House Convenes

I'm by the member staff press and guests in the gallery so stand to be led in prayer by the house chaplain Dr rex Horne retired pastor Emmanuel Baptist Church Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. Let's pray. Father we come today asking your guidance and blessing upon the men and women who serve in this place. We thank you for them we thank you for our state and every citizen of our state we thank you lord for the blessings you bring our way and for the goodness that you bring up on our lives and is our legislators face issues and matters and concerned that are far reaching and great impact I pray for them as you told Moses to pray for the children of Israel long ago. The lord bless you and keep you. The lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The lord turned his face toward you and give you peace. This is my prayer for our legislature today and always in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clark. With ninety nine members present the chair sees a quorum. Are there any request for leave Representative Ferguson for what purpose please you're recognized Leif Representative Jett is leave granted Representative Jett. So noted Representative Fredrick Love moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal without objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees read the reports Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we are committee on house rules in this word Senate bill two twenty six beg leave to report that we had the same consideration and herewith return the same a committee recommendation that do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted less eves chair. Other Reports from standing committees read the reports Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we are Committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill fifteen twenty seven back leave to report that if at the same. Have the same under consideration here the term with the same recognition that do pass respectfully submitted Justin Gonzales last year the Speaker we Committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill fifty thirteen fifty six big leave to report that we've had the same under consideration here they're trying to say recognition that do pass as to concur in the Senate amendment respect this minute Dwight Tosh chair. Mr Speaker we're committing on state agencies to whom was referred house bill fourteen eighty beg leave to report that we've had the same consideration here to turn the same with the recommendation that do pass as amended number one exactly submitted Dwight Tosh chair per Speaker we Committee on state agencies to whom was referred house bill fifteen twenty to House Bill fifteen sixty eight Senate bill one ninety four beg leave to report that we have the same under consideration here to turn the same recommendation that a do pass exactly submitted to white Tosh share this Speaker we're going on stated on insurance and commerce to whom was referred house bill thirty twelve thirty nine beg leave to report they've had the same under consideration I'm here to turn the same with recommendation that a do pass or simply spend that. Representative John Maddox vice chair. Miss speaking we're committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred house bill fourteen fifty five and Senate bill one thirty seven beg leave to report that we've had the same under consideration here the term of the recognition that do pass or sickness within Mark Lowery chair. Is there any unfinished business are there any Executive communications. Read the letter from the governor Mr Clark. March second twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house do Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March second twenty twenty one argued improve the following measures from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly possible ten fifty eight as acts to nineteen hospital thirteen twenty as active to twenty. House bill thirteen nineteen is at two twenty one House eleven fifty ninth at two twenty two House will tell city nine as acts two twenty three House balloon fifty eight is at two twenty four households in sixty seven is active twenty five House will live in sixteen this act to twenty six houseful fifty no for that two twenty seven hostile fifty three thank you twenty eight of fifty forty ninety four is that twenty two twenty nine also fourteen ninety three is that two thirty House Bill fourteen ninety two as at two thirty one possible fourteen ninety one of that to thirty to House Bill fortune ninety is at two thirty three Housefull fourteen eighty nine is that two thirty four also fourteen eighty five is that two thirty five houseful fourteen eighty four as at two thirty six also fourteen eighty three is that to thirty seven house bill forty two this act two thirty eight also fourteen eighty one is that to thirty nine has a fourteen thirty ninety six to forty also fourteen seventy eight this act to forty one also fourteen thirty seven is a two forty two also fourteen seventy six ACT two forty three house bill fourteen thirty five to forty four because of fourteen seventy four as at two forty five hospital level thirty one sixty forty six house eleven twenty five ACT two forty seven zero eight hundred from. March second two twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house during Speaker this is to inform you that on March second twenty twenty one I've reviewed and approved the following measures from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly also thirty sixty one as acts two forty eight seriously a sentence and. Represent Boyd recommends that we can Kerr and Senate Amendment number one to House concurrent resolution one thousand two Mister Clark please read Senate Amendment number one. Senate Amendment number one to House concurrence Lucien one thousand two. Boyd you're recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues we've heard this amendment before this is just procedural so I'd just appreciate a good vote you've already approved it once thank you. Represent Boyd is explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment would anyone like to speak for the amendment the question before the House is the concurrence and Senate Amendment number one to House concurrent resolution one thousand two prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Five or ninety two yes zero name one present you've concurred in the amendment. Morning hour is indeed represent Dotson recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number one to House Bill Levin eighteen Mr Clark please read Senate Amendment number one. Senate member number one to House eleven eighteen. Dotson you're recognized explain the amendment thank you Mr Speaker members this is the quickest passes many oversee it simply adds an emergency clause we already passed this ninety three zero appreciate a good vote. Dotson has explained the Amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Dotson is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the concurrence would in this Senate Amendment number one to House Bill eleven eighteen prepare the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present you've concurred in Senate Amendment number one to House Bill Levin eighteen Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty three. We're gonna pass over House Bill fourteen sixty three. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen forty two. Also forty forty two a Representative Bentley to amend the law concerning the taking of minerals timber and other resources on state owned property. Represent Bentley I need to pass over that bill I'm sorry thought I had let you folks know apologize. Need to. We'll pass over house bill fourteen forty two. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen thirty three. Also fourteen thirty three of a Representative Cozart to amend various provisions of the Arkansas code concerning enhanced transportation funding amounts and to declare an emergency represent Cozart you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues. Here to present a bill that we have done for three sessions and it's in the hands transportation funding method that we use to help the schools that do not quite get enough transportation funding for their bus routes and get the kids back and forth to school so As you know there there are different types of schools we have a lot of lead schools we have a lot of the big schools that do fairly well on transportation and but the rule schools and some the medium schools do not so per pupil amount set for schools for transportation is three hundred twenty one dollars and twenty cents and it's dedicated public to foundation funding matrix some schools only spent about a hundred seventy five dollars of that. Some schools been nine hundred dollars trying to make the transportation work so this is a formula that has worked out to try to help the schools that do not have enough funding and get them extra funding so if anybody is look at the bill and saying that your school may have changed from last session when it was the the way the schools do their route miles and do all the stuff some of them a lot of different categories it does not registering the transportation so trying to ward also make some questions you might have but there's a there's a lot of things I can pull out of that they don't register their their funding into the foundation of the transportation of people isolating isolated funding declining the climb funding in the federal some of use about two percent of federal funding so that takes away from and also a only funding they can all use the same so but a lot of have have have some deduction and route miles in the direction and the kids in the seats sold all those things will change your funding route so or funding number so there are some changes from last session we run it some people got more money some people got less money so I'd be glad to any questions you have. Being not appreciate a good vote. Represent Cozart is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represented Cozart is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen thirty three prepared machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety five U. A. zero nay and one present the bill an emergency clause our past Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen ninety six. Also fourteen ninety six Representative Gonzales to specify turns regarding termination and by agreements that a contract for employment for present retain chancellor of a high state supported institution of higher education shall include. Represent Gonzales you're recognized explain the bill they were Speaker calling this bill came out of the situation we had had recently with with a higher institution I won't name but all will say they had a spirit ready to serve and they were serving up tax dollars at the time so all this does is limit the state's liability so before. The board of the board of trustees of these universities could extend the contract for as long as I wanted to and the state was on the hook for the line item maximum in the state budget of that transfer or president's contract this limits it to the current year that they're they're serving in if the university decides to stay in the contract and pay them more money up above and be on the line item maximum they can do that they just have to use their own funds to do it and not taxpayer dollars. The questions. Thank you. Percent Gonzalez's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Gonzales is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen ninety six prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety two U. A. zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen seventy two. Also forty three to a Representative Cozart concerning the Arkansas school for mathematics sciences and the arts to amend the composition of the ex officio members serving on the board of visitors interment eligibility requirements for instructors represent Cozart you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker had the wrong bill in my hand I don't think you want to hear transportation again. Placed gentleman's this is a bill to. Add some membership to the board of visitors for the Arkansas school for math science and arts and the lady actually or we're gonna strike the line this is pretty simple bill this is six and will move that to nine these are nonvoting members these are fix the issue top members and this will this will put on a Member from. There are some of these are appointed by the governor six of these appointed by the governor and then so the the what the last three would be the president of the faculty and staff and governing council of the school math the sciences and then the chair of the social eight the lump of the alumni and friends of a awesome essay and art her or his designate and then the chair of the US the MSA foundation funding board or his does it hurt his or her's designate so that's kind of the gist of the bill of what this does and I'll be glad to entertain any questions chemical. CNN thank you for your vote absent because art is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Cozart is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen seventy to prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine eight and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve thirty five. That's also thirty five a Representative talks to amend the law concerning traffic accident reports filled filed with the division of Arkansas State Police representantes you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Collings this bill here is concerning accident reports by the Arkansas state police. I know back when I was still work for state police they highway safety division at that time came out and they wanted to track data. As it pertains to motorcycles involved in accidents and of course even after I retired in the upgraded to technology in the state police that have now what they call a crash which is our computer computers in our cars and thank you senator do those accident reports on site but one of the things that change was is that on those accident reports there's now places for the data that highway safety warning is in regards to motorcycles so we're doing away with the motorcycle supplemental report because all it's doing now is a duplication ages will work on law enforcement and that's what this bill does And with that I'll take any questions. Colleagues I appreciate you thank you good bill please. Representantes is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. If Tosh is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill twelve thirty five prepared 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. Members are Dr the date today is Dr Alison efficient Greenbrier and our nurses days miss Brenda Hewitt. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve thirteen. Household twelve thirteen by represented Maddox concerning indigent persons in the use of a public defender Ersan Maddox you're recognized explain the bill. English Speaker colleagues. Collins is a very simple bill was brought to me by the association of counties what this bill does is amended the code in regards to the qualification process for a person charged with a crime to receive the services of the public defender the current laws very vague and gives a lot of the discretion to the judge as to whether not to appoint a public defender in my experience in speaking public defenders they are extremely overworked they have high case loads they have unmanageable case loads in this provides them they do not have the ability to provide adequate representation in a lot of cases what this bill does it defines an indigent person and it requires the court to conduct a more thorough analysis as to whether or not someone qualifies for the public defender services what we did is we looked at Louisiana taxes we looked at all the surrounding states and try to model their legislation and incorporated into this and so that's what we did the public defenders of course or in support of this also the county judge's or in support of it because they're at the in store Baxter expenses with travel there's even some counties have had to hire extra public defenders is coming right out of their county budgets what we're trying to do is slow the growth and maybe stop some of the abuse of the public defender system what we want to stop and hopefully avoid is is them coming back to the state and seeking more funding for extra position so that's what this bill does there is no known opposition that I'm aware of but I'd be glad to take any questions on. Saying that I appreciate a good vote. Representative Maddox is explained the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Person Maddox is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve thirteen permission Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four yeas to nays and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve fifty six. House also fifty six a Representative Boyd to amend the comprehensive criminal record sealing active two thousand thirteen. The board you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill defines it does three things it defines a process for prosecutors and courts to consider record sealing and defines a timeline that is a difference from what happened in twenty thirteen the second difference from the twenty thirteen record ceiling is it removes a prohibition on selling criminal records that happened prior to twenty thirteen and then third it removes time spent in the department of corrections is a reason not to allow a criminal record be sealed you could have the exact same crime convicted in one county and go to administer of ACC verses ATC and the one who went to ACC could have the records but the one who went ADC could not this would change that. Finally will why this bill this bill is about jobs and housing those are both necessary to keep families together twenty percent there's a twenty percent increase in wages one year after a record has been sealed verses not people with criminal records are fifty percent less likely to receive a call back after a job interview this rewards good actors and incentivizes staying crime free free criminal record sealing reduces recidivism shutting people out of work costs or national economy eighty seven billion dollars in lost growth and opportunity with that said I'll take any questions. Represent Boyd is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Boyd is. You're recognized closed. Very quickly Mr Speaker this this bill is about keeping families together and supporting our economy and I'd ask for good vote thank you. Boyd has now closed for the bill. We would like to speak against the bill. Actually we've already done that so. Per the machine Mr Clerk. Question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve fifty six. Everyone voted. As everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety two yeas three nine eight and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve oh four. Also from a former Representative Tosh concerning privileged communications between certified peer support member an emergency response. The Tasha recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr. College this bill the tireless bills is concerning as you say privileged communications between the certified peer support member and an emergency responder. Now what is I know that may be somewhat confusing but here's what this bill does. Currently. In law enforcement with law enforcement personnel I am with fire fighters they have what they call privileged communications. And what that means is if one of them has experienced a. catastrophic event some type of a a receipt for a van. Or even made me an event that I can assure you occurs. Because I know. Something that would literally shocked the conscience. Well they have to live with that. And. Those. Those are not. What they experienced there those are not things that they can take home. And share with their family so they need someone. To be able that understand states limited that's been there that understand it to help them to work their way through. Those difficult experiences. And that's currently in the law so what we want to do with this small. If we want to take it a step further this was part of the suggestion from the governor's task force on law enforcement. Wish to broaden the scope of this bill and make it more robust. And reach out and include. People like myself retired officers that have been there that have experienced it unlike sergeant this section I go around the room and trip. The Representative would and different ones affected to Christian all these understand what they know what I'm talking about all co sponsors ensure flight. I understand and I know a lot of you have for me is and pay a in law enforcement and you understand as well. So what we're doing is extending this out to other people a broader range of folks but not just everybody. Sturch the law enforcement training academy will still be selective in who they allow to be these peers privilege to peer group support groups. And the. They'll have to go through a Class. It's a thirty two to forty hour course so it's not just I raised my hand and I will to do it. This is a really a great bill. And it's really. Or even a better calls. So with that Mister Speaker I would take any questions in regards to this bill. C. nine College I appreciate a good vote I can assure you law enforcement and first responders appreciate a good vote as well thank you. Representantes explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representantes is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill twelve oh four prepared machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety seven yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen thirty seven. Fourteen thirty seven a Representative Collins concerning the unlawful use of a person's booking photograph on a published for pay website. Percent Collins you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr chair so this bill addresses a practice called publish for pain that has emerged in recent years. And basically you have a some kind of a website operator and they will take a person's mugshot also known as a booking photograph in this bill they put it online and then they tell the person you have to pay us some amount of money for us to take it down so the person who's March I was out there obviously is very anxious to get it down whether they're trying to get a job otherwise re enter society they pay up and it's a form of effectively extortion so this bill addresses those schemes it says that if a company puts your mugshot online and accepts requests or requires money to take it down which is what makes the public for pay website as distinct from a legitimate source then three things first the website has to put its contact information on the side second if a person request the motion to be taken down they have to get a some kind of receipt of the request isn't just dangling out there and then third when the request comes to website has the honor the request and cannot charge for removal civil penalties come in the event of violation it's supported by the chiefs of police and state police and I think it's important to note that also the press association is reviewed and they're fine with that because again it's it's not getting rid of mugshots there's still public records and newspaper can publish the private entity can still publish a neighborhood group and supplements there's plenty of opportunities for these to get out and be used for better or worse it's just not the practice of demanding money to take it down is really what we're getting at here in this bill so I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Gonzales what purpose. Percent Collins has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent Collins is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen thirty seven prepare the machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty seven yeas to nays and one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill ten forty four. Also ten forty former Representative Jett to authorize the estimated assessment of a of tax of a part if the taxpayer fails or refuses to provide records. Represent fight you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr. Under the Arkansas Tax procedure act the update may estimate an assessment of the tax due if the taxpayer fails to reserve maintain required records this bill would clarify the affinity may as may estimate and assessment of tax to when a taxpayer refuses to to enter records when he refuses to request for the D. F. and I in response of a court order compelling the production records this bill will not limit or change the remedies available to the taxpayer refuted estimators as part of tax this is a DNF a cleanup bill I'd be happy to answer any questions. Being non I appreciate a good vote. Represent Fite has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent fight is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill ten forty four prepared machinist Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy one yeas eighteen days and for present. The bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven fifty two. Hostility to Representative Gazaway to Craig I was law to allow for emergency medical care to be provided to injured police dogs and to provide immunity. Represent Gazaway you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is a bill that was brought to me by the Arkansas canine officers association I want to specifically thank officer Johnson with the Jonesborough police department and officer Jason bowling with the parable police department they brought this issue to my attention and invited me to a meeting of the K. nine officers association and Jones for about a year ago. where we discuss this issue and they ask for this legislation basically what this bill does is very simple it makes a very limited and narrow exception to the veterinary licensing act to allow for emergency medical personnel to administer emergency care or transport to a police dog injured in the line of duty so long as there's not a human that needs immediate care or transport the bill also grants immunity to the emergency medical personnel in the event that the dog doesn't survive because essentially these emergency medical personnel are acting as good Samaritans that's what the bill does if anybody has any questions I'm happy to answer. Seeing none appreciate a good vote thank you represent gas ways explained the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill represent Ladyman you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I just want to come down and thank Representative Gazaway for running this bill I'm a co sponsor on it and when I talked to him about it I thought this this is a great deal for a couple reasons you know speaking someone that's bought a canine officer it's a very important asset to a local police departments good trained doll can cost up to fifteen thousand dollars not counting training the officer and may be providing the vehicle or modifying the vehicle for that officer so it's a good asset and we need to protect that but not just that is represented talked about gavels experience there in Jonesborough where he was shot five times they're in very serious situations and these dogs go they don't know when to stop you've heard the saying you go to you drop that's what they do they do not know when to stop the officers had to be trained on when the stop these dogs so it's not only good to protect that asset but it recognizes a very valuable member of our local police force so I appreciate a good vote. Represent Ladyman spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Absent Gazaway is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passive house bill eleven fifty two prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Bobbled ninety seven yeas and zero day and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen oh seven. Also forty to serve a Representative one punch them to modify the method of calculation at the still stability the civilization that tax in certain circumstances under the Division of work for service this is a law. Represent Lundstrum you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. The stabilisation Tax. Is part of two taxes that are we talking about today first of all the stabilization tax as part of a tax that an employer pays on the wages to our state. Unfortunately that tax will be going up if we don't vote for this today and will be a ten million dollar increase to the employers in the state of Arkansas and twenty twenty two this basically caps that rate at two point two percent or whatever is lower for that employer there is no consequences to G. R. but it will save our employers ten million dollars with that I will. Hopefully entertain a good vote. Represent Lundstrum has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Lundstrum is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen oh seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote ninety seven yeas zero nine eight and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen oh eight. Also fortunate Representative Lundstrum to amend the dancing women's health active twenty fifteen into require that the act to apply the funding through the Arkansas Medicaid program represent Lundstrum you're recognized to explain the bill. This act for hopefully this bill will become an act in two thousand and fifteen Medicaid funds became no longer useful for abortion in Arkansas this will keep that as a current standard. That's the bill thank you. Represent Lundstrum as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Lundstrum is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill Fortino weight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty two yet yeas eight nays and one present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen oh nine. Also forty nine I'm a Representative Lundstrum to modify the definition of wages in certain circumstances under the Division of war for services law. Person Lundstrum you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker this is the second part of that unemployment tax package currently the wage base in Arkansas is ten thousand dollars in twenty twenty two that will go up to eleven thousand dollars which will be a twenty million dollar hit to employers in Arkansas if we cap that wage base right now IT ten million dollars that'll help our employers in Arkansas and it will keep their taxes lower at and save about twenty million dollars with that I would hope for a good vote thank you. Resemblance from is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Resemblance from as close for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill fourteen oh nine prepare the machinist Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety eight zero nine one present the bill is passed members without objection remove the House Budget calendar represent gene you're recognized. Represent Jean moved that we place house bill twelve oh eight on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read Amendment number two Mr Clark. I member number two to House Bill two oh eight. Representing recognized explain the amendment. Thank you colleagues this amendment to the Department public safety. Of this amendment because from Representative mark very what this does is has a check off on your taxes if you want to fund this is for the law enforcement family relief trust fund for disabilities injuries and officers killed in the line of action. Of any questions on this amendment. Create a good vote. Represent Jean is explain the amendment we would like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number two to House Bill twelve oh eight all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendments adopted represent Jean moved to replace house bill twelve twenty on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read a member number one Mr Clark a member number one to House Bill told twenty. Since January last explain the amendment. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this amendment come from senator Dismang and senator Ingram of the Senate in. The house bill twelve twenty of the parks and heritage and tourism what this does is creates eight million dollars more an appropriation it's not general revenue it's money that could be of get through on the restricted reserve which has to go through counsel or you could get a funded through rainy day funds or private donations any questions. Represent Payton for what purpose. Recognized thank you Mr Speaker and the. German Jean this past the Budget Committee on February tenth then was re referred on the twenty second for this amendment. I know. I've been here eight years ago going on my fifth term in learning the difference between appropriations and funding and all that is always a challenge. But is it fair to say that the fact that this was sent back to committee to be amended for this eight million dollars there's a reasonable expectation that the funding will be there well now. If I had a crystal ball I could tell you that but I'm not but I know this is this is mainly for of appropriation for Arkansas cultural institutions what it could be used for is it stuff like the Johnny Cash home the sultan of museum but they're trying to do the Marshall museum I mean it it's it's a number of things it's got nothing to do with the budget of parks and tourism funding our parks so this is this is what can be used for if I could follow up you're recognized he done a great job and I appreciate. You're saying that would have anything to do with whether or not we have enough slack in the budget to pass the used car sales tax relief. I will let you be the judge of that. Thank you thank you. If any other questions. I appreciate a good vote on Amendment. Represent Janus explain the amendment would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one to House Bill twelve twenty all in favor say aye. Those opposed. The eyes have it. The amendments adopted. Represent gene you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker of we have one appropriation. Of for the twenty twenty two year in today's calendar this is going to be the house bill ten eighty four will take that up separately it's for the R. rice research this is money. That the rice farmers paid promote their industry. no changes any questions. Your one vote is for the bill number two calls respect had read the bill third time please read the bill. Also today for. Representing is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the the Bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill represent gene is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten eighty four prepared machine Mr Clark. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five U. A. zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or past represent gene you're recognized thank respect her next role would like a house bill thirteen ninety two this is the school of the blind and the deaf this is reappropriation this is money that I have on going this year that the they need to take over to the next year next fiscal year beginning July one there's no additional revenue any questions. Everyone voted for the bill number to call for Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time. Mark please read the bill for the third time also thirty ninety two. Person genes explain bill would anyone like to 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 passage of house bill thirteen ninety two prepared machinist Clerk. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five U. eight zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause or pass represent gene you're recognized. Thank you are Speaker colleagues we have Senate bill two seventy eight to eighty is department commerce if you member Representative of McKinsey ask for some more information we have requested more information from the Department comers I haven't gotten all the information I needed to answer questions fully so what we're gonna do is pass over these two bills till we get the information so we're going to start up with Senate bill. Three sixteen these are all Senate bills we did the House bills last week these are supplemental appropriations this is money that came in late on the last week of the year last year in the June of last fiscal year we revised the forecast these colleges got their additional money back so this just allows them to spend it is in this fiscal year so we're all batch. Senate bill three sixteen three seventeen three eighteen three nineteen three twenty three twenty one three twenty two three twenty three twenty three twenty four three twenty five three twenty six three twenty seven three twenty eight three twenty nine and three thirty. If you minute look at it do I need to pull any of these other backs. For any questions represent Clowney for purpose. You're recognized with three twenty three out please which one three twenty three forty four separate vote yes Sir all right thank you three twenty three will pull that one out for a separate vote any others. You got that. All right. Any questions. Remember your vote is for each bill number two calls. The Speaker the Clerk read the bill third time please read the bill for the third time. Senate bill three sixteen federal three seventeen Senate bill three eighteen Senate bill three nineteen Senate bill three twenty Senate bill three twenty one Senate bill three twenty two Senate bill three twenty fourth Senate bill three twenty five Senate bill three twenty six Senate bill three twenty seventh at about three twenty eight Senate bill three twenty nine Senate bill three thirty. Where the machine Mr Clark. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Asked about Mr Clark. Five hundred ninety four yeas to nays and one present the bills emergency clauses are passed represent gene you're recognized okay members this is Senate bill three twenty three university of Arkansas supplemental appropriation any questions. You want voted for the bill emerging called miss Baker the court Clerk read the bill for third time please read the bill. Senate bill three twenty three. Absent Jean is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represented gene is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill three twenty three per machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety eight four nays and to present the bill emergency clause for past. Represent Jane you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker the final bill they come from the Senate bill two oh five this is Senator Hickey as bill. What we do right now on rainy day expenditures is that every rainy day no matter what you here if you're ready to expenditure comes through peer and ate it is public of where the money goes what's been spent for the difference on this bill is we already knew the reporting we already do the notification of what's been for if you're a member. And you're going to the governor and talk to about a project in your community that supported to you and thirty days prior to the session and thirty days prior to the station and thirty and after the session and then during the session this gives a reporting that the FNA Larry Walters group after report of an agreed on amount if you come up with an agreement during the session prior to or or or after the session that's what this bill does it's a. I thank Hey we all know that. This the Senate has a little different view on the rainy day money. I say and I think there's an attempt to. To cut that funding if not do away with it so I think this is got a little bit to do with it but the bill itself just requires the FNA in the governor to report any agreed on expenditure that comes at a rainy day money and put the bill to us any questions. Are you one voted for the bill number to close. Misspeak read the Clerk read the bill third time. Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time. Senate bill two oh five. Jean is explain the building would like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representing is closed for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill two oh five per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. To everyone voted. Turning on the bill and the Emergency Clause cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty two yeas five nays and zero present the bill emergency clause or past. Mr Clark please read Senate bill two oh six. Senate bill to a six by Representative Evans to amend provisions of title six of the Arkansas code concerning provisional positions for state supported institutions of higher education and to declare an emergency Representative Evans you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker lazim of the House bring to you today Senate bill two oh six the bill is brought to us by the department higher education courtesy of Senator Irvin provisional positions for higher education institutions are set by statute every two years and they do not go through the normal budgetary process because they are appropriated positions with funding that is tied to them from the state these positions are funded through federal grants grants on collections or gifts to the university by private individuals were money these positions are reviewed by a L. C. personnel before they are filed. And every person is hired to one of these provisional positions signs an agreement that if the funding does go away that they understand that the position goes away. Currently department how are its surveys the campus is prior to us coming into session to see where the surveys pointed individuals need to be added in this session there are three universities that have requests the first one Arkansas state university is requesting an additional fifty positions as you may remember back in January they made a big announcement that they are working in collaboration with the group to open up the first ever veterinary program in the state of Arkansas this would be a tremendous opportunity for our citizens currently we lose students every year they go to Louisiana Oklahoma and Missouri to go to vet school this will be a fabulous and addition to to our state to have a vet school here you A. P. B. is asking for some additional provisional positions for their school of education this is primarily funded with a grant through go forward pine bluff this will add does some teaching enhancements in their department of ed and the other thing positions or ten that is being requested by the University of Arkansas system they're currently in the process of migrating all of their institutions into one modern HR finance and student information system this is a very large undertaking and they're requesting ten provisional positions helps facilitate that transition got to take any questions. C. not appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Evans explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Absent evinces close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill two oh six prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted voting on the bill and the emergency clauses everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three days one eight and zero present the bill emergency clause for past Mr Clark please read Senate bill two eighty three. Senate bill two eighty three of a Representative right to me the list of musicians including the Arkansas music appreciation day. Represent right you're recognized explain the bill. Okay. This is a a bill that actually began in two thousand nineteen is the Arkansas day of music creation we had a couple people back in two thousand nineteen Johnny Cash now ringing that were placed inside this bill are the bill then it is been upgraded we got some more names Jimmy driftwood more painful but actually we're just section asking to extend the amount of people in the state of Arkansas for the Arkansas they abuse thank you I appreciate a good vote. Percent rise explain the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent rise close for the bill the question before the House is a passive Senate bill two eighty three prepared machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three eight zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one seventy four. Senate bill one seventy four by represented warned concerning the termination of active membership under the Arkansas teacher retirement system and many the definition of normal retirement age represent warn you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is dealing with Arkansas teacher retirement we're changing one provision and that has to do with the. Provision that will allow a member who has reached age sixty and has thirty eight years of service not to separate for a month and continue to be able to work in the school system there in and also collect the retirement check get a paycheck and retirement check reason for this at thirty eight years they've had their twenty eight years of service that they contributed they've maxed out on the drop program with ten years they can contribute no more. This is a very small percentage of teachers that even make it to this level. The only other way that you can do that is if you reach the R. S. age of sixty five and have at least five years in the system so we're just making that one provision this is another way that they don't have to separate from not be glad to answer any question. Create a good vote. Percent worn is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent worn is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one seventy four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety two U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill six. Senate bill six a Representative Bentley. To create the Arkansas on board to a child protection act to abolish abortion in Arkansas took the lives of our children and to protect all human life. Represent Bentley you're recognized to explain the bill. Calling today is my honor to bring U. S. B. six an act to create Arkansas unborn child protection act this bill is supported by Arkansas right to life Arkansas family counseling the Catholic Church of Arkansas. Arkansas state in excess. Arkansas per carcass network the justice foundation the national association of Christian lawmakers. An American speaks. Students for life. Thanks to action. Governor Mike Beebe. The the life legal defense fund and most importantly. The vast majority of our constituents here in Arkansas who overwhelmingly voted for amendment sixty eight of Arkansas our constitution amendment sixty eight makes it the policy of our state to protect the life of every unborn child from conception until birth and that no tax dollars shall be used for any abortion except to save the life of the mother our Kansans have never voted to support abortion. This is a pre recorded United States made a great decision in nineteen seventy three. Sixty two million innocent children have been killed in their mother's womb one baby every thirty seven seconds. I must repeat that again this is pre import of the United States made this great decision in nineteen seventy three sixty two million innocent children have been killed in their mother's womb. One baby every thirty seven seconds. Colleagues it's time for this decision to be overturned in the Supreme Court just like the Supreme Court has done over two hundred times. The most notable decisions when they overturned the Dred Scott decision denying person to African Americans and the Plessy versus Ferguson decision denying the protection and equal rights for African Americans. Currently we have the three necessary elements that we have to have for the case to be overturned. This case has not been accepted by scholars judges or the American people it is remains for the most controversial case in American history. Every year thousands of our Kansans together right here on the steps of the capitol for the March for life protesting that decision and praying that will be overturned. Every year when I come to the March for life I see more and more young people that are joining the March for life. We have new scientific advances that have shown through DNA and sonograms that this is a child in the mother's room not a club the tissues like we have been told that life begins at conception. We are removing a baby a baby that has been cut into pieces not a clump of tissue. Scientific evidence and personal testimonies have proven that not only are we killing an innocent child we're doing great harm to women I've heard from women in Arkansas personally and read thousands of testimonies from women who have never been able to have children after they had an abortion women who turn to the life of drugs and alcohol just trying to cover up the pain the shame that they felt after the death of their child. We now have laws in all fifty states in every county in Arkansas the provides a way for mother who cannot care for her child to give the child up for adoption through safe haven laws. Public at favorite option have created a culture of adoption here in America with millions of couples waiting long periods of time to adopt a newborn child. We have passed legislation every year since I've been here electing that have limited abortion with laws like the heartbeat bill it is the will of the people of Arkansas to save the lives of unborn children and to help women in this state and that is exactly what SB six does and with that colleagues. And my bill thank you. Represent Bentley has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill Representative Ferguson you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues I I know this is a very emotional issue in a very political issue for everyone but I'm essentially just going to repeat what I said and public health even if you're pro life this is a very extreme bill it doesn't have provisions for rape or incest so think about that and and my husband does alter stand so I can tell you all the time you routinely saying twelve girls that have been raped or victims of incest this bill would not allow for abortion in those situations it also doesn't allow for abortion we have severe fetal anomalies and that's things like the child doesn't develop with the skull or head in the baby will not survive it birth so in that situation if a doctor does an abortion to cite that mother having to carry that child for nine months of they will get a hundred thousand dollar fine and up to ten years in prison I just ask you to if you're going to vote for pro life bills let's make them reasonable. Percent of Ferguson has spoken against building would like to speak for the bill represent Mayberry you're recognized before the bill. Thank you Speaker in thank you members. I don't know if this is the first time for someone to say this from the well but I'm happy to say it I was wrong. Is it the first time someone has said that while I'm wrong. I don't know. But boy was I wrong I was on the other side of this issue. Much earlier in my life I thought it was OK a. I'm so thankful that I had a series of events that happened in my life and I won't go into all those details because it didn't happen quickly it happened through a lot of prayer a lot of research and a lot of people explaining to me. A lot of things. But I'm so thankful that before August of two thousand one that I recognize that life begins at conception. Because it was in that month thank my husband and I were told that our daughter at that point nineteen weeks into the pregnancy was going to be born with spina bifida. Legally I kind of aborted her. But before the doctor even got that information out there to just make sure that we knew we stopped and the conversation ended there and I'm so very grateful. Our life is so much better. Katie. You're not. No doubt about it even with all the difficulties that we have and I know many of you may. Follow my life this year's been quite an interesting one. I wouldn't change anything she's made me a better person. And impacts a lot of lives in her very short so for nineteen years of life more than a lot of people make an impact in their entire lifetime. But I also want to tell you about some really good friends of mine. Because I think their stories are even more dramatic in even more of a reason why this bill needs to be passed today. My good friend Lindsay overman. Was in college and she was rate. She knew shortly after that she was pregnant. And she said I'm going to keep this baby because again I know life begins at conception. Not too long after that. She got the devastating news. That her child would also be born with something called skits and settling. Which is a very rare brain malformation. Skyler is now fifteen years old. She doesn't walk she doesn't talk she doesn't eat like you and I do. But her life has value. I cannot begin to tell you the impact that that child and that mom has made on our Kansans. And the way is that she's advocated. Her life matters. And I'm so thankful that Lindsey gave her daughter a life. Not too long ago she was expecting her second child Sawyer. And I didn't know this until today but she was told that Skyler would be born I mean sole year would be born. With spina bifida. A very more severe form than what my daughter has. And may not make it. So here is a live in was born perfectly healthy you know a lot of tests to wrong. I'd like to tell you about my friends Jody and Jesse McGinley. They were expecting twins Ely and Walker. They found out that he lied also was going to be born with spina diffident they were very pro life decided to bring Walker and Eli into this world. After Eli was born they realize that a lot I have a lot more problems and just trying to be fit and he died a few days after that. But the beautiful part of that story is that the family got told that Eli. Had the opportunity to donate. His heart valves. And there are now two children living in the world today because Jody and Jesse McGinley gave life even. They go around the country speaking about organ donations from newborns. And there are a lot of babies living today because of their story. And then I'd also like to tell you about Chantelle impact is be another family good friends at fifteen weeks into that pregnancy they found out that their baby Jenna grace with that it could be girl but also found out that their baby was gonna be born with anencephaly. Typically that diagnosis means that you. Your baby doesn't make it sometimes doesn't even make it out of the room and usually dies shortly after Jenna grace dieted about an hour after being born. But Chantelle embraced. Every single kick of that baby in the womb. She appreciated every little movement she talked to that baby she talked to Jenna grace section say that maybe this is a person she was carrying. She loved to Jenna gray she read to Jenna great she would sing to Jenna grace she knew her time with Jenna grace was extremely limited. After Jenna grace was born you know what. Your family got to see Jenna grace. They got to hold her. Thank god to have a proper burial for her they even were able to take pictures and were able to show how Jenna grace looks like grandma or grandpa are referred Senate race looks like many of us have had miscarriages I have at six weeks into the pregnancy. I never got to know if it was a boy or girl or what that child would have looked like I would have given any opportunity to know to be able to hold My Baby. Those moments for precious. I know these are difficult decisions but I hope that I have given you a few reasons today from a specific examples from mark Hansen's from my good friends who would urge you today to vote for this bill thank you. Represent Mayberry spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent god for you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Click. It's difficult to get up here today. especially after hearing. The stories from representing either the Francine of the loves. But I feel compelled to remember the stories of women who have terminated pregnancies of babies they love into separately one at. After my miscarriage almost ten years ago which is a lot I still grieve today. I also met. Who experienced the heartbreak of knowing. That they would never get to meet their baby either. I'm not monsters babies had no brain or skull. No kidneys. Or a heart that developed on the outside of the body. Perhaps it's not a choice that you want me. It's not a choice. That the friends represent Mayberry mention would make or did make. But these moms chose to lovingly terminate their pregnancies. Based on the intimate details of what was best for their babies. Their families. In their bodies. As a friend. A fellow mothers who are grieving. Flowers. I brought dinner. I remember their babies names I say their babies names. And I cried. Every time a bill like this is brought before us. That dismisses their pain and criminalizes their choice. Is that no. Person Godfrey spoken against the bill would anyone like speak for the bill represent Richmond you're recognized before the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues a. You know this is a tough decision. Cision for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. But I just recall here about six weeks ago when we had the resolution of the day it tears. Hi my Democrat colleagues come down and expressed. Their concern the difficulty they had because of their concern for women who possibly had this procedure. And how that would impact them. How it would make them possibly feel. And I had asked why. There's only really just one reason that is because. You're not simply removing tissue. You're ending a life. And instinctively. All of us know that our job is to protect our children. Instinctively we realize. That that little life. Is something that is a gift from god. And I say that because. You know I don't ever do this but I'm going to read just a little scripture here right quick and then you can tell me how wrong I am later. But in Jeremiah one five the lord told Jeremiah before I formed you in the womb I knew you. I set you apart I appointed you as a profit to the nation's. Are you gonna tell me wait a minute. You can take any scripture in the Bible and you can make a political point of view. Well I disagree. This book that was written by practically forty authors over sixteen hundred years over three continents. Provides a unity purpose that we don't see in any other book. And I believe that. That god told Jeremiah these exact words. I believe those were set. And so I also believe that you do not make political points of view with the Bible that you can only make god's point of view with the by. You may disagree that's something you have to decide for yourself. Let's talk about the long pole in the tent an issue that I personally also struggle with. And that's a fine that they're in the the fact that there is no exception. Or incest. For right. That's a dilemma for me so I understand. And I sympathize. Because we want to do everything we possibly can for the victim to try the ease the pain the ease the difficulty. That's just a normal response as a human being in to someone else. But when we go so far as to say that the only way we can ease that. Is the termination of the life will that creates a dilemma for me. And the only way that I can reconcile that as I do many things I go back to my training I go back to my time in the marine corps dealing with. Terrorist and insurgents the most evil men on earth. Was consumed by hate. Who would do anything. They had another American. To set us on farm burners in a cage. To do anything they could possibly think of to create terror and pain not only to me but the citizens of the State. We hunted them down. And we killed them by ones and twos and we kill them by dozens and hundreds. But you know what we never did. We never killed one of their children. We never shot a pregnant woman. We never force the abortion of a wife of one of these terrorist in order the in the potential. Terrible possibility that we knew could happen because many of these children grow up and that hate. And they became just like the fathers and became the next suicide bomber. Became the next person consumed with nothing but hate and a desire to kill you and to kill me. But we did not touch them. Because still. One little grain of hope was that maybe one of them. I would break that mold and possibly do something great. Now I know that you will think that you know in town talking apples and oranges maybe I am but I think it's more tangerines and oranges in that death is simply death is cruel and it's ugly. And when it's the innocent I tell you. And I've seen it because you'll the liberally happen but it does happen innocent people get killed in combat children do. You can't hear your script in here on screen but you know the screen. And that never goes away. It's a terrible thing And so that's that's part of my dilemma with this and I understand your concern about. I find myself still having to choose line. On that particular issue. Now the next thing I'm going to talk about me probably bother some of you. And I don't mean that I'm just trying to get to the things. And this act that I know here a few minutes that a group of you are going to vote no. Period. And I just want to think about that the reason why you may not want to hear this often times is exactly what we need to hear you who taught me that. Representative John Walker. Who would walk down here knowing full well he was not going to convince a single one of us. That was over on the Republican side to change your vote. But that wasn't his purpose. He knew he was going to make us think. He knew he was going to make us examine our position and the platform. That we were standing on in the foundation House all that was. And that was a victory as far as he was concerned. Because it works he made us think and so I only hope to do the same thing here. And that is because you are going to vote as a group you gonna do it because the Democrat party. Demands you to do that. Doesn't seem to be any room for discussion. Doesn't seem to be any room for the Senate. Is what you're going to be river expected to do. And you will and that's fine. But part of the problem is is that I want you to consider the Democrat party your party. The fact that they demand. BDS. Especially from the people of color they go beyond that they have always demanded a tribute to blood. It was first with the lash followed by the news and now. The unborn. To please. You're going to go to A. R. but either now or later think about it. Inconsiderate. And I just simply ask you to vote for mercy that when you choose you choose mercy thank you very much. Represent Richmond is spoken for the bill would anyone like speak against the bill represent Hodges you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Colleagues I'm on a roll this session I assume this is my second time speaking against a bill out of my five terms. In office I've never spoken against the bill and I know this is emotional bill a touchy feely Bill You know I don't to vote based on my party affiliation. I both based on my convictions. Are both based on my experiences and I both because I'm not an adult who can think and rationalize for himself. Let's make that perfectly clear. And I'm glad that Richey Richmond made. The point that in regards to what we make it appear and speak against your mind of already been made up how are you going vote. I am an ordained minister. And proud of that I don't think is not down to get the job is more noble. Then spreading the gospel is sharing the good news of Jesus. I'm proud of the fact that I'm a Christian I don't deny that. In the Bible teaches the F. fifty one quote scripture in Matthew five sixteen two let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the father. Is not based on any legislation that I pass. It's not based on meeting wearing a medallion around my neck. With a cross on it is not based on is not based on the phone descriptions to you but it's based on how I treat you. My actions ninetieths my motives in my heart. And hole that. You would see Christ in me before I even say a word to you. This is a harmful piece of legislation that criminalizes doctors and would prevent our Camden from X. assessing a safe procedure that one in four American women in their lifetime when the. According to a comprehensive study by the World Health Organization of abortion worldwide between twenty ten to twenty fourteen. In countries where abortions were to completely ban or permitted only to save the the woman's life or preserve her physical health only one in four abortions. Worksafe. Why am I sharing that with you I think Senator Chesterfield I emphasize that on the Senate in which he spoke against this bill how we're going to start have an underground abortion clinics. When women begin to use clothes hangers and start drinking bleach and turpentine to get rid of the child because they can't do it legally for whatever reason. This bill is extremely and I know. Some women who have done that in my area in my district. This bill is extremely restrictive. And I wanted to be put on record. Three thousand is consent I told you that before. I'm no more at the believer I don't believe no more in a boarding the child to kill the child and I do of shooting and killing someone because I feel threatened by the. I love god and I love people and would ask you to vote no against this bill thank you. Hodges spoken against the bill what do you want to like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak represent cloud you're recognized speak for the bill that we represent wouldn't represent clouds recognized I've already called represent clouds speak for the bill. You're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues. We've heard. On the emotional side we've heard even from the religious side we just ask you to consider one simple thing. When you take your vote Representative Hodges alluded to it at the end of your statement. Whether you're legal or medical or or whatever your expertise is. There is no denying. And no one denies. That that person inside the womb is alive. So that's what I want you to consider it is a live. So to me if you really want to all this vote down take away some of the motion take away even the religion if you want to. Do you believe in taking that life. If you are okay with taking a life where do you stop. Well that extremely slippery slope. This is a very restrictive bill I totally agree with that. But it is the intent is to stop the taking of a life thank you. Present cloud is spoken for the bill would anyone like speak against the bill represents Springer you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Members once again I'm here to say that I had initially not wanted to come up and speak against the bills such as this such is the bill we voted on on last week's Senate bill twenty four let me just read again to you all what this bill say is. To create the Arkansas on born child protection act to abolish abortion in Arkansas and to protect the lives of unborn children and to protect all human life so. This bill is saying that women do not have a right to choose. I mean that's been established lawfare per. Why would you. Legislate and make a law to say is that a woman didn't have a right to choose. Voting for this bill would take away the woman's right to choose and I appreciate Mr all representatives Richman's comments about Representative Walker. Thank you very much he would want you all to think about it what you doing here today. But he would also tell you this is unconstitutional. Thank you. Represent Springer has spoken against the bill would be one like speak for the bill. Represent Crawford you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker hello friends. Turriff ten Arkansas isn't. Well let's look at it differently. What is this gap up. What if this was a police stop. What if this was any dog. We voted today for doubles all right. Well there's also the extreme animal cruelty. That can now be prosecuted as a federal crime. They're preventing animal cruelty and torture act call Pat. After decades of work to protect animals bearing witness to some of the worst cruelty it's so gratifying. The Congress president president trump. Unanimously agreed that it was time to close the gap in the law and make malicious animal cruelty within federal jurisdiction a felony. This was set by Serra of president of Humane Society. We cannot change the horrors of what animals have entered in the past. But we can't crack down. On the crimes moving forward. Pat makes a statement about American values. Animals are deserving of protection at the highest level. Do you agree with that. The approval of the measure by the Congress and the president. Makes a new error in codification. Hi nice to animals within the federal law. It was a dream for animal protection rights. Today is a reality. Where do you stand. Our animals were protected in the United States. Then a baby. Is it more cruel. To kill an animal. Then it is to kill a baby. In America yes. In America yes it is. Human life has no value in America today. And we don't stop this. The children once they come out of the womb. Will be killed. You say no no that will never happen it's happening today in New York City. Partial ban partial birth abortion have you seen the videos I have. The baby's born. Coming. The mothers uterus. And the doctor which I would not consider a doctor. Takes a knife or a pair sensors. And set down in the school that may be. What has America come to what. Has America come to. We've killed over sixty two male babies. These are not dogs these are not cats these are babies. In you get upset because we want to stop it. At rape and incest. I had a home for girls for twenty three years I had twelve your roads come to my door. One or two in the others I sent home to be with mom. The thing you've gotta realize if they are that young that can be slated as a life of the mother. And that exception is in there. You're talking one percent right. Real close to that rape or incest. And because we have stood on this platform of rape and incest. And the choice of a woman we killed sixty two million babies. I agree for the choice of women don't have sex before you get married. And that being as important to you as for shall. Or the child that may have difficulties in their lives. Be nice. Exciting is Katie. We're talking about life. We're talking about your life we're talking about my life we're talking about my grandchildren we're talking about your grand children we're talking about the future of America. These are babies these are not animals it's time that together Democrat Republican independent Green Party stands up for human life. Because let me tell you if we don't. We will be dissolved as well. And there will be no more voices that will stand up and say please let me let. Rips of Crawford spoken for the bill we would like to speak against the bill represent Hudson you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues. It gives me no pleasure to be down here speaking on this topic today. I know that my remarks here in this well are likely to be twisted and used against me and I realized that my remarks may frame house some of my colleagues think of me from here on out and I regret that. There are two truisms that I often tell my clients when I'm trying to advise them on difficult legal issues. One is that there is a cost to pursuing the principal. And to. They're often unintended consequences to the types of legal decisions that we make. In this case I am concerned as a Representative for my district and also as an attorney with the duty to advise my clients that we're running into both of those. At the hearing yesterday in public health and in the press leading up to that hearing this bill sponsors made it clear that the goal of this legislation is not to protect life. But rather to get to the Supreme Court. It is intentionally made more restrictive than any bill that has ever been presented to this body in an effort to trick. A legal fight to get to the Supreme Court that is not defending life that is the opposite because what we are doing now is gambling with our constituents lives. Telling them something that we know is not true. It's falling for this body to believe that because the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed significantly since the trump administration that they would accept this bill as constitutional in fact if you go back and read through the writings and decisions and public speeches made by justices Cavenaugh and Barrett and Gorsuch you will find that all of them have made exceptions in their own belief systems in certain cases in which they found that abortion was not objectionable Justice Amy Comey Barrett in fact has been on record saying that in cases that we are ignoring here rape and incest in particular that she believes that abortion should be legal. Even assuming that we are to use this law as the trigger to get to the Supreme Court. Which isn't guaranteed by the way because we are behind the curve all aren't we Alabama Mississippi and Tennessee have already passed their own laws which are already in the court system there is no guarantee that the Supreme Court would add this bill to their docket or even hear this case but even assuming that it did we know that we will lose. Because even assuming that the Supreme Court takes on this case and decides to modify or dot the protections in roe versus Wade we know that the Supreme Court will not criminalize abortion in the way that this bill envisions it which means that Arkansas will yet again invest time and resources and legal work for a lost costs we will lose again in the Supreme Court make no mistake about that but more than that what are we going to do for resources here at home what do we tell doctors we have talked a lot in the past few weeks about the need for doctors particularly in our rural areas the fact that our maternal death rates in Arkansas are some of the worst in the country how do we recruit a doctor to come in to Arkansas when they are told that they could be considered a felon for doing their medical Judy. We pass laws that legislate what doctors are allowed to tell their patients we have laws that obligate them in some cases and other medical professionals to provide a Roni is information to their patients and now we tell doctors we do not trust you to do your job rather these legislators these non medical professionals would like to stand in your shoes and tell you what to do in emergency situations. Who will police this new felony called an unclassified felony that will result in up to ten years a hundred thousand dollar fines and I've heard today some some discussion about what might be considered saving the life of a mother but it's not explicit there's nothing in this bill that says that a child who is pregnant can it can get an abortion based on this exception if we wanted to say that it should and it does not. So how are we going to prosecute these cases. The law says or the bill says that a doctor who performs a procedure with put a reasonable likelihood that it would cause an abortion what is that. Where does that leave procedures like the and sees where does that leave procedures in which a doctor may have to go in you Tero to take care of some issue with the baby but knows that there was an extreme risk that it could abort the pregnancy what about those you say now what happened we wouldn't do that why don't we say so. Why don't we have been there is explicit exceptions to protect our doctors why on earth would any doctor want to come to Arkansas if this becomes law and risk their careers and their families and their livelihoods because of the extreme limitations of this bill. What do we tell victims of rape and incest I have heard today that they're just really aren't that many of them so they don't matter. No not every woman who is a victim of rape or incest will choose to have the baby or choose to have an abortion and I have heard the word choice in many of the speeches in favor of this bill and that's right when we're talking about something so personal so private so violated so violent. Women should have a choice we do not want to extend their trauma by making them relive it again and again and again. As a mother of three daughters I'm particularly troubled by the arguments in favor of the unborn First is my children's rights. I had someone call me the other day and say well it's not the baby's fault that they are a product of rape or abortion will it was not my baby's fault either. My babies should not have to be punished if that is the decision that they make. And as their mother I have to stand up for them and for other mothers in this state who are faced with those types of excruciating and agonizing decisions. Finally. What do we tell women who are in the middle of making the most excruciating and horrific decision of their lives. Representative Godfrey touched on this when she talked about friends of hers who have experienced pregnancy loss due to fetal abnormalities. And I have had that happen with a friend of mine as well when my pregnancy with my first one who's twelve now and. One of my friends and I were around the same amount of weeks pregnant so we look forward to that big ultrasound at twenty weeks where we find out we're having a girl or a boy and of course for doctors that alter sound is also one of the first and clearest visions of what's going on with that baby and in her case she discovered that she was having a girl and that that girl had abnormalities that were incompatible with life now she did seek second opinions and third opinions and she and her husband prayed over this baby and she agonized over this decision. But she became suicidal. She became suicidal because every time she felt that baby kick it reminded her of what would not be and she was the mother to other children as well. She was not a vessel. She had agency and she had a right to protect herself and her family and her children. What about her life. With this bill we are telling people like my friend and Representative god three Godfrey's friends and women around the state that their trauma doesn't matter we are telling them that their choices made with consultation with experts and doctors and trusted family friends are relevant and that a doctor who is trying to counsel them on what to do in this most personal and difficult of circumstances runs the risk of becoming a felon. We can do better than this all of us share the desire to reduce the number of ports abortions in this state. We can pass legislation that mandates sex education in high schools which oddly I'm told is a non starter with this body. We can work to support women who were seeking employment and health care and ensure they have full access to birth control and information on how to stop pregnancy studies have shown us again and again that improving access to these vital resources does more to reduce abortion rates than any restrictive abortion law does. In closing we don't have to do this we don't have to make women in this state collateral damage simply to advance a political costs we know the criminalizing abortion doesn't end it. It simply moves it out of our sights out of sight out of mind I guess so we're okay with the back alley abortions the clothes hangers the bleach and the other extreme circumstances that Representative Hodges mentioned. And we'll go back to the battle days. We know that we know that with certainty. I'm asking you today to vote now. And while it may be an act of futility to ask you that I urge you to join me in that thank you. Represent Hudson has spoken against the bill Representative Miller for what per. Motion let's hear your motion. Mr Speaker I don't think there's anybody undecided I move immediate consideration. That's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. The those opposed. The eyes have it. Question before the House is the passage of Senate bill six we do have a pair on the desk. Representative Jeff Wardlaw votes yes Representative Nicole Clowney votes no. It was witnessed by Representative actually Hudson Representative Clowney is the present member are there any procedural objections to this pair. Please do not vote either of these two voting machines. Repair the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy five days eighteen days and one present the bill is passed. Level order in the gallery. Represent makes for what purpose question place. Let's hear your motion after the announcement trading or the bills transferring the bills placing the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalized resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee report I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon that's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion passes. Are there any announcements. Represented gene for what purpose announcement. Recognized Joint Budget eight thirty in the morning big mac a we'll have members bills run represent Cozart for what purpose announcement you're recognized House education tomorrow morning nine thirty route one fifty one. Represent Cavenaugh for what purpose announcement you're recognized special language seven thirty AM big mac I. Senate fight for what purpose announcement you're recognized aging children youth military will meet ten minutes after we adjourn. Represent makes for what purpose announcement you're recognized advanced communication and information technology will meet tomorrow eleven thirty big mac B. any other announcements the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion The Addams named in the adjourn resolution the house would be adjourned until one PM tomorrow.