House Convenes

I'm by the members staff press and guests in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer by the house chaplain Dr rex one retired pastor Emmanuel Baptist church in Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by representative Lane Jean. Let's pray. Father new week we give you thanks we thank you for the beauty of the day we thank you for the activities and privileges over the weekend. And as these women and men come together to. Enact legislation to look at the laws that we have then that need to be improved or whatever it may be that you would bless them. And may we also remember the admonition of the psalmist to set. For us to to align ourselves in the law of the lord. To meditate upon it day and night. And that you would make us like a tree planted by the water. And that all that we do would prosper. So in this balance that these women and men face each session we just pray you'll give them insight that you'll give them guidance and direction and that you'll bless them and their families and their communities that they all may prosper in your site and in Jesus name I pray amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clark. Cast about Mr Clark. With ninety eight members present the chair sees a quorum are there any request for leave. Represents speaks for what purpose you're recognized. Is leave granted for representative Wooten. So noted represent eaves what purpose leave you're recognized leave a representative Cooper is leave granted represent Cooper. So noted. Represent Fredrick Love moves we dispense the reading of the previous day's Journal without objection so ordered other Reports from select committees read reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker we are committee on public retirement to whom was referred house bill ten await house bill twelve oh five house bill thirteen forty six house bill thirteen forty seven house bill thirteen forty eight beg leave to report we had the same under consideration here with the terms and the recommendation to do pass respectfully submitted Les Warren chair Mr Spiegel your committee on public retirement to whom was referred house bill thirteen forty nine beg leave to report that we have had the same under consideration here with during the same the recommend to do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted Les Warren chair. Are there any Reports from standing committees read the reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker we are committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill fifteen twenty two house bill fifteen ninety five house bill sixteen fifty four beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration and here with the turn center recognition do pass that we submitted Dwight Tosh chair Mister Speaker your committee on state agencies to whom was referred Senate bill one eighteen Senate bill one nineteen Senate bill two ninety four big return for the for the same or consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass respectfully submitted Justin Gonzales vice chair Mister Speaker we are committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill fifteen seventeen badly prepared me for the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass as amended number two step was omitted Dwight Tosh chair. Is there any unfinished business are there any executive communications. Read the letter from the governor Mr Clark. March fourth twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house you Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March fourth twenty twenty one I approved the following measures of the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly house bill twelve forty four six two fifty seven house bill eleven eighty three that two fifty eight house bill ten twenty nine back to fifty nine house bill ten eleven ten is that two sixty house bill eleven ninety three like to sixty one house bill eleven ninety four like to sixty two thousand twelve ones that two sixty three house bill twelve sixty five ACT two sixty four house bill twelve forty eight is that two sixty five house bill twelve forty nine is that two sixty six house bill twelve fifty six to sixty seven house bill eleven fifty four ACT two sixty eight house bill twelve seventy is ACT two sixty nine possible twelve seventy eight is like two seventy house bill thirteen seventies at two seventy one house bill thirteen seventy two was at two seventy two sincerely Asa Hutchinson. March eighth twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house do Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March eighth twenty twenty one I approved the following measures from the regular session the ninety third General Assembly house bill thirteen thirty eight is like two seventy three house bill ten sixty two was like to seventy four house bill twelve seventy three is that to seventy five house bill thirty fifty six ACT two seventy six house bill thirteen seventy seven back to seventy seven has four thirteen eighty three that two seventy eight house bill thirteen twenty six ACT two seventy nine as well thirteen fifty that two eighty house bill thirty fifty two was at two eighty one household twelve hundred is like two eighty two house bill ten fourteen Isaac two eighty three house bill eleven seventeen that two eighty four house bill twelve sixty one of the two eighty five house bill ten eighty four that two eighty six house bill thirteen ninety two that two eighty seven sincerely Asa Hutchinson. March eighth twenty eighteen the Speaker of the house do Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March eighth twenty twenty one I approved the following measure. Approved as a form following the measure of the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly house concurrent resolution one thousand to sincerely Asa Hutchinson. Members we're gonna take up one item that's not on the calendar represent Jean moved that we re referred house bill twelve twenty two committee that's proper motion representative gene you're recognized explain your. Thank you for calling this is the one we amended last week on the parks parks and tourism I thank the agency wants to do more work on it so we're gonna sit back Joint Budget Preciado good vote. Represent Jean is explained the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. When you would like to speak for the motion represent gene is close for the motion the question before the House is the re referral of house bill twelve twenty to committee all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The motion passes Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution one thousand nine house concurrent resolution one thousand I'm a representative garnet to congratulate Fayetteville public schools for the one hundred fifty years of excellence in public education. Person Garner you're recognized to explain read. Thank you Mr Speaker and if you don't want to bring up some colleagues sir fable Public School colleagues please come to the podium. We're all excited to be appear to congratulate cable public schools for their one hundred and fiftieth birthday and today we have joining us to hear the resolution presented is our superintendent who's been with Babel public schools for forty three years four forty goodness gracious FOR ever it is our superintendent and then the weights men who is our board chair and Holly Johnson who is our communications director so thank you all for coming down for this thank you for everything you've done for education and payable schools. Thank you. I just wanted to give you a little bit of of history that the federal public schools have done some great things during their hundred fiftieth year. They were known as the first public school district chartered in the State of Arkansas that was in eighteen seventy one. The first meeting at the fable board of directors board of education was in March twentieth eighteen seventy one which is when we'll start celebrating some of our birthday year will kick off over the year. And in nineteen twenty one leverage elementary school in Babel became the first school in Arkansas to become a member of the National Congress of mothers later known as the national PTA. The district has a longstanding commitment to equity and equality for all including the fate will school board's decision on may the twenty first in nineteen twenty four to voluntarily began integrating the district schools just four days after the landmark opinion at brown versus board of education. The district opened the town school in nineteen seventy two to serve students who were in danger of dropping out of school and it was the longest continually operating alternative school in Arkansas. Fable public schools administrator Henrietta Holcomb and state representative some of you may remember he can Kate they led the push for kindergarten impact in Arkansas public schools during the nineteen seventy five legislative session Henrietta was a a long time administrator in fable public schools. And a group of teachers in the district wrote in Arkansas history curriculum for students in grades four and nineteen eighty four when the district did not have a curriculum existing at the time and then school districts around the state utilize that Arkansas history curriculum. In nineteen eighty three the Bible public schools gifted and talented education program became the standard for gifted and talented programs and has been recognized as the state's top gifted and talented program a record seven times. The district of Arkansas and the district of payable opened their fabled virtual academy in twenty sixteen which was the first district charter conversion online public school in Arkansas so we had the first charter district and first virtual academy and we are so proud of all the things that payable public schools has done in the past what they're doing now and what we know you'll do in the future so thank you thank you very much. If you read the resolution. That that I will close to the resolution and. Ask for a good vote thank you very much. Thank you guys. Represent Garner his explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Represent Garner is close for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of house concurrent resolution one thousand nine all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolution passes. Members are Dr the day is Dr Omar T. Ateeq of Little Rock in our nurse of the day is Brenda Hugh it. Members are state troopers with this this week trooper Trayvon more of troop F. and Warren and trooper Victor as a Toro of troop F. as in Warren. Morning hour is indeed. Represent Barker recommends that we can Kerr and Senate Amendment number one to House Bill. Thirteen fifty eight. Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment number one Senate Amendment over one to House Bill thirteen fifty eight represent Barker you're recognized to explain The Amendment thank you Mr Speaker this simply add Senator Stubblefield as the Senate sponsor appreciated. President Barker has explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Barker is closed for the amendment the question before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment number one to House Bill thirteen fifty eight. Where the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three Hey zero nine zero present the amendment is adopted. Represent Barker recommends that we can Kerr and Senate Amendment over one to House Bill thirteen fifty nine Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment number one Senate mineralized NO thirteen fifty nine. President Barker you're recognized explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker same song second verse just ahead Senator Stubblefield as the Senate sponsor. President Barker's explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. We would like to speak for the amendment represent Barker's close for the amendment the question before the House is concurrence was Senate Amendment number one to House Bill thirteen fifty nine prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three A. zero nine zero present The Amendment is concurred. Clark please read house bill eleven ninety eight. House bill eleven ninety eight by representative Penzo to amend the definition of practice of certified registered nurse anesthesia by removing supervision requirements. Penzo you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. House bill eleven ninety eight started out as a simple clean bill. Then the misinformation campaign began. Therefore we amended the bill. And it definitions and provided clarity and I will get to that. Shortly. Some of you have been told that house bill eleven ninety eight grants prescriptive authority for C. R. N. A. C. RNase that is not true. Languages added to the bill and the bill The Amendment to clarify that and I'll get to that shortly as well. Then after the amendment was added they said that will House Bill twelve fifty eight that you'll hear next grants prescriptive authority again this is not true. There are four categories. Of advanced practice nurses there clinical nurse specialists nurse anesthetists nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. House Bill. Twelve fifty eight only addresses nurse practitioners does not address siRNAs so there again it does not give prescriptive authority to serenades. Then they said Senate bill one eighty six would grant prescriptive authority for C. are nice. That would address is three or four the advanced practice nurses but does not include. Nurse anesthetists so again that bill does not grant prescriptive authority to see our nice. The second fallacy provided by the opposition there is that it removes the physician from the operating room. Don't understand how you can say that because if they're in a a procedure to do. Anesthesia is an indicator so there's gonna be a surgeon in the room or an anesthesiologist at any time surgical procedures being performed. In critical access hospitals anesthesia is delivered a hundred percent by say are nice there are no anesthesiologists in critical ask access hospitals so. If anybody thinks that. An anesthesiologist has to be present. To for any season be provided to a patient that's not true I mean there's hospitals all over the state we're in is the easy just are not involved in the health care of that patient it's the nurse or the nurse anesthetist in the surgeon that are in the room. The surgeon is the surgical expert in the siRNA is the anesthesia expert. So if there's an emergency with the surgical procedure. The physician is leading. If there's an issue with anesthesia in that situation the see our name is handling the situation. But everything revolves around the surgical procedure so as long as everything's going all right the surgeons in charge of that procedure so the argument that this breaks down hello. Medical procedures are handled in Arkansas is is not a valid statement. Rule hospitals literal hospitals don't have anesthesiologist lot of office based procedures you see our names without anesthesiologists an ambulatory surgery centers. In Arkansas a lot of them don't have anesthesiologists so it's the it's the surgeon or the physician working in conjunction with the siRNA. The third flawed argument that been told to a lot of you I know you've been getting phone calls a lot of emphasis information has been sent out there. Is safe. Like I said first of all we have this taken place in Arkansas right now. Over the last thirty years there's been a thirty percent decrease in medical malpractice insurance medical malpractice insurance for C. R. Nays an anesthesiologist is comparable. If if this was dangerous. Would we not see an increase in insurance costs. In states have opted out. I mean think about your car insurance no no nobody in here speeds but if you were to get a ticket get in a car wreck you can anticipate that your insurance rates are going to go up. If there was if there was client if there were more claims for C. RNase in anesthesiologists knowing what you know now that they're practicing you know they're providing anesthesia. Right now in Arkansas without anesthesiologist supervision. What why are there not increased medical malpractice rates. And that's that's the best argument I have for that because if you all know that if you're speeding had a heavy foot your insurance rates will be higher than mine because obviously I don't get tickets recognized okay. I will give you a little bit of a a a a timetable for see our names. The C. on a practicing attorneys you know formally counted again about eighteen seventy seven I mean there's documentation that goes back to the civil war when they were using either France the. But nineteen sixty five Medicare was enacted. Nineteen eighty two supervision was act enacted. By a hit for which is healthcare finance administration knows the word finance this is about building not safety. So that that was the supervision was enacted in nineteen eighty two that way. The anesthesiologist or the doctor will obviously the doctors are we discuss that with the anesthesiologist to is usually billing for the siRNA had actually be at the facility they couldn't be out on the golf course or on vacation or anything they had to actually be at the facility. So was for billing purposes that this was an active it's not quality control. In nineteen eighty six siRNAs got their billing rights so they don't even have to go through a doctor anymore the bill now it's probably customer that they still do but they can bill as of nineteen eighty six. In nineteen ninety seven CMS begin conversations regarding removing super bit supervision from the CMS language and just to be clear hick FOR became CMS so that's it's called CMS now it's the centers for Medicaid and Medicare services again this is about building. In two thousand one the bush administration gave power to states to remove supervision I believe Clinton previously had tried to blanket Remove it from everything but in two thousand one the bush administration gave powers to states to remove that supervision since two thousand one nineteen states to remove supervision and opted out of the federal supervision requirements. I'd like to go over the bill with you. It started out just removing the three words under the supervision and put an end council in consultation with which from the stories I've told you about the critical care are critical access hospitals and some of rule Arkansas that's that's how it works in in facilities hospitals it is more of a supervision model in the bill allows for those models to still exist if this bill passes if a facility inside they want the anesthesiologist to be in charge that in is the easy just is in charge if rule Arkansas wants to allow the city or in a good manner anesthesia as they're doing today. They can do that. So this clarifies this bill more. It pretty much since. Exactly what's happening FOR ministration of anesthesia today. Now we had to add a bunch of things to the bill. We added that a certified registered nurse anesthetist may select obtain and administer schedule two drugs only during. Pre operative. Pirri obstacle in medical procedures. So perioperative we would to big word so we put a definition in there that's before during or after surgery. Sherri obstetrical. You're given birth you might need to. Little bit. Pain relief. So would before during and after. That procedure and then of course there's other medical procedures you know you might need a knee replacement will love the new surgeons of my area work directly with C. R. nays there's not an anesthesiologist there have you had your knee scoped a new replacement hip replacement there's a good possibility that the siRNA was the one administering anesthesia not an anesthesiologist. I don't think I need to go through all of the definitions in here I'd be happy to if I need to. I want you to point to do not codify section at the very end of the bill this act does not limit and should not be interpreted to limit the right authority or both of the health care facility to choose an annus these or practice model that's what I was telling you about if the facility once. NTU's anesthesiologist they can improve Arkansas wants to practice how they all right now that's how it's going to happen rule Arkansas this bill does not prohibit. Hospitals use an anesthesiologist. One of the reasons. We're bringing this bill for we had testimony from a CEO. Of a rural hospitals. And he. Stated that he has a difficult time bringing. surgeons to his hospital because there is a perceived liability there keep in mind both the C. R. and a and the anesthesiologist have their own malpractice insurance. But there's a perceived liability there I'm not mistaken one of the one of the dental associations I think it sent a letter out stating that there could be some concern now you'll have attorneys argue both ways but as of right now it's my understanding that the dental association is is neutral on this bill. So. It improves job opportunities in rural Arkansas. And most importantly like I said it aligns the language in statute with how anesthesia is currently delivered to our Kansans. If anybody's got any questions be happy to take if you've not all step out because I know if you if you want to speak for against. Represent Garner for what purpose I just thank you thank you Mr recognized for I just have a quick question just to clarify did you say that the CH of the the critical access hospitals do not have a surgeon supervising nurse anesthetists it doesn't have to be an anesthesiologist could be pulmonologist artifice but. There there's not I said that there's not an anesthesiologist okay but they do have a physician there will supervising there there comes in the argument again that were removing the surgeon. From the operating room who is there to do the procedure there's no reason for an anesthesiologist to be in the room provide anesthesia unless there's a procedure to be performed so I mean yes there is a position in the room during the the medical procedure so I was just stating that there are not anesthesiologist and and those facilities. Mr somebody there that could take over if something doesn't go right sure but the but but then again. The the the the most experienced person in that room when it comes to Anastasia. Is probably the siRNA probably not the the surgeon or whoever else is in there I'm not saying they don't have training but the the siRNA has more anesthesia training then your general of surgeon does now The anesthesiologists. Health care. There's two. Anesthesia providers and health care. One. Is working under the nursing. The other ones medical. They both provide anesthesia they're both qualified to provide anesthesia and both of them are the experts when it comes down as the they are that they are the experts when it comes to Anastasia there's a lot of doctors that that I know that said of something goes wrong. I don't I didn't tell what drugs to use. I don't know how to fix it. It's their job to fix it that's that's what they do for a living. Person makes for what purpose question place you're recognized thank you speak if so the question I have is you said that we have siRNAs that are currently performing this duty and to my understanding the bill is going to allow them to do what they're already doing or is there another problem that the bill is trying to address that is preventing them from doing essentially what it sounds like they're already doing there's there's nothing preventing them from doing what they're doing right now. Because they're working under the supervision of the physician in the room. The problem is the perceived liability. There's hospitals in rule Arkansas some doctors. Whether or not they're they're turning tales in there liable or not there's a perceived liability. For for them to be overseeing that procedure and and under state law it says that there supervising. Follows you're recognized okay so just make sure I understand this is not really or work we're not really changing the scope of practice procedure what we're doing is we're modifying the liability for how those procedures are carried out is that a good simple explanation that is correct we have to health care providers with overlapping scope it's this isn't really a scope of practice bill there's already overlapping scope that exist. Representive rai for what purpose yes your question backbreaker you're recognized for a question thank you Sir representative clan making help me with this little bit let's just say that you have an isolated area in a rule part of the state. They've got a doctor there they got a nurse there but the doctor. Wouldn't be certified To a performance stage. But the nurse is. At that scenario could exist can you give me a little information on it was our. Well. Like I said earlier if hello some rural hospitals do not have an anesthesia anesthesiologist on staff so if the if the if the doctors performing a procedure and an annus these as provided there's a good chance it might be a C. R. and it's providing it is the. Represent brown for what purpose question you're recognized representative Penzo this legislation. As far as I understand removes the responsibility of the physician who might be whatever his specialty is in that that surgeon in the operating room. Removes. Liability for him to have to sign up for that said he supervised the siRNA when indeed that. Surgeon did not supervise the C. R. in a is that correct. There wouldn't necessarily be anything signed saying they supervised I don't believe in in the liability is more of a perceived liability but there still is a some some surgeons do feel there is exposure so a lot of them won't work at facilities that don't have in this these you all just not not because of their they're worried about anesthesiologist their word about their perceived liability follow up. And so. If we could remove this perceived liability the chances of more surgeons. Providing their services in these rural hospitals might increase it might the probability is that it would based on testimony received from a rule hospital CEO thank you very much thank you. President Penzo is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representive cloud you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues just a couple of points on this bill you you hear the words it might help perceived liability those are nebulous terms of we've had many many meetings and I have tried my very best to get to the root of wine we are having this bill brought forward. And the only one consistent answer I can get is the perceived liability. No surgeon is going to go into the operating room thinking that they are not liable for what happens in their. We get many lawyers in this esteemed body if one of the few lawyers would get up and say. That if something goes wrong in the operating room in this bill passes that surgeon will not be sued all vote for this bill. If you can if you can tell me that this that that surgeons liability will go away. Because it's not so there's a vast amount of training differences. Between the C. R. and a and and and and in the anesthesiologist there's a lot of differences here and I just don't see the the reason for this bill. and if if I could have been given a good reason to be glad to support it but I can't thank you. Percent cloud is spoken against the building would like to speak for the bill represent Miller you're recognized to speak for the bill. A lot to me. Well now. A good. Resume all is off. I've had a surgery or tower or our sample. I've never seen anesthesiologist a lot of great surgeons. A blast about that. The main responsibility. I'm C. are in a. Does not put you to sleep. Just waking up. Of. I believe that we have great surgeons this bill is not about surgeons verses. They are nice. It actually. Helps relieve some of the barred from. I'm often. However. This issue has. Clout. Over the last few weeks. By the dishonesty. Anyway. Seriously it's been one of the ugliest. And and and just I mean it's just made me mad. As the issue. Is a is a liability issue. You can vote on it based on the merits of higher you fill it out and as far as the legislators in here that are the same I don't have a. Oblong at all. I do have a problem with. With the opposition until doctor cloud came down just a minute ago spoke his piece that was fine. All we heard in committee was how this was going to increase opioid addiction. In our state. And that's garbage. This bill has nothing to do with that I do believe coming from rural Arkansas I have to roll hospitals in my district. I do believe this whole. Greatly help access to care. In both of those hospitals. And so for that reason I fully support this bill I ask that you would to and also asked that we send a message. The lobbying group around here to say when you're gonna lobby a bill. Know about it honestly thank you. For similar has spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill representa McGee you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr colleagues. We will go over my notes here that took some notes. So. I'm an **** Arjun. And I do secretary with both C. R. nays and birth with MD anesthesiologist. I can't say anything bad about either group they're great people generally speaking everyone's well trained we all work as a team to take care of the patient. And and that's what medicines about medicines about being on the team. And doing everything that the team can do together to make sure that the patches taken care of that's what's taught in medical school all the way through and it's it's something that medicine has evolved to where it's not so much where physicians now just set up and dictate orders to everybody physicians do listen and they I listen to the C. R. A.'s I listen of ASEAN as they listen to me. but you know every team has to have somebody that's in the position of authority. And when push comes to shove the physician is the last line and he needs to be in a position of authority I don't want to be put in a position in surgery where I have a C. R. nay not doing what I want them to do. Okay I had a patient two weeks go operated on the weekend. I happen to be on call the after this all week that I had we can a call but. I consulted with the siRNA before this before we do the procedure it was a very very ill six patients who needed surgery about three days before I did it but she was too ill to take to the operating room and I told him what I wanted them to use as their anesthetic and they agree to that that wasn't the protocol you know medicine has a lot of protocols here's all the rules you go to answer. What if that Sean Edgett said may well that's not the protocol used for that I'm not going to do it what what does that put me as a physician has been taken care of the patient in the hospital medically seeing them twice a day why we were in session I go in in the morning and in the evening and see this lady. So I think it's critical that someone has to be in charge I mean it's like a football team you put the best quarterback after one football team he goes into the house and he tells team we're going to run XYZ play in the tackle over here argues with him and the quarterbacks is no I'm not gonna do that will do this play as like to get up to the land in the the tackle just saying well heck with him I'm not going to do what he is about to do what he says I mean that's that's not the way it works it works in medicine. I'd like to to to address a couple things that were said about the bill it won't increase access to care in fact in some states which states have opted out the access to and check with cost actually for surgeries of Gona I've seen a couple of studies on that so it's not going to save money. C. RNase an anesthesiologist get paid the same. For all of your information medical medical charges that I have their set their set by the federal government and every insurance calling. Company after that follows with the federal government says they're going by what they do in Medicare's they even set different standards by which we can not only make charges but what charges we can use on what days and that sort of thing so so the the the the billing is not going to save any money in fact CNA's get paid more in a rule areas they get a of increase in their pay whether in rural areas so I don't I don't think it's a money saving proposition. Of. President Klaus spoke to liability issues leading on change anything liability wise. If you get sued been operating remembering that resiliency so it it's not going to change any of that Said something about the billing being changed to a the other thing I want to mention about is. There's been a lot of talk about well the surgeon the C. on agency on a job in circles doing his job and something goes wrong surgically the surgeon takes care of it some girls roll then state XC on a tanker that's not true. I'm sorry I rescued three patients I've intimate a patient in the operating room that C. on isolating the quit rate. So surgeons we're trying to administer anesthesia now we may not know all the different drugs that they use intravenously at times but we can resuscitate patients. So I just think it's a bad bill I don't think it's a bill that needs to pass it's not going to change a lot the only thing it's going to change. Is. Medicare standard is you can your state can choose whether you opt in or opt out if you opt in which we are not the in state right now that means that we follow the Medicare standards and the Medicare standard is C. on a supervision. If we opt out we don't have to have say on a supervision that's that's all this language is about it's a plan by their national organizations to increase their scope of practice because what's going to happen. They'll go the state will opt out after that and that's a decision that the governor makes after discussion with medical board nursing board some other people state opts out then. These things creep allowing you guys on of the overall been here for so long as I have no that this year we get a little bit here and next year we get a little bit more and the next thing they'll have they'll have prescriptive authority once they get that they'll have pain clinics. Forty percent forty percent of the work in planned communities opioid management's. We'll have another group of people prescribing opioids and we don't need that for sure. I mean we've done some great work in this state with the PDMP and that sort of thing I kind of thought the PDMP. But it's actually work very well and our prescription rates are going down and that sort of thing so we still have an opioid crisis we got pandemic with with COVID but we still have an opioid crisis so with that I'll close thank you but I would any questions of anybody has anything represent Dotson for what purpose question you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker just you mentioned something there that I just wanna make sure because I we we discuss this in Committee quite a bit anywhere in this bill does it give them prescription authority indeed this bill it does not in this bill okay that's what I'm talking about your potential bill I'm not future potential but everybody's been here knows how that works thank you. Thank you colleagues I appreciate a no vote at least vote no on this and make these two sides go back to the table and sit down and work out some workable language they can do that they can make this work I wouldn't have a problem if they had supervision in the major hospital that's another point I'm glad I'm still down here. There was a big talk about doctors not going to rule areas they don't go don't go to a surgeon and not go to a rule hospital out in the middle of nowhere because they have a C. R. nine we operate Missy on eyes all the way through training they don't go to like village Arkansas because they don't want to live in like the others Arkansas. They're going to go with that their families has the amenities the I don't know whatever they like in the urban areas I mean what to this next next census comes out and see where the ship population shifts are going in Arkansas so that it's it's that's not a reason not to what this will do this might prevent recruiting subspecialty anesthesiologist I do know that. Northwest hospital in Northwest Arkansas been trying to recruit a pediatric anesthesiologist who is on the fence about companies not will come if this bill passes. So think about recruitment of other physicians that are needed in the state. Thank you thank you colleagues thank you represent McGee is spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Absent Bentley you're recognized speak for the bill. Colleagues I know that many of you have absolutely no medical experience and you're sitting here wonder why in the world have are going to vote on this bill I'm not physician I'm not owners of non anesthesiologist and I don't know but I will tell you that Dr cloud and Dr McGee both colleagues I respect highly on urban areas they have anesthesiologist on staff and their facilities in my rural hospitals we do not. And when I talk to my CEO was there they say we have surgeons that have perceived liabilities because they have absolutely no idea what drugs are being administered with the siRNA and they don't want to sign the word that they're supervising all we're asking to do is to the going to work in collaboration with and I'm gonna read you something from the New England journal of medicine that we need to listen to in Arkansas because we are forty eight in the state when it comes to health and we want to take being forty it's the state I'm going to keep the status quo I'm tired of status quo I'm ready for this change things so let me read to you at the New England journal of medicine about this. And it states the scope of practice restrictions are inefficient the increase costs and reduce access to care that's all we're asking or asking that rule Arkansas has the ability to bring and surgeons that want to have collaboration with siRNAs and not being supervision of the simple word change this guy's not going to fall. Bad things not going to happen but we might we might increase access to care and will do the right thing for our patients with that I'd appreciate a good vote thank you president Bentley spoken for the bill would anyone like speak against the bill represent Johnson you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling center this is the point at which we are going really one more person coming down to speak on the bill but I did want to come down and give you my point of view is that the physician in the legislative body I'll try not to repeat some of the things my colleagues have said you know I'm not inherently against scope of practice expansion for a is a physician I see places where there's value in that I'm not inherently against the conversation about this bill I just think it in particular this piece of legislation does very little to clarify what I currently think is a statute that could be improved I think what this piece of legislation does create confusion over the issue of who's in charge I know doctor McGee made that point I think that's a valid point we all have to be aware of I mean the idea of what we're supposed to be doing here is taking current law making it better I don't know that this particular amendment to the statute improves anything I think there's room to improve this I do I think we need to be having conversations about who's who's who's the most appropriate person who's the most trained person in the room in one of the things you've heard is the there anesthesiologist in there certified registered nurse anesthetist in this bill it would require it doesn't specify what kind of position it would require consultation with the anesthesiologist I think all of us would agree is the most qualified person the rang to administer anesthesia this kind of creation of consultation in a time of crises we need someone in charge so if we were to have the discussion about who's the most appropriate person to be in charge I think that's fine I think that's something we could sit down to work on with this legislation account more clarity that would benefit all sides in this bill but I don't think this particular language does anything to make clarification on that point so with that I'll be gone in a thank you represent Johnson is spoken against ability would like to speak for the bill represent told that you're recognized speak for the. Thank you Mr Speaker members I have the distinct pleasure of serving on the Helena regional Medical Center board and I can tell you that in my time there this is been one of the biggest barriers that is cited by our record our ability to recruit doctors into the area doctors do not come to rule Arkansas because of what we currently have and this is the number one thing that is signed it the number two thing is paid. But they don't want to be held liable for these these types of things or the perceived liability of it and so this bill does not change the hospitals or clinics ability to require their people to go through a certain chain it just lessens those requirements for hospitals like ours And in rule Arkansas to be able to help them recruit better health care professionals and to allow those health care professionals to better do their job thank you. Senator tall as spoken for the bill anyone like speak against the bill represent Ferguson you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you I think most everything it's been said that I want to say that I do want you to know that I sit in a room for almost two hours of call time weighing in Penzo an anesthesiologist in the C. R. A. nice and they did offer compromise language which I thought was very reasonable hospitals like the trauma system have levels of care and I think that anesthesiologist said you know if you want to. Have not have supervision and a critical access hospital or some lower levels of acuity and because they don't typically do very serious surgeries in places like that and then the higher levels of care would remain supervision but this paying clinic issue is really my biggest concern I have I ask them if you could just put in the bill to re to retain position seperti vision and pain clinics and they're on sale we wrote this language in saying you had to access the medication through someone else but that could be a facility DEA number it doesn't have to be physician supervision so I mean that's that's the to stay clean points with may as I don't think we need C. are a nice working in these upper level trauma centers independently and I don't think we want siRNAs running these pain clinics I want to retain physician supervision in pangolin XII I don't think that think decisions out of the running pain clinics in the state had additional fellowships are training because those are very sick and very complicated patients thank you represent Ferguson spoken against the bill anyone like speak for the bill. sim Gonzales you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Collins committee on of this this is a bill that I ran last session I have been involved in this. Battle for a little while some real freshman don't probably don't know that but I just like to address a couple of the things that were said down here. One is the compromise language the problem with having the word supervision and the bill is it does not allow for the opt out not opt out would be good for for your rule communities and I would dare say that that's a big purpose of this bill is to allow for propped out from CMS CMS automatically had opt out. During cope with many people don't know that but they the opt out was the standard during the code pandemic so C. R. nays were or automatically opted out during during that time during the probably the most critical time that we've had that you recently anyway. going back to the compromise language. Some language is so these these two groups of C. aren't as an anesthesiologist have been trying to come to a compromise for quite awhile they thought that they had landed on something that that would be killed the ultimate compromise and what that was was to allow the hospitals to decide whether they wanted the supervision requirements or in consultation with and leave the supervision language in the bill the problem with that came out to be that if you left the supervision and they're it removes the ability to to opt out okay so that some that compromised just couldn't work with the supervision still in there but what I found interesting about that is anesthesiologist were okay with letting the hospitals decide if they wanted the supervision or in consultation with what they don't want Israel to decide if it's supervision or consultation. This is not going to do away with the medical team approach again you still have the surgeons in the operating room the surgeons are always going to be the lead and the operating room I think everybody in that room knows that you know there's there's no doubt that you would like representive cloud said if if they get sued everybody in that room is getting saved the surgeon is is the lead But the C. R. in a in most cases they do know more about the Anastasia piece of that then then the surgeons do and the majority of cases in committee we had a surgeon come in that came in and spoke on the opposition side of this that they brought him in committee and he said several times in that in that meeting that the C. R. and a has more knowledge and Anastasia then the surgeon does his argument was that the surgeon should be the lead to an operating room and I don't think anybody disagrees with that so anyway that's that's my position just wanted to address the address of the things that were said I also do have your email here back and forth from from a rule hospital administrator from CO the says he's had trouble recruiting surgeons this specifically talks about ortho surgeons thought he had a deal worked out with the or third group and until they realized that they were going to have to supervise siRNAs in their surgeries and lost the deals over ten plus years has this hospital been operating with with C. RNase had no issues until they lost their ortho trying to recruit another group and have been unsuccessful for it so for the last four years they've they've not had or the in the hospital because I've not been able to to recruit a surgeon over this perceived liability so rather the reliability is a threat or not the perception is real to these positions that are looking at going out rule areas I'll be glad to take any questions of. Thank you I appreciate a good vote represent consolidating for the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Penzo. Recognized to close for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. View it's. Pain clinics opioids pain clinics buzz words. Fearmongering that's that's what that's what the arguments have been. A lot of the people that have been. One of the one of the testimonies. In committee came from an anesthesiologist who had a pain clinic and then she wants to talk about this is going to create a pathway for more opioids in our communities. This does not provide prescriptive authority for C. R. in aids. SiRNAs work under the hospital D. E. a license. They can't go out and open a pain clinic without a D. a license there has to be a doctor. To open a pain clinic so that's something that needs to be clear this bill does not allow siRNA to go out and open a pain clinic so sit up here and talk about pain clinics. It has nothing to do with this bill it's not a pathway for it nobody's applying for DEA licenses here. The let's talk about the compromise. Languages provided it was stated it was compromise language it was cut copy pasted and put on my bill with my name on it and Senators compromise language. It's arguably that language was more restrictive than what we currently have today. Someone said that they want to go back to the table and compromise we can come to something. The weekend before I ran this in committee. Everybody was excited I think we've come to a compromise Clint we're going to get this down for you can actually walk in and that will present the bill everybody's going to go for. Well didn't work out. Then the day of. When I ran this in committee Tuesday. Up until five minutes before I ran the bill I didn't think I was going to actually have sit down talk about. Hey Clint I think we figured it out. Colorado's got this model. I think it's going to workforce negotiations fell apart five minutes before I had to present so I walked in thinking I'm not gonna present today and also no you can run your bill I thought I was gonna say Hey this and agreed to build here's the Amendment we're good to go didn't work out. So. It's it's not. To say that we didn't try to compromise is not an accurate statement there were siRNAs an anesthesiologist that were working in good faith to try to make compromise language work. Politics got involved but the siRNAs and some of the anesthesiologist wanted to see it work. There was talk about healthcare costs increasing I believe that study that was being discussed. Was from California and Colorado I don't know if anybody's paid attention to house prices in LA but it's a little different they've been skyrocketing everything in California is more expensive than anywhere so did use a study that talks about. Bolder in LA in San Diego. The costs increasing the medical care there I mean we we don't we don't have to discuss what's going on in California with with prices. Reimbursements the same first see our name and an anesthesiologist the money received from the hospital. If they're having to pay an anesthesiologist. He didn't get paid more for supervising serenades there's use a little bit of money that comes out of the hospital budget for that also they have to pay the anesthesiologist almost double we'll see our next paid so to say there couldn't be cost savings and try to say that prices are going to go up I don't buy that myself. In this bill it still allows for facility. To have an anesthesiologist in charge if they want to. The facilities can dictate you know. The. Gonzales said I think everybody realizes that the surgeon is in control and if the facility wants to write the bylaws that specifically state that they still can't so the fear of. This becoming an issue is is is not warranted I mean why why are why are we not seeing problems in the other states that have opted out I mean these are just some things I want you all to think about before we vote on this. What else do I need to address. Well I think you'll probably heard enough so I just wanna ask you all for a good vote thank you. Represent Penzo his clothes for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven ninety eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. A vote of. About a fifty eight thirty seven days and five present the bill failed. Represent McGee moves the clincher it's proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The nose have it. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve fifty eight. twelve fifty eight by representative Johnson to authorize full independent practice. Authority for certified nurse practitioners who meet certain requirements and to create the full independent practice credentialing Committee. Before representative Johnson presents a bill members We have with this today Stetson painter who's the the district director for congressman Crawford who is in the west gallery the guest of representative speaks. And also in the west gallery we have the gentry Mennonite school the guest of representative Haak. Ferguson Johnson you're recognized present the bill. Colleagues I'm not sure it's fair that we listen to scope bills back to back my hope is that this will be a little less controversial so the into this bill is to create a legitimate pathway in Arkansas for full practice authority for nurse practitioners so currently in the state of Arkansas nurse practitioners have to practice in the collaborative practice agreement with physicians this bill would create a away for those nurse practitioners to practice free from collaboration the way it does as it creates a new committee under the department of health this committee would be consist of for physicians three of which would come from one of each of the best schools in the state one would be appointed at large it has for certified nurse practitioners three from teaching facilities and one point at large so it's a committee that consists of both for positions in for nurse practitioners the purpose of the committee is to that the application process for nurse practitioners wishing to practice so with full of practice authority at the minimum requirements for this would be six thousand ten forty hours this is three years of training and then they can apply for full practice authority as the second person this committee would be to review any concerns that came up as the full practice authority nurse practitioner start practicing in Arkansas if there's concerns about practice habits the complaints we go back to this committee they would be responsible for reviewing this committee on this committee is reviewing these complaints on this committee as well would be the member for Disney from the medical board the nursing board to serve as ex officio members so they'll be able to prod input with any concerns and grievances that happen to have additionally reports requirement on the nurse practitioner to post a clearly and in their clinic they're practicing free from a collaborative agreement this is a this is a bill is negotiated compromise so this is a bill that we worked hard on I want to say thank you to my colleagues on both sides of this issue the physicians in the nurse practitioners that they did a good job I come to the table with what was a very difficult issue and then came forward with a bill that is You know that that the physicians have gotten to neutral on the nurse practitioner support so I'd be happy to try to answer any questions on this bill if anybody has any. C. nine appreciated that thank you represent Johnson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Reviews of consolidated recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Collins I know it's been a long day already we just got our first real bills but I guess I want to come down here and and personally say thank you to represent of Johnson he's worked very hard on this bill and it is a compromise bill this is how politics are supposed to work you know we oppose each other on on the previous one and have worked together on this one without him working as hard as he did it this would not have have come together in college this is a chance for you all to support nurses to support the the physicians and not have to deal with with this particular scope battle hopefully for years to come. FOR should give a. Represent intellistation for the bill would even like speak against the bill. Anyone like speak for the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve fifty eight prepare the machines to Clark. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote by vote of eighty seven yeas five nays and one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen eighty fourteen eighty by representative mark berry to amend law Arkansas law concerning cabinet level department secretaries and to require the secretary of a cabinet level department to provide a report to the Legislative Council represent berry you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker good afternoon colleagues so this bill is quite simple it just increases communication and dialogue whether cabinet secretaries what you said on the left are you set on the writer you're sitting in the middle this is good government I appreciate your consideration for a good vote thank you. Represent berry has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Person very is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen eighty prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by vote of eighty eighty eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill ten fifty house bill ten fifty by representative Jett to reduce the number of employees required to mandate the electronic filing of annual withholding statements. President Jett you're recognized explained bill. Thank you for calling this is a bill that come out of revenue tax about a month ago has some issues with that DFA promised that they would amend a bill down on the Senate in the one to come out for gun in the house for its colleagues here in the House for asked me just amended on the house and because we really don't trust the Senate anyone so we agreed to do that and just let me being lazy and been busy I'm just not getting back around to re running this bill but the bill now with amendment on it says if they want to put everybody trying to push your body towards electronic filing and on the W. too so what the proposing to do is ask everybody has fifty employees or more to electronic file but it does create a hardship the business is in the State of Arkansas all this has to do is pick up the phone call the if they if they will give a waiver for any business that has hardship with doing this with this I appreciate a good vote. President Jett is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representive Jett is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten fifty prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety two yeas one name one present the bill is passed. Members were gonna pass over house bill twelve oh nine Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen forty nine House Bill fourteen forty nine representative hawk to create climax law and concerning the ability of a distributee of a small estate to make bank deposits on behalf of the deceased person's estate percent hawks you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Baker thank you colleagues colleagues this is a little bill that will make a big difference and a lot of people's lives during very hard times. Currently there is no mechanism for folks with the smallest state to. Make it an opportunity for them to deposit checks it will come in after their loved one is passed we'll have to jump through hoops with expensive attorney fees and other mechanisms and so what this bill will do is it will allow them the opportunity to Use a statement that they have that they can get from the circuit court and open up a bank account in the name of the estate that way when the checks come in oftentimes just a few hundred dollars or less than a thousand dollars and these are all for states of less than a hundred thousand dollars this is real money to some of these folks to need these checks coming in today you know and they don't need the hassle they don't have the money to hire an attorney I would say that I appreciate representative Beatty early on I want to make sure not only just at my attorney that brought this to me he's in the state attorney I thought this was a good bill I want to make sure the bank from boards talk representative AT the banks are good and folks this bill will make a big difference a lot of people's lives I'm open for any questions. The N. nine I'd appreciate a good vote. Representive fox's explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Or the bill. Representative pox is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen forty nine prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Cass about Mr Clark. Ninety five Yeas zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fourteen twenty four fourteen twenty four by representative Brandt Smith concerning the administration of the oath of office. Representative Smith you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a simple bill brought to me by the Arkansas district judges council. And the one of my. Judges up in Jonesboro Arkansas judge Tommy Fowler all it does is allow the administration of the oath of office for the District Court judges and with that I'll take questions if you have any otherwise I appreciate a good vote. Representative Smith has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Smith is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen twenty four where the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety three eight zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen oh six out of fifteen oh six No representative Shepherd prohibiting the use of a hoax bomb. Gazaway you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a simple bill. Currently under Arkansas code five fifty four two oh nine that statutes prohibits the use of a hoax substance many years ago we saw people who would send white powder in the mail would cause lots of problems people those anthrax turned out it would be nothing we've also seen people who. send what appear to be bombs it causes law enforcement to have to call out the bomb squad and then ultimately these things turn out to be nothing and so this simply adds a hoax bomb to the statute that prohibits the use of a hoax substance with that I'm happy to answer any questions. Singman appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Gazaway has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Gazaway is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen zero six compare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Yes it the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven U. A. zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen nineteen. Use make house bill read house bill ten sixty nine. House bill ten sixty not a representative Pilkington to amend the provisions of the Arkansas code concerning the practice of pharmacy and authorize pharmacists to provide access to and administration of oral contraception. President Bill Clinton you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I stand present to you house bill ten sixty nine this is very similar to a piece of legislation we passed last session that unfortunately we weren't able to get through the Senate it revolves around allowing pharmacists to dispense birth control and so I won't go through all the details of it but the reason why we did this was we want to expand access oral contraceptives and rule areas and reduce the teen pregnancy rate in Arkansas and we've also found two is going to enact policies like this we also reduce the number of abortions in those states this isn't really or a red state issue our police state issue this is been done in Utah and Tennessee and Massachusetts and California I just good policy that a lot of people can get fine however we did make a few changes from last time so I I want you all to be aware that we worked with the family council to get some data recording to be part of it you know what is their age where they coming from which you know I went to the fate of these Bosan school of public health here you M. S. I love data when it comes to public health so that's that's easy for me we also just wanna make sure that when you get your six month supply the you're getting referred to a primary care provider or and no B. G. Y. and and that's good as well you know that wasn't providers wanted and I think it's really good policy because you know with young people like myself we don't utilize health care as much as we really should and this is a way of getting them into the pipeline so that they're getting a primary care provider are no B. G. Y. and that they're getting into that system during the committee process Dr cloud ask a question about how do we make sure that pharmacy hopping doesn't happen. Easy way to do that is we're gonna work with the pharmacy board to make sure the rules are in place so that there's a signed affidavit when they when they received the medication but also we can work the rules process to make sure the Medicaid flags flags as anytime someone is receiving oral contraceptives a six month supply without at first scene that. Primary care provider in this thing they really have no reason to because they're getting a referral from the pharmacist that is getting sent to the C. P. R. an OBGYN who hopefully their offices and following up on those referrals to once again get them into that system so I think is a really good bill I think it's it's a a good piece of legislation we can all be proud about and I'm and I'm excited to get it through this house again and get it over and get it to the Senate with that aspect at the. Representative Pilkington as explained a bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive Pilkington as close to the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten sixty nine prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. I guess it the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty eight yeas to nays and for present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read house bill fifteen nineteen. Also fifteen nineteen by representative eaves to amend the petroleum storage tank trust fund act and to increase the balance of the petroleum storage tank trust fund requiring a reduction in the petroleum environmental assurance fee. Envy's eaves you're recognized explain the bill. You Mr Speaker pro tem. Members this bill it is regarding Arkansas petroleum storage tank trust fund this was a fund established in nineteen eighty nine to the system for trolling storage tank owners and operators in meeting US EPA requirements this trust fund is used to protect public health and the environment that with the cleaning up of the petroleum tank leaks that may happen this simply changes the cap of the trust fund from fifteen million dollars to thirty million dollars this cap on has not been changed since nineteen eighty nine so with inflation the fear is that this fund is no longer actuarially sound this is currently funded by three tenths of a cent per gallon feed called the petroleum environment this assurance fee this three tenths of a cent fees collected until the fund reaches fifteen million dollars at this time the pollution control and ecology Commission can decided that he needs to be lowered or not that is the trigger so this bill would just change that trigger from fifteen million to thirty million with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Eads has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative these is closed for the bill the question before the House its passage of house bill fifteen nineteen the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark ninety one Yeas one day and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill two twenty six Senate bill two twenty six by representative warrant requirement establishment of the medical marijuana advisory subcommittee of the Legislative Council to provide advance related to advice related to the Arkansas constitution Amendment ninety eight. Representative Warren you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues Amendment ninety eight created the medical marijuana commission and offered help to our Kansans who needed all this bill does is create an oversight responsibility for the legislature the Arkansas Legislative Council. They are significant funds running through these businesses and into state revenues we need to have some involvement this bill will allow that. I would appreciate a good vote. Represented one as explained a bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representive warrants close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two twenty six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. I guess the ballot Mister Clerk. With ninety two U. A. zero nays and zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill sixty Senate bill sixty by representative John sentiment revisions of the Arkansas code concerning mandated vision screenings for public school students. Represent Johnson you're recognized explained bill thank you colleagues this bill update some vision screening techniques that we currently use in school so currently the the statute outlines some very specific things to be used some of which are outdated at this provides the freedom for the Arkansas Commission to look at updated techniques for vision screening in our schools has no known opposition of pre I'd take any questions you may have. Saying that a particular thank you. Representative Johnson as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Or the bill. Represent Johnson is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill sixty prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. I guess it the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety five Yeas zero Nays one present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill sixty three of the bill sixty three by representative Johnson to amend provisions of the Arkansas code concerning the attendance of the commissioner and secretary of education of board or commission meetings represent Johnson you're recognized explained a bill. Thank you this is the Department education sponsored bill that would allow the secretary of education for the Commissioner of Education to send the designees in their stead to attend any committees or board meetings or task force that they're statutorily required to attend be happy to answer any questions. Senate president of the. Representative Johnson has explained a bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent all that you're. Recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker since the consolidation of state agencies the department of education has had its top two spots held by one person and this is definitely not a commentary on that person but those two spots exist for a reason because they're separate responsibilities that the Secretary Terri of education and the Commissioner of Education must have to report to all these agencies this bill would basically allow them to Our appoint somebody else to go to those responsibilities that are required by that person under law in order to compensate for not having a commissioner of education the department for the first time is hired a second deputy commissioner and now we have Senate bill sixty three which allows that person to Basically appoint other people instead of filling both positions to attend these meetings I'm asking that you vote against this and consequently if this passes House Bill fourteen eighty the secretary of education could choose to send somebody in their stead on that as well thank you. President of Thailand is broken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Represent Johnson you're recognized to close for the bill I appreciate representantes concerns and I certainly answer stands right now the secretary of education commissioner of education the same person but it doesn't change the fact that they're over twenty committees and boards that they're both expected to attend and even if those positions are filled there are times which the person what is the intent of the bill requiring people to be at a certain meeting may not your that the commissioner or the secretary of education may not be the most qualified person to attend that meeting so I think there's a valid argument for continuing that with this path and allowing them to have a designated a person in their stead even if both those positions are filled so with that I appreciate about thank you. Representative Johnson is closed for the bill question before the House is the passage of Senate bill sixty three per the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Gas up the ballot Mr Clark. Seventy one yeah a seven eight and ten present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill one zero one Senate bill one O. one by representative Johnson to amend provisions of the Arkansas code concerning enhance student achievement funding and school funding under the public school funding Act of two thousand three represent Johnson you're recognized mind bill thank you so that under current statute in history Majima finding there's a list of qualified expenses these are things that are meant to be spent to try to close the achievement gap between schools that have more higher poverty level some of the other schools our state the way that list is written right now it's set to expire in July twenty twenty two and so in the last session a bill was passed the the required department education to come forward and come up with some ideas of of of a new list of qualifying expenses for these for this finding and so this bill creates six categories of qualified expenditures additionally this bill creates some accountability that has been there before so each school is required to submit a plan as to how they're gonna spend their their and enhancing achievement finding and within that plan they have to define how they're gonna achieve the goals that are looking to achieve within each of the six categories and then there is that sense of accountability and how they're making progress so this is a good piece of legislation that allows more flexibility among our schools and create some accountability to measurables that haven't been there in the past I'll be happy to try to answer the questions. Represents prayer for what purpose question you're recognized for a question thank you Mr chair of senator John bond representative Johnson McNair Senator now we did have a conversation about this and I indicated that I thought that this was a very good bill and I voiced some concerns regarding certain sections of that. In particular on page five section H.. Weinstein line eight through fourteen and on. You indicated that those things would be addressed would you explain to me assure so thank you conversations after those discussions a committee there was some lively discussion committee about the goal of this funding in making sure that the statue didn't take away from the intent of the finding which is to close the achievement gap among public schools and in our discussions with desi they've given some assurances that there will be a rules of making proper process and in that process they're going to look at making sure that there is clear intent stated in that process to cover that so thank you I appreciate that. Any other questions. I thank you I appreciate a good vote. Representative Johnson is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Johnson is close for the bill question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one zero one the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mr Clark. Ninety three a zero nays and to present the bill is passed. Mr Clark read Senate bill thirty one. Senate bill thirty one by representative Cozart to amend the components of the college and career readiness assessment. Represent Cozart you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Ladies and gentleman this is a a bill is real short five page five of five lines so as soon as a public school that serves any student in grades ten through twelve shall administer college and career readiness assessments including a career readiness assessment that leads to a nationally recognized work reading this ticket as determined by the state board to each student before he or she graduated high school what is basically done with a few questions and Committee though today both the career assessment and the ACT will be required for a school to give that's already there we're going to work on a form implementation plans so that this this all students can take both tests if they want to but right now there's no requirement that forces the student to take the high school career or college or career test the good news is that over ninety percent do take ACT and we anticipate that other students will want to take the career of assessment because I understand the importance of business and industry the needs of an postsecondary that recognize the certificate so we would love to see this happen so I'd be glad to take any questions I could. Would bless this to give me what area. Percent worn for what purpose question you're recognized for a question thank you I just got a question text to me as far as funding for this. Is that going to be provided yes funding will be provided yes. Your question thank you appreciate a good vote. Represent because ours explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representatives are as close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate ballot Senate bill thirty one compare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Gas up the ballot Mister Clerk. With ninety As to nays and one present the bill is passed. Representative makes for what purpose. Motion place you're recognized for motion after the announcmenet trading of the bills transferring the bill's place on 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. Proper motion non debatable all in favor say aye. Pose may. Motions passed. Representative berry you're recognized for point of personal privilege yes Sir thank. Thank you Mr Speaker I didn't even have to ask because expecting ask for a point of personal privilege but the gentleman if you would keep your seats on a ask all the ladies in the house and the ways of the staff to please stand just for a moment. I didn't wanna let the day go by without recognizing international women's day. International women's day is a day that globally that we recognize the cultural the economic and the political achievements of strong women. And I will tell you I've I feel blessed to be able to work in an institution that has some of the strongest women that I've ever had the privilege to work with sought German if you would join me and and this for the staff as well that's why I asked the ladies on the staff just as well if you would join me in thanking them with a round of applause I appreciate it thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker. Are there any announcements. Represented representative gene for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized joint budget will meet at eight thirty in the morning big mac a. Representative Cozart what purpose Nasmith you're recognized House education meets tomorrow morning nine thirty room one fifty one. Representative fight for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized city county local will be ten fifteen minutes on upon adjournment and big maxi. Representative Charlene Fite for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized aging children youth military will meet and ten minutes for a very brief meeting thank you. Representative Holcomb for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized transportation will meet in the morning at nine thirty AM maxi. Representative waiting for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized if yesterday's seventh day was a little brighter than normal it was because it was representative Jamie Scott's birthday. Representative Tosh for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized state agencies you made in ten minutes to hear Constitutional amendments. Right any for what purpose announcmenet you're recognized of rigid approved is gone but tomorrow morning at seven thirty in big mac A. B. a personnel committee. Are there any other announcements. That's what we remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourn resolution the house will be adjourned until one PM tomorrow.