House Convenes

And by the member staff press and guests in the gallery stand to be led in prayer by the house chaplain Dr rex one 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. Bothered events of recent days and even the past year reminds us that there's so many things that we cannot control that things are beyond our power and we feel at times helpless we're thankful that during those times that you've created within the human spirit also hope and knowing that there's always better days are better opportunities ahead. So in the midst of times that we feel somewhat helpless I pray for the women and men of the chamber today here in the House that you would bless them because there are things that we do have input and in respect control over so give wisdom and insight to those who serve the citizens of Arkansas that is all ways they might look to the greater good for our citizens in the work in the deliberations if they make bless those who are back home and bless any personal concerns that these are friends have we pray in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Cast out Mr Clark. With one hundred members present the chair sees a quorum. Represent Fredrick Love moves we dispensed the reading the previous day's Journal without objection so ordered are there Reports from select committees read reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker your committee on house rules to whom was referred Senate bill one thirty eight beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration and here with during the same recognized to do pass respectfully submitted less Steve's chair Mister Speaker your committee on rules to whom was referred Senate bill one eighty three big league report we've had the same under consideration here with trying to sink the recognition that do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted with eves chair. Other reports from standing committees read reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker your committee on state agencies of government affairs to whom was referred house bill Levin twenty Senate bill one eighty eight beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration here with during the same with recognition do pass respectfully submitted what Tosh chair Mr Spiegel your committee on state agencies government affairs to whom was referred house bill fifteen seventeen beg leave to report we had the same under consideration here with the term the same the recommendation that do pass as amended number one respect was submitted why Tosh chair Mister Speaker we're Committee on state agencies in government affairs to whom was referred house bill twelve twenty four big league report we've had the same under consideration here with the terms and the recognition that do pass respectfully submitted Bruce Cozart presiding officer Mr Speaker we are Committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred house bill twelve fifty five Senate Bill Evans the leader for the for the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass respectfully submitted Mark Lowery chair Mister Speaker we're Committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred house bill twelve thirty eight and house bill twelve forty one big leader for the we've had the same under consideration here within the same deregulation do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted John Maddox vice chair Mister Speaker your committee on judiciary to whom was referred house bill ten fifty eight beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition I do pass a concurrence of Senate Amendment number one and two respectively submitted Brandt Smith vice chair. Is there any unfinished business are there any Executive communications. Read the letter from the governor Mr Clark. Twenty third twenty twenty first to the Speaker of the house Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on February twenty third twenty twenty first of I reviewed and approved the following measures from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly House Bill ten ninety nines Act one thirty house eleven forty two was at one thirty one house bill thirteen to twenty two ACT one thirty two sisterly a state agency. Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution one thousand two. House current run resolution one thousand two by representable way to encourage continued collaboration among healthcare providers law enforcement educators public officials and the Arkansas community in battling the abuse of prescription drugs in Arkansas Senate boy you're recognized explain resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker we've already approved this resolution there was an amendment that senator Gilmore offered on the Senate in that basically acknowledges that individuals with with disabilities are more likely to suffer from substance abuse disorders so with that said I appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Boyd has explained the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution represent Boyd is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house concurrent resolution one thousand two all in favor say aye. Any opposed the resolution is adopted. Morning hour is ended Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen fifty one house bill thirteen fifty one by represented when concerning the use of certain chemicals in firefighting foam. Percent when you're recognized explained bill. Thank you Mr Speaker what we are doing on this bill is limiting the harmful effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl commonly known as PFAS As that's probably how you describe the when you're at dinner time talking this over with your family every night. So PFASs our inserted into the phones that are used to fight liquid fires caused by a liquid flammable fuels petroleum's and things like that. What this does is it limits the use of this for only the actual firefighting we're taking it out from training exercises. What with the what this does essentially is take these chemicals out of the environment a little bit more in it also eliminates the further impact that they can have with human interaction now I've spoken with are Arkansas state firefighters association the APFA off the state fire chiefs association they are good with all of this and also the companies that make PFAS are also good with this this also brings us into compliance with what the department of defense is also doing because these types of chemicals will be stored on site at large refineries and at airports and the Little Rock Air Force base and other military installations that have airstrips would keep this they have already done this back in two thousand sixteen so this brings us into compliance with what they're doing there no known opposition to this bill happy to take any questions. I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative wing is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent wing is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen fifty one prepare the machine Mr Clark. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three yeas one million zero present. The Bill an emergency clause or passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven seventy seven House eleven seventy seven by represented Johnson to authorized emergency medical services personnel to administer certain emergency prescription medications to a patient who has a specific health condition. Repress over have House Bill eleven seventy seven just Clark please read house bill ten twenty one. House Bill ten twenty one by represented clout to create the first year medical student scholarship program act percent cloud you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members as you have been made painfully aware probably through this pandemic there is a healthcare shortage in the State of Arkansas that goes across all fields specifically the Arkansas physician workforce profile says that Arkansas ranks forty seventh in the number of available active positions that are in primary patient care so we're forty seventh and something else so greater than seventy percent of our physicians under forty. Have incurred significant student loan debt both with undergraduate and the graduate training a significant in that it's a quarter million dollars or more so seventy percent under forty dead concern effects not only on medical students specialty choices but also their choice a practice location obviously this drives new doctors into rule as opposed to urban areas and also into the specialty areas instead of the primary care areas so these concerns about debt can keep potential medical students from diverse ethnic and socio socioeconomic backgrounds from even entering medical school altogether even trying so house bill twenty and twenty one is just one step I want to emphasize that in increasing Arkansas's physician workforce this bill provides a thirty thousand dollar one time scholarship to a student who completes their undergraduate requirements for accepted acceptance into medical school or one of the two osteopathic schools within twenty four months so they complete their undergraduate in twenty four months. The they go on they get accepted to medical school or osteopathic school they complete their first year successfully and then they're eligible for that thirty thousand dollars the monies will be appropriated from the division of higher education appropriation for student assistant grants and scholarships and several questions in Education Committee about the money so that's where that's going to come from if we get this bill passed into law. What this does this incentivizes some of the best some of the brightest and most motivated students to quickly complete their undergraduate studies and attend medical or osteopathic training in Arkansas and the and stay in Arkansas some students know what very early age that they want to be a doctor and so they can plan ahead they would have to plan ahead and take even high school courses toward college credit in order to be able to to get this horrible that these students are ready to fast track they will be highly driven students who will definitely benefit from the scholarship there's no known opposition over with the Arkansas department of higher ed and I passed out of the Education Committee with the unanimous vote so with that lead take any questions. Saying that I appreciate a favorable vote thank you. Represent clouds explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent cloud is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten twenty one prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty nine U. A. zero nine four present the bill is passed. Members and we're gonna back up for just a moment I understand there's or we have but one click request for leave. Represent Nicks for what purpose. You're recognized I represent Fred Love is leave granted for RepresentativeHouse love. So noted. Let the record reflect their ninety nine members present. Mr Clark please read house bill eleven seventy two. House Bill Evans into a represent of tala to require certain notification procedures by the state board of education upon the state board of education's review of waivers granted to public school districts. Taglit you're recognized explained the bill. I'm a school superintendent so if that's a base you got my kids can give you some pointers. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you members currently. School districts are required to go to this before the state board of education to obtain what is commonly known as ACT twelve forty waiver what ACT twelve forty waiver does is allow school district to get around the standard or regulation to operate more efficiently or to provide better opportunities for schools all waivers have an expiration date all this bill does is establish a notification procedure to schools if the state board of education decides to have a hearing to revoke or modify that waiver before the expiration date it has no known opposite opposition and it did pass unanimously out of Education Committee and I will be glad to take any questions that you may have. Seeing nine I would appreciate a favorable vote. Sentaler does explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Sentaler disclosed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven seventy two prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety one yeas one day and to present. The bill is passed. Mr Clark please read House Bill eleven seventy seven. Eleven seventy seven by represented Johnson to authorized emergency medical services personnel to administer certain emergency prescription medications to a patient who has a specific health condition. Represent Johnson you're recognized to explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker colleagues there over sixty eight hundred diseases in the United States classified as rare many of these diseases have very specific medications required to treat them the variety these medications is so large it's impossible for them to be carried on every influence in the in the state as it stands currently the nameless would respond to someone with this rare disorder and they had their medicine on their person prescribed by the physician the only way they can administer that medication would be if they call they had to get permission from a position this bill is designed to remove that barrier the best example I can give this is there are certain people that have bleeding disorders and they carry with them factor that helps clot the blood where they to get cut so if your person with this disorder you catch yourself on a piece of glass in your house to call nine one one the email it shows that you have the medicine you need in your hand this allows them to give you that medicine as prescribed by their position without the added delay of calling had to physician the other thing this does is it creates a mechanism for some coordination of care in a county between the EMS service and a rare disorder patients physician so that if there are special circumstances around that person's condition there could be conversations about that ahead of time before nominal call happens additionally allows for the English service to. To be requested but not required to take a patient to a facility that might be a little further away so again an example of this is to say you're living north Conway you have a rare disorder that's only treated our state you a mass if the nameless will call to your house to pick you up you could ask the ambulance to take you straight to UAMS and bypass the hospitals closer in Conway now the important thing to know is the implicit services are not required to do this if they're the only influence in the county that I could leave the in the service on it you know that the county and attended but it It allows the patient to make that request in that's the basic things this bill that would be happy to try to answer any questions if anybody has any. Seeing none at a particular thank you represent Johnson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Johnson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven seventy seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. A pass over house bill fourteen thirty. Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen seventy seven House Bill thirteen seventy seven by represented Cavenaugh to amend the law concerning the tax levied on the sale of a motor vehicle trailer or semi trailer by consumer. Represent Cavenaugh you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker of this is just a simple bill that changes the time that a consumer can use a credit for a vehicle that they say all against someone that they purchase from forty five days to sixty days there's no physical impact it just extends the time and I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Cavenaugh as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent Cavenaugh is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen seventy seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety seven U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen sixty. House Bill thirteen sixty by represented Mark Berry to establish the law enforcement family relief checkoff program into established law enforcement family relief trust fund. The berry recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this is quite simply house bill thirteen sixty as the title says creates the law enforcement family relief checkoff program in the associated trust fund for the for those funds to go into so it's a voluntary for taxpayers if they want to contribute money to a law enforcement trust fund that if we have a fallen officer or terminally ill officer the secretary of public safety will be able to tap into that fund and provide that family with needed resources during a time of need so I can say is strictly voluntary and it's a just check a block on the tax form input how much you'd like to contribute to it I'll be happy to entertain your questions at this point. Saying not appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent berries explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. If very is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen sixty per machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. They're one voting. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety five U. A. zero nine eight and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen eighty three. House Bill thirteen eighty three by represented Hawke's to amend the law concerning the repair of textbooks the electronic assessment of property taxes in the electronic reproduction of tax records. Percent hawks you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues house bill thirteen eighty three is easy bill it's updating Items operated on the county level that allows certain documents to be transmitted electronically between county officials it can help reduce waste and to clarify who's a custodian of the records as I was explaining it last night my good friend Representative Ryan said Spicher that's not even how they do it anymore I said you're right that's why we need to of this bill. You get it through solid up Preciado good vote I'm open to any questions. The N. nine. Create a good vote thank you. Purpose of hawks is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like speak for the bill. Represent Hawks is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen eighty three prepare the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by voted ninety five U. A. zero nine zero per present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen forty five Aspel thirteen forty five a represented Brooks to amend the law concerning the dates taxes are due and payable to allow county collectors to collect taxes before the first business day in March under certain circumstances and to declare an emergency. Percent Brooks you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members it's a distinct honor to stand before you to represent the great state of Arkansas on this body I appreciate the chance to be here today this is a relatively straightforward and simple bill much like represented talks where it's just clarifying everything from a county perspective currently county property taxes cannot be or should not be collected prior to the first business day in March through October the fifteenth however some counties have the opportunity to do so so this is amended the law to clarify the language to allow them to open the books prior to mark the first should they want to do that it's permissive language does not require that but it just allows them to do so there are a number of counties they're already doing that that allow them to get the money quicker down to schools and other facilities which we know is very important from their perspective so that being said to be glad to take any questions on the bill. C. not appreciate a good vote. Represent Brooks's explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Brooks is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor of House Bill thirteen forty five per machine Mr Clerk. Voting on the bill in the emergency clause has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Bubble ninety sixty eight zero day and zero present the bill emergency clause are passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen seventy four House Bill thirteen seventy four by represented Collins to amend the law concerning which sales by charitable organizations are exempt from sales and use tax and to amend the criteria for to determine when a cell by charitable organization competes with a sale for aid by a non by for profit businesses represent Collins you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill is thirteen seventy four myself represented Jensen DISMANG it would lead a charitable organization hold up to ten events before has to start collecting sales tax on things like food and drink that it sells at the events so we change that number from three to ten the general rule is that charities are tax exempt so they don't collect sales tax at their events but we do have a learning curve that deems and to be competing with the for profit business after a certain number of answer after they hit that number they have to collect and remit sales tax and that's the number we want to move to ten other reasons for that first security that's having just a handful of events is not really as a practical matter competing with the for profit businesses such a low cap isn't serving the purpose of the law and the second reason is we want to be encouraging these events these events or how the charities bring and funds to operate they serve a public purpose by definition and they're often a more efficient local private stand in for government the events themselves are good for communities every dollar spent courses going into the local economy they bring people out who then go buy things and patronize small businesses in the area this is the type of grass roots economic activity that we need in often seek for small towns in for a big chance we worked with the if an anchor to come up with this language and it works for them as far as being easy to administer they scored a small fiscal impacts but as they said in committee these events will also generate economic activity that will offset the revenue back in I have no doubt that Arkansas will come out ahead both in terms of revenue but also in terms of the life that we can breathe into our small towns and our big towns in our communities there was no opposition and Committee no opposition I'm aware of just removes a roadblock for some of these charities to put on events and I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Percent Collins is explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Collins is closed for the bill the question before the House is the pastor of House Bill thirteen seventy four prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six yeas zero nine zero present the bill is passed read a pass over house bill fourteen ninety five. Members the doctor the day is Dr Reese L. brand men of Little Rock in the nurse's miss Sheri Bernard. Mr Clark please read Senate bill eighty eight. Senate bill eighty eight I represented Ladyman to amend the composition of the Arkansas Board of hearing instrument dispensers. Ferguson Ladyman you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker of colleagues this bill is to amend the composition of the Arkansas Board of hearing instrument dispensers and it's very simple bill it's clean up bill clarifies the number of board members one of the main things that it does it removes the requirement of a board member to be a position that is specialized in otology. Of that position is currently vacant and has been vacant for two years one was not vacant only one of the appointing members in this position and representing this occupation ever came in the last nine years. There's only about eighty people in the State of Arkansas that are in the specialty so they're very busy in this hard to get them to attend meetings. Even though this board meets only about four times a year so it changes the member ship for that position to an at large member. it also creates a position a non voting position or an or follow G. Dr can be a member of the board but the anon loading nonvoting member so I take any questions. A good vote. Represent lady minutes explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Ferguson Ladyman is closed for the bill the question before the House is pastor Senate bill eighty eight per machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill twenty four. Senate bill twenty four by represented Bill Clinton concerning the defense of a person with the use of physical force or deadly physical force. Represent Pilkington recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker today I come before the House resent you Senate bill twenty four a bill that would remove Arkansas's duty to retreat are some commonly called it stand your ground. For the last two years senator Ballenger myself at work with various groups that the state to find a bill that would work for them it has been an easy process we've tried amendments within minutes fail without amendments pass and so this is the bill that we feel gets us to where we want to go and then those Arkansans are okay with and so Senate bill twenty four was acceptable to the Arkansas prosecutors Association there's a certification and the chief of police I think one of the reasons why this has been so hard is because there's been so many lies about this bill it's been called a killer will bill a license to kill and some of the incentives the legalization of murder in the state of Arkansas I would say this one does have to lie because they know the truth is not on their side it's a today I want to present you what the truth is about this bill. The truth is that we are slightly moving the needle here in Arkansas to allow our Kansans of the thin themselves when they find themselves in situations where they need to use lethal force. The person defending himself and others must follow certain criteria which is simple and easily laid out they have a right to be present within counties occurring they're not currently committing any crimes and they are not the aggressor in the situation these parameters we believe are simple and necessary for allow us to have a right to defend ourselves and not escalate situations. With that. I'm going to step out of the well I know there's a lot of people have questions but I know there's going to be many speeches for and against this bill so for taking time to consideration my hope is that I'll be able to address those concerns brought up when I close. Thank percent Allen. Represent Pilkington is explain the bill. Represent ballot for purpose speak against the bill okay person we would like to speak against the bill represent Allen you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker ladies and gentleman I'm not here today to speak against my distinguished colleague but I'm here today to speak for the guests the contents of this bill. Thank you well laws have had been the effects across the country. Be false associated with an increase in homicide rates translate into more than a hundred and fifty additional gun bills each month and the United States. It allows a person to use deadly force in a confrontation. Any do will without any duty. To retreat. Even if they can do so in a safe manner. It encourages this violation of aggressive behavior result in an overall increase in from home asserts well it is. It gives a person. All licensed to potentially could kill alarm bills to shoot all bills to escape prosecution. Even if they started the confrontation and even if they can safely be escalate the situation by just walking away. This bill also increases. The normal farm home asserts. It increases. Nonfatal firearm injuries resulted in emergency room visits and hospitalizations. It encourages. Legal racial bias. Stand your ground have a disproportionate impact on people of color people Marco the people that are brown bill. Disproportionately impacted by this bill. And allow all the people with violent criminal histories. initiate altercations to eventually be of all all responsibility of taking a law that a person can take a life insurer Mobiline. It distorts the law of self defense. Researchers found that the Guilford lost some states that a thirty two percent increase in rates of firearm homicides of the twenty four percent increase in the rates of homicides overall. A forty five percent increase in firearm homicides among adolescents. Eight M. of a mom a home the size classified as justifiable in the five years up the floor the enacted this law. In this case is this could have retrieving. To avoid the confrontation sixty percent of the cases the person that was killed engine did not even have a phone that have a nice good under any type of weapons. The largest negative impact on homicides occur in neighborhoods that initially have the lowest homicide rates now we know why these they will who saw in the City of Little Rock him in the state of Arkansas. In closing. S. the stand your ground. Some of the pharmacist to a broader. We stand on the grounds of the State Council. Mourning the death of their loved ones. They will be standing on the grounds. Of a cemetery on the church House I'll stand and on the grounds I'm sorry. March. Recommendation to you all today. Yes to vote this bill down. This bill is designed. To make it last not have what. This bill is designed. To take flyers. And not to save lives so with that in mind I ask for a no vote thank you. Represent balance spoken against building would like to speak for the bill represent Richmond you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues get my notes I did finally find a good purpose for the budget calendar I have my notes on it. I appreciate that Lane Jean that you gave me that opportunity. Main reason why I come down here is at the beginning of this debate months about a month ago whatever it might have been. Was I had concerns because of one of the distal definitions placed in this. That a member was presented yesterday and it was voted down. I think it would provide a more clear to. I've been a little bit happier because I think the people of Arkansas would been happy with that clarity. But it failed so we didn't make and take a good bill and make it better. But it's still a good bill. Now you've already heard the opposition. Those who are opposed to going to try to tell you that absolutely made him is going to break out into the streets of Arkansas. I just remind you that's the same argument we heard back when we were considering ACT seven forty six. And it did not happen. Those who oppose or going to cite all kinds of different numbers and statistics. That's the beauty of numbers and statistics. You can always find something that supports your position. When it comes to numbers districts I always begin when I bind you gun or new boat or fishing equipment with my wife I start with I say five thousand dollars today. And I try to leave it there not taller than actually spent fifty thousand. Sometimes it works most times it does. They're gonna tell you that this particular bill SB twenty four is not clear enough. But yesterday in committee they voted to kill the very amendment that would provide more clarity. One of my colleague said that only in Arkansas. Can you present a definition to a term. And for to end up less clear. That's what happened yesterday. The problem is that they're also going to tell you. That there's going to be fights in the bar. And that those fights are going to go into the street and it's going to be shooting. Well that great philosopher Forrest Gump told this this stupid is as stupid does. Those two idiots decided long before they even left the house. That there was going to be a problem. And no matter how much legislation we passed here we're never going to fix the. It's just not going to happen. Those things are all on the front end. Of this legislation and they tell you that you should not provide that opportunity because this is a self defense bill this not just the stand your ground this is actually self defense. That we should not consider it because of those potential problems. But what they don't tell you is those percent but excuse me those potential problems exist right now. With the bill that we have. Not the bill I'm sorry the law that we have. They already exist. And we have to rely on a prosecuting attorneys and others to come together. And define what was right and what was wrong every time somebody shoot somebody you go through that process. And so when you come in you say that somebody's going to be more bold and and they go out there they commit murder this bill is not going to give them cover for committing murder. It's still going to have to go through the process so that's a false claim but you're going to hear it. However the real purpose of this bill. The reason why we're here to pass this legislation. Is that we need to take into consideration those people. Who out there might find themselves in a circumstance. We're situation developed and. It's over that quick. If you've ever been in a gun fight. It's not like a video game. It's not like the movies. Circumstances happen and moved very quickly and you only have seconds to make a decision and your regular life or your dad. Hopefully you're alive. The purpose of this bill is because then after you have made that split second decisions. Our prosecuting attorneys have days weeks and months. To dissect two look to turn upside down every step that you took that lead you to making that decision and they if they want to we'll find something wrong. This is the wide lane a little bit so but if you are unfortunately in that circumstance. And let me tell you. Then in that circumstance and I was trained for now is expected and it was still a freaking surprise. If you're in that circumstance it might be the difference between you live in and done and you're going to jail and not going to jail. If you've committed murder you're going to go to jail. If you defend yourself. We need to make sure that you have been and an honest chance. To defend yourself in front of a court of law that the color your skin. Your economic background none of those things will be brought in that creates. A difference between how you're judged. And how may be one of your other peers such as myself would probably get a different view. Because my background. That I'm here is a state Representative. This allows a leveling of the field so everyone. It's the same consideration when you go to the court of law and that's the purpose of this self defense bill is to allow you to be able to defend yourself and not necessarily go to jail. When you had no choice because you only had seconds to make that decision. Thank you colleagues thank you chair. Represent Richmond has spoken. For the bill would anyone like speak against the bill represent Hodges you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Not about five terms serving in the state legislature I don't think I've ever spoken against the bill. But I heard a quote last year this is. To be solid is to be consent if the consent and this is a piece of legislation that I do not consent. Also Dr king says. The life begins to end the moment that we become silent. About things that matter. In this matters to me. I was looking at some statistics. All but one state board in Arkansas so rate of gun deaths increased in the years after passing stand your ground legislation. In Mississippi Oklahoma Missouri the number of people killed in shooting per capita increased by double digits. In years after lawmakers approved stand your ground law. Which eliminated the person's duty to retreat before firing in self defense. This is where it becomes personal to me. The rate of gun violence increase more than it did among white in black communities after passing stand your ground laws. Does Trayvon Martin. The Bill to anyone in this chamber today. The seventeen year old on armed black. Man who shot and killed in Florida in twenty twelve. I happen to have a twelve year old black sun. That I'm concerned about if this piece of legislation is passed who could have been a Trayvon Martin. I brought to you guys doing the last legislative session a revolution which recognize twenty one young black man. Who were burned. In a reform school. In Riceville Arkansas because of negligence. Of that facility here in the state of Arkansas. This piece of legislation. Would be negligence. Two young black and brown people that look like me. I'm a little insulted. Particularly in this in the climate doing right now. With all the. I'm wanted an unnecessary deaths we seen. Around the US when it comes to people the look like. So I will be voting no for this bill. And I ask that my colleagues would do the same god bless Arkansas. Represent Hodges spoken against building would like to speak for the bill. We would like to speak against the bill. The Murdock you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I'll be brief I'm not going to. Colin justice districts that you've heard and we'll hear and have been hearing. Represent Richmond came down here he said a word. They really summarizes my thoughts on this legislation from the beginning. Because we already have measures on the books that allow you. To defend yourself in situations. He described. When he used the word stupid. It was his word what is a pro in my opinion. This bill is it. Yes We waste in some on the back role just told we wasted time. And we are. Because there's nothing in this bill that does anything. Really besides make it. More easier to take life. From. Their own the books we currently have measures whereby you can protect yourself. Defend yourself properly when you're you accosted you can protect your home your family that's already there. So again using red ribs and ridges Richmond term this is still. And unnecessary. When represent Pilkington dozens closing I really want him to address. What this is doing to better our Arkansas. In the United States of America legislation like this at this time as ripped as represent represented Hodges magic what are we doing. But this ability the coming together the unification. Of the people of our state in this country we are supposed to be leaders they sent us here we're supposed to be the guys to come together and girls to come together and we say okay we see the problems we represent about thirty thousand people each in what we're going to do is we will make it better. We see some of the folders list it goes down on in different levels in different places. But what my constituents want me to do is come here and bring stability and sense and not be stupid. Not carry on board of some of the things we've seen throughout this country that we don't Arkansas to be marked with but what do we do. We. We. We copy. What we see others do. It takes courage to be the light in a very very dark day. It's easy. It easy in a simple majority to bring such legislation. For political or other reasons still it is the word that was used. Is. What is a productive. Again you get the less work. I want to hear. What is doing. But I can't do now to protect. My. What is different. What. Is that I can just have a ball. Representa bear what did you. It. Reprezent Gazaway ever do sometime. Yeah I woke up in the store or wherever I may be. And I'm. I'm thinking about the mistake that the emergency doctor made when I lost my soul. This is. Well. If somebody looks similar to him in the store thank you for calling. And I he goes back. Accidentally bumps me. It is real. We. We should bring forth all the vote my friends in the back row so that we know this is the is we just wasted time. Take one they know what. I'm convinced. That many of you to go against. Many things that will make you vote yes. But the difference Arkansas will make this legislature can't make the imprint it could make all of this country. If you want to make a state today. Do not take it away. As of your friend you're not taking away the ability. The thing is that what you are saying. My friend that is a little grease is a sometime have some issues you can't just make you go to some somebody. You have to give them. We can't give them excuse me. More five everybody in this world. Is not about the things that we should be and we have issue sometime. We know that and I'm not just about white folks like this I complex worlds this black white white is just all kinds of problems we have we know that. But not be a body big deals fuel to such a five year they can create more problems for us our families and friends this don't do that. You represent the Bill Clinton when he comes back. If he convinces me. Why we need to do this additional. Thank and and take away the ability to retreat. If there is no way that we've been told we all costs of Christians. That is in. Find a way. To save you. Help you. Not. No retreat or not try to find a way to to to to solve the situation. So even under the Christian diss it makes no sense. You. Three. You get me. I you say. Represent the Richmond say. This happened on Friday. Please. Arkansas so the nation in this environment would nobody expects you. To do so. Different. What the Representative is asking you to do. Making defended and define. Thank you so much please. What no. Senate bill twenty four thank you. Person Murdock is spoken against ability when I expect for the bill. Represent McKenzie you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker in my mom's probably wonder if I've lost my mind I talk with before I came in here please don't come out of order here I'm going to speak for a bill. Then I'm gonna turn around and vote against. He because I think we need to least be fair with folks. This is not a kill at will build. It isn't. Reasonable grounds reasonable force reasonable man. Is still the standard. I'm going to vote against this bill because I believe. This makes it worse. If I had to use. Lethal force. I would prefer to have the existing law. This time tested. Then this change. I also acknowledge. That there's so much confusion. About. Self defense in Arkansas. Stand your ground. Retreat. People are saying I don't wanna have to retreat and we keep using that phrase here folks it is retrieved and complete. Safety. There were very few instances. Where you're in an issue and you can retreat in complete safety. We so maybe we need to address that for folks and clear that up because we don't want people thinking I've got to run all the time I've got a always retreat anytime there's a confrontation. So I I acknowledge I have realized is talking with folks there's some confusion. And people need to be clear but we cannot legislate every single scenario because as we pointed out. You you you have to think quickly in certain situations don't you. So the standard before now and after is still going to be was it reasonable. But we do see people such an injustice our constituents. When we use kill that will bills or we say hi don't wanna have to retreat we need to be fair with folks this is not a kill at will bill you cannot just shoot somebody. Because you say you're having a bad day. The reasonable standards to on this law we just need to be fair with folks and with regard to retreating. It's in complete safety. So. I didn't intend on speaking I'm not trying to kill the bill I'm just gonna try to vote my conscious because right now this bill here I don't feel helps my constituents but I acknowledge there's confusion across the board. Thank you for indulging me to speak for a bill I'm going to vote against. Representatives is spoken for the building would like speak against the bill represents Scott you're recognized because against the bill. Good afternoon colleagues. This bill has the potential to bring out the worst of us in Arkansas this bill offers opportunities of escalation instead of de escalation. I believe mothers particularly women of color will be burying their husbands their children and their loved ones if we passed Senate bill twenty four known as standard Graham and for those reasons I'm asking you to vote no on Senate bill twenty four. Purpose of Scott has spoken against building would like to speak for the bill represents Smith you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. I'm going to support this bill with my yes vote. I initially opposed the bill because of some language issues that. concerned me. I. Have spent more time dealing with people on S. B. twenty four then other bills that. I'm working on for this session and probably many of you have to. Hundreds if not a thousand emails text messages and voice messages left on my phone and on your laptop's regarding SB twenty four. I went to senator Ballenger I went to Representative Aaron Pilkington and I explain this bill is going to die. In house Judiciary. Unless there are some changes or amendments made. To clarify. Some things that are of a concern. That's exactly what they did they went back after the bill died in the house Judiciary and they worked on it they set down with several members of the judiciary and we hammered out some language that was acceptable. Nothing is ever going to be acceptable to a hundred members within this body we know that. If you've been here any length of time you know one of the most oft repeated phrases is simply this there are no perfect Bills. And so here we are once again. But because the sponsors of the bill did what they said they would do I'm going to do what I told them I would do I'm going to support this bill I'm going to cast my vote and I hope that some of you that may be somewhat on the fence or undecided. After you hear all the arguments that you can settle on making a solid decision and that you can live with it. And so because of that I'm asking for a good vote and let's move on to other issues that are pressing within the state of Arkansas thank you. Represent Smith the spoken for the bill would do when I speak against the bill represents Springer recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members. Senate bill twenty four by Representative picking tune and senator Ballenger states concerning the defense of a person with the use of physical force or deadly physical force and I heard Representative pickle to and say this bill allows persons unable to defend themselves to defend themselves and then I also heard that the real reason for this bill is to take into consideration those persons who find themselves in situations or immediate. Action needs to be taken. Seoul I come here to I will I wasn't gonna say anything today but I come here because of Representative pickle to and say that he wanted to respond to questions after persons would come up and say things so here's my question for you. What are the data the calls the need for this bill. Thank you members and thank you for a no vote if we do not receive the data. That calls the need for this field. Represent Springer is spoken against the bill anyone likes before the bill. Anyone like speak against the bill represent Clowney you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker as has been mentioned by number of our colleagues before me I'm where the time right now where Kansans leave need a lot of help I'm a no on this bill today because it will not help our state when a person of this bill came up a couple of sessions well sorry a couple of years ago last session I received thousands of emails from folks who were saying that this is going to make them less safe when it came up again this session I've been contacted by thousands more but what I find most telling is that I have been contacted by zero and I've sought them out law enforcement officers or prosecutors who say that this bill will make our Kansans safer. That's because it won't. Yesterday was the anniversary of on our breeze murder he was shot because his very existence being a black man. Was considered threatening enough to his killers. He was also murdered because those killers lived in this state who had self defense laws including stand your ground that made them feel they would be protected by their act the Representative Richmond is right it may well be that on the back end. Secures and law enforcement will be able to hold murders like that to account but that doesn't bring on an armory back that's the culture those kinds of laws create do I believe that the sponsors of this bill in ten those kinds of senseless murders of course I don't of course I don't. But I know because we have the data to prove it that this is what happens in states with laws like this. Further I know that no law enforcement or prosecutors have seen the need for this kind of bill. I've heard over these last weeks and actually years I guess now from caregivers of people with cognitive disabilities from mothers of black and brown children. From so many other people first hand stories. Of misunderstandings where their child or as the person that they love was seen as a threat to somebody simple misunderstanding but simple misunderstandings that with laws like this can lead to tragedy. Our self defense laws are solid that's why prosecutors aren't arguing for this that's why law enforcement officers aren't arguing for this. We don't have to gas how this unnecessary law will and we've got plenty of data as Representative Hodges pointed out to show how it will and. There are too many Arkansans who are hurting right now. For us to push for this piece of legislation that will hurt them more six. Person Clowney spoken against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represent Richardson you're recognized to speak against the. Thank you Mr Speaker I'm not gonna be here very long and I don't like typically being in the world. But this bill scares me. I have been in situations where people have thought I was an aggressor because I walked up on. You know how scary that is for me to see a person reach in the back and not know was back there I'm giving you personal experiences of what this bill is going to allow people to do. Please vote no on this bill. This is impacting people that look like I know you guys don't want to hear this is a racial thing but but it really is and I'm telling you that because I've experienced it. Two years ago today I lost a nephew. Because of this. Please vote no. Senate Richard Richardson is voted excuse me has spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Represented Pilkington you're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. A few things I want to address represent a county in regards the tragedy that happened George over a year ago if that happened today with this law on the books in Arkansas that's still murder they they can use the senior ground offense and honestly in my opinion I wish he had a gun and was shot those races that. You know I we hear about Trayvon Martin and all this you know that happened over eight years ago in Florida yet they have not repealed their standard ground loan why is that. I guess since they passed stand your ground law violent crime rates have fallen in Florida year over year for what I believe is over thirty percent decrease in violent crime you know what Arkansas is a violent crime forty seven percent higher than the national average. And of course they'll say well you look at these look at these deaths but even the rand corporation which moms demand action use which honestly I'm not a fan of the rand corporation but even if you follow their numbers they even say the only group they saw was a slight increase in white males over forty five a slight increase. So I don't believe all this what we are failing to remember is coal Cholish correlation is not causation okay. In Great Britain when the U. K. banned all firearms they saw a drastic increase in murder and violent crime. So why is doing why is just adding a simple protection going to do the exact same thing it's not because once again even in the U. K. example I just give that is not causation we have to be smart we think about these things easier their staff out there and getting moshling riled up here's the thing. Passion does not equal fax with the facts late this is merely a protection in the law that if you find yourself in a situation and you make that snap decision that the law will protect you and will not come after you that's really what this is about is about creating protection for those who want to protect themselves when you're in a situation like Richmond said we're snap decisions are made you don't have a you don't have time to realize whether or not you can safely retreat or not. You know committee I gave the story of a friend of mine in college to McNerney. He was Johnson and then retreated. While he was retreating he fell. And was beat to death. Duty to retreat even when he thought he was in complete safety wasn't completely safe and that's why I believe we need to stand your ground law and I ask forget that thank you. Represent Pilkington is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill twenty four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy two yeas twenty three nays and one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill two forty five the Bill two forty five by representa Holcomb to amend the Arkansas uniform commercial driver's license act into disqualified driver convicted of a felony involving service form of trafficking in persons. Represent Holcomb you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I'll be try to be brief on this all of you know what the real problems on its B. two forty five we have a not only do we have a problem with human trafficking nation wide is worldwide and it's organized and it's become a problem all over the world not just here in Arkansas but this bill actually is to amend the uniform commercial driver's license that and to disqualify a commercial I ask your disqualified a driver convicted of a felony involving a severe form of trafficking in persons actually all this bill does is bring us up in compliance with federal law the question was asking committee yesterday we weren't sure what it be at retroactive you know will not but also check with the trucking companies they do a thorough background the federal motor carrier safety administration about the list of offenses permanently disqualifying individuals required to have a commercial driver's license or learner's permit there is no revenue impact on this and the driver would be an eligible for reinstatement so unless you have questions on the service per share a good vote thank. Represented Holcomb is explained bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative o'quinn's close for the bill question before the House is the passage of SB two forty five the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Casts up the ballot Mister Clerk. Ninety five EA zero nays and zero presents the ballot the bill is passed. Represent Michael Holcomb news that we re refer Senate bill two forty seven to committee that's proper motion record represent Holcomb you're recognized explained motion. Colleagues after talking to several of you can review and Senate bill two forty seven we think there's more work that needs to be done we think there's some clarity that media needs to be done on the bill so I would ask you to allow us to refer back to the committee so we can make some corrections make some changes make it better be on I appreciate a good vote thank. Represented Holcomb as explained the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. For the motion. Represented Holcomb is close for the motion all those in favor of re referring Senate bill two forty seven back to committee say aye. Opposed nay motion is adopted past. Represented Jane you're recognized to present the budget calendar. Thank you Mr Speaker. Calling we got to. To regular appropriations on today's calendar one of is the operation budget for the traders state of Arkansas. It's a just thirty thousand dollars difference that's mainly from. insurance and cost of living increase from the prior year budget. Have any questions on this. This house bill eleven twenty five. You want voted for the bill emergency calls miss Baker the Clerk read the bill for the third time. Mr Clark read the bill for the third time House Bill Levin twenty five. Represent genes explained bill anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Represent Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven twenty five where the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety three yeas one eight zero present. If approved. Pass the bill and the emergency call. Representing you're recognized. Thank my Speaker house bill eleven thirty one is also for the treasury department this is the re fund this is what your cities and counties collect local sales tax for the past two agency. This legeno. Where appropriating eight hundred seventy million dollars. Of for the city share and eight hundred million for the county share of this just past the money that you collect locally in your communities any questions. The one vote for the bill emerging clause Mister Speaker the Clerk read the bill for third time Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time House Bill Levin thirty one. Per machine. As everyone voted. Voting on the bill and the Emergency Clause everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill emergency clause is pass representing you're recognized. The respective colleagues want to batch this next group on page one. These are all supplemental preparation for our for two year colleges if you remember back late. In June maybe the last week in June when are forecasters revised it freed up a lot of money for universities that they haven't spent yet this is not new money this is money that they've they already had budgeted after the forecast revised all this does allow them to spend that money through the year. this be house bill fourteen seventy four fourteen seventy five fourteen seventy six fourteen seventy seven fourteen seventy eight fourteen seventy nine fourteen eighty one fourteen eighty two fourteen eighty three fourteen eighty four fourteen eighty five fourteen eighty nine fourteen ninety fourteen ninety one fourteen ninety two. Fourteen ninety three fourteen ninety four fifteen oh three and house bill fifteen oh four. Do I need to pull any of these out of the back for any reason. Any question only is. Your one vote is for the batch an emergency clause we Speaker the court read the bill for the third time Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time Essel fourteen seventy four house bill fourteen seventy five house bill fourteen seventy six houseful fourteen seventy seven has a fourteen seventy eight house bill fourteen seventy nine house before committee one house bill fourteen eighty to House Bill fourteen eighty three as of fourteen eighty four households fourteen eighty five house bill fourteen eighty nine as for fourteen ninety House before two ninety one house for fourteen ninety two thousand fourteen ninety three house for fourteen ninety four house bill fifteen oh three Housefull fifteen oh four. The machine. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety three yeas one name one present the bills emergency clauses are passed presenting. Thank you Mr Speaker our second page colleagues. These are preparation for the next coming fiscal year. Of this about I think this may end up Our universities there Senate bill Senate bill two hundred and Senate bill two thirteen Senate bill two fifteen Senate bill two sixteen Senate bill two twenty and Senate bill two twenty four or for preparations for next fiscal year this is in the governor's balanced budget any questions. Do I need to pull any of these other budget the Bill pass. All right you want voted for the bill emergency clause your Speaker had the root read the bill for the third time. Mr Clark read the bill for the third time Senate bill two hundred Senate bill two thirteen Senate bill two fifteen Senate bill two sixteen temple to twenty three to twenty four. The machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Cast a ballot Mr Plurk. Ninety four yeah zero nays and zero present the Bill. An emergency clause a past. Represent gene recognized. Thank respect colleagues this is the last batch of the day. These are of re appropriations from the Division apartments. What this does is allow the agency to a capital improvements up and to go ahead and spend the money through the end of the fiscal year into the next. Overall start Senate bill two sixty six Senate bill two sixty seven Senate bill two sixty eight Senate bill two sixty nine to seventy two seventy one to seventy two to seventy three to seventy four to seventy five to seventy six to seventy seven to seventy nine to eighty to eighty five to eighty six. The need to pull any of these other backs. You have okay. Represented the candidate for what purpose all right a question you're recognized thank you Mr Speaker S. B. two eighty could you pull that out the back door and or explain I have questions about the dollar amount thank you. You will both pulled out of action explained okay. Will pull that out the batch let's go ahead vote the rest the back from come back to Senate bill two eighty. I thank. Okay any other questions on any of these in the back of the building morale. Seeing none. The Speaker have the Clerk read the back for the third time and your vote is for the bill number Clause. Mr Clark read bills for third time Senate bill two sixty six and able to sixty seven several two sixty eight ten Senate bill two sixty nine Senate bill two seventy central to seventy one Senate bill two seventy two central to seventy three Senate bill two seventy four set up to seventy five central to seventy six and a two seventy seven seventy two seventy nine Senate bill two eighty five and a bill to eighty six. President xi Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Gas up the ballot Mister Clerk. Ninety four yeas zero nays and zero present the bill an emergency clause our past represent gene you're recognized. You were Speaker. Senate bill two eighty this is a department of commerce what this does is the this reappropriation for for a table for skills development fund what this is made a lot of job training is done in the department of its of wide variety our building have it broke down but I could I could we could pass over this if you feel comfortable I get your broke down over we can pass it not give it to whatever you want to do what. One pass over we'll pass over now get your detailed of of of what's left to be spent. All right that concludes budget calendar. Represented makes for what purpose. Wait a second Representative speaks for what purpose may I have a point of that privilege you're recognized. I want to tell you what's happening in thank you yes you're right sorry. I want to tell you S. something good that's happening in Mountain Home Arkansas these mass that I've been wearing in fact I brought one but they have got some of these for you to try it's something that two doctors got together and are making this and I think they've employed about twelve people and if they get up get it up and going they'll be employing more but you can go to but see buddy and you can try out one of these thank you very much. Represented Meeks for what purpose. Motion place you're recognized for your motion after the announcements rating of the bills transferring to the bill's place in the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move that we adjourn until one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Proper motion non debatable all in favor say aye. Opposed nay motioned carries are there any announcements represented gene for what purpose announcement you're recognized joint meeting Joint Budget will meet at eight thirty the morning this be members day if your only agenda you got a appropriation you need to be there to run it. Represented Ladyman for what purpose announcement you're recognized. The health labor and welfare committee will meet today at four PM and maxi and tomorrow morning at nine thirty AM and maxi. Represented Charlene Fite for purpose announcement you're recognized aging children youth military committee will not meet today. Representative wing for what purpose announcement you're recognized we have our mailboxes are starting to stack up there are three offenders that have absolutely stacked mailboxes please go and address those in the private room and a Representative Howard Beatty Happy Birthday. Are there any other announcements. The desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills upon completion of the items named in the adjourn resolution the house would be adjourned until one o'clock tomorrow.