House Convenes

I am by the member staff pressing yes in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Dr rex Horne retired pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Let's pray. They father were reminded of the scripture in the song that says we are fearfully. Meaning carefully wonderfully. Intrinsically made. Every woman every man here today is made especially by you. Gifted. Made like no one else. If you have father we recognize too that we find great fulfillment in community. That there are commonalities among us the love of god the love of family. A lot of our state and in these women and men you placed also the desire to serve their fellow man. Thank you that we are individuals known and loved by god thank you that we can come together collectively to do something good for the greater calls of humankind in our state so bless the work that takes place today give focus inside an energy to these to serve as our prayer in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine Mr Clerk. With ninety nine members present chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave. You're recognized representative Lundstrum leave for representative Hodges. It's leave granted for RepresentativeHouse ages. Representative Fredrick Love moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objections so ordered. Are they Reports from select committees. Are they Reports from standing committee. Please read reports Mr Clark. Maddox figure we are committee on Public Transportation who was referred to whom was referred house bill fifteen sixty two big return for three for the same under consideration here they're trying the same recognition that do pass respectfully submitted Mike Holcomb chair madam Speaker we are committee on Public Transportation tunes whom was referred Senate bill through thirty three beg leave to report that we had the same under consideration I'm here to return with the same recommendation that a do pass as amended number one exactly said It submitted Mike Holcomb chair. Is there any unfinished business are there any Executive communications are Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution ten thirteen. House Speaker resolution ten thirteen by representative Allen to recognize the month of March is national colorectal cancer awareness month. You're recognized representative Alan to present your resolution. Thank you madam Speaker as you all know of the month of March is national colorectal cancer awareness month call right to counsel affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups it is the most also most often found in people who are fifty years of age and older. Correct the cancer screening save lives as you know if you AWS's screen early in your file your survivorship is ninety percent yesterday in the Committee of representative Charlene Fite talked about the struggles of some have family members who will have a ballot with this awful disease and they were able to survive it and many of you in in the chamber he'll probably have had a sometimes about accounts of whether the coal right to counsel informed the council it's a struggle. So with that in mind I'm going to ask the amount of Speaker of the house the Clerk to read this fifty page resolution. Please read the resolution Mr Clark. Whereas colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States with approximately one hundred fifty thousand American dog and Americans diagnosed more than fifty thousand American deaths from the disease each year and whereas colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups as well so often found in people who are fifty years of age or older whereas because colorectal cancer is a disease that affects people whether they're male or female overweight or thin young or old and whereas colorectal cancer may begin as non cancerous polyps can become cancerous and any pre pre cancerous polyps and colorectal cancers do not exhibit symptoms therefore intensifying the importance of a screening test for colorectal cancer and whereas color to cancer screening test can find pre cancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer and screening tests that can also detect the presence of color to cancer early enough for treatment to lead to a cure and we're as nine out of ten color to cancers could be prevented or successfully treated with regular colorectal cancer screenings and whereas the United States preventive services task force recommends regular screening for colorectal cancer for all people who are between fifty and seventy five years of age for some people who are older than seventy five years of age and whereas the American college of Castro into inter ology recommends that American African American patients begin screening for colorectal cancer at age forty five and whereas when colorectal cancer is detected and treated early the five year survival rate is over ninety percent and we're as increase public awareness of colorectal cancer colorectal cancer screening saves lives and whereas marches national colorectal. If there were this month now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas the Senate concurring there and that the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly said of Arkansas the sentencing hearing a knowledge is the profound impact of colorectal cancer on the lives of our Kansans support the medical believe that colorectal cancer screenings screening test can prevent and cure this disease urges the citizens of the the state to obtain colorful screenings that fifty years of age forty five years of age for African Americans in recognizes the month of March is national colorectal cancer awareness month. I thank you madam Speaker Preciado favorable. Representative Allen has explained the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representive Allah is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house concurrent resolution ten thirteen all in favor say aye. Opposed nay. The resolution is adopted. Mr Clark please read Senate concurrent resolution eight. Senate concurrent resolution a neighbor representative tossed resolution to request the United States Congress and president brought into direct the United States bureau of the census to provide timely redistricting population data. That's representative Tosh to present your resolution thank you madam Speaker college this is a resolution that is being sent to our congressional delegate to encourage them to encourage president Biden to have the census bureau to accelerate the the data that we need here in the state of Arkansas this started on the sanity and and as you know the state agencies are responsible for the the redistricting of the congressional districts so as the chairman of the state agency on the House the and you know I signed on with the encouragement that this B. standing hopefully we can get that data so we can move forward and I appreciate a good vote. Representive Tosh is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Tosh is close for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of Senate concurrent resolution eight all in favor say aye. Opposed nay. Resolution is adopted. Morning hour has ended. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen twenty seven. House Bill fourteen twenty seven by representative Miller to clarify requirements for registry records checks and criminal background checks for in home care givers of Medicaid beneficiaries. Actually Mr Clark we're gonna pass over that bill. For the moment please read house bill fourteen fifty one. Also fourteen fifty one by representative Godfrey to allow public school district to adopt and approved by the full program or dual immersion program. Represent god for you're recognized to present your bill. Madam Speaker house bill fourteen fifty one allow school districts to adopt approved bilingual or dual immersion programs Arkansas English only requirement for the language of instruction currently prohibits these types of programs this bill doesn't do away with the English only language of instruction simply allows districts to adopt the model of bilingual education or delivers a program approved by the Division of elementary and secondary education forty eight other states allow programs like these likely because they see the benefit that I also is the first that bilingualism is an asset whether you're a language learner or a native English Speaker knowing a second language makes you more culturally competent and competitive in the workforce this is why leaders in business and industry are in support of this bill. Another key benefit which is why it has garnered the support of superintendents and teachers and K. twelve schools is that bilingual education and help students learn English better and faster while maintaining their native language bilingual education and deliberation or similar but bilingual education utilizes the student's native language as a language of instruction and gradually phases and more English until immersion program at is for native speakers of English and native speakers of the target language with the goal of all students becoming proficient in both languages in committee we heard compelling testimony in support of this bill from students educators university professors chamber of commerce leaders and parents I appreciate the committee members collegiality and professionalism throughout the process on this bill and was glad to receive a very supportive do pass a special thank you to my house co sponsors on the committee representative Cozart eleven o'clock and one as well as senators Tucker Eads Sturch pastor Elliott and Senator Davis who called me and told me she was planning on running a similar bill seeing no questions I appreciate it when both representatives Bentley for what purpose. I representative Godfrey has presented the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill representive Bentley you're recognized to speak against the bill. Representative waiting you're recognized to speak against the bill thank you chairman I was going to have to ask questions you will help well before could. I guess is questionable bill. Colleagues. We need to be sure of what we're doing here as it relates to the public schools I was in Education Committee and there were some compelling testimony. May. But I didn't hear anyone from the public schools. But one assistant or our superintendent came in and said this is what is going to do to our classroom ability are we don't have enough personnel that are in writing in Spanish or foreign language to be able to accommodate this the second point I want to make with you if they're going to be Americans I need to speak American I need to talk English many of many of the students that are learning English or fluent are learning to become fluent in English are the main primary focus leaders in the family. They go back over there the money interpreters for the family because they know they know English and they learned in the classroom they learned it were they should learn and we're we have a responsibility to teach. We are doing this we're accepting. To look very carefully at this because of the. Effort. The call will have for our school districts. This is to our teachers. In addition to that we have put so much on our teachers. The responsibilities grow and grow and grow. Now they've had to deal with the pandemic. And now we're going to put another area of expertise and in the classroom recognized we have a tremendous migrant population in our state. Here again. The United States of America is United States of America and they need to speak we need to have one language in Arkansas the language is a. I thank you for a no vote on this bill. Representative wouldn't has spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like. Representative Paul Mike you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I had not planned to speak to this bill today but I think it's of great importance and I think about the opportunities provided not only for kids learning English but for kids learn Spanish also this is permissive language its doesn't require any school district to do anything that they don't see value in I see tremendous value for our future generations and having this opportunity and I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Formica spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill representive Bentley you're recognized to speak against the bill. I have a couple questions asked since I think and ask Meghan asked them down here into the head of questions about what would cost be for districts we're gonna get the personnel to do this I spoke with I have two school districts in my district that have produce fifty per spent fifty percent Hispanic students they're doing a phenomenal job every time I do our take your legislator to school month and go out there to see so many amazing success stories of what we have now with English as a second language I see this students out of district being the interpreter for their parents and doing a phenomenal job so when I spoke to this principles and share this program then they have some real concerns so I think some to look at this point I would just urge a no vote thank you very much. Representive Bentley has spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill representative Charlene Fite you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you madam Speaker in the early nineties I was a teacher of English as a second language in a large junior high school in the river valley. And at that time we had a dual immersion program as representative Godfrey has explained and I saw the benefit to my students most of whom were Laotian speakers at that time. In that they were able to learn math. History science all the subjects that they needed in their native language while they were learning English and that way they were able to keep up and not fall further and further and further behind as they requiring language competence so for those reasons I think this is a great deal again it's permissive language in a school district has to do this but I think for some of our school districts it will be very helpful. Representative Charlene Fite has spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive god for you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank you and I'm happy to follow up on those points are present one they can fight touched on a lot of them first of all representatives to your point about superintendents my superintendent of Springdale schools was at in committee in favor of the bill that's the district with the largest percentage of English language learners and they are very excited about the opportunity to implement a bilingual or dual immersion program it is permissive it's only if that makes sense for a district based on the personnel they have based on the language needs of their students based on the interest so it's certainly not a mandate tend to be very flexible for district up to have the opportunity if that makes sense in their context I'm AT and to representative with this point about students needing to speak English I actually joked with some of my colleagues on the committee as I was talking about this bill that when I take those political quizzes for you know who how do you align and and what side are you on I I get deemed a little bit as a conservative about questions about speaking English and about the importance of English fluency and proficiency because my entire career has been in English as a second language instruction I believe wholeheartedly that students should learn English should should be empowered with the English language for success in school and success in life and what we know as educators and also scholars in the field of language development that these types of programs actually facilitate language development that's why so many other states especially states with high immigrant populations hi at language learner at percentages. You see these programs because they actually facilitate English proficiency representative Bentley to your point about districts who you know are are currently with English only requirement with a structured English immersion in an English language development are doing a great job I agree I've worked in in those districts and I think your students are becoming proficient in English and we're seeing growth among students again this is just an option for districts who would like to adopted who who see that it makes sense based on their contacts and was certainly not be a mandate so what that what that I've asked me was that it went with the best. Representive god for his clothes for her bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen fifty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With sixty three ACT twenty days nine present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen ninety four. Also fifty ninety four by representative I to amend the law concerning teaching licenses. Representative Vaught you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you madam chair. Today I bring you a bill that will actually help with our shortage that we have and teachers. And we do have a significant shortage of teachers. We have a solution though. We have what you call daca students who go through the same training the same testing the same schools as are other students go through they pass all the same test. They get everything completed a. And I actually have a right to work here but then we don't let them get their license. I've always contended. That we need more diversity in our teaching staff we need more men teaching so young boys C. man in the classroom. We need more people of color. That way we have. Kids have people in the classroom that they can relate to. Someone that they can go to if they have a problem if they have a solution someone who looks like them and they feel like they contrast. This bill is identical. To the doctor and nurse bill that we passed last session it's identical to that bill who would have known when we passed the doctor nurse bill that we would have a pandemic pretty much immediately after that was signed. And those nurses actually went to work on the front line helping our citizens now let's give the same people who went through the same training as are other students the chance to go to the classroom and help children in our school systems and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Vaught has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Vaught is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen ninety four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty four U. A. zero days eight present the bill has passed. Please join me in welcoming Dr Lowery being as our doctor of the day and miss Brenda Hewlett as our nurse of the day. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen ninety seven. Also for fourteen ninety seven by representative Gazaway expanding the permitted use of certified facility dog for vulnerable witnesses. Representative Gazaway you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues this is another bill from the Arkansas prosecuting attorneys association currently under existing laws we allow court room dog to be used for children who are the victims of sexual abuse they can be present with that child in the court room while the child testifies to help calm the child so that they're actually able to deliver their testimony that has to be done in the presence of the defendant with a young child victim it's a very difficult thing And so these courthouse dogs have been a tremendous aid for children of sexual abuse to be able to give their testimony at trial what this bill will do will expand the use of those dogs they will be called courthouse dogs will be called facility dogs because it expands the places where these dogs can be used to places like children's advocacy center the prosecuting attorney's office where they meet for interviews and things like that and then the second thing that it does is it expands the type of ticket on the table to use these utilize these dogs and that expands to individuals with an intellectual disability and so that those who suffer from the same challenges even though they may be an adult they suffer from the same challenges the child victim would suffer from would have access to use these dogs in the court room again I think this is a very good bill and I'm happy to answer any questions. Saying that I appreciate a good vote thank you. 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 fourteen ninety seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty. Fourteen sixty representative back to create the work force freedom active twenty twenty one to eliminate eliminate duplicative licensing requirements at the local level and to increase economic opportunities for workers in Arkansas representative will make you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam Speaker members this is a very simple bill it those two things eliminates duplicative licensing and occupational licensing that is and I'll make sure that the regulation of occupational licensing stays right here with the General Assembly work with municipally to cross language for this bill there's no known opposition be happy to answer any questions. B. and nine I would appreciate a good vote. President Womack is explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Womack is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill fourteen sixty per machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. Of of ninety three a zero nine to present the bill is passed. Sir Clark please read house bill fourteen oh two. House bill forty two by representative Barker to amend the abortion inducing drugs safety act president Barker you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members house bill Fortino to amend the existing safety act for abortion inducing drugs and add some safety measures for the women who receive these trucks does four things first it requires that the drugs be prescribed dispensed and administered according to FDA protocols second it requires the attending physician to physically examine the woman to verify that an intruder in pregnancy does exist before prescribing dispensing administering these drugs. It also requires that same position to be able to handle the emergency transfer of this woman in case she experiences complications or have a written agreement with a physician who is also able to handle abortion complications and then the last thing it does is it requires various pieces of information along this process for the patient to be recorded in that person's medical file. And signal questions I'd appreciate a good vote. Represent Barker's explain the bill would you would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Barker is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen oh two prepared machines. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy seven yeas twelve nays and to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven thirty six. House bill eleven thirty six a representative Boyd to acquire hepatitis C. screening during pregnancy. President Boyd you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker Collins this bill has hepatitis C. screening to other required screenings in Arkansas Code the patient can refuse a screening identifying hepatitis C. sooner rather than later results in better and less costly health outcomes for both mom and baby this can benefit approximately one hundred eighty moms and babies in Arkansas eight year other questions. And just a reminder approximately two thirds of Arkansas births are paid for by Arkansas Medicaid that said I'd appreciate a good vote. Percent boys explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent boys clothes for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven thirty six per machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty nine yeah a six nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen fifty seven. House bill thirteen fifty seven by representative I took you continue to care for the protection of cancer survivors. Okay we're gonna pass over thirteen fifty seven. Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen oh one. Also sixty no one by representative eleven to modify the minimum required non forfeiture rate for individual deferred anybody's under the standard not forfeiture law an individual deferred annuities. Purpose of eleven you're recognized explain the bill. You Mr Speaker members every couple of years we have a responsibility when it's presented to us to make adjustments to statute in regards to the floor that is put on interest rates for the non forfeiture of annuities over the last couple sessions that has not been done so what that presents it is as you all are aware as the market is drop US treasuries all five and ten year notes are at an all time low of about a point one nine percent in the treasury is indicated that they have no intention any time soon of adjusting what those interest rates are going to be and so what we need to do with this bill is to lower the floor or non forfeiture annuity to be a better reflection right now it's at one percent but you can imagine that if we continue to pay these at a one percent when the interest rates are only down about a point one nine what's going to happen is is this supplemental form of retirement these annuities will not be available so what the insurance department is asking is that we take that floor dropping from one percent down the point one five to better reflect with the interest rates are today we can come back in two years at the interest rates go back up we can move that floor back up without this protection on these annuities insurance companies won't be able to continue to sell those. Appreciate a good vote. Percent eleven is explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive eleven is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen no one prepared machines. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed members we're gonna go right back up to House Bill thirteen fifty seven. Also thirty fifty seven by representative ought to continue care for the protection of cancer survivors president Vaught you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker someone said I sounded angry a minute ago I don't mean to sound angry about the last bill I was just pretty passionate about it I'm sorry about that. So this bill. Is very dear to my heart and just in case you don't know a lot of your constituents get denied pet scans their doctors order on. And they get to nine. Their doctors need those pet scans and they're fighting for their for their people to get those pet scans and they get the nine. Every minute every second every hour. Is important whenever you're fighting cancer. I told miss Clark I was going to use her as an example today. She. Has all of us to lean on right we all love miss Martha but she to even has to fight for her pet scan even though she has survived. Several cancers. I think. About my daughter's father in law who died. Just a couple months after they got married waiting for a pet scan. I think about my dear friend Leslie why. Back in Nashville Arkansas. Who's fighting cancer for the second time it's very aggressive. And that insurance fights against a pet scan that the doctor really needs to have to be able to prescribe the correct medicines. I'm thankful that we still have representative Alan and representative Wooten here who both have also survived cancer but they both testified in committee that they know how important this bill is. This bill will save lives this bill will change a cancer patient's life this bill will change a cancer survivors live in with that I ask for a good vote. President Vaught is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Richmond you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I doubt if there's. Anybody sitting in here today that hasn't been touched. At one time another by a family member or close friend that's a. It is survived some kind of cancer circumstances or situations. Unfortunately a lot of my family my parents mold sister did not survive that. In a specifically speak to my sister who. When she had breast cancer the battle that she went through each and every time was she had to fight the insurance companies. In order to have an opportunity to get the treatment that might have been able to have the largest impact on her possible survive. She lost both of those battles on. On several occasions which eventually caused her to lose her life or at least contributed to it. That was several years ago but most recently an employee of ours. The founder self with breast cancer. The doctors would prescribe and say you need to get this particular examination or stand. The insurance companies would go come back and say no you've got to do this first or do that because we're not going to pay for the other. And that incremental. Effort incremental Friedman incremental evidence gathering system was just a delight. It just delayed her being able to get to a point. Where the doctors could do what had to be done and and have full knowledge of how far the cancer had spread. What type of drugs would be the most effective. College this time for those type of things to stop. It's time that we put life. First. But that over the decisions of. Different companies that tend to make it based on the bottom line is that of the life of the individual so I would ask for a good vote on this particular bill thank you. President Richmond spoken for 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 is the passage of house bill thirteen fifty seven prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. About ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Sir Clark please read house bill twelve seventy five. House bill twelve seventy five a representative Stu Smith concerning reciprocal service credit as it relates to the administrative administration of monthly benefits concerning the definitions of alternate retirement plan the alternate retirement plan and to declare an emergency represent Smith you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker house bill twelve seventy five just clarifies credited service for teacher retirement this someone might earn from an alternate programming higher education. This says this distribution to rollovers are allowable by the Internal Revenue Service then the A. T. R. S. member does not lose their years of credited service while under the alternative plan. This man has been a clear in the past and this gives the Arkansas teacher retirement system specific language to use from here forward and there's no cost to the retirement system or any other state retirement system under this bill. Any questions. C. nine has for good vote. President Smith is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Smith is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve seventy five per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. Five of ninety seven yeah zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or past runners pass over house bill thirteen twenty five Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen sixty six. Also sixteen fifty six by representative a mac to amend certain laws pertaining to Arkansas legislative audit president will make you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members this is a technical corrections bill changes one word I think ten times in code others note on opposition I would appreciate a good vote. Percent Womack has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Womack is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen sixty six per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four yeah zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve sixty. Twelve sixty by representative Ladyman to require certain individuals and organizations that engage in charitable solicitation to Rick register within the municipality. Ladyman you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. colleagues this bill no one came to me with this this is my bill and I'll tell you that there's three four things that it does number one charitable organizations and individuals soliciting donations on proper public property must register with the city at no cost for each hundred one hundred and twenty day period. If the city passes an ordinance to require such registration. Number two they would need to register with the city Clerk they need to provide a state issued ID or a business license or some kind of identification and give their name and address number three if if this if they found to violate this it could be a Class C. misdemeanor number four the city must maintain a list of registered individuals that is available to the public upon request at no charge so there's no money involved here why am I doing this In my city of Jonesborough and I know in other cities right here in Little Rock there's a problem with people standing on corners standing outside Walmart standing out one side MacDonnells collecting money. it's not only a safety hazard but we don't know who these people are and I approached our mayor in Jonesborough and ask Hey you know this is a problem what what you guys do something about this and his response was we can't do anything because it's freedom of speech is there right to be there. And I said well how do you know that and then at the end of this little bit and Mississippi passed a law similar to this a few years ago and it was shut down by the court said it was unconstitutional because it targeted a group of people. And so I looked at that I went to the attorney general's office and talk to them talk to bill are and I said how can we give our cities an option. To to work on this problem which is a safety problem and I believe some of the folks in on the street corners are not what they present themselves as there are people that are. Hard up and they need a hand up and we should help those people. I saw a guy in a wheelchair on the corner I think it was in Jones remote middle rock. Hey folks if we've got a guy in a wheelchair set on a corner taking that money we got a bigger problem we should stop and help that person because he needs help. One of the things that this bill would do and give a little off The screen here but if you do have people in your city who is down on their luck and they do need help and again we'll cheer on street corner I think that guy needs help. And I want helping I think we should all want to do that in in Jonesborough and I believe in other cities we have people like the red cross they can lead to other folks that are they have programs to help people so we can approach those people and ask for this registration of our officers can do that and find out that they are actually in trouble they don't know what this law is then we can get them help so I think that's an advantage of this bill The other thing I said. Cities would have to pass an ordinance. to do this so it's not we're not mandating that they do it. and somebody asked me well why is this necessary well when I went to my mayor and I've talked other mayors and they say well I can't do this because the Mississippi law that got shot down by the courts so they believe they can't do it. This bill would allow them would give them something an option something to go back to that Hey this state say we says we can do this the other thing right now if a city went and did this the lawsuit could be filed against them. If there's a lawsuit filed against them the against this the Attorney General would handle that a lawsuit against the city could be detrimental to a lot of cities including my city. Receive a. This does apply and to make it constitutional the bill has to be brought so it applies to anyone who's collecting funds on proper public property. Now someone brought up the idea that well we have organizations in parts that take up money well the way this bill is written the city has flexibility to exempt the park if they want to or they can tie it down to an intersection if they want to so is flexibility in here for them to do what they need to do or want to do that the local level. so I think it's something that's really needed I believe if there are people on the street corner taken up money that really need our help. Then we should help them but right now. Our. Police officers are not even allowed or at least most mayor some of them at least think that they can approach those get those people and find out what their situation is so that's the bill. I'd be happy to take any questions. President makes what purpose question place you're recognized I also represented the the question I have on this is what the city be required to post some solder sort of notice so people would know that this ordinance has been enacted and then my follow up would be do they have to do it for the whole municipality or could they target this to say a downtown area. Well I think that's where the flexibility comes in the city if they thought they needed that they could do that and they're ordinance I don't want to mandate to committee. Particulars in this bill so they would be able to do that they would be flexible and they're ordinance be able to do that so we're not demanding that they do anything but that's a very good question represent a clear for what purpose question you're recognized how will this affect the youth group having a car wash girl scout selling cookies or are you a group selling brownies or firefighters with their boot fund raising. Well there's different categories but like the girl scouts get example they're actually selling something so this would apply to them they're not just taking it down as they're selling cookies. A car wash their providing service. So again that's flexibility at the local level of what they want to do but but those would be exempt from this this is just if they're taking money for no service or no products represent grace for what purpose question you're recognized. President Ladyman I I appreciate the problem of panhandling I have encountered that in many instances my questions similar to represent employers but in an instance where they are just soliciting I mean we've all been at busy intersections where firefighters have the big boots and they're collecting money for muscular dystrophy or a little league team is on the corner of intersections and they've got buckets in there collected money to buy jerseys for their team or to travel to a turn amount with this would apply to them when it. It would and to be to meet constitutional muster it must apply to them. So they would have to register with their city in many cities in Jonesborough we have at some type of a requirement that organizations like that register now so that we know who it is at that intersection and and maybe they need police you know to traffic controllers or thing so some of more ready to do that but they would be required to register with their city the fire department part of the city I don't think it be a problem for them to register their. Represent love for what purpose question you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker Representative I'm looking in Page two line six in your bill and I'm just I'm just wondering is the intent of your bill to criminalize panhandling. What landed you say incentives line six patients in. Well that's not the intent of my bill but if you pass a law you cannot enforce the miles will not pass the law there has to be some type of enforcement but again as you all know you have flexibility at the local level on how you want to enforce every law this on the books so they have the option but yes there is a penalty if people do not comply with a law. Thank you. President Pilkington for what purpose question you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker so just so I feel better about this bill I really like it I just had kind of one thing that popped in my head and I'm sorry for not coming to you earlier about this is there any protections in there so that certain groups don't get discriminated against so a city council could say you know yeah I will let this group have the buckets and ask for change but you know we don't agree with the salvation army stance on this and we're not gonna let them come and do something I think that's kinda a little concerned I have an act if you can answer that that some groups will be discriminated against that would be helpful thank you well that's what it says in the bill has to be everyone if they pass notice has to cover everybody otherwise it's not constitution. So they don't have the the flexibility in that area to target groups so it would be everybody. Your term. Any other questions. But will just in a closed. I lost. I believe you're still explaining the bill is is there any other questions other questions. This. President Ladyman is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Percent love you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues I usually don't even come down to speak against and deals in the. I rise to speak against this bill because I'm very concerned. I like many of you. DO get approached by panhandlers and sometimes that that's a little disturbing and I and I don't like it. Hammer. Within this bill that creates a a mist class A. misdemeanor for those who do not register. Who may be panhandling sometimes we have homeless veterans at a panhandling and in different persons and I just don't feel like we should criminalize. You know honest people that may just be panhandling now I do understand that there are some rackets that are going on I mean we see on the Little Rock but for those who are just truly panhandling I don't think that we should make it a crime so I have to ask you just to vote no for against this bill thank you. Represent love a spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against. President Ladyman. You're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker of our colleagues I just want to say I don't know where this is a perfect bill I don't think it is but we have a big problem in this state and there are people on the street corners that are not who they represent they are in they are taking advantage of our neighbors and our citizens in Arkansas and I believe we need to take a small step. to to stop this where they're taking advantage and we also need to help those that really need help so I would ask for your vote represent Ladyman has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve sixty. Per the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of forty four Yeas thirty three nays and nine present the bill has failed. Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen twenty seven. Sixteen twenty seven by representative Womack to me the law concerning the revocation of a care charter of a municipal corporation president will Mike you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker of members this is not an audit bill but it was born out of my experience in audit of I'll give you just a real brief of rundown. yesterday committee I shared a long list of dates kind of a time line what what this bill does is very generally is it kind of requires the Attorney General to do what they're already required to do in law it kind of puts a timeline in place we have a CD that. That Has had their charter revoked we're going on eight months with no action from the attorney general's office so would provide some incentive for the attorney general's office to do their job in a timely manner and I'd be happy to take any questions. I would appreciate a good vote. Resent Womack has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Womack is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen twenty seven per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety two yeah zero nine to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen sixty. Also sixteen sixty representative Bentley to clarify the decisions of a municipal board of adjustment our appeal to circuit court unless the governing body of the municipality provides by ordinance of the governing body shall hear appeals first president Bentley you're recognized to explain the bill. Collins get bill gives city a chance to allow appeals the decision by the board of adjustments to be heard by the elected officials the city council before goes a circuit court it's completely flexible that's the bill. President Bentley is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Bentley is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen sixty prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy six Yeas ten days in for present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen thirty four. Also sixteen thirty four by representative Lanny Fite to amend the law governing local tax collection procedures interview obsolete laws in connection with the collection of local tax person fight you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker all this bill does is repeals obsolete language no longer does the collector go out and collect the taxes it's mailed out may either come in and pay it or the mail it back I'd be happy to answer any questions. President fight is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent fight is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen thirty four per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen ninety. Also sixty ninety representative Lanny Fite to me the law concerning the use of highway turned back funds by county or municipality. President fight you're recognized to explain the bill. I can this bigger. this bill here all it does it puts a penalty of one cities issues there turnback funds fuel also the half cent sales tax and also the road millage they're supposed to put any funding uses strictly for streets a repair and maintenance and we have about thirty nine cities in the State of Arkansas that fails to do that and what this will do we will give them away to pay that money back and also given the opportunity and in which to get to where that they're not out of compliance I'd be happy to answer any questions. Represent McKenzie for what purpose question recognized thank you Mr Speaker what about in the scenario where a city maybe has an employee who has stolen some friends from the city is that going to get them in trouble if those funds were intended. For road use. Well the the the the employee of the city of the the one that'll be in trouble the notice will be going to whoever at the city the mayor and also the Clerk when they're out of compliance during the audit as far as the city's the one on the hook I guess what I'm trying to say. Thank you. I appreciate a good vote represents Fite has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Person fight is closed for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill sixteen ninety prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. I have a ninety five Yeas zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen ninety one. Hello sixty ninety one by representative Tosh to many administration of the sex offender assessment committee. President Tosh you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker college back in twenty nineteen when we did transformation bill I have a lot of paperwork a lot of communities got moved back and forth but this particular committee the sex offenders assessment committee they they were left out completely so all we're doing with this bill is a long under the department of corrections and we're putting on back under the department of corrections where they belong and we're doing it by statute so I would appreciate a good vote thank you. President Tosh to explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Tosh is closed for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill sixteen ninety one per machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill three eighty two. Senate bill three eighty two by representative Scott to do a private nonprofit two year or four year institution of higher education approved institution of higher education under the Arkansas future grant program. President Scott you're recognized explained bill. Get afternoon colleagues. The A. R. feature Grant was originally established for our two year state supported schools it's a workforce challenge scholarship designed for specific occupations in high demand and there's a referred list on the Arkansas department of education website that has all these high demand occupations these high demand. I keep patients that we are referring to this bill so the demand for the scholarship hasn't nearly been as robust as they had originally hoped for with this grant was originally put in place left out of the original bill were private and nonprofit institutions so many students who need and want to enter high demand somebody's had a man feels attend these institutions that were left out this bill is just simply ask both institutions with the same eligibility in the same cap and binding as the other students are receiving during the committee Department of Education testified in support of this bill and I would be happy to try to answer any questions you have. Senator questions I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Scott has. Explained the Bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Scott is closed for the bill the question before the House is a pastor Senate bill three eighty two prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By one by a vote of ninety one yeas one day and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill two ninety. Senate bill two ninety by representative ought concerning coverage of diagnostic examinations for breast cancer under certain health benefit plans. Per se Vaught you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker preventive screening for breast cancers are free that about twelve percent of the women who undergo these screenings are told they need a diagnostic exam as a follow up. Because of the healthcare provider found something that needs a closer look unfortunately these exams can run anywhere from a hundred to more than a thousand dollars so way too many women are for going for go in these exams. Meaning many cases of breast cancer aren't being caught until there. Well advanced making them more difficult and more expensive to treat and putting lives at a greater risk Senate bill two ninety sees to it that these diagnostic exams are treated just as preventative screenings so there's no cost to the women and I will add that the commissioner commissioner McLean told representative Leding that he was glad to see this come out of committee and with that I would appreciate a good vote. President ball is 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 Senate bill two ninety per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark Bravo ninety two yeah zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read senate bill four eleven. Senate bill four Levin a representative brown concerning the state veteran's cemetery System to clarify the allowable feeding procedure for interment disinterment for in the state veteran's cemetery System. Sam brown you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker today I'm bringing you a bill to allow our state veterans cemeteries I know most of you know that we have national veterans cemeteries but we have three state veterans cemeteries in Arkansas in written in to Ark Code sometime in the past was they would be allowed to charge a fee of three hundred dollars for the burial of a spouse or eligible dependent well since then the. VA on the federal level has increased that amount of money that they allow currently the V. eight up a provides about eight hundred dollars to our state cemeteries to bury a veteran this bill simply brings into parity what the state would be charging with the what the federal allows so. If a family member is buried at one of our state cemeteries the current B. is eight hundred dollars so they would be charged eight hundred dollars currently we are unable to charge for this interments and they're only about two or three of those per year it's not a large amount of money but this bill would also allow us to charge that same feat for disinterment switch generally run two to three thousand dollars and with that I'll take any questions. Thank you for a good vote. President brown's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. President Brown is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill four eleven prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of eighty six yeas five nays and one present the bill is passed representative makes for what purpose motion place let's hear your motion after the announcmenet trading of the bills transferring the bill's place in the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalized resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee report I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion carries. Any announcements. President Cavenaugh for purpose announcmenet you're recognized special language seven thirty AM tomorrow morning big mac I represent Fortner for purpose. You're recognized revenue tax will meet at two thirty one fifty one president Ladyman for what purpose Hausman you're recognized public health will meet in ten minutes and maxi represent Lowery for purpose announcmenet you're recognized House insurance and commerce will meet tomorrow morning at nine thirty in conference room C. represent Dalby for purpose announcmenet recognized judiciary will meet ten minutes big mac a president Vaught for what purpose to announcements per caucus seven AM in the morning and then act will meet tomorrow morning at nine thirty. Any other announcements. This will remain open as needed for the reading of bills and upon completion The Addams named in the joint resolution house would be adjourned to one PM tomorrow.