quotes and comments I've heard over these last few weeks these are all about. So the school bills that we've done and and some of that one about the special election affects schools and keep in mind all these quotes are from legislators who oppose this bill. Quote if a parent wants a better school experience what is wrong with that. Quote why is it a bad thing to give a kid a better experience in school. Quote if there's a better option for that kid and what is wrong with that kid pursuing that. Quote one reason pass this bill simply put it should be all about the student. Quota can only has a chance to be a kid wants his family made the decision to go through a valid legal process because they wanted a school that better met the needs of the child. Quote if it were your child or your grandchild. What would you want for them. Quote flexibility is needed to address specific concerns. Quote the achievement gap continues between children of color and poverty gaps are closing. If the concern is about closing gaps what difference does it make as to how. Provide a quote provide the lock right learning environment and the child will be successful. Quote all schools want to educate but sometimes have to target specific populations. Quote I was voted into the legislature by seventy percent of my district not seven percent that have special interest I have to look out for everyone's interests. So in light of that why I ask why would you let a small handful of people determine what the majority of your constituents want. I'm not worried about those mayors quote I'm not worried about those mares librarians are superintendents I'm worried about ninety five percent of my constituents. Quote I know it's the right thing to do but I'm getting pressure from my superintendent. If you know the right thing to do then why would you do it. Most of the opposition from legislators on this bill is not from the merit of the bill the from the superintendent said don't like. I understand the pressure getting from superintendents of the ones driving opposition the arguments about losing money I've heard opposition because some rural students won't benefit. That's true it's only gonna benefit five hundred seventy one students so why would you do not have those five hundred seventy one students an opportunity just because some others can have it. If I intended for this bill again to be expansion. As as we talked about the. Camel's nose under the tent this is the least efficient way to do it such a a gradual increase if I wanted to expand significantly I'd be having an initiated ballot. Put on the ballot. And let the people of Arkansas decide. Again keep in mind the scope of this bill one tenth of one percent of the students. Some of the opposition says wanted to use that money to improve the schools I agree. Six million dollars will go back to public schools. I think we need to do that let's get our public schools to the point. Where a child won't have to leave for a better opportunity we can do both it's not either or. But that will take some time to achieve. In the meantime let's give kids an opportunity now that don't have the luxury that higher income kids have. Is not an either or proposition. We should be both improve our schools long term the shorter term provide an option like this bill can provide. Want to give you an example to amass an alley something I learned some of you. More mature legislator's zero well no. He's I'm I'm totally used to take the freshman on. Sure I was fortunate to to get to know ten he he he had retired but he would stand over here during the session and got to knowing some of his wisdom. But I'm told that during orientation he would take freshman on a tour and a go down the hall on those composites and had point up there and and it's a Do you all know who that is open on on the wall there is anyone who who that is is a no the sale no one's gonna know who you are twenty years from now either. Colleagues our time here is temporary. But the decisions you make. Today can affect a lifetime. Don't let something temporary affect something permanent. In the short is the short term appeasement a superintendent more important than the lifetime success of a child. Let me share one last point. There were two women who lived in the same house and have babies about the same time one rolled over during the night and smothered baby. She woke up the next morning. Realized it had died in the middle earned or in the middle of the night she switched the dead baby for the live baby of another woman. The other woman woke up sorry baby was dead but realize it when her baby it had been switched. She confronted the other woman who took her baby. And they got into an argument. It can be determine who the real mother was so they brought it before the issue before the cane. They argue their case. So to resolve it. The king asked as a tenant to bring a sword. And instructed the attendance to cut the baby in half of one half to one mother one half to another. Immediately the real mother showed compassion screen not to do that. Go ahead and give the other mother the baby in order to save his life. But the other mother said neither one of us to have a go ahead and cut in half. It was evident to the king who the real mother was. In order to save the life of her child she was willing to give up the child. School administrators just aren't willing to give up the child even if it benefits again I ask what do you do with the child you have an opportunity now to make that decision. You have a chance to vote for this bill to give a child an education. That could affect their lifetime. If you know in your heart it's the right thing to do. Please do it. Thank you and I ask for a good vote. President Bragg is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen seventy one we do have a proxy representative Miller. Votes yes Is vote will be reflected on. We have one pair on the desk representative Gonzalez votes yes representative making their votes no. This pair was witnessed by representative Bragg. Representative McNair is the president member are there any procedural objections to this pair. Hearing none please do not vote either of these two voting machines prepare the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of forty four yeas fifty two nays and to present the bill is failed. Representative Deffenbaugh move the clincher. The proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. The noes have it. Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen forty three. House fifteen forty three by representative ought to require the assessment coordination division to issue certain annual reports and to prohibit new or updated assessment guidelines for becoming effective until there been reported to Legislative Council. Representative Vaught you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr. Mr Speaker this bill I've already brought to all once this session it's about the taxation on the chicken houses that was done and this will require a report so taxes don't go up without as knowing what's going on I'd appreciate a good vote. President vase explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Vaught is closed for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill fifteen forty three per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty eight zero nays and to present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen ninety seven. House bill fifty ninety seven by representative Boyd concerning the possession and use of pepper spray or tear gas. Representative Boyd you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam chair this bill was brought to me by constituent all it does is it changes the amount of pepper spray from a hundred fifty cece's to three hundred milliliters which is more in line with bear spray with that said I appreciate a good vote. Representative Boyd has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Boyd is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen ninety seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen nineteen. House bill sixty nineteen represent avoid concerning the scheduling of a schedule six controlled substance and provide the deletion of a controlled substance from schedule for. Representative Boyd you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam chair prescription medications obtain an ex extensive review by our federal government and any decisions to make a medication a controlled substance in the in any of the schedules is a thoughtful consideration by the DA the FDA and HHS the federal government does not have schedule six so if it that presents a problem of something with fit into our schedule six in the State scheme so what this does is again I just wanna clarify these are prescription drugs these are drugs that have gone through the food and drug administration process these are the ones you go to a physician nurse practitioner podiatrist and income have filled at a pharmacy type medications so this would say that they're not put in the schedule six upon approval unless our state our secretary of health says that they should go there that said I take any questions. Thank nine I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Boyd has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Boyd is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen nineteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety three a zero nays and zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen oh seven. House bill fifty nine seven by representative wouldn't concerning a sex offender's ability ability to reside with a minor. Representive what you are recognized to present your bill. Thank you manager colleagues this is a rather simple bill it's clarification for the court Rosa to minors there's a phrase in the bill that in the case of that in the current law that states maybe a first offender and course they wanted for all probationers other than when the court specifies the this will be permitted so this is just a clarification this bill comes from the department of corrections and I will for sure provision in a good vote thank you. Representative wouldn't has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Wooten is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen oh seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety three a zero nays and zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill ten ninety eight. House bill ten ninety eight a representative who can district circumstances under which a sex offender maybe print permitted on or near the purposes of a child care facility into required notice for certain persons with a sex offender is on the premises of a child care facility representive what you are recognized to present your bill. Thank you Mr chairman this is. A bill that was. Came out of the results of a situation in my district and also in representative eleven district we discovered that the department Human Services does not have a rule this as parents. You have a child. In a day Kerr first daycare childcare facility. The they should be made aware of is the owner. The provider. The employee has a member of their immediate family who has been convicted of a level two three or four six cents on the level two if it's public information. But this bill we've talked a lot about the children and the kids to the in this this bill is for two two folks. For the parents. And it's for. Jill. I feel and I hope you agree I'm sure you will. Aaron has a right to know. And then this bill they're prevented from being the sex offender is prevented from being on the property when children are present. But the parents should have a right to know about the presence of a sex offender I would I would certainly appreciate a good vote representative Dotson for what purpose question. Representative Wooten has left the weld. Representative with has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. You're welcome recognized representative Dotson to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Thank you madam chair and was necessarily income down to speak against the bill and had a question and hopefully on closing representative wouldn't can answer this question my concern is. As I'm reading the bill and as I'm understanding it this is not punishing the sex offender I think it's against the law for sex offender to already go to a. They care facility of facility where children present this is in regards to the family member of a sex offender if I'm understanding it correctly and I'm not sure how this passes constitutional muster or the the rights of privacy of an individual or the right to the billeted for them to be able to work. If their family member has been committed convicted of a crime and Just hopefully can give me some more clarification on that in your closing thank you. Representative Dotson has spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Representative would would you like to close for the bill. Thank you representative for the question on and say you would do the. This bill is. Simply they have to electronically or in written manner and for the parents the name is zero. The fact that the sex offender is there is an important issue. And that's what this addresses is just simply the right to know the other parents. Constitutionality Ulloa NO. Well I tell you one thing. The parents have a right to know if their child is in around or possibly could be a sex offender. Thank you for a good vote. Representative Wooten is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten ninety eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Gassed up the ballot Mr Clark. With fifty eight yeas eleven days and ten present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen oh six. Also sixteen oh six by representative Gazaway concerning court reporters and transcript these. Representative Gazaway you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues this bill simply adds to the existing existing law that says when a court reporter prepares a transcript they can require up to fifty percent of the cost of that transcript to be paid up front. But what this adds is before they have to deliver the transcript of the person who's request that they can require that they make the final payment court reporters spent a lot of time they spend all day in the courtroom with the judge transcribing everything that said and then when litigants want these transcripts prepared they typically do that at night and work a lot hours of not trying to put those together and the law doesn't require right now that the person pay for it all before they have to deliver it and this just makes it very clear that before they have to deliver that transcript they have to be paid in full and so I'm happy to answer any questions sing none Richard good vote. 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 sixteen oh six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety two yeas and one one day in zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen oh five. House bill sixty five a representative Gazaway concerning payment for a court transcript representative Gazaway you're recognized to present your bill thank you madam Speaker again another clarification bill simply says that the law currently set forth how much a court reporter can charge when they when they prepare a transcript it's per copy and per page and just says that doesn't apply to the judge who hears the case the judge who hears the case once a copy the transcript they don't have to pay that and so again it just clarifies that happy to answer any questions. Saying not appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway has 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 sixteen oh five prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty nine Yeas four Nays in one present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen sixteen. Also sixteen sixteen by representative Gazaway concerning retired District Court judges and concerning appointed special judges. Representative Gazaway you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker this bill simply says that existing law allows for if a of circuit judges appointed to fill in for a judge to sick or you can't be on the bench for whatever reason if a conflict of interest that they're paid certain travel or reimbursement fees this sets up the same standard for District Court judges if a District Court judge is appointed by this Chief Justice Supreme Court to fill in for another District Court judge because that District Court judges ill or has a conflict of interest and they can read be reimbursed travel fees to and from the court happy to answer any questions. Seeing Richard good vote. Representative Gazaway has explained 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 sixteen sixteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill has passed members we're going to skip the next two bills. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty six. House bill twelve forty six for representative Johnson to allow pharmacists to treat certain health conditions to modify the physician dispensing to allow delegation of physician dispensing. President of Johnson you're recognized to present your bill thank you madam Speaker colleagues I know it's been a long day I'll try to be brief I think this is an important bill that I'm real proud of this bill I'm proud of the work and after that we into it I'm grateful to two of our fellow representatives here representative bragging representative Gonzales who were kind enough to let me work on their to bills they filed to put them together and what is a compromise bill between the members of the pharmacy association of the medical society this is a bill that expands scope for pharmacists that will allow them to treat certain conditions under statewide protocols developed in conjunction with the pharmacy board the medical board it also allows pharmacists to prescribe over the counter medications which they can't do currently so currently if you have insurance company that will pay for an over the counter prescription something like ibuprofen or Tylenol you have to have a prescription for this position for for the insurance company cover that this will allow the pharmacists to do that removing that barrier of care and helping helping our fellow Kansans receive the healthcare they need in a in a pretty rapid fashion additionally it it It allows for same drug substitution after the pharmacist is always is the lesser cost simultaneously provides for expansion physician dispensing so it allows also physicians to stock in their clinic certain classifications of medication to treat infections to treat symptoms of acute illnesses and to treat some long term illnesses like high blood pressure diabetes high cholesterol Sturch it's a good bill it's a win for both sides it is certainly improved access to care and reduce barriers that are there presently to health care in Arkansas so with that I'll take any questions. C. nine appreciate your vote thank you Colin represent 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 is the passage of house bill twelve forty six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety two yeah zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen seventy two. Puzzle fifteen seventy two by representative Lundstrum to create the informed consent for chemical abortion act represent Lundstrum you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you colleagues the short basically this is informed consent for chemical abortion we currently have it for surgical abortion it does not stop abortion it simply requires a seventy two hour waiting period and to give a woman information concerning what this actually is and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Lundstrum as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Lundstrum is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill fifteen seventy two prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of seventy six Yeas fifteen nays and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven ninety nine. House bill eleven ninety nine representative Penzo to amend the provisions concerning contracts reports and records of pest control services. Person Penzo you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. House bill eleven ninety nine is designed offer porting relief to pest control operation operators and relieve the Arkansas department of agriculture from document storage this is agreed to language no no no opposition. Oil changes reporting to a simple monthly summary page of new customers they can be take the can be tracked by the department of agriculture since the summary page will replace the need to deliver boxes and boxes of copied files to the department of agriculture per share a good vote. Representative Penzo explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Penzo is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven ninety nine prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety one U. S. zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen thirty nine. House bill fifty fourteen thirty nine by representative Pilkington to update the volunteer health care act in to include therapist diction specialists and counselors and the volunteer healthcare program. President Pilkington you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I last session Mary Bentley had a great bill about allowing those in the medical field to do volunteer hours for continuing education credits so we just want to add a few actually three that got left off the list therapists addiction specialists and counselors to that as well so that they can volunteer and be part of this program that's it thanks as forget that. President Pilkington as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Pilkington is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen thirty nine prepared machines Clark. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed represent makes for purpose purpose. Motion place let's hear after the announcmenet trading the bills transferring to the bill's place in the counters on the desk members amending their own bills on Amendment members withdrawing their own bills finalize resolutions reading communications any remaining committee report I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon that's a proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion carries. Members we're we're reaching that point that our schedule is gonna start bearing I we carrying the Senate bills over till tomorrow so we may have a more link the calendar so just to pay attention to the schedule you know at some point we may have situations where we break to go back in the committee and then come back to the house floor later on but today we're gonna go ahead and wrap up now and allow some of our committees to meet so I just want to give everybody a heads up any announcements. Represent Jean for purpose announcmenet you're recognized joint budget will meet at eight thirty in the morning big mac a represent Cozart what purpose announcmenet you're recognized House education meets tomorrow morning at nine thirty in room one fifty one representive Lanny Fite for purpose announcmenet you're recognized city county local will meet in fifteen minutes in big maxi represent Charlene Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized aging children youth military will meet as quickly as everyone can get over to big mac a. Represent Tosh what purpose announcmenet you're recognized state agencies made room one fifty wanted fifteen minutes. Any other announcements represent Bentley for what purpose a pizza in per tonight at five thirty Capitol Hill thanks. Any other announcements the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the joint resolution the house would be adjourned until one PM tomorrow.