House Convenes

Staff pressing guests in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer. By Greg Sikes senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Russellville who is the guest of doctor cloud. And to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Would you pray with me please. Father we are grateful for this day and this opportunity to honor you we thank you for these men and women that are serving you here in pray that you'll bless them with just wisdom and discernment and an ability to make decisions that. Are good for the the people of Arkansas but also bring you honor and glory father your good and gracious god we thank you for all your blessings and just how good you've been to us and we pray again that you would just be in charge of this day give everyone wisdom and direction and that you would be glorified we pray these things in the precious name of Jesus Amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yelp yellow present button per the machine Mr Clerk. The cast of the ballot Mister Clerk. Hendren members present chair sees a quorum. Representative Fredrick Love Me as we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal no objections so ordered are there any reports and select committees read the report Mr Speaker we are committee on house rules to whom was referred house bill sixteen fifty six Senate bill three thirty eight Senate bill three eighty three instead of three eighty four back leave to report we find same under consideration here with trying the same with recognition do pass respectfully submitted less eves chair. Are they Reports from standing committees read the report please speak your committee on agriculture forestry economic development to whom was referred house bill fourteen forty two house of fifteen seventy five house bill sixteen thirty six house bill sixteen fifty eight House resolution ten fifteen beg leave to report we find same under consideration here with trying the same recognition do pass respectfully submitted the invite chair Mister Speaker we committee on agriculture force for economic development to whom was referred house bill twelve ten house bill twelve fifty one big leader port we've had the same under consideration here with her the same the recognition do pass making current president in minimal one respectfully submitted DM Vaught share. Is there any unfinished business are there any Executive communications. Read the letter from the governor. March ninth twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March ninth twenty twenty one I approved the I reviewed and approved the following measures from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly house bill eleven eighteen is that three oh five house bill thirteen forty five ACT three oh six sincerely Asa Hutchinson. Mr Clark reed House resolution ten seventeen. House resolution ten seventeen by representative Johnson to designate stars of the life day in to recognize the accomplishments of certain emergency medical professionals. President Johnson you're recognized explained resolution thank you colleagues you know this is been a challenging year I think all of us understand the dividend pandemic is but stressors on all of us and all of our lives and that's not any not any group has been more pressure than a healthcare workers and other health care workers the folks to do the did most difficult job in my opinion are the folks that are doing pre hospital medicine these are the front line of the front line these are the folks that show up when you call nine one one in in literally put their lives on the line to come and try to help people in today were fortunate to have with this some of the highest performers in the MS community being recognized today as stars of life either here in the gallery to my ride if you ask me the direction I'll get it wrong that I. They're hearing will and hopefully get a chance recognize them in this resolution is to recognize them today and if we could I'd like to get the Clerk to read in some tiny. Mr park read the resolution. We're as emergency medical services are vital public service and whereas the members of the emergency medical services team are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need twenty four hours a day seven days a week and whereas the members of the emergency medical services teams whether career or volunteer voluntary often go beyond the call of duty and carry out life saving measures and to promote the causes of the ambulance industry and we're as the members of the emergency medical services teams have served on the front lines caring for critical patients during Cronin virus twenty nine or twenty nineteen pandemic and whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value in the accomplishments of selected individuals to optimize the spirit an emergency medical services now therefore be it resolved by the house of representatives in the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives proclaimed March tenth twenty twenty one as stars of life today and recognize individuals who are being awarded this Arkansas EMS stars of life. Represent Johnson is explained resolution would anyone like to speak against a resolution. For the resolution. Represent Johnson is close for the resolution. Before the House is the passage of house resolution ten seventeen all in favor say aye. Opposed nay resolutions adopted. Mr Clark read Senate concurrent resolution five. Senate concurrent resolution five by representative long term to encourage the government to amend Arkansas Medicaid eligibility rules to provide access to coverage for migrants men women and children from the compact of free association islands. Represent Lundstrum you're recognized explained resolution. Thank you colleagues as many of you know back in the nineteen forties we did not counted testing on the Marshall Islands unfortunately that was not a very good thing to do and those folks need our help nowadays and that includes with funding for their medical care. And I'm sure you all agree that we need to back that up. The governor hand all of us have agreed to that this is a resolution that extends that Medicaid coverage to those folks in the Marshall Islands. And with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Lundstrum edged. Represent Lundstrum did you want the resolution read. Okay representative Lundstrum is explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representive Lundstrum is close for the resolution question before the House is the passage of Senate concurrent resolution five all in favor say aye. Opposed nay the resolution is adopted. Morning hour isn't it representative Ladyman recommends that we concurrent Senate Amendment number one to House Bill eleven fifty five Mr Clark read. Senate Amendment number one Senate amendment over one to House Bill Levin fifty five. Represent Ladyman you're recognized explained Amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker of Collins this is just a an amendment that was put on on the Senate side on each bill eleven fifty five the cancer registry bill and what they added was a definition for a qualified researcher there was some concern and and our committee about who was a qualified researcher so they just clarify that in the amendment and I appreciate a good vote. Represent Ladyman as explained Amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment. Representative Ladyman is closed for the amendment question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one house bill eleven fifty five where the machine Mr Clerk. If everyone voted. I guess it the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven yeas or nays and zero present the amendment is adopted. Mr Clark read house bill thirteen seventy nine. House bill thirteen seventy nine by representative Penzo to amend the law concerning consent to adoption and relinquish of parental rights during the adoption process and concerning the report of expenditures related to adoption. Represent Penzo you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. On the surface house bill thirteen seventy nine here's to being adoption reform bill. And it is but the real intent is to prevent human trafficking. Did you know up until a few years ago there's a law firm in faith bill selling babies for thirty five thousand dollars they were taking ten thousand up front and twenty five thousand on completion of the adoption. You'll have probably heard of Paul Peterson. Any human trafficking network that originated the Marshall Islands. Traffic to pregnant women through Hawaii and Washington state and had outlets in Arkansas Arizona and Utah in the place I was referring to in Fayetteville was one of his law firm's any open up in Arkansas. It recruiters in the Marshall Islands and other places in the country looking for pregnant women to prey upon. Peterson's now in jail. In Arkansas alone he had a single family residence in Spring Hill we're house up to twelve pregnant women. In the queen Arkansas he had a residence housing up to ten pregnant women at any given time. One is arrest they found another location in Arizona where they found nine pregnant women Helston one single family residence. For you all that we're here in twenty nineteen we passed house bill seventeen eighty nine which created some criminal offenses for the unlawful solicitation for the link which went. Of parental rights coercion fraud involvement had increased penalties. If you remember the Bar Association was opposed to the bill and I ended up removing some provisions from that bill in order to get the the criminal penalties passed My position the attorneys that were posed to me at that time period or actually working with me this year bar association went from being opposed being neutral the the quality attorneys the like I said have been opposed are working with me now. This bill does three things require separate attorney representation for the biological parents. If English is not the birth parents primary language an AOC court interpreter shall be present to review the consents a lot of these Marshallese women were signing documents and they had no idea what they said because they didn't read English much less speak English. The third thing this bill does. Though the allowable cost of living expenses for the expectant moms will be itemized. With the time frame attached to that dollar amount that will allow the judge to review review these documents to make sure. Nothing that there was. No payments for actually giving the child up for abortion or adoption sorry. This is a collaborative effort with the Arkansas coalition Marshallese shared beginnings you have a law school in the forayed option turns. And with that I just request a good vote thank you. Represent Penzo was explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Penzo is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen seventy nine where the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Gas at the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven days one day and they are present the bill is passed. Our doctor the day is Dr Ralph Miro from Conway and our nurse of the day is Brenda Bernard. Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen seventeen fifteen seventeen by representative boy to create the voter integrity and voter registration modernization act twenty twenty one to allow electronic voter registration to amend the Arkansas constitution amendment fifty wanted to amend the duties of the secretary of state. Representative Boyd you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam chair and I'm just gonna tell you I'm of the appear a little bit longer than I normally am because there are several things that this bill does so just bear with me this bill accomplishes several things to create uniform uniformity it in our state specifically around registration first it allows not mandates online voter registration why do we want to do that currently with motor voter a federal which is a federal mandate potential voters information is entered by a government employee not infrequently this information is entered incorrectly allowing voters to enter their own information will minimize incomplete and incorrect information sent the county clerks that's creating efficiencies so there tends to be a lot of wasted time and postage trying to to correct that is incorrect information approximately forty other states allow this including Florida Alabama Missouri Louisiana and Tennessee. It will not mandate other state agencies such as the H. S. to adopt online registration. The the may language that was changed to allow our state to implement components over time so initially it would allow online registration. But not necessarily initially allow an address change importantly this does not remove any requirements for voter ID signature capture or eliminate the thirty day wait period between application and registration are currently in the software will be used to turn on an application some someone will have to have done business with the MV and have a signature on file to register online so currently the only way that you have done business with the envy and have a signature on file is if you have a driver's license in Arkansas or in Arkansas state ID card. To the second thing this does the Secretary of State shall identify deceased voters by comparing our voter registrations with the social security death index and help Election Commission and and so there will with their by will identify deceased voters and then also a part of that is help election commissioners with a a post election audit if one is conducted number three it will implement an address verification process for the for those registering to vote or changing address for it will improve it will require the secretary to the state to join Eric Eric stands for electronic registration information center I didn't specifically identify area in there because it could change its name there could be a competitor organization but it very clearly defines what Eric is in with the expectation of the the secretary of state should joint thirty states are currently members Eric compares voter rolls to identify register registrants in more than one state and look for deceased voters five it directs the secretary state to keep confidential confidential voter registration information. Six allow view only access to voter registration information to election commissioners so some counties the county clerks in the county election commissioners work very well together other counties not so much this helps ensure that the election commissioners have access to that voter registration information seven it's provide annual reports to the General Assembly concerning accuracy of voter registration records and then any secretary of state adopted rules regarding any this would have to go through a LC at it make sure that we are involved through the minutes we being the General Assembly are involved through the administrative procedures act that said I'm happy to try to answer any. Thank you 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 a signal that he is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen seventeen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety five yeas to nays and zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen forty nine House Bill thirteen forty nine by representative Warren to establish the every our cans a retirement plan opportunity act. Representative Warren you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker members. I'm very excited to be presenting this bill today is an issue. We have failed to address for far too long. We have a significant problem in our state and nation as legislators it's important that we not only identify problems in our society but come up with viable solutions for these problems our Kansans and Americans are not saving to provide for stable existence during their retirement years. Currently in Arkansas alone we have over a half million citizens who have no access to a retirement plan through their employers the result is they are not saving for retirement. When a person reaches retirement and has failed to save they realize they cannot survive on social security alone. They have two options one they have to go back to work during their golden retirement years or number two they have a handout. Asking for government assistance or worse depend on a family member for help. Neither one of these is an acceptable option but it is what many of our fellow Arkansans face today when they retire they may not realize it at first but they do within a short period of time. Alarming statistics I came across indicated that the average working person without an employer sponsored retirement plan only had twenty five hundred dollars set back for retirement the average retired household only has twelve thousand dollars set back. That won't last and then they will be left with another will be left with another or Kansan who needs our help. Rather than let that problem grow we can offer a current solution the every Arkansan retirement plan opportunity act. This bill will create a retirement plan for employers without a current retirement plan to offer to their employees it is a voluntary plan that features payroll deduction which is a huge key to saving. It would be run by the treasurer's office much like the five twenty nine college savings plan is now. That plan has proven hugely successful this plan will as well. Instead of the future Our Kansans facing the same problems many already have when they reach retirement we can provide them with a way to make sure they have a better retirement with their own money and not needing the help from government. We need to create a society where people save and plan for retirement while they're working a society that supports itself I'll be glad to answer any questions. Represent Gonzalez for what purpose question you're recognized for a question does this bill put the state in direct competition with private retirement plans thank you for asking that question. What this is designed to do is to complement what is out there the National Association of insurance and financial advisors actually is going to have a seat on the board that's created through this legislation. What we're trying to do is reach those who are not saving. Some people say it's because they don't have the money to say. What we're trying to do is get to employers. To offer to their employees the chance to do that when you do use payroll deduction they don't actually get the money in their hands so they it's out of sight and they start saving so but this is not in competition this is an alternative to what's being offered I had someone say well you're competing the statistics are the same in the two thousand nineteen session that they are today we haven't reached this segment of the population. Sorry follows you're recognized. I didn't mean to drop that sorry yes this is this a state going to have to comply with the same rules that a commercial plan would cut with the same regulations same everything I'm glad yes that yes. We actually had an attorney ahead of it have a friend that has been doing estate planning has his master's in tax law I called him asking who the best person was in the state and he put me in touch with an attorney here in Little Rock the name of Craig Westbrook. Bragg is one of four attorneys in the state who is highly regarded in a research plans. And he worked with us to this legislation to make sure that this would be a qualified plan if someone participates in this they can roll this over into another qualified plan same penalties apply to this as they do for a four oh one K. plan that any if you're in an irate or anything like that so it is qualified plan yes. Represent brown for what purpose question you're recognized for a question thank you representative warned that I've I might have missed something did do these plans allow for employers to offer an employer match up to a certain amount. Everything in this plan is voluntary. Every employee has the. When when the employer offers it they are automatically enrolled unless the employee opts out they have the opportunity to opt out an employer is allowed to contribute but they are not required to if the employer has a good year they can reward their employees by saying I'm going to put some in each one of your accounts. Represent ray for what purpose but you're recognized represent warrant can you speak to. What other states if any have similar plans to the wonder proposing their thirteen states who have already enacted legislation there are about twenty to thirty states that are actually looking at it right now and we we expect several to be successful within this plan I got a call from a senator in Oklahoma this morning going okay I'm going to the floor today tell me where you are this is really starting to pick up across the nation because the the states are really better equipped to to handle these plans I appreciate a good vote. Represented one as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive right you're recognized to speak for the bill. Got to take your hat off to. To representative one for this one. He's worked about a year on on this plan and what I like about this if a person is making twenty twenty two or three thousand dollars a year. Considered not a whole lot of money. They can have money to pull away from their income. And they do not have to pay tax. Onet so no words they can save a hundred dollars and only cost of seventy dollars out of what they would be bringing home I mean it's a this is a cracker Jack plan and I think he's going places I take my hat off to him and I hope you all can help in. Represent rice spoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive Warren is close for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen forty nine the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Gas it the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety three ace three names are present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen ten fifteen ten by representative Scott to require school district board of directors and local law enforcement agency to adopt a memorandum of understanding governing school resource officers and to require school resource officers complete specialized training. Representative Scott you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr chairman. Colleagues school resource officers are members of our law enforcement community who teach counsel and protect our schools. School resource officers often build trusted relationships with students while serving as resource officers to educate and help solve problems that students are facing on a daily basis house bill fifteen ten I miss a lot to institute merant memorandum of understanding between school district board of directors and law enforcement concerning the jurisdiction policies and procedures of school resource officers. This bill also requires that all school resource officers within eighteen months of being hired complete a forty hour basic school resource officer program that is being developed by the Arkansas center for school safety. This imho you will promote coordination between school district board of directors and local and local law enforcement to establish financial responsibility chain of command selection evaluation and further training. Requirements for school resource officers we started working on this bill in June of two thousand twenty I forget what year it is. we have letters of support from the chiefs association the sheriff's association we work with the Arkansas department of health and Dr Cheryl may who's the director of the criminal justice institute. This bill is agreed upon language between all stakeholders. That I have previously listed. I've heard some concerns for some members all right now I will take some questions if you have any and I'll do my best to answer those questions. President ballot for what purpose Westen you're recognized for a question. Several schools have ammo used for school resource officers with county or city law enforcement agencies these agencies rotate off duty officers to fill the MO you agreement since these school resource officers changed a day with this bill require their entire agency to be trained in all the listed trainings and would school districts bear the expense for all of that training. Okay thank you for the question and the concern in I have been working with him for the past hour on this concern what I'm asking my colleagues to do is since last June when we've been working on this bill would different committees this was never brought up from any of the stakeholders now that if the issue has been addressed if you will allow us to pass this bill out today we do have an amendment that has already been drafted to address the concern for smaller police officers I mean police forces that will be faced with this kind of issue having to train their entire staff and my apologies that we were not aware that in the financial responsibility to my knowledge what was testified on yesterday is an appropriation is going through the department of criminal justice there is no physical impact to my knowledge from the paper that they gave me to the local schools. Seeing. Representative Ladyman for what purpose question you're recognized for a question. Representative I had a question about the finances as well the Municipal League in the association of counties typically the cost if they are required to pay the cities of the counties would go through the city or the county budgets so are they on board with this the Municipal League in the solicitation of counties the mayors and the judges because the funding would go through them not the chiefs and the service. I'm sorry I don't think I can answer that I can try to get back with you the only information that I was provided is that Dr Cheryl may has an appropriation to cover this training for the local SRO officers for the school districts but I don't know how all the committee is loop through so what you're saying. But can I get you that information to answer today. Thank you. Represent Smith what purpose question you're recognized for a question representative Scott does this bill have. Is it diminish in any way the responsibility of these resource officers to follow the letter of the law when a student is guilty of a crime within the school. No Sir to my knowledge this training were all for just the most advanced training for those officers to protect our students in the schools this has nothing to do with it the student is guilty of any kind of crime or misconduct in a school if that makes sense thank you. Representative speaks for what purpose. You're recognized for a question. I didn't realize that the principles and the superintendents have to take this training also could you remove those them out from underneath this when you do that amendment. And not make it mandatory for them. You want to make it optional yes please. I will do that thank you okay. Represents late for what purpose question you're recognized for a question representative Scott will working with the university Arkansas criminal justice institute that Dr money heads up owner trying in the university pays for all the training out of their budget no bill passed through through other agencies don't you agree. I completely agree saying no more questions I would I'm going to sit down and I ask for a good vote. Representative Scott is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill representative Charlene Fite you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill came through the Education Committee and I got a hundred percent passing the Education Committee we gave it a pretty good dating a doctor shall Mays from the criminal justice institute came and spoke in favor of this bill I believe that provide some very necessary training for SROs the kids that they are seeing every day I have a lot of problems and this gives in some training that they wouldn't otherwise typically receive I liked the way that it's spaced out they can come and take this training in Little Rock one day a month one day every couple of months just so they get the forty hours and in a certain period of time so I believe there's a lot of permissive language in this bill and I encourage my colleagues to vote yes on it. Representative Charlene Fite is spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Cozart you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues on a little this is kind of some of the things is hard to come to understand a little bit different when you talk about law enforcement in your schools with us are of a very important in our schools and I know she did have all the answers for you. A couple of the answers I can give you yes it is paid for this training is paid for through the appropriation was given to the criminal our to the center for school safety so you're schools will not be out any money for training on any of these resource officers on what they're going to be re trying they will be also trained to recognize mental health issues some kind of thing that you know that pops up in one of our kids are having a little problem with the school shootings that's what the governor Hutchinson that's the reason the start of this the. School safety commission I have to get that right but that's that's what's all about this is about getting people in our schools and and get them trained I think if they do come in and out of that remember who asked the question about the of in and out of the officers being from once one day and the next one the next day I believe if they're already a trained officer they're going to have this training and so that they might have to go for some of the other parts for the mental health training and stuff like that to recognize what the the kids are going through and that's all or part of it and if you go to most schools and I believe everyone of you that have a larger city have SROs in your schools and you watch of kids around of this or other state level and they trust and they see the things that they need to see so it's a very important thing but this is really if this is to get your kid your county or city involved with your school. S. speaks left. They are so our principles and our superintendents need this training also this is also very important because they need a how to to work also with them so the training is very important school I have a lake Hamilton with applicable lakeside and hot springs and we all have the sorrows but Lee County has some security team but we still have SROs a comment on that too so it's very important for this and I appreciate it a yes vote from the. Represent Cozart as pope for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Scott is close for the bill's question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen to and prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Gas up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty three As nine days and to present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen forty nine also fifteen forty nine by representative Cozart to amend various provisions of the twenty fifteen school safety act and to establish Arkansas center for the school safety of the criminal justice institute advisory board. Represent Cozart you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. This is another part of the legislation to the Arkansas center for school safety from doctor by and this is a. You know I guess is this part is the really the emergency part of teaching our. Schools in our. Law enforcement work together the purpose of this commission of governor Hutchinson I said before put this together but about ninety seven they were they surveyed all the schools about ninety seven percent of schools sent back a survey so that was a pretty good pretty good survey but this this bill is is called little rocket or try to do the shortest possible because of the most ever too long but this is ensure that the schools collaborate with first responders in conducting the audits and lockdown drills so if you don't have your first responders knowing what you've got at your schools and and how to do that and we're they're supposed to be in who's there and so you've got it you've got to coordinate those things will ensuring the schools share their for plans with appropriate local first responders SO very poor like many know what's in that building where that buildings that and so that's another thing so the nine one one system has a geo fencing top program with a run on that and you also can put your your program for your school your plans and that for your school so it also when that the call goes off if if you had a phone that would call nine one one I will tell you exactly words that were the problem missile forces waters would know where they're at where they're going to and what's what's in there and what kind of classroom it is so this also provides the mental health training for school counselors school resource officers or licensed public school personnel so what I think this is good bill this is something that's been worked on for last nine months to the commission is also sets up the Safety of school safety commission. that is established in their end of sixteen people on that are all ex they're all put in there by the governor and I know Richard Godfrey had a question about the a citizen at large which we think it needs to be a parent I think you need to make the concern to the governor that we do need to be a parent I would think it would be but that is also I would I would be concerned I think it is to be a parent so read twenty questions. We should get. Representive Cozart is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative because are as close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen forty nine where the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety two yeas one names here present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fourteen sixty six House Bill fourteen sixty six by representative Warren concerning the Garland County District Court and to repeal obsolete statutory language represent representative warned you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. This bill is a cleaning is cleaning up old language it had a provision for second District Court be held in Mountain Pine Mountain Pine is roughly eight miles away from a courthouse two thousand nine was the last time a court proceeding was held there is a costly process to have the judges and all related personnel leave the courthouse and set up a court in a different location is belief of the judges in the court coordinator that all people in garland county including Mountain Pine are being served well through the new courthouse we have in the two courts there's no known opposition to this we just need to clean it up I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren as explained a bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive one is closed for the bill question before the House is passage of house bill fourteen sixty six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven days one names are present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen eighty eight. House Bill fifteen eighty eight by representative representative Gazaway too many offenses of battery and second degree domestic battery in the second degree. Representative Gazaway recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a bill that's brought to us by the Arkansas prosecuting attorneys association simply amends the statutes for battery in the second degree and domestic battery in the second degree to include a category of caught recklessly causing serious physical injury to a person under the age of four and that's already present in our first degree battery statutes which are much more serious but the mental state is the difference between first degree and second degree so and second agree yep recklessly causing serious physical injury to a person under the age of four. And it does that again for both regular battery and domestic battery that I'm happy to answer any questions representative Payton for what purpose. You're recognized for a question. Thank you Mr Speaker our representative Gazaway if. If you're riding a four Wheeler with a three year old on your lap and you reckon heard are you not gonna be guilty of battery. No I don't see I mean I don't see that in this case again recklessly is a gross deviation recklessly as defined in the criminal context as a gross deviation from the standard of care that a normal and regular person would use under the circumstances so somebody you know if that's kind of the normal way that somebody would be right before we were with with a four year old so long as they did not was not a gross deviation from the standard of care that a normal person would use number one it doesn't apply number two you would have to cause serious physical injury which is protracted disfigurement you know things like losing a lamb or something very serious like that before the supplies and then again you have to be doing it with someone under the age of four so I think it would be a rare circumstance where something like what you describe would fall under this context thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker. Seeing other questions I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Or the bill. Representative Gazaway is closed for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen eighty eight where the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety three As one day into a present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen ninety three House Bill fifteen ninety three by representative Gazaway concerning retired prosecuting attorneys carrying a concealed handgun. Representative Gazaway you're recognized explained bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues again another bill from the Arkansas prosecuting attorneys association this basically treats retired prosecuting attorneys the same way that we treat retired law enforcement for purposes of carrying a handgun a concealed basically there already provisions in the law to allow for retired law enforcement to carry under certain circumstances that requires permission from the sheriff and so on so forth this basically takes the same requirements and applies it to retired prosecuting attorneys there has to be background checks on the individual their fingerprints have to be on file prosecuting attorney has to keep the use of force policy and the prosecuting attorney at the elected prosecuting attorney has to agree to allow them to do this now this isn't the exclusive way that a retired prosecutor can carry you can still carry under as many people think ACT seven forty six is authorized open a concealed carry it for proper retired prosecutor wants to choose to carry under that theory of Kerry they certainly can there's nothing that prohibits them from going through the regular concealed carry courses but if you want to carry under this specific set of statutes that authorizes retired prosecutors to carry under the authority of the elected prosecutor this sets forth the way that you do that again it mirrors the way that we already allow for retired law enforcement to do it last thing I'll say of course the rationale is when you've been a prosecuting attorney for many years you've dealt with some very dangerous individuals and when they get out of the penitentiary you may be the first person on their list that they want to come find and if you're retired they'll find you you know maybe a place that would be very convenient for you and so we want to make sure that our retired prosecutors have the ability to defend themselves or protect themselves in the circumstance with that I'm happy to answer any questions. Representative love for what purpose question you're recognized for a question representant Gazaway I haven't had a chance just to review this bill but is is this by passing the concealed carry I mean could they not get a concealed Kerry. M. A. what what's what's preventing them from doing that they absolutely could does not prevent them from going to the regular concealed carry I see uses but but does this bill fifteen ninety three bypass them doing the concealed carry is that what this bill is now yes is it It allows for another a way for retired prosecutors just like is already in existence in the law for retired law enforcement to carry under the authority of the elected prosecuting attorney so long as they meet certain requirements again fingerprints on file background checks the elected prosecutor has to agree the elected prosecutor has to have a use of force policy on file there are lots of things that you know can have to be in place before someone can carry under this authority but it but it does it is another way other than the traditional Concealed carry licensing process yes. All up you're recognized thank you Mr also let me in this so do prosecutors carry right now. Currently the prosecuting scary they do and I say that I know in some judicial districts they do so I think and other Fort Smith district for instance we had a prosecuting attorney dance you from Fort Smith in the committee yesterday hit some of his deputies carried again he's got a very extensive use of force policy they have to carry a card they have a baggage they carry card on that card to notes and read that you know they're prosecuting attorney and that this gives them the authority to carry and I you know they have to have that with them at all times so there are places that are currently doing it but I think this kind of opens up to the whole state okay thank you. Represent Gonzales for what purpose question you're recognized for a question they for your business open it up anymore areas for them to carry that they would not be allowed to carry under the constitutional carry or with an enhanced license no this doesn't affect the areas a person can carry just at the set of statutes that allows them to carry under this authority. Thank you. Say no further questions I'd appreciate a good vote. Represent Gazaway as 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 passage of house bill fifteen ninety three where the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Yes it the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty five Yeas four Nays and four present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill sixteen oh four. House bill sixteen oh four by representative Gazaway concerning the application of the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia regards to the habitual offender sentence enhancement and concerning the offense of drug paraphernalia. Represent Gazaway recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues again another bill from the Arkansas prosecuting attorneys association. This one is a little different from what you might expect from the Arkansas prosecuting attorneys association this one deal specifically with the offense of possession of drug paraphernalia. And so what it does is it. Makes the possession of drug paraphernalia first offense when that possession is for use only a misdemeanor second offense specifically if it's for methamphetamine cocaine heroin or fentanyl some of the most addictive and dangerous substances we recognized in the law when I talk about the substances themselves just the paraphernalia that used to ingest it that would be a felony on the second offense and then it makes a distinction between paraphernalia that's for personal use in other words to ingest inject inhale or otherwise introduced into the body a controlled substance that makes a distinction between that type of paraphernalia in the paraphernalia that's used to manufacture and so if you're using if you have paraphernalia with the purpose or intent to manufacture plant harvest cultivate. Some illegal controlled substance that is still a felony that would be a Class B. felony under this and then one of the other things it does interestingly is that prohibits stacking of drug paraphernalia charges so I can tell you it's not uncommon in the past where if someone got caught with several items of drug paraphernalia let's just say they had a baggie of a needle in a pipe that I charged with three counts or if they had multiple is not charged with twenty counts may be facing hundreds of years in prison for simply possessing items of drug paraphernalia not the substance itself that's still a felony I'm just talking about the items of drug paraphernalia and so this would say that if you catch someone law enforcement catches someone who has more than one item that you just charging with the one you don't charged with fifty counts for every little piece and things that they had and. Really this is you know that the from the prosecuting attorney's perspective I think there was a. Conversation about how the prosecutors could work to help reduce the prison population and for non violent drug offenses it which is what they looked at and to specifically they looked at paraphernalia that we don't need to be putting people in prison at the cost of twenty seven proximately thousand dollars a year or simply possessing items of drug paraphernalia it's not a good use of taxpayer money these are people who need treatment typically especially if they're using that paraphernalia for use now again if they're using it to manufacture that's a felony but if it's just simply that their personal use in their attics that we need to be getting those folks treatment we don't need to be incarcerating them in our county jails in our presence again at the cost of about twenty seven thousand dollars a year and so this is a reform bill from the prosecuting attorney's association and with that I'm happy to answer any questions. C. nine appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Gazaway as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Gazaway is close for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill sixteen oh four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. I said ballot Mr Clerk. Ninety four yeas three nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Carter read house bill fifteen of two thousand fifteen oh two by representative Charlene Fite to require that clear facemask coverings be worn by certain persons if interacting with an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing during certain disaster emergencies. Representative fight you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. If you'll notice I just took off my mask what did I do that so that you can understand me. Imagine being an emergency situation. Where you're frightened you're in pain and you can't understand anything anyone is saying around you. During our recent pandemic which is still going on no group has been more marginalized than have are deaf and hard of hearing neighbors. This bill is the number one ask of the Arkansas association of the deaf this bill has morphed considerably from the time I first started working on it it now has agreed upon language between the Arkansas medical society the Arkansas hospital association and the nursing and assisted living association is neutral on the bill we listed a lot of exception and accommodations saying without limitations you can use a text message you can use a typed message on an available electronic device you can use of white board you can use hand written notes any other medium that it is acceptable to the individual who is deaf or hard of hearing we try to make this easy we're just saying please try to find some way to communicate that the person who is before you cannot hear you another thing that the bill does is allow an interpreter to come into the medical situation with the deaf or hard of hearing person you will note that this only applies during disaster emergencies. This past with a hundred percent vote out of public health and so I appreciate a good vote here thank you. Representive fight is explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill representative Ladyman you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Speaker just real quick and in committee we had some folks in there that has some real good testimony and I truly believe that this is needed and that what got my attention was that one of the individuals it was presenting had mask what the cheap mask. Like the reverse is like no one is sure point you out here but the cheap one like you've got on. I appreciate your help but the the ones that you buy at Walmart or whatever they have those with the little panel in there so it's not a big expense and I thought well it would be very easy here's one here you see those around the room but I mean the inexpensive ones are available so it's really not a burden on the first responders and those folks and I mean the people were very series that came in there that assigned to us they can speak to us the sign to us through the other individual so I just think this is a good bill that we need to help these folks wherever we cannot appreciate a good vote. Representative lady misspoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative fight is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen NO two president sheen Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Gas at the ballot Mr Clark with eighty five Yeas zero nation three present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen sixteen House Bill fifteen sixteen by representative Boyd permitting a law enforcement officer to transport a person in crisis to a sobering center. Representative Boyd you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling this bill simple it's about options for law enforcement in our complex world this but bill makes clear the option of the sobering center rather than jail and I want to emphasize option it does not removed jail as an option with as much as seventy three percent recidivism and Sebastian County with public intoxication top arrest it's clear jail isn't working and we need to provide options which might lead the path to a path of recovery rather than just a taxpayer expense that said I'd be happy to take. Thing then I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Boyd is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative boys clothes for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen sixteen per the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety two yeas one name one present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen fifteen House Bill fifteen fifteen by representative going to amend the Medicaid provider led organisation Care Act and to prohibit ownership interest in more than one risk based provider organization. Representative Boyd you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and again my my first bill today I will be in the well just a few minutes longer than the normal because this is a complex bill this bill presents a policy to address the situation on our current Medicaid passed program it's not a fun bill to run but is an important bill regarding state policy I do not intend to speak negatively of companies doing business in our state but I do seek to rectify policy problem in our state code in twenty seventeen legislation by representative Pilkington led to the creation of three passed programs in Arkansas to manage rising costs in our our developmental disabilities in behalf behavioral health populations providers must own fifty one percent or more of a pass and insurers cannot own more than forty nine percent. This bill does two things first it says no entity may own an interest in more than one pass we only have three of them so this isn't like it's a big market there really is literally only three passes in the State of Arkansas to the current situation where anthem owns beacon will be required to be resolved by January first twenty twenty three so before the next General Assembly mates no matter what purported firewalls exist between anthem and bacon when humans see something that human cannot unsee it this means we potentially share sensitive information between board boards in a very limited market. A public health meeting was held December twenty nineteen during that public health meeting there was a lot of legislative discussion that put on notice anybody considering the purchase of into multiple passes by the insurance company. Of concern of that acquisition of beacon by anthem before being finalized in March second twenty twenty two so between December ninth twenty nineteen and March twenty twenty. At the moment forty nine percent of some of the summit and bake it owns approximately seventeen percent of power they can leadership report Stanton the its diversified business group or shared services healthcare finance reported November th so a publication healthcare finance reported November third twenty twenty that anthem is paying a five hundred ninety four million dollar fine to settle an anti trust issue with the blues anthem wants us to trust them but it is reported that they conspired to limit competition and this process I'm not saying they did or didn't I'm not saying that they're doing anything in Arkansas what I am saying is that risk is there and so again let me be clear I'm not alleging anthem or beacon doing doing that I am saying the risk is there and even the possibility is wrong for past clients in Arkansas taxpayers that said I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank nine I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Boyd is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative boys clothes for the bill question before the House this passage of house bill fifteen fifteen per the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety eight zero nays and three present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen seventy House Bill fifteen seventy by representative Lundstrum to grade the Arkansas save adolescents from experimentation Act represented Lundstrum you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you. H. the fifteenth seventeen prohibit sex change procedures on children it protects children in Arkansas for mutilation of their genitals and from hormone mutilation of their genitals or puberty blockers. The World Health Organization the United Nations population fund the United States the United Nations children's fund. Of all call this procedure a horrible thing to do to children with this bill anyone eighteen or younger would be prohibited from having this procedure done to them. A straightforward bill it's very tightly crafted. It keeps in that line only those procedures no other procedures or even touched because there are some healthy procedures that do need to happen precocious puberty is a good example so there are times when hormones are needed and those things are not even touched. You'll probably hear a few people that will say that that's not in the bill counseling is also included that is not touched in this bill we're not going there it is recommended and that's important. I also want to speak to some things that have been said that parents are being taken out of the question and that is simply not true. First of all you can even pick up your children from the hospital without a car seat we don't allow smoking over eighteen can't go to the casino buy a lottery ticket do drugs can open a bank account be porn even by costs service costs are you can't even change your name. We need to protect children from changing their sex before they're eighteen years old because guess what we've all done some things one or under eighteen that we probably shouldn't have done and the children of Arkansas deserve to be protected with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent McAuliffe what purpose. Question you're recognized for a question. A representative Lundstrum was there even one of our cans and Parent of a transgender use or in our cans and transgender use that spoke for this bill no ma'am there was not that doesn't mean that they're not for this bill and I do want to address one thing I'm sorry did you if you have follow up questions or something else going now you go head you're recognized thank you will include you in the conversation. Did the even one Arkansas health care professional with experience in app expertise in this issue speak for the bill I did not bring them to the table but there are plenty that do. Represent Collins for purpose question you're recognized for a question. Represent luncheon did you say that this bill only bands genital mutilation. Chemical and surgical. one thing I do want to address that were trans gender and. I want to be very clear this is not directed towards them I'm sure they feel that way these kids deserve love their precious. Arkansas state have they deserve. Love and attention which is why we should wait until they're eighteen before they make a life long decision that impacts them for the rest of their life with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Lundstrum has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representative Ferguson you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you thank you colleagues I'll say what I sitting committee yesterday this is a solution looking for a problem these children if you care about these children this is the worst thing that you could Davis to pass this bill these young people are already being handled appropriately of every major medical group in science supports the standard of care and they're being referred to children's and UAMS and other places to deal with very complex psychologically gender issues I know it's if you if you've never been a friend to a transgender person or non when it's it's complicated and very difficult to understand I do not read this bill to say what representive Lundstrum say aye it says gender transition procedures that are prohibited means any medical or surgical procedure including with or without limitation physician services. Any medical procedure a doctor can not referred for in the state cannot pay for a medical procedure she says is not counseling but I assure you anything that has a CPT code that you file with insurance is a medical procedure it would limit doctors being able to referred these children for treatment and it would and it would limit payment to facilities to treat these kids. These are struggling kids and in this this bill ultimately is just intended to make life more miserable in discriminate against this very tiny minority of kids. She's a I'm offended that she would say it's a vaginal mutilation that is not what they see is indeed there is no surgery no ginger surgery being done on used in the State of Arkansas no gender surgery is being done used in the State of Arkansas. They go through intensive psychological trying testing the intensive family counseling intensive education with the doctor in yes they are occasionally put on hormones and it does no harm the reason they do that if if a and it's not like my son can just say oh I think I want to be a girl it I mean that's it's why you more involved in complicated that it takes years of counseling and working with doctors and parents to come to that decision and the reason they occasionally put kids on hormones is just a delight he per day because if add adulthood Mayo really wants to transition to be a female they don't want to go through the development of a beard in large hands and all of the things that come with being male when they reach adulthood or at any point they can decide to remove the four months if everything goes back to the way it was so I mean the hormone treatment is occasionally used on use but it's not just done without a with great deal of consideration but yes I will answer questions. Represent Crawford with for what purpose question you're recognized for a question. I appreciate what you're saying one of the things that stuck out to me. In your testimony was they work for years to make this decision what's wrong with waiting until they're eighteen. Well because the the biggest conflict the way I understand it and I don't pretend to completely understand the issue like I said I have had friends they were transgender my daughter has a a very good friend he's trans gender but the real conflict in the suicidal thoughts coming in around puberty because the site of male or female thanks I want to thank thinks that they're a gender identity is really of of female then they start to have all this anxiety about forming breasts and all the things that we can that go along with becoming female so the hormones just give them some time to step back not not transition play puberty and to make that decision when they become adults. Any other questions I'm just begging you the this is not a problem in Arkansas we don't need to pass this bill these children are being adequately cared for as it is and this is just a bill to get publicity. Representative Ferguson and spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Bentley you're recognized to speak for the bill. Collins we heard some very very good testimony yesterday I think one thing that you need to hear that was shared and testimony yesterday was that eighty five percent. Of the use that go through this if they go through puberty on their own without anything will transition to the the gender they were born with eighty five percent it will just leave them alone and not give him a blocker student. And the other as if we had counseling were above the eighty five percent. If we prevent puberty we can also make those people infertile but they can never have kids and never be the sex that they were designed and we're committee yesterday we kept getting versus thrown at us and one of the fathers that was there so we don't know the father's heart on this I'm going to share with you the father's heart because father god our creator has some very important things that you would like to say about this. And I was a first of all that George Washington once said it is impossible. This impossible to govern the world without god in the Bible. And I couldn't agree with our first president more we need to hear the heart of god in issues we're facing today to govern correctly. Unlike Washington DC where congressmen don't think the word of god is important today thank god we're in Arkansas in little rock capital and the Bible is all the states book. And people in this state treasure was in the word of god and I think we need to hear it more. One of the witnesses against this bill yesterday quoted scripture and so we didn't know the father's heart of the subject but I agree with that statement we do know the father's heart. And some one thirty nine thirteen we read. Yeah away for my innermost being shaping my delegate in size in my intricate outside and will them all together in my mother's womb. I thank you god for making me so mysteriously complex. Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It's simply amazes me to think about it. House thoroughly you know me lord. You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place carefully skillfully you shake me from nothing. To something. We see here that god has uniquely created each of us with the DNA like no others we have billions of people on this planet and yet each of us have a unique special DNA there will be and never be another one of you we need to help you be the you that god created issue or special. We read in genesis one twenty seven. So god created man in his own image in the image of god he created him male and female he created them. We also see the father's heart in Deuteronomy twenty two five where he states a woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man nor man put on a woman's garments for all who do so are abomination to the lord your god. There's a reason made a special he wants us to follow what he destined for us. Perhaps father got is proud of who he created each of us to be and to deny who you are is to is to deny that he created you. We read A. Clark ten fourteen to sixteen just how passionate Jesus's about children. When Jesus that was happening he became indignant with his disciples and he said to them let all the little children come to me and never hinder them don't you know that god's kingdom exist for such as these. Listen to the truth that I speak. However does not open their arms to read Seve god's kingdom like a teachable child will never enter it then he embraced each child laying his hands on them and he loves only blessed each one because each one is special each one is unique and we need to do everything we can to help these children be just two that were created to be and mark nine forty two we read but if anyone abuses one of these little ones who believe in me it would be better for him to have a large heavy boulder a millstone tied around his neck and be friends can I interrupt you for just a second sure represented very for what purpose. Thank you Mr Speaker motion for immediate consideration I'm a contact that motion right now represent the caller for what purpose. Point of order what's your point. I would ask that representative Bentley stick to this bill and and and I understand that she may and I think that there are Bible verses that cover a lot of things but there are some others who would like to speak today to this and I feel like that this is going on a bit too long thank you. Represent Bentley can you I'm just about done within two minutes I just can't speak slower can you speak on the bill itself please I'm just believe I'm speaking on the bill exactly of finished. Mark nine forty two says if anyone abuse is one of these little children who believe it may be better for him to have a heavy boulder tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea than to face the punishment that he deserves. Again we heard testimony by physicians in Arkansas that if children who are struggling with gender identity confusion are left alone eighty five percent of them will have their confusion resolved to how they were created once it gets to puberty with counseling that number is even higher. How can we morally permit children to be given life altering doses of hormones before PVD is over and have a chance to resolve this the suicide rate among those who suffer with gender identity is twenty times greater than average even after life changing surgery hormone therapy we should be doing everything we can to help the children to keep them and the agenda they were created to to end the suffering and the suicide rates thank you very much. Isn't Bentley as spoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Senate council recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I colleagues I saw the numbers the legislative intent portion of this bill about the small small number is representative Ferguson noted of transgender Kansans the numbers very that something you know we know that it is far fewer than one percent of our Kansans are transgender the numbers they didn't see or the numbers representative Bentley in fact just referenced and that's the suicide rates for transgender individuals. Transgendered oaks or somewhere between ten to twenty times more likely to commit suicide than the national average and in a recent study by the American academy of pediatrics. Nearly fifty percent forty nine point nine percent of transgender use. They had attempted suicide. We also know that support and medical interventions. DO you bring down the suicide rates. It's no surprise either I don't think. When these use. Watch us in Little Rock aware at how badly so many Arkansans are hurting. Use the word abomination to describe our neighbors who we're sent here to protect nothing about this bill despite its name makes these children safer it does the opposite denying them care makes them more likely to attend and successfully commit suicide. So many people in the state need our help with housing with jobs with food but here we are again talking about another marginalized community and how we can make life harder for them. Please vote. Represent County spoke against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill representative Wooten you're recognized speak for the bill. Well they have. Here we are again. Talking about this is totally I realized colleagues I'm almost eighty years of. But never in my lifetime have I ever expected then we would be debating an issue like this in the house of representatives in the state of Arkansas no wonder if your child comes to you and says I want to be a castle. We've got some schools where kids are wearing different clothing. That have a tail they will be addressed as of now. I ended comments on the days of tears resolution which baffled me how anybody could be against memorializing and remembering sixty one million babies but I ended that this or patient with this compact. What have we done as a society in the nation a country in Arkansas what have we done what have we permitted to occur in a civil society. You won't talk about god I'll tell you about god. God made you like you are. Gun four G.. What in the world. Would we want to encourage and get up here and say. The. I can I can sit down here and do that. This is absolutely ridiculous changed from man to a woman. It will work. You talk about this right you can talk about the intellectual aspect of it. But here's the truth. German. And I'm going to quote the Bible. That's god's word that's what this nation is based on. I heard for. I heard the police this is about the mothers. To have aborted their children. You stay here all day long and talk about that. That that. Could you kill a baby. And not regret it. I'm telling you these folks are going to enter their lives. And they're gonna regret. Because they made a change. They made the changes I'll get through let me finish represent Hodges for what. What portable you know and all you're doin here what your point. All due respect you first of all you do you we talk about the bill you you you you you're you're you're you're pointing judgment. I'm not judging anyone to represent what we're not represent Wooten we're not going to have a discussion on the floor please the contain your remarks to this bill please. I'm talking about the bill Mister Speaker. The Bill. Per text. Cares for. I want to put the eighteen year old in their. We're not going to do it. We're not going to let her body. Well I urge you. To have some compassion. And understand. What you're voting on here today. The vote yes thank you very much thank you Mr Speaker. The answer any questions. Representative balance what purpose question you're recognized for a question. Thank you represent moved I will be I have a question for you you mentioned a few minutes ago that is it was wrong to kill babies. Would you agree that it's wrong to kill anyone. For no reason at all I'm not getting in that debate we've had wars to defend democracies of the world yes it's wrong to kill the one representative from Gaza L. from liable to come here about. Abortion. Any committee come and this is for whatever reason. Let me ask you something whatever reason the young man have them kill them you represent all of what purpose. What's your point once again this is not speaking to the bill representative would naman ask that you speak to the bill okay any other questions. Thank you. Representative voted spoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent McCauley you're recognized speak against the bill. You're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker. Before I start my remarks I want I want to make it clear that gender dysphoria is a real. Condition. That children are created with. And there is real medical attention that can be given to them to help them through this process whether they whether they change or whether they don't sometimes the process helps them to understand that they don't. But I just want to say that yesterday when I left this capital I felt heartsick. I believe most of us come here to serve and help our constituents and by the way you do have transgender constituents be sure of that. Yesterday I was devastated. I can identify what it's like to be discriminated against because I was fired from my job about eight years ago for legally marrying. I'm thankful I had resources family friends to help me make it through this traumatic event in my life. But in addressing today's bill I recognize I'm not a transgender person and either you. So we have to listen and we have to learn from the transgender community in their health care providers and not as soon we know what is in their best interest I speak today to give a voice to those that are not here and I'm proud to stand here before you and do that. This bill is one of others that have been filed this session at this point to target and restrict gender identity or sexual orientation health care options. People begin their sentences to me we are not trying to hurt anyone. This hurts. It hurts Arkansas families parents and children it undermines Arkansas health care professionals armed with best practices clinical data and personal stories. We're spending a lot of time bullying a small minority of our Kansans and restricting them in ways that are unimaginable to most of us we seek to invade their health care privacy and does any of this move Arkansas forward. Not economically and not health care wise. This bill is based on untrue assumptions about trans people and trans use and their medical care. People fear what they do not know and create assumptions to combat that fear it's easy to fear minority because you're not exposed to them that often. Listening to the parents children and doctors who are experts on this subject would be a good start. In committee yesterday I heard in Arkansas parent talk about her son who receives hormones and fears that he will kill himself if taken off the drugs she believes it's wrong to tie a parent's hands information from accessing proper health care. Arkansas licensed social workers also spoke about how vulnerable this population is and how this bill harms and does not protect. I respected Arkansas physician with a long health care representing the Arkansas academy of pediatrics said this is the wrong place to have this discussion these issues have already been dealt with by the appropriate corresponding medical entities. And Arkansas expert pediatric endocrinologist testified passionately she had treated two hundred of these use and moved Arkansas to specifically work with these kids who need her. I also heard for many brave young trans gender or cans and speak of their experience and how this is detrimental to them they struggle to express how this bill could mean life or death to many of them in the two minutes they were each allotted. Once again this bill would do nothing to help these kids or their families transgender people already face great barriers to getting health care so take away the professional care offered that is evidence based and save lives is truly misguided and cruel. What if this were your child who came to you in pain. What you seek out the best answers solutions. And care that you can find. And I'll end with this there was a time when there were sodomy laws that criminalize sexual orientation those laws were born of fear. Those laws have been repealed in the world did not end but is better. There was a time when same sex marriage was illegal those laws were born of fear those laws have been struck down and the world did not end but became better. Now this body seeks to pass this law that is again born of fear and misunderstanding of the transgender community this law will not hide transmuted why this law will not help transfused this law simply codifies peer. Arkansas was once known as land of opportunity well maybe for certain folks it is but not for all of its citizens as long as groups of people continue to be singled out and denied basic rights. I was more than disappointed when I saw the number of co sponsors on this bill before any testimony or discussion was ever heard. But today all I can do is appeal to your intelligence your empathy your compassion and your vile of working to make Arkansas a better place to live for its people all of its people. I appeal to our shared values and ask you to vote no on this bill. Represent McCollum had spoke against the bill. Representive Lundstrum would you like to close your bill. I make the short colleagues. Representative Connie's right forty nine percent suicide is a problem it's a serious problem is not something to be taken lightly there are no standards of care in chemical mutilation of children there no standard of care when you. You let a child's breasts or **** ****. That's serious. Discrimination really there under eighteen their children let's let them grow up give them an opportunity to grow up before they start making huge decisions these kids matter we do see them this sends a message we see you and you matter those kids are precious. Some of them may choose to be transgender when they're older that's okay that's their choice but when they're under eighteen. Thank you to grow up first that's a big decision there's no going back. These kids are saying they are loved in the arm they matter some of the marketing technologies that and that's okay too but they're still under eighteen. I do have a fear I have a fear that these kids are gonna make choices long term choices when their children. And I want them to be protected and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent representative Lundstrum is close for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen seventy prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Gas up the ballot Mister Clark seventy eighth twenty two nays and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark read Senate bill two O. seven. Senate bill two O. seven by representative Cozart to amend provisions of the Arkansas code concerning enhance transportation funding amounts and to declare an emergency. Represent Cozart you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Ladies and gentleman the same bill I brought to you about a week ago this is a companion bill coming down to the Senate Senate urban and it's the same identical bill transportation of the same things she just wanted to do companion bills alone so that was fine with me so there's any questions you have any questions left over by the transportation of our our of our schools will be glad to try to answer any of it. The nine thank you for a good vote. Representative because arts explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representatives are as close for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two O. seven prepare the machine Mr park. The voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Gas up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety six J. zero nays and zero presents the bill an emergency clauses pass. Mr Clark read Senate bill two four six. Senate bill two forty six by representative Holcomb an act to amend the law concerning electric vehicles hybrid vehicles into the clear and to create an exception for the requirement that an additional fee be paid for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. Representative Holcomb you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues is this is a definite a bill in of our glass and works in a note of. At four sixteen of twenty nineteen we added a registration fee the hybrid and electric vehicles will currently there are members of the armed forces veterans or issue special license plates at no charge and all this bill does actually is a Take care of a statue problem we will we won't we will clarify these where these individuals are members of armed services and veterans are exempt for additional fees that's what the bill does I'll be glad to answer any questions. Saying nine appreciate a good vote thank. Represent welcomes explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative welcomes close for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill. Two forty six Senate bill two forty six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety four yeas or nays and to present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read senate bill four zero six Senate bill four zero six by representative Holcomb to amend the law concerning the State Highway Commission employees oath of office. Represent Holcomb you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is just to clear up some language for the State Highway Commission there is currently some confusion as to where they can hold another job and the highway commissioner and all this does is cleared up just says the strikes out given entire undivided time and adds attention and due diligence that's basically what the bill does the land answering questions. A good vote thank. Representative focus explained a bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative pope misled for the bill question before the House is passage of Senate bill four zero six where the machine Mr Clark. Is everyone voted. I guess it the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety six J. zero nays and to present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill three eleven Senate bill three eleven by representative great concerning probation parole and concerning technical violations and link them sections. In a grade you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker Senate bill three eleven essentially does two things it was brought to me by Secretary graves so it is a department bill it changes the number of days for sanctioning technical and serious conditions violations it takes technical violations from ninety days down to sixty and it takes serious violations from a hundred eighty days down to a hundred and twenty days. I am proud of the pandemic we had about four hundred people awaiting actor waiting have placement into the program and with these changes we expect thousand beds to turn over annually so it will help with that and there's also a pew study that they're basing some of this information off of that shows that it's not the length of time when you're talking about probation or parole but is the actual sanctioning itself not the amount of time it also changes in school funding so essentially being absent from your parole visitation or requirements currently two days of absconding is treated the same as two years so what what Secretary grades does in this bill his essentially say that. Six months or less is considered a technical violation which would now have a sixty day Time limit anything over six months would be a serious violation which has a hundred twenty days so it does separate out time frames there I'd be glad to take any questions. Seeing none I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative grace explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative grace close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill three eleven where the machine Mr Clerk. So everyone voted. The ballot Mr Clark. The eighty one days eight days in for present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill two fifty four. Senate bill two fifty four by representative long term to ensure that businesses are not penalized by the department of health for their before the behavior of their patrons or customers during the COVID nineteen public health emergency into the clear emergency. President of Lundstrum you're recognized explained bill thank you. Calling about this one's not nearest controversy also make it much shorter. this act basically insurers have been businesses are not penalized by the actions of their customers imagine you're a small business or large business. And you've been there quite a lot with COVID nineteen. And suddenly you're getting fined for the actions of your customers. It's a very frustrating situation and it's no one's fault but the virus. And now we all know where the mask wash your hands that type of thing and it's time to move on to the next. Process. It's time to close this gap this bill does that pretty much says we're responsible we're adults we know what to do the health department we need them doing the things that they do well and that's checking to make sure the fridge raiders the right temperature in the back of the kitchen where we ate. This man as well alcohol and tobacco when they go to check a bar that they're making sure that underage drinking is not occurring this is not something we want alcohol and tobacco doing this that's not their problem it's ours we need to take responsibility so that's basically what this not job does of this bill does with that I'd appreciate a good vote. I'm sorry. Represent flowers for what purpose. Thank you Mr question you're recognized for a question thank you. A. How how do we as citizens. Monitor and hold accountable businesses that don't follow the protocols that are in endangering people's lives now or before. That's a very fair question and you know what we don't shop there we vote with our feet every day if the business isn't doing the job that they need to do we don't patronize that business that's what we do anyway and. What we if if we don't like how they're treating us or they we don't like there. Their handling of the Kevin virus we don't shop there. But a lot of businesses are suffering right now in the regulations. Granted the first half we need those regulations and I commend the governor for doing a great job now we all know what to do. Follow up you're recognized. If if it's if it's health related though and it's meant to protect the public the same way that you just mentioned about the the temperature of the food and what's meant for food safety. Isn't safety from the virus also as important as food safety in terms of protecting people's health the health department inspects the back of the kitchen you and I can't going back of the kitchen I wish we could have probably sample but. We know with the virus what to do we know to wash your hands we're getting vaccines were doing all that I think we're asking too much in some areas and we're over regulating so. This just asked that people stay in their lines with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representive Lundstrum is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive Lundstrum is close for the bill question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two fifty four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. You voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted. Cast the ballot Mr Clark. Seventy forty eight sixteen days and for president the Bill an emergency clause this past. Representative makes for what purpose motion place you're recognized after the announcements reading 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 finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. That's a proper motion non debatable all in favor say aye. Those nay motion carries. Are there any announcements. Representative gene for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized joint budget will meet in the morning at eight thirty will be running members bills represent Cozart for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized House education based more morning nine thirty room one fifty one. Representative Cavenaugh for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized special language mates at seven thirty AM in the morning eight big mac I. President Lanny Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized city county local will meet in big maxi in fifteen minutes. Represent Charlene Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized aging children youth military will meet ten minutes after we get out here. Represent how can for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized public transportation will meet in the morning at nine thirty AM maxi. Represent Bentley for what purpose. I'm pretty good I'm spent you're recognized we will have a pizza and pasta denies it peace in prayer if you like to music capital at five thirty everyone's welcome. Representantes for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized state agencies a mate ten minutes room one fifty one will be here and to bills that will be here and for constitutional amendments. Are there any other announcements. The desk over man open is needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourn resolution house would be adjourned until one PM tomorrow.