House Convenes

I by the member staff press and guests in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer. By pastor Neil Scoggins city of refuge community church here in Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. That's our heads and pray father we thank you so much for this day thank you for allowing us to be a part of your creation the Bible reminds us to pray for the leaders of the land and we just pray that you will allow our leaders to be led by you allow your peace and your spirit to guide us allow our movies and our policy to be in line with your purpose but more importantly god when we begin to connect with one another allow us to remember that we are all image bearers of you. A. for the governor of this great state we pray for his family for his wisdom for the wisdom of all the representatives and the Senate for the secretaries and for those that keep us safe the first responders we pray for the families of those that are infected and affected by COVID nineteen and more portly god we just pray that you will get the glory and all that we do in Jesus name we pray amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clark. Cast a ballot Mr Clark. With ninety eight members present the chair sees a quorum are there any requests for leave. Represent Fredrick Love moves we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objection so ordered are the Reports from select committees read the reports Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we committee on transport public transportation to whom was referred Senate bill two twenty five senate two forty six beg leave report we've had the same under consideration here with trying the same the recommendations do pass especially submitted Mike Holcomb chair Mister Speaker we are coming in public transportation to whom was referred senate bill four oh six pack leader fourth we've had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recommendation and do pass respectfully submitted Danny Watson vice chair Mister Speaker we are committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill twelve ninety one beg leave to report we find the same under consideration here with the terms and the recognition do pass or state since mid Lane Jean chair. Are there portions standing committees read the reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker we are committee on education to whom was referred house bill fifteen ten beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration here with the turn the same the regulations do pass respectfully submitted Bruce Cozart chair Mister Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred house bill fifteen forty nine Senate bill two O.. Seven but leader port we've had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass respectfully submitted Brian Evans vice chair. There any unfinished business are there any executive communications. Mr Clark please read House resolution ten thirteen. House resolution ten thirteen by representative went to proclaim March twenty twenty one American Red Cross month in Arkansas. Represent winning you're recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues the American red cross was founded in eighteen eighty one by the great Clara Barton under her leadership and with her vision the organization became the iconic symbol of humanitarian aid that we know of today. As is the case with many great organizations their legend is built in times of adversity by the end of World War one and the horrors that were associated with that the red cross went from just a few thousand members to over thirty million. During World War two president Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed March as red cross month in part to honor their immense efforts and her role efforts during World War two today the red cross is a symbol of comfort to many in their most desperate times of their lives here in Arkansas the red crescent cross has come to aid of those who are victims of tornadoes floods and other natural disasters the red cross also aggressively works in prevention by installing smoke alarms and of course through their blood donation drives today we have the executive director of the greater Arkansas chapter of the Arkansas red cross this Laurie Arnold she is up in the east gallery please recognize her for her efforts and are we have. Thank you colleagues I appreciate your support for this great organization which has supported us in some of our most dire circumstances I appreciate your support on this resolution. Represent winning his explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. President wing is close for the resolution the question before the House is the passage of house resolution ten thirteen all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolution passed. The morning hour is indeed representative Johnson recommends that we can current Senate amendment number one to House Bill twelve fifty nine. Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment number one Senate Amendment of a one to House Bill twelve fifty nine. Representative. John. Absent. President bok. What we'll pass over we'll pass over we'll come back to. House bill twelve fifty nine. please read house bill twelve oh nine. House bill twelve oh nine by representative Jett to create the elective pass through entity tax act to impose a tax on pass through entities into excludes certain income from gross income for pass through entities representative Jett you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker college actually had this bill last session and I had a prominent the well known CPA bring this idea to me I thought was really good I deal last session but also ahead of the time or is it not giving guidance on this bill Sullivan I had reservations about a follow bill but had reservations about running the bills are expected to run it because R. us never get guidance and I really don't want to put a bill out there the taxpayers of Arkansas start using also and R. as comes back gives negative guidance on and then we we obviously open up Pandora's box of tax audits that we had to deal with for the rest of the season rest of the year so but since then our as has given guidance on a positive guidance right now there's eight other states in the union that actually have this this tax method on on the books and is also fourteen other states right now trying to enact the same type of the tax mechanism and I expect maybe a couple years probably every state annual actually have this on the books but basically the fifty thousand you're not on the way to solve down deep into the weeds because all get myself confused along with using your body else twenty seventeen on the federal tax cuts and jobs act the SALT deduction caption is known as the. State and local taxes the capped one way for businesses but it was remain the ten thousand dollar cap was remained on four of the individuals trying to pass through entity this is court's analyses if you will they're still capped at ten thousand dollars because when I pay at the state level their capture still in place so what is built opposing to do is give the business the business is the option this is not a mandatory selective tax they have the option to pay their business said about the in an individual level they pay at the staff at the business level and what that does is let let him capture the deductions on the federal side put another way if the escorts in LLCs can lead to pay the state after profits at entity level that tax becomes a deductible expense at the federal level and so it's usually better to have Arkansas tax paid now by the business as opposed to the individual so when I had the if I run the numbers on this but if I come back on the numbers are saying that basically this will raise four million dollars at the state level but more significantly it will run it will it'll save Arkansas businesses up to fifty million dollars I mean back up conservative fifty million dollars at the federal level so this is the same tens of millions of dollars not also has some individual CPA's or some other folks with that come up in a they said that figure could be as high as a hundred sixty million dollars that people would save at the federal level all the while not cutting taxes at the state level so as an increase on on the Journal of revenues will. So at the end of the day if a business would elect to do this business can actually have their taxes raised at the state level to understand a couple hundred dollars but I can actually say the several thousand dollars at the federal level is what this is about so with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Jett is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Jett is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve oh nine prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clerk. I voted ninety eight yes A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. All right members removed back up to calendar representative Johnson recommends that we can current Senate amendment number one to House Bill twelve fifty nine Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment number one Senate Amendment or one to House Bill twelve fifty nine. Johnson recognized explained Amendment thank you apologize for not being ready earlier called leases just amendment adding co sponsored Senator Hammer to the bill and no other amendments. Percent of the vote thank you. Representative Johnson Nicks has explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Or the amendment representative Johnson is closed for the amendment the question before the House is concurrence with Amendment number one to House Bill twelve fifty nine all in favor say aye. Posed. The machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety five Yeas one nine zero present the amendment of the Dodd. Mr Clark read house bill fourteen fifty eight I'll spell fourteen fifty eight by representative Penzo to clarify the law concerning withdrawal of consent to adopt by a minor. Represent Penzo you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr. Section one of house bill fourteen fifty eight is just some clean up language it was referring to it in the language and we just changed it to the to the consent to adopt so it's just referring it is the consent to adopt section lower down and the the. The Bill section seating we've changed the age from ten to twelve others a the if during the period of withdrawing consent we've changed that the miners being able to consent to adoption from ten to twelve this language is agreed to by all the parties that are involved appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Penzo has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Penzo is closed for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen fifty eight per the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven yeas or nays and zero present the bill this past. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen zero one. Also fifty no one by representative Lanny Fite to amend the source of funding that may be used to manage maintain and operate a multi district location center under certain circumstances. Representative fight you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is pretty simple bill I had this and special language and they asked me to put in code department of a of a it gave me the the language for this and basically what it says is a career center that is detached from the the building in a standalone that they be allowed to use of a career if funds for management maintenance and operation of the center I'll be happy to answer any questions. Being non I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative fight has explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent fights close for the bill question before the House is to passage of house bill fifty no one the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Gas ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven yeah zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Members I have a guest in the west gallery today Zach Ingle who is a senior it to be at the academy he is shadowing bill Gossage today and he's interested in going into politics so please welcome him to the House. Mr Clark read house bill fourteen twenty nine House Bill fourteen twenty nine by representative Lowery to repeal the requirement that a parent or guardian wait before withdrawing his or her child from the school district and to repeal the requirement that a parent or guardian state his or her child intent to seek a driver's license. Represent Lowery you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr president pro tem. Fourteen twenty nine it does relate to home schools but for benefit of Education Committee members it does not deal with the TiVo low so you don't have to worry about that it does deal with really some arcane language that dates back to the late nineties we went home school legislation was being of. First put out there that there was a necessity it felt like that there was a necessity for a fourteen day waiting period because at that time we we didn't want any lack in the student's education between when they leave the public school and when they start the home school and it would sometimes take time to gather those materials will now that's totally changed with technology a lot of home school students have the same benefits of a virtual and and the ability to get their education and their materials through the internet. So this bill actually reduces the fourteen day waiting period and let me also mention there is no waiting period if you want to go from a public school straight to a private school no waiting period at all but we do it we're putting a restriction on a student or on a family that wants their student to leave the public school and go to home school fourteen days we're changing that to five school days and the reason and this is agreed to language with the superintendents association they they wanted to maintain at least some waiting period five school days because so many students in the public schools now are are given Chromebooks iPads of. Materials that belong to the school district it should be turned in and they felt like the superintendent or the board of directors of the school board would need that five days to be able to process making sure that that all that equipment is been turned in but we've also put language in there that if the home school parent OR the parent goes into this principal's office or the superintendent's office and says we're going to home school or child here is everything here's everything that you've ever given to us to use the superintendent has the ability to wave the five day waiting period so in a nutshell that's what it is just reducing for fourteen to five school days and the superintendent has to be satisfied that all of the materials that belong to the school district have been returned I'll be open for any questions that you might have represented Miller for what purpose. Question you're recognized for a question thank you Mr Speaker represent Lowery I know you sent this bill back to committee or whatever I believe and that was I'm sorry that was another bill that was not bad I'm done then sorry no no no that's okay. I wish I had to send it back because we got beat today. Represent of rye for what purpose. question Sir you're recognized thank you Mr chairman representative mark the portion at the very end that says his or her child's intent to seek a driver's license can you explain that winters. That language is already My understanding is that's outdated language they use to you had to have the the notice of intent and and go through all this authorization process for the student to be able to get a driver's license that's obsolete language. If there's no other questions I'd appreciate your support for this bill thank you. Representative Larry's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Lowry's close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen twenty nine prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Yes it the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty six EA's one name for present the bill is passed. Members are Dr today's doctor James the hunt junior of North Little Rock and our nurses misteri Bernard. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen fourteen fifteen fourteen by representative Meeks to prohibit a data company from preventing authorized access by a public entity to the public entities data representative makes you're recognized explained bill. Thank you. Mr Speaker calling so um this bill the genesis of this bill actually was brought to me from legislative audit there was a sheriff's office that had a data contract with a local data provider when that contract expired instead of returning the data that the sheriff's department owned it back to the sheriff's department the company decided to hold that data for ransom a very very pricey ransom and so that's where this bill comes from what it requires is that when a contract with the state entity is over that the data belongs to the state entity that it needs to be returned back to the state entity return back in a format that is readable by the state entity and then that that a company must destroy and certify that they destroyed the data because we don't want them to keep the data and then sell it for other purposes for which was not intended there is a provision within this bill that does allow a data company upon agreement with the public entity to be able to keep the data and it specifies how long they can keep the data for what duration and what purposes they can use it for so that's what this bill does And I'll be available for any questions anybody has any. Said pretty straight forward with that I appreciate a good vote. Representative makes as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative makes is closed for the bill's question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen fourteen per the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety four yeah zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill thirteen twenty one house bill thirteen twenty one by representative Gazaway concerning offenses committed against critical infrastructure. Represent Gazaway you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues what this bill does is it defines critical infrastructure for purposes of the criminal code. we had a very detailed definition of the facilities and items that we define as critical infrastructure that includes everything from chemical manufacturing facilities water treatment facilities food processing facilities natural gas companies pipelines of wireless and wireline telecommunications facilities and I'll just tell you that this bill is supported by a very broad coalition of interests that includes the American council of engineering companies American fuel and petroleum manufacturers the American petroleum institute prosecuting attorneys association the state chamber of commerce AT and T. and many others and so as far as specifically what the bill does again we define critical infrastructure for purposes of the criminal code and then we add critical infrastructure to to existing statutes one of those is the criminal mischief statute criminal mischief bills just destruction of property and so we say that if you are destroying property that we have defined as critical infrastructure then that would be a Class B. felony which carries between five and twenty years in the state penitentiary and then we add the definition of critical infrastructure to the criminal trespass statutes to say that if you are trespassing on property that is critical infrastructure that you'll pay certain penalties there and I just say if we look at what's happening around the country. We have seen these incidents are becoming more and more happening more more often if you look at what happened even during the Super Bowl there was an attempt apparently to poison the water supply in the city of Tampa Bay if you look back at what happened on Christmas day with the bombing that took place in Nashville that took out the eighteen anti communications facility that had nine one one communications down for a number of states for an extended period of time and then you just think back to the to the snow storm that we just experienced when critical infrastructure is impacted like that you have the ability to affect entire populations and millions of people and so this should be a very serious offense if you're going to try to destroy or trespass on property that we've defined as critical infrastructure and with that I'm happy to answer any questions. Sing nine appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Gazaway as close for the bill question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen twenty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Gas up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety three a zero Nays one present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill thirteen twenty three House Bill thirteen twenty three by representative Gazaway to create the Arkansas in my photograph act in permitting the in life photograph of a crime victim to be displayed at the trial of the person accused of committing the homicide. Send Gazaway you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues. This is a victim's rights bill particularly homicide victims rights bill currently it in the law all crime victims are afforded the opportunity to be present at criminal proceedings any time the defendant has the right to be present. Homicide cases of course stand apart from every other crime because the victim of a homicide case is deceased and so they're not they don't have the ability to attend those proceedings or to seek justice for themselves and so what this bill does is in recognition of homicide victims it would allow for these prosecution in the state's case in chief to display a photo of the homicide victim to the judge or jury because typically what you see in a homicide case is the only mention of the victim that the jury sees with the judge these are either crime scene photographs which are often times very gruesome or autopsy photographs which again are not really pleasant things to look at and so the purpose of this bill is to recognize the personhood of the homicide victim into allowances communicate to the jury and allow the jury to see the personhood of the homicide victim and to respect their human dignity so that it's not just gruesome crime scene photos and autopsy photos that are representative who that victim was to the judge or to the jury in a homicide case and so with that I'm happy to answer any questions I will say quickly this bill is supported by the Arkansas prosecuting attorneys association and the organization of parents for murder national organization of parents of murdered children. Sing NO questions I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Gazaway is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen twenty three where the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety six J. zero Naseer present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fourteen fifty. House Bill fourteen fifty by representative McGee to require the health benefit plan to provide coverage for early refills of prescription eye drops and to establish the Arkansas coverage for early refills of prescription eyedrops Act. Representative Mickey you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you sure thank you colleagues of I know everyone was here last year when when there was quite a bit of vital one particular bill but for the new members Speaker Eubanks and I. We stood toe to toe and fought each other pretty hard on a bill last year but I'm here to tell you today that we see eye to eye on this bill. As we speak he he and I worked on this and and he agreed to join with me on it this is a bill that that ophthalmologists an optometrist and state support and the reason is is patients to simply run out of the rat drops if you have if you get prescription medicines and you get thirty pills in a bottle when you start to run out you know you've you go get your prescription refilled some patients it's difficult to put eyedrops how many of you to accept a lesser representive Hillman up there who told me he can make a bottle last forty days that there a lot of patience run out at about the twenty first or twenty second day and they're they're not being allowed to have these re field on there but drug benefit plan all this simply does is it says if the physician or the optometrist working with the patient. Prescribes early refills that they can reveal Act right day twenty two instead a day thirty and they're covered under the health benefit plan. Any questions about that. If not appreciate a good vote thank you representative Miller for what purpose. Any questions. You're right thank you you're recognized for a question I'm on the right bill this time also thank you thank you Mr Speaker representing McGee is there any. Possible way. That this bill in these eyedrops would start another opioid crisis. Well. No. But. Then in the bottom of the bill we had that sectional marijuana but for glaucoma but no it won't thank you representative Miller. Representative Mickey is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative McGee is close to the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen fifty per the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety six J. zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill eleven thirty four S. the letter thirty four by representative boy to allow pharmacists to prescribe administer delivered distribute or dispense vaccines immunizations or medicine medications to treat adverse reactions to administer vaccines. Senate boy you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues House Bill. Our house bill eleven thirty four is a bill that I agreed to run because there was confusion in the pharmacy market the federal government authorize something called the prep Act with the COVID nineteen pandemic and so what that did is it actually went into a scope of practice for pharmacists and expanded it I didn't understand the federal government could affect scope of practice but an emergency they have the ability to do that in and that created confusion and people didn't know what can I do this cannot do this patients didn't know where to go so I I agreed to to run it so It's a pharmacist I just wanted to clarify that up front house bill eleven thirty five is also a companion bill obviously not talking about that but they they got together so what is house bill eleven thirty four do this bill changes farmers ability to administer a vaccine per protocol patients seven years or older to be able to prescribe vaccines to patients three years and older if for patients three to six years pharmacist biased except for food covered vaccines participate in the vaccines for children program because we would encourage participation the vaccine for children program and recommend a well child check to a pediatrician or other licensed primary care provider to any child is three to six that would be receiving routine childhood immunizations that's a good practice and I'm very supportive of that this bill also allows the pharmacists to prescribe unnecessary medications in case and make your reaction to a vaccine that said I'm happy to take any questions. Nine I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Boyd has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Boyd is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven thirty four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Plurk. Ninety three a zero nays and three present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill eleven thirty five house bill eleven thirty five a representative Boyd to authorize pharmacy technicians to administer vaccines and immunizations. Represent Boyd you're recognized explained the bill. House bill eleven thirty five is a companion bill to house bill eleven thirty four again when the federal government expanded scope what is allowed right now when a technician a pharmacy technician is appropriately trained in the state of Arkansas and appropriately supervised by a pharmacist he or she can administer physically administer the vaccine so that's physical administration that's not making a determination about who receives a vaccine that's not making a determination if there's an adverse reaction all that would be done still by the pharmacist but the actual physical drying up the dose in administering it can be done by the the technician so what this bill does is it seeks to codify that a pharmacy technician may administer vaccines and immunizations to a patient three years of age or older when under the supervision of a pharmacist it does not allow the administration other medications it limits it is purely to the vaccines with that said I'm and and let me just clarify. Sorry about that. So basically the right now the current training program is at a three hour online program that covers storage delivery and appropriate and safe administration of the vaccine it covers as much of what you don't do is what you are today and then after completing that training program they have to be there has to be a skills confirmation by someone who has the authority to administer vaccines such as a pharmacist or physician with that said. Happy to take questions. Thank nine I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative boards explained 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 eleven thirty five where the machine Mr Clerk. Does everyone voted. Yes ballot Mr Clark. Ninety one Yeas one name for present the bill is passed. Mr Clear Creek house bill fifteen twelve. House Bill fifteen twelve a representive Underwood to promote work in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Represent under what you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Speaker currently funded the food stamp requirements there's a there's a work requirement only for those are between the ages of eighteen and forty nine years of age or able bodied and have no dependents in addition to that there's also some good cause exception exceptions that spelled out such as if you lack transportation of the past that the federal government allows states to exempt an additional twelve percent of able bodied enrollees from the work requirement so all this bill does is eliminate that no good cost twelve a twelve percent exemptions we should pass this bill because it's good fiscal policy creates less government spending several states have already done this and it's resulted in a reduction of able bodied adults without dependents on food stamps is increased employment incomes really it's a fairness issue as well because it treats similes similarly situated people differently I will note that the H. S. work with me on this bill and provided me a couple of different a couple of other exceptions including those in foster care and those who are residing into the vet the mystic violence shelters and so with that I'd sent to those those changes in their neutral on the bill I will also emphasize this does not add a work requirement or change the work requirement. Happy to try to take any questions. Represent McCollum for what purpose question you're recognized for a question thank you Mr Speaker knowing people's lives are complicated we're living through a pandemic and people have less access to reliable work sometimes no control over the hours that they're offered to work you sitting committee committee I believe that people should work for food should seniors have to work what about folks that are deemed the able bodied but are not and what about people with disabilities sure so there's and there's a good question I'll note that it only applies to people who are between the ages of eighteen and forty nine years of age who are already able bodied and have no dependents so a lot of those wouldn't wouldn't apply anyway and also note that you can meet the the requirement pretty simply so the work requirement also applies if you volunteer or if you during work training and you only have to do that four hours per day for a total of twenty hours per week so it's not a super rigorous deal and I would also say I think for filling those is a as a quality to the community so follow up please you're recognized thank you would you agree that are losing these exemptions would limit the state's flexibility in a time of crisis no I wouldn't agree with that simply because if there is a good reason for not being had not having to fill the work requirement it should be stated and we do have good cause exemptions that's already stated thank you for the question members out of president Senator Ferguson for what purpose. Representative person for what purpose question you're recognized Hey I'm over here thank you Page at eight it's my understanding that there's no state money involved in this this is all federal money is that right right the federal the federal government print this yes that's right Hey can I ask a follow up you're recognized right in under the present system they're only allowed to not work for three months out of a three year period and is that what you're eliminating this this three month grace period now so you still have the three month grace period so if you need to fulfill the work requirement you still have that ninety days so that for those three months to do that all this does is eliminate the twelve the twelve percent additional no good cause exception so if you don't if you don't for if you fall into the category of meeting a work requirement and you don't have a good cause then you have to fill the work requirement thanks for the question members appreciate a good vote thank you. Representive Underwood is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent McCauley you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker passing this bill does nothing to increase access to work or encourage work this bill limits the state's ability to do what case workers are trained to do use their discretion when interviewing a qualifying a person for nutrition assistance when they need help the most. Arkansas already has strict work requirements in place for snap participants removing from a voluntary employment and training program to mandatory one starting in twenty twenty two. Eliminating these discretion limits access to a program that feeds people the state using these discretion in smart ways they're not abusing them and they cost nothing for our state to have and use in times of uncertainty. There's nothing in this bill that promotes work or work training and with that ask you for a no vote on this bill. Representative McAuliffe spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Fortner you're recognized to speak for the bill. I know this is a rare for me to speak for or against anything. And this is a. We. Are depriving generations of people. Of. The value of work. The self esteem. The pride that an individual gets from doing his job. We're not trying to hurt anybody and I know this is just a small small narrow group but I keep hearing about how bad it is to have work requirements. What's bad is taking the opportunity away from people. To have that feeling of worth and pride a value of a job well done. That's a tremendous feeling. To do a job and do it well and earn what's being given to you we're depriving Ajit generations of that value I don't want to take anything away from anybody. But I do want to give people. A sense of value I want to lift people up. There's nothing better than seeing a young man or young woman. Completed job. In feel like they've done well. I would I would hope that you would vote yes on this thank you. Resent Fortner spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. President Collins you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker I appreciate the value of work and I think. Most of us do this is a work requirement program these are food stamps we do make people work who are able bodied in this program. There are a small number of people who get an exemption when there is a need they could be in between jobs they could be in a drug treatment program. This is a small number of people who are judged to be in need of an exemption to get food we're talking about food stamps which really is that the lowest rung of the social safety net this is not something that you can live off of and and not work this is something I can help you survive. knowing gets rich off of food stamps I think that's a misperception and maybe there are other programs that need to be reined in food stamps really isn't one of those but I do think that we're gonna pandemic and we're talking about taking away people's food stamps these are the poorest people among us people who get a narrow ninety day benefit I I just think this is A lot of eyes and I hope you don't know thank you. Represent Collins a spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like speak against the bill. Representative Underwood you're recognized close for the bill. Because I would just leave you interest with this final comments it only applies to those who are between the ages of eighteen forty nine who are able bodied have no dependents and don't already follow fall into a a good cause exception so it's only getting rid of the exceptions that's our that are not listed and also note as I said earlier DHS work with me on this and they're neutral in this so I appreciate about thank you. Representive Underwood has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen twelve prepared machine Mr Clark. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy one Yeas twenty three nays and zero present the bill is passed. Sir Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty five House Bill fourteen sixty five a representative Dotson to require licensing entities to consider the good moral character of an individual for issuing a license to an individual. Represent Dotson you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker members house bill fourteen sixty five does one very simple thing it defines the term good moral character in Arkansas Code regarding licensing and has it as a requirement for boards and commissions that issue licenses to consider good moral character before issuing license that I appreciate a good vote. Represent Dotson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent Dotson is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill fourteen sixty five prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of fifty nine Yeas twenty three nays and six present the bill is passed. Representative Brian for what purpose. Let's hear your motion. Mr Speaker having voted on the prevailing side and consideration house bill eleven ninety eight I move reconsideration president Bryant how did you vote may. That's a proper motion and it is a debatable. Absent right you're recognized to explain The motion. Thank you Mr Speaker. Eleven ninety eight is seems to be almost more divisive than some of the issues that we've come before this body is an issue that's been on the floor I guess multiple sessions and we still haven't come to a conclusion. I voted no because I I believe they're still compromised to be done however I also think a full body vote is necessary to accomplish that yesterday we had two members going out of their own will and we had one due to illness and one due to a work emergency so. They do not have a vote. So I I would request that we moved for reconsideration. I would like to lay this bill for rest the session once and for all I would also like to give us the opportunity To put us out of our misery and with that Mister Speaker I'll close run from a bill and I also moved for immediate consideration. President Bryant has moved for immediate consideration that's a proper motion it's not debatable. All in favor say aye hi. Any opposed. The ayes have it. The question before the House. Is reconsideration of house bill eleven ninety eight. All in favor say aye. Those opposed. The noes have it. I see five hands. Where the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Person speaks for what purpose. Did you not have a pair here. That the pair as I understand it is as to the actual vote on the bill. By a vote of fifty six yeas. Thirty three nays and for president the motion passes. The question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven ninety eight prepare the machine Mr Clark. We have two pair on the desk represent Pilkington votes yes represent Boyd votes no witness by representive ray represent Boyd is the president member. There any. Up vote either machine. Represent Wooten votes yes represent under what votes no witnessed by represent Gonzales represent under what is present member did not vote either machine. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted cast up the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of fifty five Yeas and thirty one days and eight present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read House Bill fifteen twenty two fifteen twenty two by representative ray to amend Arkansas election law to amend election law concerning misdemeanor offenses and to declare misdemeanor offense for false statements by candidates. Representative ray you're recognized explain the bill. You Mr Speaker house bill fifteen twenty two this bill would make it a misdemeanor to knowingly provide false information with reference to your qualifications to be placed on the ballot when a candidate files for office it's incumbent upon here she to know the eligibility requirements for the office that they seek and that's why the secretary of state's office requires all of us when we file to sign what's called an affidavit of eligibility. When you sign that you're attesting that you understand the requirements and that you meet those requirements whether it's age residency citizenship like Senator. No it's not often that we run into an issue with this but there were two instances last year where in the last election cycle we're candidate filed for state representative and did not meet the qualifications to hold office and that's when the secretary of state's office realize that there's really no mechanism in law to enforce that affidavit. So when someone files for office this would simply created deterrent to people filing for an office that they're not eligible to hold and insure that there's accountability for candidates who might mislead election officials. With that I appreciate a good vote. Representive rays explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative ray is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen twenty two per machine Mr Clark. Has everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen ninety five House Bill fifteen ninety five I represent a million to amend Arkansas law concerning voter machines. President million you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members of house bill fifty ninety fives pretty simple straightforward all it does is saying that election machines where you actually vote cannot be hooked up to the internet's at any time have internet access secretary of state's office the state yes in this Alexa Commission IOC everybody spoke to everybody that was good with this bill the access pretty simple so I'm L. for any questions. Not seeing any appreciate a good vote. Represent Milligan has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent million is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill fifteen ninety five prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill sixteen fifty four also sixteen fifty four by representative Dotson to amend Arkansas law concerning the display the national motto of the United States in god we trust. Representantes and you're recognized present your bill thank you madam chair House Bill sixteen. Fifty four is going to take longer explanation then wanted to actually does this whole bill changes one word. And I'm going to read the whole sentences in which it changes that one word so you have a full understanding of what it is under section to be. Section two saying the durable poster or framed copy is donated or purchased under subdivision a one of this section shall displayed displayed in each under item B. Public building or facility in this state that is maintained or operated by in this changing the words state to taxpayer funds so that's what it does it changes one word from state to taxpayer. No questions. We should give a. The question representative of love for what purpose question go ahead please. I guess I'm trying to figure out what what is the purpose of the building if we injured from state to taxpayer what what difference would that make of it opens up the I mean the state funds. Are any funds that come obviously from the state so they would be taxpayer funds but state taxpayer funds this actually expands it to wear any taxpayer funds so cities counties any other subdivision of the state that has the clicks taxpayer funds would be open under this jurisdiction. All right thank you thank you president of the. President of Dotson has explained his bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive Dotson are you close for your bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. fifty sixteen fifty four. Repair the machine Mr Clark. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. Seventy nine days nine eight nays and one present the bill has passed. Representive Tosh you're recognized for senate bill. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve oh five twelve oh five by representative tossed him in the law concerning the reemployment of certain retired members of the Arkansas local police and fire retirement system. You're recognized representative Tosh thank you madam Speaker college just to give you a little history what's the. Well this bill is being brought before you today those of you that were here during the last session if you remember at the very end of that very into the twenty nineteen legislative session we had a bill that came before this body that I I I really of posed and I came to this well not spoke against it. And it was a retirement bill that the affected the law enforcement officers in the municipalities across the state and I spoke against that bill because I had some real concerns about it and I stood at this well my major problem is that if you would help me to beat that bill that I promised you I would come back in two years and I would present you a bill that was good for law enforcement good far five firefighters from top to bottom well I come back today with that bill because that's exactly what this bill does what this bill does it now allows the it will allow our law enforcement officers at the municipal level. If they want to return to work for the same with the same agency they can start at the entry level and lot resource officers and warrant officers it gives in the those are placed by Mr flexibility to use that type of experience also we included the fire department in the industry to allow them to be able to do so the same thing will eliminated the date of January one of twenty twenty so anyone that retired before that date could go back and they could be utilized to help serve in the fire departments and police departments across the state the bill also allows the mayors and some of the city's I found out they don't have my ears they have city managers and I'm sure some of those are obviously in your districts but they make the selection as to who the chief of police is this will allow them the authority to select someone that has retired from the agency from that municipal agency of their police department there in that city where currently the law now doesn't allow any of the things that I just talked to you about so that's why this bill is extremely important it's supported by the law the that's the retirement system that is over the fire departments and it is believed they totally supported to trustees supported there's a there's a clause in there that says that if one of these employees returned to work that the cities will continue to make that contribution of from the city to the retirement system to make sure that that retirement system stays financially sale there's no opposition this bill college this is a bill that is extremely supported by the chief of police by law enforcement officers firefighters across this state and I would I would take any questions at this time. Say no and I appreciate a good vote in thank you very much. Representive Tosh has explained his bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive Tosh are you close for your bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. twelve all five. Repair the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety six Yeas zero nays and zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. thirteen forty six House Bill thirteen forty six by representative warned him in the law concerning final average compensation of the Arkansas public employees retirement system representative Warren you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you madam Speaker colleagues house bill thirteen forty six would change the calculation final average compensation for the Arkansas employee retirement system As used in the turning a pers retirement benefits the bill would change the final average compensation to five years from three years this change would apply only to new hires this change is similar to what has already been enacted at teachers and was passed for Asher's this session I would appreciate a good vote. Representive Warren has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive Warren are you close for your bill. The question before the House is the passage of H. B. thirteen forty six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With the vote of ninety five Yeas zero nine eight and zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. thirteen forty seven house bill thirteen forty seven by representative Warren concerning the redetermination of benefits under the Arkansas public employees retirement system. Representative Warren you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you madam Speaker members this is another apers bill house bill thirteen forty seven would change the Cola for future members of a pers the bill would change it to the lower of three percent or CPI versus the current fixed three percent this change would apply to new hires only this change is similar to the change enacted by Asher's last session what we've been doing is paying a straight sixty three percent cost of living adjustment regardless of what the cost of living CPR was so and in the past few years it's been below three percent so basically we've been giving these retirees a bonus on top of what the cost of living was so this is bringing it into line and will help maintain the system balance is much better than we have in the past so I would appreciate a good vote. Representive Warren has explained his bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill representative Warren are you close for your bill. The other question before the House is the passage of H. B. thirteen forty seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted cast up the ballot Mr Clark within ninety one days one day and one present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read H. B. thirteen forty eight house bill thirteen forty eight by representative warned concerning member contributions under the Arkansas public employees retirement system representative Warren you're recognized for senate bill. Thank you madam Speaker members this is a neighbor's bill that would gradually increase the A. pors member contribution rate it would increase the rate from five percent to seven percent in twenty five percent in point two five percent increments over an eight year period this change would apply to all active contributory members and future hires this changes similar to the changes enacted by both teachers and state highway retirement system and this will be a huge strengthening point for the apers retirement system they're catching up basically with the other retirement systems who are already at seven percent so. I would appreciate a good vote. President Warren has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Warren is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen forty eight prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Bibel ninety one yeas to nays and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill ten await. House bill ten away by representative Wardlaw to amend the law concerning additional allocations for certain underfunded plans of the policemen's pension and relief fund and firemen's relief and pension fund. Sanborn you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members this is a bill for the lock the system. What the system is had a lot of uh police and fire plans that were rolled into it some of those were severely under funded. They are now all making the actuarially required payments into the lot the fund but there still some funds that are under funded. The premium taxes a revenue source for the state. There is a requirement that the state budget gets four million of that. There is an excess above that right now that we can use to help the under funded funds an lot the. A little bit over a hundred thousand but every little bit will help in this fund so this bill is just allowing that to be done. I would appreciate a good vote. Percent worn as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Warren is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill ten oh wait prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen forty eight house bill fourteen forty eight by representative Hudson to amend certain vacancy procedures for commissioners of suburban improvement this. Represent Hudson you're recognized to explain the bill. Colleagues can morning this is a relatively modest bill what it does for suburban improvement districts is streamlines the method by which they appoint successor commissioners so what the statute says right now is that the appointment goes through a couple of successive meetings both of which require first class mail notice to the property owners in the improvement district then in the first meeting that take nominations and then they send another note out to the property owners in the improvement district and have a second meeting where they actually vote so all this bill does is put all of that into one meeting where the property owners receive notice in the mail of the meeting and they do the nominations and they do the elections of the commissioners all at one meeting this is meant to be a cost saving measure measure for everyone because of that a reduction in cost of mailing but also an effort to try to encourage more citizen participation in these commissions the constituent brought this to me and he sits on a seven person commission that currently has three members in part because of some of the difficulties in trying to fill these roles and and that issue seems to be repeating itself and a lot of these districts statewide so with that I'll answer any questions but again this is just a modest changes to streamline the voting process and save some money. Represent of rye for what purpose question Sir you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker of representative Hutchison will this bill affecting every improvement district in the state it will affect all those governed by the suburban improvement district statute thank you. Thank you Mr. Seeing our questions I appreciate a good vote. Represent Hudson explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Hudson is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill fourteen forty eight prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty six Yeas three days and three present the bill is passed. Members before we take up by this the Senate bills were going to go to the budget calendar. Representative Jeanne moos we place house bill twelve oh eight on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read a member number three Mr Clark amended number three the house bill twelve oh eight Tim Jean you're recognized to explain the amendment. I miss Baker calling this amendment. It to build twelve oh eight which is department public safety. What this does is that extra help. to the state police for these cold cases that they're trying to solve a higher retired officers coming work these these cases it's a two hundred thousand dollars. Exter that the governors okay to put in the state police budget any questions. Create a good vote amendment. Absent Jean has explained the Amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. President Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment over three to house bill twelve await all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendments adopted representative Jean moved that we place house bill thirteen ten on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read amendment number one Mr Clark amended number one to House Bill thirteen ten percent gene you're recognized to explain the amendment. Thank maker this is the Black River technical college house bill thirteen ten what this amendment does is I had to four point six million dollar corporation to construct merits at the Black River technical college all right now there's no funding so this be cash funds if the School want want to fund it could but there's no extra gene or general revenue coming off this any questions. I appreciate a good vote on the amendment. Percent Jean is explain the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. We would like to speak for the amendment. Represent Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of a member number one to House Bill thirteen ten all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendment is adopted. Representative gene you're recognized. Speaker we're going to bash the next two bills which is House Bill fifteen fifty one house bill fifteen fifty two. What this does is the governor's office ten years ago. Of when governor baby was here we had a special allocation for them to draw the maps this is a software and the the actual drawing of the New the constitutional officers that you're going to see right now draw the maps was always been drone of the governor's office of just to let you know ten years ago we spent about a hundred twenty thousand dollars on this but of with a bachelor of these bills. Fifty fifty one fifty fifty two to have any questions. Remember your one vote is for both the bills emergency clauses Mister Speaker the Clerk read the bill third down. Mr Clark read the bills house bill fifteen fifty one house bill fifteen fifty two. Where the machine Mr Clark. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses everybody voted as everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. Bobber ninety three A. zero nine zero present the bills emergency clauses are past or present Jane you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker the for the first two Senate bills we have Senate bill forty. Which is the department Human Services. Of. This is flat on general revenue we're gonna vote on it separate I will. Batches to build what I've had to ask that you would conflict universe of Arkansas we pulled out the bad so we're gonna go this one separately house bill forty. Any questions. Your vote for the bill number called restrictor the creek park with third time. read the bill Senate bill forty. The genus explain the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Jean is closed for the bill the question for the house's passage of Senate bill forty prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Clark by vote ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or pass represent gene you're recognized. Our callers calling Senate bill two nineteen this the Arkansas university system of appropriation. Of it is in the governor's balanced budget there is no changes from the fall hearing. Any questions. Your one vote for the bill merger clause miss Baker the Clerk read the bill third time. Clark please read the bill Senate bill two nineteen. This represents Janus explained the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Jean is closed for the bill the question before the House is the pastor said bill to nineteen per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four Yeas one a and everyone present the bill emergency clauses passed representing you're recognized. We're Speaker these next two Senate bills or re appropriations I thank remember last week with the Department commerce alone Senate bill two eighty head of a forty million dollar corporation last year and the representative McKenzie as for what has been spent out of that of products eighteen point seven million has been spent out of the forty million I gave representive McKinney of itemized of what it was it mainly job training of country companies like Tyson of ConAgra a lot of those are in there but it's all either grant for job training to buy equipment any questions only these two bills Senate bill two seventy eight Senate bill two eighty they're re appropriations no new money is the authority to spend the money in the next fiscal year. Thank you nine. Both your vote to or for the bills emergency clauses restricting at the court Clerk read the bill for the third time. Click read the bills please Senate bill two seventy eight Senate bill two eighty where the machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mister Clerk. I voted ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill Bills an emergency clause or pass represent gene you're recognized. Thank you Speaker last bills or more by senators of this is special projects. The Senate bill three thirty one is the Black River technical school this is also the of looking for money for a this year the supplemental appropriation four point six million there is no funding that have come out of cash funds out of the university. US Senate bill three ninety two is from senator Chesterfield this is four million dollars of for historical black colleges grants of there is no funding in the governor general budget I have to find cash money or for special probation somewhere that they don't have right now. And also Senate bill three ninety six the University of Arkansas for medical sciences what this is is of a fifteen thousand dollars by Senator Irvin for overtime for the win Rockefeller Cancer Institute I thank for the got this started that heavy overtime they need fifteen thousand dollars and this will come out of the U. A. emissive budget. no additional funds any questions on these three will batch and ready to pull into these other back. Your one voted for each bill membership clause restrictor the Clerk read the bill thirty five Clark please read the bills Senate bill three thirty one Senate bill three ninety two Senate bill three ninety six. The machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bills emergency clauses has everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clerk by a vote of eighty nine Yeas zero named for president the bills emergency clauses are passed. Mr Clark please read Senate bill two fifty eight. Senate bill two fifty eight by representative Brian to authorize nonmandatory multi year registration and licensing by the contractors licensing board represent right you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker Senate bill two fifty eight is a follow on to some legislation passed last year the ninety second General Assembly I would allow registration for subcontractors working underneath the general contractor's it's is I really do with the actual contractor's license this is just registration so in lieu of getting a contractor's license if the subcontractors working underneath the license of the general contractor they can go get registered initialization was just for one year intervals this allows those registrations to be one two or three year intervals much like a car tax and so with that I'll answer any questions. Senate appreciate a good vote. Represent Bryant is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Brian is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two fifty eight prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark Bravo ninety three A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read Senate bill one fourteen. One fourteen by representative Johnson to amend provisions of the Arkansas code concerning applications and eligibility for the Arkansas support scholarship the Arkansas governor scholarship program and scholarships for teachers in high needs subject areas Tim Johnson you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill amends the current scholarship application requirements and making this as students fill out the faster faster. Her myself the F. A. F. essay which is a application for federal aid it doesn't require them to qualify for federal aid is just intended to try to prevent provide more opportunities for federal aid for students that might qualify at all service announcmenet that it language about some testing that this you know no longer does a requirement for the governor scholarship and I'll be happy to try to answer any questions. Senator Collins for what purpose. Question you're recognized is this the right bill. That is not the bill that I'm presenting. Thank you. Solid questions represent. That looks like the correct bill any other questions. Thank you I appreciate a good vote. Representive Johnson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one fourteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark Biber ninety seven yeah A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one fifty five. Senate bill one fifty five a representative McCollum to establish I was lying to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities regarding access to organ transplantation. Semicolon you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues today we have the opportunity to put Arkansas families first and to Basically say not only do we want to protect those who are the most vulnerable among us. We can specifically prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities when it comes to organ transplants so the reason this bill is needed is individuals with disabilities are being denied lifesaving organ transplants and we heard about a few examples of just that during committee. Including the the namesake of this bill liva which is why we're calling this lie was law. So why would that happen there's a misconception that people with disabilities especially those with intellectual or developmental disabilities are unable to manage these complicated post stop repayment plans and so often we find out that facilities they don't take into account the very strong. Support systems that these individuals have at home and to really help them comply with those standards and so. We also heard that providers may incorrectly. Assume that these individuals with disabilities have a lower quality of life than people without disabilities and that they would not benefit as much from life saving transplants so most of the content of this bill is just a list that describes of what is prohibited based on the individual's. Mental or physical disability alone. This bill also provides a speedy legal path for individuals who allege a violation what it doesn't do. require referral recommendation or performance of a medically inappropriate organ transplants transplant individuals with a disability must still meet essential eligibility requirements for transplant. I do think it's it's a good idea to allow operate a little more on the namesake of the bill and. While I was born with two holes in her heart as she grew older doctors discovered unfortunately there was another hole in our heart and. Would need a. Our transplant but the doctors in the same breath unfortunately also notify the family that because she had down syndrome that. She would be ineligible for the heart transplant as you can imagine the family was. Feeling very much very much helpless at the time and we heard countless others give similar testimony so. I just ask members that we we pass this bill to eliminate the possibility. Of that happen in the future and I say we passed that so we can show that we agree that my life has a high quality of life and is capable of living a long life and we can show that we believe she is loved and that she also loves and with that as for good vote. Personal column is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. You would like to speak for the bill. Resemble column is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one fifty five prepared machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill two ninety four. Senate bill two ninety four by representative Tosh concerning the service weapon use by an employee of the department of corrections and to repeal redundant language represent Tosh you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker college this bill here is brought by the department of corrections and what it does couple years ago I guess maybe session before last I ran a bill for the community of corrections that one one of their officers commissioned officers retires that they would be awarded their service revolver also the commission officers with the department of corrections they also were awarded their weapons of when they retire well during the transformation the community of corrections was brought under the department of corrections so instead of having two separate statutes we're just going to combine them and put them under one statute and not really change anything the only thing that changes in this law. that's not currently there is that if a member of either one of those agencies the community of corrections all the department of corrections or commission person they'll if any of them want. Had to retire because of a knee injury in the line of duty then the department would have the authority to award them their weapon. And with that I will take any questions. Thank you colleagues. Representation's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representantes is close for the bill the question before the House the passage of Senate bill two ninety four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark about ninety five Yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill three oh two. Senate bill three oh two by representative Perry concerning the reimbursement of law enforcement training costs and expenses percent Perry recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker representive Johnson tried to do that while ago talking about fast for but the this didn't have a fast for you. The US Senate bill three oh to the man's the The law for reimbursement for law enforcement training cost it adds where a municipal you Mr you municipally owned training academy can be anywhere in reimbursed as well as passed out of the Senate thirty five zero appreciate a good vote. Represent Perry has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Perry is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill three oh to prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed represent Meeks. After the announcmenet trading of the bills transferring to 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 report I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The motion passes are there any announcements. Represents Smith for what purpose announcmenet recognized house Judiciary mates ten minutes upon adjournment in big mac a represent Ladyman for what purpose announcmenet recognized public health welfare and labor committee will meet in ten minutes and maxi represent Lowery for what purpose announcmenet recognized House insurance and commerce will meet tomorrow morning at nine thirty in conference room C. we have a full agenda so please try to be there as early as possible thank you president eaves for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized the house rules committee will meet tomorrow at noon big mac B. represent Vaught for what purpose the nonsense you're recognized ag committee will meet in the morning in the morning at nine thirty I know that's difference but it'll be in the morning and then we have per caucus at seven AM and the old sick too I mean in the. Of State House whatever it's called spring court thank you. Representantes for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized. College just a reminder that state agencies tomorrow afternoon will be hitting Constitutional Amendment I really encourage you you if you have a constitutional amendment and you want it hard please contact me because we're going to try to work our way through and hopefully they threw by next week so it's extremely important that that you get in touch with me thank you any other announcements. The desk remain open as needed for the reading of the bill's upon completion of the items named in the joint resolution house would be adjourned till one PM tomorrow.