House Convenes

Your Providence you've created institutions the home the church and government and we're thankful for those who serve in the government recognizing the relationship it has to both our freedoms and the free exercise of our faith so bless these men and women in the noble work god's work that they're a part of this day and this session bless those who lied bless every committee and every individual member is my prayer in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Cass ballot Mr Clark. Ninety seven yeas jerseys a quorum. Are there any request for leave. The represented person for what purpose leave. You're recognized. Leave a Representative Fred Allen this leave granted for represented Alan. Leave is granted. Represented Penzo for purpose. Leave for Representative Pilkington as late granted for RepresentativeHendren. Leave is granted. Represented Fredrick Love Me which we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal now objections so ordered are there Reports from select committees. Are there Reports from standing committees read the reports Mr part. Mr Speaker where you Committee on Public Health retirement social security to was referred house bill thirteen twenty six thirteen fifteen thirteen fifty two beg leave to report that we have the same under consideration here with return this same with the recommendation that do pass exactly submitted The sworn chair. Are there any Executive communications. Read the letter from the governor Mr Clark. March first twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house DO you Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on March first twenty twenty one are reviewed and approved the following measures for from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly possible eleven oh two as axis one eighty two House eleven twenty two as act one eighty three House eleven twenty three as act one eighty four plus eleven twenty fours Act one eighty five House Bill of twelve thirty six as ACT twenty six house bill twelve forty five this act twenty seven House Bill tool six nine is active when eighty eight possible thirteen thirty nine as ACT twenty nine possible thirteen forty as acts one ninety helpful to ninety one that this act one ninety one house eleven twenty seven this act one ninety two also twenty six this act one ninety three house bill thirteen twelve this act one ninety four house bill thirteen sixty three ACT one ninety five house with their two ninety eight ACT one ninety six also thirty ninety nine ACT one ninety seven house bill fourteen hundred this act one ninety eight house before to know what is ACT one ninety nine also fourteen tennis ACT two hundred possible fourteen eleven this act to one house for fourteen twelve this act to to also fourteen thirteen this act two or three has a fourteen fourteen this act to for Housefull fourteen fifteen is that to a five also fourteen nineteen is at two oh six houseful ten ninety is active to a seven house bill twelve eighty four ACT two oh eight hello twenty nice to it back to a nine also thirty No seven as access to ten of the thirteen oh eight is two ACT two eleven also thirteen nineteen ninety three as active twelve to twelve House Bill thirty ninety four of this act two thirty two hundred thirteen House Bill thirty ninety five is at two fourteen also thirty ninety six of this act of two fifteen house bill thirty ninety seven is that to sixteen sincerely if the Hutchinson. February twenty fifth twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house dear Mister Speaker this is to inform you that on February twenty fifth twenty twenty one I reviewed and approved the following measures for the regular not session of the ninety third General Assembly possible total this act with two three sincerely a sentence in. Morning hours ended. Members are right R. Arkansas state troopers this week our trooper Justin cherry from troop F. it Warren and trooper Spencer Morris from troop D. in Forrest City. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve fifty nine. That's what we need to have a Representative Johnson to me the Arkansas athletic trainers Act to authorize any changes to practice under the direct supervision of a physician. Represent Johnson you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues so to understand what this bill does I think you first need to understand what current statute allows in Arkansas so currently in Arkansas the physician can supervise an athletic trainer only the non clinical setting so I can see rising athletic trainer at a school but I'm not allowed to supervise an athletic trainer in a clinical setting like a hospital or outpatient setting the as it currently stands it's only reserved for physical therapists this law simply this bill simply change that to provide a pathway for physicians to supervise athletic trainers in both a non clinical and clinical setting in the same fashion that a PT physical therapist can can currently observance supervise an athletic trainer this is a bill the secure compromises bills mitigation about the athletic trainers in the physical therapist both associations are supported with this piece of legislation I'm thankful for all the hard work to get us to this point and with that I'd be happy to try to answer any questions. C. nine appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Johnson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Johnson is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve fifty nine prepare the machine Mr. Members today represent Vaught will be voting by proxy. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about miss Clark by a vote of ninety one yeas one eight and zero present. Bill is passed. Represent Justin Boyd moved that we re referred house bill fifteen seventeen to committee that's a proper motion represent Boyd you're recognized explain your motion. Thank you Mr Speaker I just wanted to take a moment to thank Renee also longer who called me last night had a good conversation with me about a concern of the wording in house bill fifteen seventeen and it is a significant concern and so knowing that I would really like to send this back to committee to to be able to work on that wording so with that I'd appreciate a good vote to re refer this back to state agencies thank you. Represent void as explained the motion would be would like to speak against the motion. Would anyone like to speak for the motion. Person void is close for the motion the question before the House is the re referral house bill fifteen seventeen to committee all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The motion passes Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty one. Also forty one a Representative Lowery to amend the definition definition of claimant agency as used in the statutes concerning collection of delinquent taxes. Exemplary you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Members this is a bill that came from them the insurance department and as they described it to us as part of their package Insurance department currently is not defined as a claimant angel agency in other words an agency where if money is owed to the insurance department because of fines or penalties or claims against the guarantee fund they do not currently have the ability to be able to to rake back of those penalties for those fines from of state tax revenues or such and is the they indicated to us that over skews me sentence attacking me over a twenty year period they have of about four point six million dollars in uncollected or uncollectible fines and penalties and this would just to enable them to be one of those claiming agencies along with others that might have fines or penalties that they want to collect the this just enables them to be able to do that. I'm ready for any questions that you might have. Not I appreciate your support the Bill. Present Lowery has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Lowery is closed for the bill the question before the House is passed house bill twelve forty one per the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve thirty eight. Also saw thirty eight per cent of Lowery to enact the state insurance departments in general I'm nervous. Exemplary recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker this is also the insurance department bill this is there on general omnibus bill that they send to force every two years most of the times the omnibus bill deal deals with technical fixes or to bring state law Arkansas state law in line with federal law we are we are part Arkansas as part of an interstate compact and so through in cool and threw in a I see of the department tries to stay consistent with what federal law is yeah there are a number of sections that that are amended in this apartment this bill and rather than me going through each and every one of them I'll try to do my best to ask answer any specific questions that you might have about a particular section. If there are no questions I would appreciate your support for the general office bill. Rep similares explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Lowery is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen sixty four per I'm sorry twelve thirty six per machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. A vote of ninety one U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Members without objection we're gonna move to Senate bill two eighty seven. Mr Clark please read Senate bill two eighty seven. Verse one other item of housekeeping. Leave was inadvertently asked for for represent Pilkington but he actually wants his vote cast here on the floor today so leave will will be of no effect he's his votes will be cast her on the floor. Senate bill two eighty seven oh Representative Penzo two minutes because your requirements to allow certain individuals to be eligible for certain scholarships and to declare emergency represent Penzo you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Senate bill two eighty seven amends eligibility requirements for the Arkansas governor's scholars program and the Arkansas hi technology scholarship program currently the scholarships are available to the US citizens and permanent resident aliens which or green card holders. This bill adds to additional categories of eligibility it opens up to the Marshallese residents of Arkansas that are under the compact of free association and it also opens it up to federal form I. seven six six work permit holders for their children the department of education estimates it to sit students will be affected by this scholarship cycle they're actually waiting right now for the governor to sign this bill so they can apply but the because today's actually the scholarship deadline in order to get the Arkansas governor scholars program the minimum threshold is a thirty two on the ACT and if any of you were fortunate enough to meet to an onion and a committee of last week she has a thirty four honor ACT which is awesome so she's worked really hard to get this scholarship and If you know any questions of per sheet a good vote. Penzo is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Person Penzo is closed for the bill the question before the House is passed to Senate bill two eighty seven prepared machine Mr Clerk. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. Everyone voted cast about Mr Clark Bible ninety four U. A. zero nine one present the bill an Emergency Clause are passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty four. Also fourteen C. two former Representative Cozart to at the Arkansas Code provision affording an opportunity to challenge an instructional materials and associated events and activities. Represent Cozart you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Ladies and gentleman. This is a little bill it does a lot and I think your constituents will like it it is a. It's actually to add to the code this is a old school board rules that set in place with your school boards in your schools already that they can do these things and it's not codified and we're just going to codify this and like this in the law and what this does it allows for a parent is a problem means for which a parent or legal guardian's may influence curriculum instructional materials in the event of activities supplemental instructions and with the public school district administration and the local. Public school district board of directors. And what is basically does if if a parent has any issue of what the their children are being presented curriculum we always should check that out as a parent and see what's going on in each school it could be an extra curricular activity if there's something that's going on there that does not go along with what you think it should be you can question that doesn't always mean that is going to get blown out or changed it's just that you have that right to check to a question that so this is something this is in your most manuals of your schools will have this in their manual and this is the proper procedure to do it this just puts it in the law that puts gives a little more teeth so it still tells you that the proper procedure to go to is your teacher first if you have a problem with anything and I think most of you that have children and are have been on the school board or served in any capacity there no those things so you start your teacher you don't have any luck there or you don't get to proceed to a proper time frame you think you need to go to the next step as a principal after the principal you step up to the superintendent if you're still having the issue there and you're persistent enough you will go to the school board for that and also the procedures if it's something on a state level curriculum you know they were working with the state to correct that on the state level something is pushed down from the of state education department so that's basically what the gist of this bill is it just basically is already there but we'll put it into law that I could have one more to the so every questions. Per share good vote thank you. Represent Cozart explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for. Absent Cozart is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen sixty four prepare the machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety three days one day and three present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen eighty nine. House bill thirteen ninety nine per Representative Bragg to create an Arkansas Forster's for the future scholarship program active twenty twenty one percent Bragg you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues the Arkansas Forster for the future scholarship program is is you know intended to encourage enrollment and enforce strict curriculum and increase the the presence of of a job opportunities in over the years back in the late sixties early seventies for center she was growing here we had that big bottle of baby boomers moving into the housing market housing market drove a pretty significant expansion houses were being built sawmills paper mills plywood mills force companies were were getting more intensive force management so that the industry was generally growing steadily and eventually kind of leveled out you know through the eighties there's always been been cycles but is it is you know in the mid two thousands when the housing bubble burst it but the forest industry in a pretty severe depression sawmills paper mills you know plywood mills of jobs were lost and it was pretty severe economic downturn so now the industry's coming back housings increasing some but that pipeline of of employees and and the system special enforcer schools has declined significantly but more so all that big bubble of baby boomers is moving out of the job market just like a lot of other industries in this is left a void and not right now there's probably three jobs for every graduate Forster right now so there's a lot of positions open so this bill really is intended to increase interest and for sure court curriculum and encourage that the interest and in jobs in that industry and it's pretty basic it would allow full time student in a state supported institution of higher education have a have a scholarship for four years starting a freshman year the school will have to be accredited by the society of American foresters which universe of Arkansas at Monticello is they'll basically submit an application applications will be reviewed there's a memorandum of understanding with you AM concerning this with the division of forestry in the department of agriculture to help manage the application and selection process It's fully funded already know general funds are needed there's a state forest fund that's funded from sales of timber on the state forest there it's it's a very consistent sustainable revenue stream anywhere from four hundred thousand over a million dollars a year comes it comes into this fund is used for equipment and that that's the fun that will be used to sustain the scholarship it's about a thirty two thousand dollars a year you know once the once you know the the students get in get in place so There was discussion in the committee about a requirement to have the recipients of this scholarship remain in Arkansas. And we consider that but it but that's that's hard to do because we can't guarantee a job and let me just say from practical experience I recruited job applicants from just about every southern state the my career most people in this industry want to stay in their home state I have would hire people from Georgia Alabama and over a couple years they they always manage to find their way back home so I don't think that's a real critical issue here but we just didn't see how we could require that as a as a part of the agreement for the scholarship so. Without any questions I would appreciate a good vote. Bragg is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Bragg is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen eighty nine prepare the machine. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark Bible ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen forty five. Also fourteen forty five a Representative declared to amend the appointment requirements concerning the board of visitors for technical college. The McClure you're recognized to explain the bill. This is a very simple bill. The deals with only two year technical colleges if they of wine and merged himself under a four year university. I was a part of a trustee board at college of the Washington office I was appointed by the governor to that position. When we align ourselves with Arkansas state university and became Arkansas state university Three Rivers. There is no longer a need for Arkansas state university's board of trustees appointed by the governors to oversee it another board of trustees that are appointed by the governor. So what this does is simply clarifies that that local. Technical college still has a board called a board of advisors for those of the business background we would call this the advisory board. I'm a part of that board of visitors now or function is basically the same what we refer everything on up to the A. issue board of trustees so what this does and I will read it to you because it's very simple. Concerning the board of visitors including the number of members term of membership and method of appointment of members shall be decided by the board of trustees of the four year institution of higher education and or the board of trustees of the university system this came to the education board without any op opposition so if there's no questions I would appreciate a good vote. Symcor is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. symcor is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen forty five prepared machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. I voted ninety seven yeah zero nay and zero present. Bill as passed. Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen sixty two. Also forty sixty two Representative Scott to allow a state supported two year or four year institution of higher education to designate from amongst current staff members of the institution of higher education homeless and foster student liaison persons got you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling the house bill fourteen sixty two has permissible language to allow two and four year institutions of higher education to designate amongst their current staff a foster or homeless student liaison if they see a need on their campus for a phone or population this liaison will inform students on financial aid and other support options available last week after our Education Committee represented this bill I met with the department of education we have approximately two hundred and sixty seven phone foster and homeless students liaisons for our public schools and charter schools across the state of Arkansas this bill was simply provide the extra encouragement for our higher ed institutions to do the same at no cost our shared this bill with Arkansas tech Arkansas state Philander you are you CA sure to college in Senator Sturch for him to share his district I also work with the Y. S. when drafting this bill and I have their support House Bill fourteen sixty two pass What was came out of the Education Committee what to do pass and I'm open for any questions. Thing no questions I would greatly appreciate a good vote. Represents Scott is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represents Scott is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen sixty two prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety two yeah zero nay and one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen eighty eight. House bill forty eighty eight represented Gonzales to amend certain provisions of Arkansas Code that resulted from initiated act four of nineteen forty eight to clarify the workers compensation law and to declare an emergency reserve Gonzales you're recognized explain the bill they much bigger colleges builders those couple things one and allows employees to file a workman's comp claim for covered nineteen if they can prove that they were exposing contracted it at their place of employment number two it protects the employers from from tort claims if that happens unless it was an intentional act by the employees that calls that so let's say they weren't following guidance didn't didn't provide proper PPE for their employees than the tort liability would still still remain other than that. It It protection from a. Any questions on this. Person makes for what purpose question place. You're recognized thank your Speaker a question I say I and I have as you said that they could claim this benefit if they prove that they had code from a workplace can you talk a little bit about what the burden of proof is on you know how do you reasonably prove that since symptoms typically don't show up for you know three to five days. Well it is a pretty high burden of proof there's a you know examples I can always say you health care facilities and stuff like that would where you you know that you're going in and and being exposed to it every day if you had an outbreak in a major place of employment of you know we had several people group together there and there was there was an outbreak you know that would. I'm in I'm strictly guessing here that would probably constitute proof but I don't get to make those decisions. I hope that helps. Represents love for what purpose question you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker represent of Gonzalez have they been have the bit have there been since our founding regards to employees seeking some sort of compensation or anything as of right now there are no tort lawsuits that I know of. Okay I thank you. Thank. Observer Gonzales has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent Payton you're recognized as. Thank you Mr Speaker our colleagues if you could just to indulge me for a moment I want to make sure everybody understands what they're voting on here. Workers comp is a very important issue that's why has a higher threshold than some other things but Workers comp is an insurance that employers are required to to purchase and what this bill does is it broadens the coverage of that insurance so it's going to raise the cost to Arkansas employers for the insurance I mean if you're going to broaden the coverage so we do have some very large employers in the state of Arkansas they probably do have some exposure from the cover nineteen outbreak but current Arkansas law since nineteen forty eight whenever the workers comp was passed. Is not covered infectious diseases except in rare instances where you worked for an institution that treated the infectious disease the hospital or sanatorium so we are broadening the workers comp. Coverage to include covered which would be the first time that any includes an infectious disease and I'm uncomfortable with setting that precedence in opening that door because unlike some people I don't think that covert nineteen is an unprecedented. Endemic I think we've had diseases in the past and we will have diseases in the future they come along but I quickly. This to. Somebody who buys. Five thousand dollars with the wheels and tires and put that on your automobile and I need extra coverage for those wheels and tires but instead of being willing to foot the bill for the extra coverage they want to pass a law that says every Arkansan needs to have insurance coverage that would cover five thousand dollars with wheels and tires therefore you. Make the pool larger. Everybody pays a little bit and the person who is at risk is not paying as much we we do have some very large employers they probably have some exposure. Due to clover nineteen but were it with this bill we're requiring every small business in Arkansas to pay for that coverage in their workers comp insurance so I'll be vote no against it thank you Mr Speaker. Person Payton is spoken against the bill anyone like speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Robson represent consolidated recognized to close for the. Thank you Mr Speaker that's not often represent Representative Payton and I disagree on on legislation we're usually. On the side on things This kinda kinda odd one but anyway I I agree with a lot of points that he made but bottom line is the the business businesses are the business community is asking for this legislation there is tons of support from business community for this and as far as setting a precedent for this expires in two years it goes away the legislature just come back and revisit it and decide if we want to continue this or it in regards to another disease if we want to add anything else to it so this one this is not a final say in it it does have sunset in two years thank you appreciate a good vote. Represent Gonzales has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen eighty eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. You're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked if the ballot Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy four days nine days and eleven present the bill an Emergency Clause are passed Mr Clark please read house bill fifteen twenty one. Fifteen twenty one by represented a McCollum to qualify executive orders twenty dash eighteen twenty dash thirty four to ensure health care professionals are equipped with the tools necessary to cut Combat covered nineteen into declared emergency represent a column you're recognized to explain the. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues so today we have the opportunity to pass a bill that will empower our health care heroes I mean basically what we're doing is codifying the governor's executive order to provide some. Some protections for the healthcare workers with ground to claims alleging exposure to Calvin nineteen. There's no. No protection if the if there's. Reckless behavior willful behavior intentional behavior over half of the states have adopted some form of protections like this and anymore attempting to adopt measures like this. I'll say this regardless of if if there's an emergency in this state are not by passing this what we are saying is that we want our health care workers. To have the flexibility that they need to diagnose treat cure prevent coping nineteen so hopefully we can give them the flexibility to do that. Represent Garner for purpose question you're recognized. Represented McCollum and I'm asking these questions as a nurse not as an attorney but when I read the bill I had a little bit of a qualms about the gross negligence can you Tollette tell us a difference between negligence and gross negligence and the second part of that question is what recourse does a patient have if there really is there are those things going on that there really is that that intent or whatever it is. I mean I'd I'd say in terms of. Negligence I'm I'm just thinking of the bigger picture of. The workforce it's. Do we want this work for some place the answer is yes just like any type of emergency like a tornado there certain types of protections that we put in place related to those emergencies and so. We want to work Forstner assessing the risks I think it's important for us to put these protections in place Terms of a difference between negligence gross negligence you're right I'm your your nurse I'm not an attorney but I'm sure we can have twenty people speak to the specifics about. Represent arrive for purpose your question you're recognized of Representative would discover maybe dispensing covert shots to. What. Represent McCollum is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill represent cloud you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I did I just wanted to come down here as a health professional and and tell you that I support this bill the question that you had represented garner was a good one let me assure anyone. If you think that. By passing this legislation that you can prevent someone from being sued for any kind of negligence that's not going to happen two hundred fifty dollars and the lawyer can file a lawsuit regardless they the defense yes might could use this as part of their defense but it's not going to prevent any of any of that sort of thing and and I don't think more of our judicial system and that that there are going to use that as a loophole so I would support this bill thank you. Percent of cloud is spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill represent Collins you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and It's true you can still file a lawsuit against someone who has immunity but I think the big thing that we need to give some attention to is the person who has been injured or hurt as a result of the negligence or gross negligence of a healthcare professional if this passes them for two years from now three years over the course the pandemic they don't have recourse so we just passed a bill where an employee can follow worker's compensation claim in lieu of a tort plans so they have some sort of recourse if they have hospital bills if they miss work they have somewhere to be made whole the person who's injured or hurt by negligent or grossly negligent healthcare professional under this would have no recourse so they don't get to be made whole I might face medical bankruptcy they might just be out I think that's my biggest concern with this I understand that in an emergency you for asking healthcare professionals to do extraordinary things that we can give them some kind of special protection but we're in a different points in the paint of it now and we're talking about is saying this for two years barring plans for two years and also goes beyond what other states have done when they've done similar things to this they've counted it negligence they haven't gone gross negligence and when I say negligence is not an accident it's failing to follow the standard of care that's in place the standard of care is something that involves and we wouldn't expect the same standard of care during an emergency as we would during normal times so the protections already there for those healthcare professionals who were working during an emergency we also have a federal immunity in place for negligence so I really don't think this is necessary I'm concerned about the precedent it sets the constitutionality the duration the breath but most importantly I'm concerned about the. A person who is genuinely injured has genuine costs and we'll just have no where to go for pass this so that's why I'll be voting on thanks. Represent Collins spoke against the bill when he would like to speak for the bill. Would like to speak against the bill. Semicolon your. Thank you colleagues I just wanna directed to Page three I think it's line twenty five twenty six there's a line in there about emergency emergency management functions and my main point with bringing that up is let's use a maybe an example about a you know nursing home or a you know a CNA Director of a nursing home treating someone who has come of it and maybe they. They forgot to turn the individual on because of that now what we're looking at sores on the bottom and that meets the other issues. The protection is here is it's only specific to emergency emergency management functions dealing with because of it and so that individuals not gonna be protected because. They didn't do their job and treating the patient it's only with covered specific this entire legislation is specific to convert it does expire as representatives all since did in in may of twenty three that's on purpose because we wanted to make sure everyone knew were were specifically addressing this pandemic south appreciate a good vote thanks. CENTCOM is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fifteen twenty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted you're voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty As twelve nays and for present the bill emergency clause are passed Mr Clark please read house bill fourteen fifty seven. Also forty fifty seven by Representative eaves to create pace is a law to amend the individual income tax laws and create an income tax credit for still we're to a child. Viv's you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Collins I could probably explain this bill in about two sentences but if you'll bear with me I think it's deserving of a little bit of the story I want to specifically thank Mrs Jill lands for bringing this idea to my attention and thank you also to Representative Joe cloud for his advice on the medical issues Representative Jamie Scott for our help a lot of help on this bill and also to Representative Nicole Clowney I appreciate your help on this bill. Someone give you a little background on make this as quick as I can in the summer of twenty eighteen a couple found out they were going to be parents they found out that the baby would be born in February they found out that was going to be a little girl. Things are going along normally in the baby was scheduled to be delivered on February sixth hi one single day. Before that they discover that the little girl's heart had stopped beating. Their worst fears have come true. The little girl had passed away only one day before she was due to be born. This baby's mother into an otherwise normal delivery the baby girl came into this world only a few hours after she passed away. She passed away from a condition called amniotic band syndrome. She was otherwise a perfectly healthy perfectly formed beautiful little baby girl. She had trouble cheeks and your mother knows. But the family never even had the joy of knowing the color her eyes. So they all gathered around and Helder casters for a few hours until the hospital took away. Now the next day proceeded like any other day that you would have a normal day after you have a baby the parents all gathered around gather their belongings they collected all the cards and flowers and made their way to the car they just didn't have a baby to take home. And at home it would look like any other day when you bring your baby home for the first time. There was a nursery full of all the things a little baby needs. It was a rocking chair in a crib changing table a little mobile that sings the songs will help or go to sleep. Their car seats strollers diapers wipes bottles blankets plush toys and even her name was painted on the wall. But the baby girl was not there. But the parents agony did not end there. The day that followed included having to make decisions. On funeral arrangements. Where she would be laid to rest. They had to pick out the paper cast. A wrecker burial plot. A. for her burial marker. Things they never dreamed they would be doing only three days after having a baby. It was the most painful thing I've ever seen. That little baby girl with my granddaughter. Her name's Paisley. Her mother. My daughter heather is in the gallery appear with her two older children Maddox and McKenzie. But what I learned through this tragedy is that our family was not alone there are hundreds of our Kansans. Each year they go through the same trauma and heartbreak. I've heard from so many people and heard similar stories of stillborn children names like Madeline grace Sutton Caleb and hundreds of others. My heart goes out to every single one of these families because I know what you're experiencing. And I hope this bill. Provide at least a small bit of relief for the grieving parents. So what this bill it does. It would allow the parents of stillborn child a one time tax credit of five hundred dollars. And this applies to a stillborn child whose reach twenty weeks of gestation. Because that's the medical definition of terms of stillbirth in this country. The whole point of the tax credit is that children are expensive. A parent spends just as much money preparing for child born alive as they do for a stillborn child especially as the child ends closer to full term. And this bill serves three important purposes. First it knowledge is parenthood. It will affirm that these parents are still parents for their stillborn child. The second my hope is that it will raise awareness to a problem we have in Arkansas of infant mortality. In third I hope that helps parents with some of the costs they will incur. Because in addition to all the things. That have been purpose that purchased in preparation for the baby's arrival these parents also face met L. elevated medical costs because stillbirths tend to cost more and they may be faced with additional costs related to an autopsy and genetic testing if they want to find out what happened. And lastly they face funeral cost and burial costs because there is no life insurance to help the families. Thankfully though still birth is fairly rare so would be a very minimal impact on tax revenue talking about a hundred and thirty nine thousand dollars roughly four two hundred and seventy nine stillbirths that happened in two thousand and eighteen in Arkansas. But it will make a big difference for the families. And while the tax credit cannot ease the pain caused by the death of a child. This credit can ease the financial strain of the unexpected death. Because these parents who are struggling with grief and just trying to put one foot in front of the other should have to worry about the financial impact caused by the loss of their child. That I would be happy to answer any questions. Percent Holcomb for what purpose question you're recognized. I certainly here in support of the bill out my question is you've got still more water from others at twenty weeks the babies alive she delivers the baby early in the causes respiratory system is not fully developed. Holcomb you've been on my mind a lot during this. And. We had to find a. Cut off point and we already have a definition of stillbirth in Arkansas Code. What I would say also that there is no federal help for children that are stillborn. A child is born alive but later passes away does get federal help the families get federal help to to help offset some of these costs a stillborn child does not but if you have an idea on a bill that might help the situation that you're familiar with I'd be more than happy to help you co sponsor that I appreciate the question. Seeing all the questions I appreciate a good vote. Represent eves has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill fourteen fifty seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety eight a zero day and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill one thousand four. One thousand former represent a Fortner prohibiting a person required to register as a sex offender from entering certain locations designated for public aquatic activities. Risin Fortner you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill today is a child protection bill. I appreciate the help that I got from the Judiciary Committee I make a couple slight corrections to get this a little more a little smoother. this bill was the need for this bill was brought to me by parents and law enforcement in one of my local communities they built a. Splash pad for the community. And that was a great success. During the summer A convicted sex offender in our area was showing up. Daily and Causing the parents great discomfort And by that the children sensed it so they were uncomfortable so law enforcement was called they came S. the fellow to leave he had a copy of the law. It did not include the word splash pad. And he said he would still. And state so they put a policeman there the whole rest of the summer to make everybody comfortable. the Committee asked me to write this up to where would include splash pads and. That's what I've done. I'll take any questions. I would certainly appreciate a good vote. Represent Fortner explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Arson Fortner is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill ten oh four per machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. Other ninety three A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Ferguson Fortner for what purpose. A moment of personal privilege you're recognized. I want to take just a moment from the bottom of my heart the. To thank all of you for your love and compassion your prayers for my wife Pam and myself in this time this difficult time force I know you all know that her cancer has come back. And we're dealing with it but the. I want you to know. That the comfort that Pam received from you all has gotten her through these tests which were still very strenuous for her up to this point. And it will get her through it she's told me that she so appreciates your love and compassion. She feels her very best when she's down here with you and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. The Clerk please read house built in sixty two. Haselton sixty to a Representative Fite to increase the look back period for prior convictions of voting or driving while intoxicated for the purpose of sentence enhancement. Person fight you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr chairman. House Bill sixty ten sixty two it doubles the look back period for the year by. Under the present law right now the first five violations in the first five years the they're able to look back owner of a for a five year period but after the six violation it moved to a ten year period. Under the new law the way it is right now you will move the ten years for the first five and then the six one info to twenty years look back. there's we're the weakest in the nation there's five other states that are refusing for other states that have us as shorter lookback period as we do and Others the Arkansas sheriff's association the prosecuting attorney's office support this bill and I'd be happy to answer any questions. J. nine appreciate a good vote. Represent fight is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent fight is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill ten sixty two per machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Leveled ninety three A. zero nine one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve seventy six. Austal twelve seventy six a Representative under would concerning voluntary percent of sentencing saying standards a person's criminal history score person under what you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and colleagues this is a pretty simple bill it was unanimous unanimously supported by the Arkansas sentencing commission is comprised of two judges two prosecutors two defense attorneys and to citizen representatives of the bill clarifies all connections entered into up to the date of sentencing is included in scoring your criminal history so currently under current law it's unclear whether or not you score two convictions that can that occurred similarly in time or close in time so this bill clarifies that you score all of them to make the sentencing or the scoring consistent most prosecutors already doing this majority of states are restoring it this way and this is in line with the federal system others no opposition to this bill that I know of I'm happy to answer any questions. Saying I appreciate a good vote represent under would explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Underwood is closed for the bill the question before the House is passive house bill twelve seventy six prepared machines to Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety six U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please Senate bill one twenty former Representative Evans to amend provisions of the Arkansas code concerning the Arkansas academic content standards and curriculum frameworks Intamin provisions of the Arkansas code concerning statewide student assessment system. Bevins you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker Members this bills brought Senator Sturch it's primarily used to clean it bill for the department of ed really only does five things the first for just changing some dates taking some added that language of the statute the most importantly is the fifth item in the bill and that is to change the date on which student assessments must be scored. In return to school districts in July first August first what this does is it allows district standards to additional thirty days to get their spring assessments done each individual school district will be contractor separately with with their testing companies working out those dates but what this does is gives an additional thirty days for spring assessments to be done in that information reported back to the school districts. Create a good vote. Percent evinces explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Evans is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor Senate bill one twenty four per machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six yeas zero nay and zero present the bill is passed Mr court please read Senate bill one twenty nine. Senate bill one twenty nine Representative because certain provisions of the Arkansas code concerning private resident and correspondence schools represent Cozart you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Ladies and gentleman this is Senator English is bill I know very little about it so transferred to this. As you know on a regular that so basically what this bill is a selective in the provision of the Arkansas code concerning private residence and correspondence schools and for other purposes basically what this does is just to clean up bill for the department of the it does away with the private career education arbitration panel puts it all under the Department higher is changes some of the language to be kind of program of study a resident school site law school and school which means any person firm partnership association that does business and seeking to do business offering for the state of Arkansas we will fall under those rules and basically it's just a few strikes and mostly just changes in letters and words so. Answering questions the public couldn't but I try. The bridge use of them. Create a good vote. Represent Cozart has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Anyone like speak for the bill. Represent Cozart is closed for the bill the question before the House is a pastor Senate bill one twenty nine per machines. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety six U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one eighty three. Senate bill one eighty three representing the color to amend campaign finance law to prohibit the use of campaign funds or carryover funds to pay for an ethics violation Intamin provisions of law resulting from initiated act one of nineteen ninety and instigated Act one of nineteen ninety six some McCauley recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. this is an ethics bill it came from the Senate through the Senate first but it's been amended on the house in a Senator Ingram is is good with the amendment the amendment specifies a very specific violations and not just any violation so if the candidate or officeholder is fine for the use of campaign funds as personal income a candidate or officeholder shall not use campaign funds or carryover funds to pay for this fine. So then following that in section two it would follow that we needed to add if if the candidate or officeholder uses campaign funds or carryover funds for a fine that's imposed by the EC this commission. for the use of campaign funds or carryover funds as personal income than the candidate or officeholder shall be deemed to have taken campaign funds as personal income. The end of seeing no questions I appreciate a good vote thank you. cynical as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. The color is closed for the bill the question before the House is past of Senate bill one eighty three prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six C. AC Ronay and zero present the bill is passed. A person makes what purpose motion placed. What's your motion after the announcement trading of the bills transferring the bill's place on the counters on the desk members amending their own bills their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee report I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. That's proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion carries are there any announcements represented gene for what purpose announcement you're recognized Joint Budget will meet tomorrow morning eight thirty big mac a represent Cozart what purpose announcement you're recognized House education meets tomorrow morning nine thirty room one fifty one percent Lynch for what purpose that's mine you're recognized act may be the meeting in fifteen minutes. Person if Lanny Fite for what purpose announcement you're recognized city county local will meet in ten minutes left. Represent Charlene Fite for purpose announcement you're recognized aging children youth military will meet and ten minutes. Per cent Holcomb for purpose announcement you're recognized public transportation will meet in the morning at nine thirty AM maxi represent back for what purpose announcement you're recognized Joint Energy committee will meet tomorrow at eleven o'clock in big mac Hey any other announcements. This will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion The Addams named in the general's Lucien house be adjourned until one PM tomorrow.