House Convenes

And by the member staff press and guests in the galleries to stand to be led in prayer by the house chaplain Dr rex Warren 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. Bother we recall the words of the psalmist a day not to us lord not to us but to your name be glory for your great mercy and your truth sake I pray for these friends today these women and men from across our state as they do the people's business here in the House I pray for our speakers he gives leadership and father today I also pray for the families and their safety around the state today with the weather and for these will be traveling over these next days bless each one protect them and again lord we gather to give you glory for your great mercy and your truth sake in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepared machine Mr Clerk. Cast about Mr Clark. With ninety nine members present. The chair sees a quorum are there any request for leave Representative gene for what purpose leave you're recognized leave represent a Fortner is leave granted represented Fortner. So noted. Represent Fredrick Love moves we dispense the reading of previous day's Journal without objection so ordered are there Reports from select committees read reports Mister Clark Mister Speaker we are Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten ninety house bill twelve twenty house bill twelve eighty four house bill twelve eighty nine house bill thirteen oh seven house bill thirteen await house bill thirteen ninety two house bill thirteen ninety three hello thirteen ninety four house bill thirteen ninety five house bill thirteen ninety six helpful thirteen ninety seven house bill thirteen ninety eight house bill thirteen ninety nine possible fourteen hundred helpful Fortino one house bill fourteen ten house bill fourteen eleven of fourteen twelve house bill fourteen thirteen hassle fourteen fourteen house for fourteen fifteen House of fourteen nineteen beg leave to report we have the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass that was omitted Lane Jean chair Mister Speaker your committee on Haus Bills to whom was referred her to House Bill thirteen seventy beg leave to report we had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass respectfully submitted less these chair Mister Speaker your committee on house rules to whom was referred house bill thirteen fifty three beg leave to report we had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted less eves chair. Are there Reports from standing committees read the reports Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we are Committee on insurance and commerce to whom was referred house bill thirteen sixty two beg leave to report that we had the same under consideration here with trying the same recognition do pass respectfully submitted Mark Lowery chair Mister Speaker we are committee also agencies of government affairs to whom was referred house bill thirteen seventy to House Bill one six excuse me Senate bill one seventy two Senate bill two seventy two twenty seven Senate bill two twenty eight but report we've had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition do pass respectfully submitted Justin Gonzales vice chair. Is there any unfinished business. Are there any Executive communications read the letters from the governor Mr Clark February ninth twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house do Mr Speaker this is to inform you that on February ninth twenty twenty one I approved the. A reviewed and approved the following measures from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly house bill one of three is ACT eighty four household eleven oh four is that eighty five house bill Levin nine is ACT eighty six house eleven nineteen as ACT eighty seven possible eleven twenty one is ACT eighty eight house bill eleven fifty one is ACT eighty nine House eleven ninety five ACT ninety house bill twelve twenty seven ACT ninety one house bill twelve thirty is that ninety two house bill twelve sixty two is active ninety three sincerely a sentence and. The Secretary of the Senate February tenth twenty twenty one dear secretary thirst in this is to inform you that on February tenth twenty twenty one I am allowing the following measure from the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly to go into law without my signature house bill twelve eleven is not ACT ninety four sincerely a sentence and. February tenth twenty twenty one to the Speaker of the house do Mr Speaker this is to inform you that I'm not signing house bill twelve eleven into law rather it will go into effect without my signature throughout the ongoing pandemic it is been necessary for the executive branch to implement restrictions that limit the activity of Arkansas citizens and businesses in order to slow the spread and mitigate the damage of coping nineteen insuring Arkansas's religious liberty and right to worsen has been paramount and every decision made regarding these restrictions great care has been taken by the executive branch to avoid infringing on the sacred rights churches and religious institutions are specifically excluded from any director direct directives that include that could be interpreted as applicable to them the language of this bill particularly the emergency clause suggests the response of the executive branch to Kobe nineteen quote highlighted the need to address the constitutional rights of the citizens of Arkansas particularly the right to exit free exercise of religion in quote this statement could not be more inaccurate in addition I have concerns with the definition of governor set forth in the bill the definition includes a state or local government entity or official this is contrary to the definition of governor set forth in the Arkansas constitution for all these reasons set forth I will not sign bill house bill twelve eleven sincerely a sentence in. Mr Clark please read. House resolution one thousand eight. House resolution one thousand nine. I represent of events to congratulate the Cabot school district in schools within the district on being named purple star schools. Represent Bevins you're recognized to explain your resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker let ism of the House just ask you to join me today in this resolution one zero zero eight congratulating the cabin school district for this enormous achievement back in nineteen ninety eight the military child education compact was created to support all military connected children by educating advocating collaborating to meet the educational challenges associated with military lifestyle. Over the years only four states have met the requirements of this award those four states are Ohio Virginia North Carolina and the Arkansas. For Arkansas the cap the school district was the first to be designated as a Purple stars as a purple star school system it's not a program it's the culture very proud today that the county school district is the first one to achieve this honor for the state of Arkansas the speakers yet the Clerk please reserve the resolution. Mr Clark please read the resolution. We're as established in nineteen ninety eight the military child education coalition is a nonprofit organization that supports our military connected children by educating advocating and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with military life style and it created the purple star program to help mitigate the champ challenges of high mobility and setting standards for and publicly designated military families military friendly schools and whereas the purple star program was launched to help states work with schools to help children of military families who are continuously being moved around from school to school and whereas because military connected families move three times more often on average than their civilian counterparts these families are required to be tough and and John. In the purple star program seeks to reduce this burden on families articulating the most critical transition support for military connected families publicly doesn't mean schools to meet those some support requirements and signaling to military connected families which schools are the most committed to the investor quips to meet the military connected families needs and whereas the Arkansas purple star school award for military friendly schools was created to recognize schools that show a majority commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation's armed forces with the special purple star recognition to display in their buildings and to recognize on the Division of elementary and secondary education's websites and we're at schools within the cabinet school district were first in the state to be designated purple star schools and whereas the Cabot school board adopted a resolution to support military age children and families and have a school district has dedicated a web page on its website featuring resources and services to help military families. Stating in part that the district appreciate the sacrifices the sacrifices the families make supports the proximity want that approximately one thousand military connected students in the district and commits to serving the both emotionally and academically therefore it be resolved by the house of representatives of the ninety third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the house of representatives congratulate the Cabot school district in the schools to schools within the district forming the Purple Heart schools. Percent of Evans has explained the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the rest. Person and Evans is closed for the resolution the question before the House the adoption of house resolution one thousand eight all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Resolution is adopted. Members the doctor the day is doctor L. Beth Milligan of little rock and the nurse the days miss Brenda Human. The morning hours ended. Represent rate for what purpose motion. What's your motion Mister Speaker I notice having been given on house bill thirteen sixty eight I move reconsideration. That's a proper motion and it is debatable. The brace you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker and colleagues after the vote on this bill last Thursday several members approached me about wanting to change their vote and so member made gave notice for reconsideration so that they might be able to do that. to properly reflect their position on this bill. Also in the course of presenting the bill neglected to present several arguments that I thank members would find useful in casting a vote. House Bill thirteen sixty eight which standardized the election calendar regarding special elections so that voters can go to the polls and predictable and consistent times to cast their ballots on issues that affect our state and their communities. Because currently special elections can be put before before voters at practically any time. But the result is entirely predictable. We see it often elections that are set strategically. With the gall of self selecting the turn out. In order to achieve the desired results. Sometimes the turnout is six percent five percent eight percent. And the issue sales through because the only people that knew the election was even going to happen. Or people with a vested interest in the passage. So just as a refresher this bill would set for dates every election cycle on which a special election could be held if it's held in a election year it would be in conjunction with other The preferential primary or the general election if it's held in a non election year would be the third Tuesday and may or the first Tuesday in November after the first Monday vacancies for office would be excluded as would run off elections. there would be extensive emergency exemptions for a special election including instances of natural disasters state or federal court decisions are imminent threats to public health and safety the state board of elections and the secretary of state's office reviewed the bill and had no objections so I want to share with you a couple of reasons. Why this bill would be good I shared with you the last time the reason of increasing voter participation but I didn't share this statistics related to that. And the Arkansas center for research in economics at UCLA has done extensive research on this coming through thousands of special elections and what they've found is that when special elections are held there's an average turnout of nineteen percent. No that's the average. In many instances it's in the single digits. We should want higher voter turnout in our elections. Because higher turnout brings greater legitimacy to the actions of government. My friends on the other side of the aisle. Often like to talk about voter suppression. Many of them have said in this chamber that the requirement to present an ID. Is somehow a form of suppression. I would submit to you that not even knowing the date of the election. Is the highest form. Of suppression. Of a barrier to participation. Second thing I'll say is that standardizing our election calendar. Will lower our tax burden in the long run Arkansas has the third highest sales tax in the nation when you combine our state and local rates. And we. Are less than half of a percent away from being the highest in the nation. And I'm here to tell you if we continue on with the status quo we will achieve that dubious distinction in short order. I'm not speculating on this there's again research from you see I on this. When a special election is held. Sales taxes sales tax issues pass seventy six percent of the time. When they're held in conjunction with the general election they passed forty four percent of the time. So the data is clear. No I would point out that even if forty four percent. There are plenty of issues the pass which tells me that our Kansans are willing to vote for good local projects if they believe they have merit but when a Representative sample of the electorate shows up. They are more discerning in what they're willing to approve. Third standardizing our election calendar will save money. By not spending extra money on unnecessary elections over the past many years we have spent almost ten million dollars on special elections that's money that could have gone to hiring more poll workers for general elections in primary elections money that could have been spent filling pot holes you name it you name it whatever you think needs more fiscal attention. And by the way the cost of our elections continues to go up. Because the minimum wage keeps going up we have to continue to pay poll workers. The fourth thing I'll mention. Is that our military members who are deployed overseas. Have very little opportunity to participate in special elections. In fact I spoke with an Election Commission or just last night from a very populous county in the state. And she told me that many special elections. She cannot recall even a single you a cop of voter casting a ballot. And we have to ask ourselves why. Think about it I thought about it. My brother who's a sergeant in the army. He lives right here in Arkansas. In the past couple years he has been deployed. Qatar and South Korea. And. I don't know about you but my local paper doesn't deliver todo ha Qatar. Or to Seoul South Korea. So I have to imagine that in between patrols. You might have missed the live stream where they were reading they were doing the third reading of the ordinance to put a special election on the ballot. There are only sixty days notice required. First National actually come forward. But do you know how long it takes to complete the process. Of completing a military absentee ballot. First. The overseas military member would have to know that there's an election taking place. And if they do know then they have to request the ballot. Federal law requires forty seven days excuse me forty six days forty six days. The ballots to be sent out prior to election. Then to be completed and returned and still some of them don't make it back on time. So what we're saying if we're good with the way we're doing special elections. Is our overseas men and women. Who are putting their lives on the line to defend your freedom in mind we're good with them having fourteen days leeway. To find out about a special election to request a ballot. I don't think that's good enough. Some of the objections have been raised I would like to try and address. Some have raised concerns about bond issues in issuing the bonds. When a bond as approved in an election it simply authorizes the bond to be issued it doesn't have to be issued on that day or that week or even that month. The government entity that excuse the bond has flexibility. To issue that bond at a date that is advantageous for him. And districts are fully aware of when the bonds are set to expire. And they can easily plan an election on any dates. Provided under this law to meet their binding need. The bond markets will not go haywire as some of the emails that you receive a client. These are national markets. All around the world. By government and municipal bonds. The idea that one Arkansas law. It's going to drive them highwire is quite a stretch. Some of this bill conflicts with. Amendment seventy four of the Arkansas constitution. Although I'm not been presented any evidence of that climb. I read Amendment seventy four last night. In its entirety I got up again this morning and read it again in its entirety. Amendment seventy four deals with annual school elections this bill deals with special elections there will still be an annual school election. Plus there will be four times a year on which a special issue can be run. And page two this bill specifically cites the section of code that all statute are constitutional and statutory requirements the annual school election be met. Some of said that we need. Local issues to be considered separate from the national issues. Okay I'm fine with that. That's why this bill provides for days every election cycle there will be an election every six months just like clockwork. My bill is totally compatible with that notion. And some have said that this bill takes away local control. I would submit that this legislature passes things all the time. But don't fit the description of local control. We mandate cursive writing in our schools and all sorts of other things not that I'm opposed to that. But we don't allow for local control when it comes to whether or not you want to smoke in a restaurant or a bar. We have statewide policy for that. The sad truth is that in many instances not all not all. But in many instances. Our local governments behave badly. Strategically timing elections. In an effort to self select who turns out to get the desired results. I freely admit. That I do want to restrict local governments from raising people's property taxes on Valentine's day like happened in North Little Rock. Freely admit that I want to restrict local governments from running a bond issue ten days before Christmas like happened in Little Rock. And I and this is not a Pulaski County problem. I'm happy to be familiar with Pulaski County examples because that's where I've chosen to call home. I appreciate that some local elected officials I want to be able to do whatever they want to do whenever they want to be able to do it. But what they're doing with regard to special elections is not right. That is not local control that's controlling the locals. In many cases. They're doing it on purpose and that is wrong. So to recap this bill would increase voter participation it would reduce our tax burden. It would save money on special elections and it would stop disenfranchise ing our overseas military voters. Take any questions. Thank you. Represent raise explain The motion members that I know that there was some question about speaking on the motion the parliamentarian is advised me that on a motion to reconsider because the motion is of the nature of reconsideration of the bill that leeway is given to speaking not only on the motion but on the bill itself so just for since this was the first one we've had this session I want to give everybody the benefit of that information represent ray is explains the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. Reserve would for what purpose question read I didn't understand what we are voting on the motion to reconsider is overwhelming now that the question before the House presently is the motion to reconsider like speak against the motion represent what you're recognized to speak against the motion. Well as keys to actions used to say whoa daily. Sold over here a minute. now I coach football for many years and I'm telling you when the whistle blew and the horn sounded the game was over. We voted forty nine to thirty nine that's a sixty two percent margin do not pass this bill. This legislation is contrary to the Hippocratic oath do no harm you see what to talk about the hypocritical for. Because I promised my constituents that would work hard to do no harm to the. And I believe we're here today balking local elections. We're gonna have one every six months. So what difference does it. Let me share with you. This legislation. Harmer's. My schools. libraries. Cities and not careless. It horns everyone in your school district. A bird. Okay. Talk about refinancing bond rates drop. School district. Being a responsible. Okay body. To refinance. We're going to refinance and take advantage. I don't know what he's talking about still in the bond market and just right Hey. The bond market goes in this right when the bond rates go up. One. One number. Five percent. Four to six percent. Three percent. When these districts and libraries can call election to attempt to take advantage of low interest rates they're saving millions of dollars. For the tax papers. You're talking about people are going to help the vote. If it's publicized it's in the paper. Everybody knows about. And they don't go to vote that's their fault. If they're not interested enough in their schools other libraries. In. That's their problem. That's not the problem. The ones who went out to vote. It reduces. The choice. Four elections. Libraries school boards cities and counties. It reduces. Local control we're taking it away from. That there to. Is there a Kelly. Sir school district. Welcome to. Will flood. The bond market. Dr. Those interest rates we spoke of wokou drive on our. We goal. UCLA economist set the rules of this body. Dura Pulaski County North Little Ross got their own problems. We're happy white Kelly. Don't come up there telling me how to run the lections in my school district. That's a whole bunch. They can make their decision. Sales tax. That's a local question. Little. Trying. The Bill. Jonesborough. But. Your door. We will build a new park. Forrest City. The Bill. Thank you get approval for sales tax this is their decision we should make that down here in Little Rock we go over that thirty five years ago. We gave him the right to have a sales tax. School bonds. Or not unnecessary. There are necessary for doing business. We just extended one in and baby they gave us over six million dollars. No one six millage of increase. We're doing it over building. In our districts. So this is this is. This Is Your all. We have the responsibility. To do all these rights. Our citizens be able to determine. Their own destiny. Submit to you that we will need to reconsider this whistle blew. The horn sounded. And the school districts. is Kelly's cities one. Unappreciated novo thank you represent Wooten has spoken against the motion would anyone like to speak for the motion represent Dotson you're recognized speak for the motion. Thank you Mr Speaker members severely rare that I come down here to speak for somebody else's bill but this is this is a a special bill actually speak for the motion first of all I'd like to ask you to vote for the motion to allow Representative ray to have another vote on this bill and allow those members that. Didn't get the opportunity vote or or didn't vote to have another chance at it. More specifically to some points that were raised and her present of rated excellent job in in going through a bunch of things took a few of my notes but one of the things I've heard I've got the emails same as you have probably from a variety of different folks Some of the same exact talking points from almost all of them almost verbatim one that keeps coming up is with regards to Amendment seventy four which amends article fourteen section three of the constitution of the state of Arkansas regarding school tax Avoid tax rates specifically item C. three in that where one line in there where it says quote the board of directors shall submit to the tax at the annual school election or at other such and such other time as may be provided by law as well no. When something conservation goose constitution says as may be provided by law that's us when we pass a policy that's the law so this bill would provide for. The times in which locally determined elections will be held so what goes on the ballot is still all about local control your local school board district your local municipality all of those folks still have the opportunity to determine what goes on the ballot this in terms what time the voters will have the opportunity to have a say in this is important in my opinion because There are multiple special elections going on. All the time last night there were multiple special elections going across on across the state. But some of you didn't have the opportunity to go voting them because you were here doing your job but. Gentry passed a a a and I'm not going to get in the underlying for against of the bill will we would debate this or the the the election but gentry had an election to sell alcohol on Sundays last night. that passed with a hundred fifty three people voting. Seventy percent of the people that had the registered in that district to vote. Have their say that will change the law for everyone in the entire jurisdiction. This this is important and it over the weekend I a captured three different articles regarding special elections that are being proposed locally in Benton county alone yeah in the coming months ones on April thirteenth now we'll think about the middle of April was being tax day I think most of our our constituents or it will probably be thinking about tax day. Not knowing that. Someone will be voting to raise their taxes two days before that so I would appreciate a vote to for the motion that we're considering and then. Sure that pass a vote yes on the bill thank you. Some Dotson spoken for the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. Anyone like speak for the motion represent very you're recognized speak for the motion. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues I brought paper I'm not to technologically inclined like Representative makes our team handle the the iPad but ladies and gentleman the only time that you're going to see me come down here to the well as when I'm passionate about something and I'm passionate about this bill just like yesterday Representative Alan represent Springer they came to the well they spoke something about that they were passionate about and rightfully so I I agree with every word that they had to say well I'm pretty passionate about this bill and it may or may not pass but I'll tell you one thing I have a tremendous amount of respect for the young Representative that brought this bill to the house in a very well qualified calling young. I've been around a while. Representa ray is probably forgotten more about special elections than I'll ever know. I know a lot more now though since I've been elected and I sit in in this legislature I know how much I that over the years that I have been deceived I've been cheated of my vote and over the years when it comes a special elections when it comes to the military. The years that I spent in Korea Iraq Afghanistan Djibouti I never had an opportunity vote I didn't know they were having a special election. You know what I should pay the taxes when a return back to the United States. Thursday after I voted yes for this bill. I drove home the Franklin County. Represent ray knows this because soon as I got into town and I drove past the county courthouse there was a sinuses vote here. I quite honestly I didn't even remember what the vote was about because it wasn't very well advertised unless you get to the weekly one day a week newspaper you're probably not going to know. I decide to do a little bit investigating myself. Like most voters. They want to know where their tax dollars are going. So let's cut to the chase Franklin County one of the counties in my district there's nine thousand six hundred eighty four registered voters. In that election that special election we just had there were six hundred sixty total votes counted that seven percent of the registered voters. In Franklin County. Here's the good part. I talked my county Clerk last night as it how much does it cost you know and be in new to public service and and or or the government and I thought how much does it cost to have a special election. In Franklin County the special election can cost anywhere between eighteen and thirty thousand dollars. You know how many emails that I can feed at the river valley food bank that represent of Richardson knows about how many empty bellies a kids that could be fed you know how many library books I can buy a thirty thousand dollars to going those libraries but my colleague Representative wouldn't mention. Quite a few quite a few books. If you actually look at it that's twenty seven. Between twenty seven and forty five dollars a vote. In Franklin County to administer a special election. Okay that's probably when they come special. Because it costs so much. Sure you're getting calls from the mayors and the superintendents of all the schools or districts just like I have. Just like you would for any other special interest groups. I receive those calls I receive calls from library saying the funds are gonna be cut but smoke and mirrors and deception. It's all about when they have those elections they're not getting denied anything is about when they're going to have those elections one of my mares a good close personal friend of mine. Do you happen to be one of my commanders years ago when I was young captain teaching up at university of Arkansas. He called me in and told me he said Hey I really wish you vote against this bill. And I'll tell him just exactly what I'm going to tell you I was read I was voted to come to this legislature by seventy percent of my district not seven percent. That has special interest. I have to look out for everybody's interest or by the way I have never heard of a special election where they voted to lower your taxes. Is all about raising taxes or alcohol. Another point of interest. The need for special election just all come up overnight there's not to be a superintendent laying in the bed mental might wake up honey I need to have a special election. We need a millage increase we got to have a bond me tell you what. The firm if our local level. Elected officials in our school superintendents cannot figure out six months prior to the time that they want to have a bond issue brought to market thank a bigger problems is poor planning. Thank the German. I am not worried about those mayors bill sept superintendents librarians I'm worried about ninety five percent of my constituents saying that local elections are fiscally you're responsible. And I encourage you to support this bill to support the motion and I'd ask your favorite concert consideration for a good vote thank you Mr Speaker. Represent very has spoken for the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion represent McCollum you're recognized to speak for the motion. Hey I just want to say is a common currency Representative Barker wanted to switch her vote and I know at some point in terms of a motion to reconsider all of you are probably one a to reconsider as well on that curtesy I know I have in the past so let's think about the first thing here we're just talking about motion to reconsider thanks. McCollum spoken. For the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion represent Lowery you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker Mr Speaker as you can imagine. In Education Committee we hear all the time about the sanctity of local control. I don't know of any more local control more boots on the street then the voters the parents. In our schools in our cities they need by. They need not just the votes to approve these militias but they need the public to body and to what they're doing. And many school districts have done the opposite. They've not wanted by and they wanted to be able to have the low percentage. Turnout. And I can tell you from personal experience that it happens. My first job out of college was working for a large school district where we had millage elections and I worked in the department of informational services which basically is P. R.. And we ran a millage campaign. But we're told that the campaign was really not to be a campaign. That we were going to keep voter turnout low. We were just going to notify the stake holders that we knew would vote for. And let's just not do a whole lot to publicize this thing. Now I know Representative of ray brought up the example of the North Little Rock School District in one of the things I want to say is that the north little rock school district did not hide their millage election I mean they'd lead parades they did it the right way except for the fact that they did hold it at a different time. If they had held at one of the four times it's in this bill I think you would see in the North Little Rock School District even more by hand I mean they've got great by and and they did a great building projects with elementary schools North Little Rock high school and on and on. What they what are school districts need what are public school districts need now is buying. And trying to stick Milledge is by the by the voters is not fostering that. So let's just really ultimately look at local control in the local control is having an opportunity for more of our voters more of our parents involved in the process because the truth is as you know I researched a lot of net fund balance in construction fund balance and saw a bunch of numbers that I really didn't want to see in one of the things that concern me the most. Was a lot of these bond issues are extended out for thirty five years and I look at the research and found that about fifty percent of the dollars brought in from school millage elections only fifty percent of the money being brought in which used to retire the debt and I started asking about it why are they spending more if the mill is now producing more or if they ask for more millage and they needed why aren't they paying more to reduce the debt. And the answer was well there's a penalty there's a prepayment penalty that the the bond companies of put in if you try to pay it down quicker. But the other thing is that you don't have to go back to the voters for thirty five years that's not what we should be doing for by. Are voters need to be able to have a voice they need to be able to have a voice frequently and this bill would allow that. I ask that you vote for reconsideration. Represent Lowery spoken for the motion would anyone like to speak against the motion. Would anyone like to speak for the motion represent Beatty you're recognized to speak for the motion. Hello members. I'm speaking to data for the motion to reconsider because that's exactly what I did Representative ray spoke to me about this bill and I instantly Tony I was against it and I was going to work to kill it. And I was thinking about that from a selfish viewpoint as chairman of economic development a small town a lot of times those special elections or how you get your vote passed and you get your military attacks passed. And I thought about that. Good good taxes will always be passed when when when the folks at a benefit And I could point to jobs in the industry they're in my community right now because of those folks. It's not going to change anything on a local and I'm talking small town Crossett vote. But how many times I reflected back how many times the past a special sales tax that I was adamantly against. And from my position as a bank president things I couldn't or present a chamber of commerce I can take a stand against because of politics. They were bad timing you knew they were going to be passed and they were stop gap measures because just what was said earlier folks responsible had planned it didn't have the game Klay. So I'm telling you if I can reconsider my position and support this bill then you can take there are very few do overs in life but this is one time here's a Mulligan here's a do over and I plead with you to do the right thing left the voter speech we represent all the voters not just that seven percent discount term now so I ask for a a a a good vote on the motion to reconsider and approval of the bill. Or somebody spoken for the motion would anyone like speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion. Represent Ladyman you're recognized to speak for the motion. Thank you Mr chairman I mean Mr Speaker sorry. and I I'm I'm try to be brief on this and maybe there was made of the motion their their mind on this boat but. There's a couple things amended talked about. And I support the Municipal League I support our mayors and I know we all got calls from mayors I believe some of the mayor's maybe haven't read this bill understood that there is an exception in there if they have an emergency they can still do a special election there are exceptions in there that's the reason I'm voting for this bill this time I've never voted for it before but let me talk about a couple things. At special elections are bad the cost that was brought up. The cost of your small town it cost you an awful lot to have a special election this will help small towns by in lead times the elections will be run because they really don't want by they they want to get it done they'll run election around Christmas or there are people that do that we did a special election we wanted my and so we had town hall meetings it was a special election not every city does that. There are people that try to sneak this legend say that word but they try to get it done. Without people a lot of people knowing about it so I I think this is a good bill and I believe it will help cities rather than harm them it will reduce costs it will get by and and it will get more turn out so that's why I'm voting for it. Represent Ladyman spoken for the motion would anyone like speak against the motion. Would anyone like to speak for the motion. A separate. Close for the motion. Question before the House. Is the is a motion to reconsider House Bill thirteen sixty eight all in favor say aye. Those opposed. The noes have it. C. five hands. Per machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of forty seven yes thirty nine A. N. zero present the motion passes. The motion to reconsider is the standard is a majority of the quorum. The quorum is determined by the votes actually cast their for the motion passes. The question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen sixty eight prepare the machine Mr quote Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of forty sixty eight forty six nays and one present the bill is failed. Mr Clark please read house bill eleven eighteen. House Bill Levin eighteen by represented dots and to provide that sales up by a cottage food production operation through the internet are exempt from the definition of food service establishment. Person Dotson you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mister chair Mister Speaker. Jack you get some started there House Bill eleven eighteen. This does one very simple thing it allows the cottage food industry to sell their wares online currently they're not allowed to do that so they can. So cottage food production small businesses to be able to sell their stuff online either on their own website or maybe through a Facebook page or something like that any questions. Appreciate a good vote represent Dotson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Dotson is closed for the bill the question before the House is a passage of house bill eleven eighteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety three A. zero nay and one present the bill is passed. Members I failed to mention at the outset representatives Barker A. Mayberry have cast proxy votes and will be voting by proxy today. Mr Clark please read house bill ten sixty seven. Also ten sixty seven by Representative content creek to create the Arkansas breast milk bank integrate the breast milk bank special fund represent Pilkington you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker bill legislators today I bring to House Bill ten sixty seven. As you can recall from last session we established rules of the department of health to create a breast milk bank in Arkansas after the last session UAMS approached me about starting one at their facility and so in those two years we've worked together to create this bill this will allow them to create a breast milk bank and will allow a fund to be set up for fun for them to collect those funds this bill does not impact general revenue at all this is merely the mechanism to give them the authority to create it and to have a fun for any sort of funds that we later decide to go into that and with that I'd forget the. For example Kington is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Pilkington is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten sixty seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety five U. A. zero nine eight and zero present bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven forty. House eleven forty by represented Vaught to modify the law concerning embalmers and funeral directors represent Vaught you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill is going to correct a typo I that was in the previous law and the word performed was misspelled in the language is also to clarify permission permissible for lessons to be obtains can they continuing education be a digital means it also adds language to allow perspective crematory is to publish notice in the newspaper digital format. With that I appreciate a good vote. Represent Vaught has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Vaught is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven forty prepare the machine Mr Clark. Is everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety three a zero day and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven forty one house bill one forty one by represented by ten minutes in the Terry act for perpetually maintain cemeteries represent Vaught you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this bill is needed for clarification and modernization to promote efficiency and to promote efficiency that the bill defines. Properly maintained it clarifies when applications must be made for a cemetery to reduce its boundaries and it's moved to a conflict between two statutes contained within the act the bill also modernizes certain provisions relating to cemetery land criminal background checks trustees and board funds finally this bill promotes efficiency and application process the required annual report in fee and bond enforcement provisions and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Percent bought has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. VOL is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven forty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety four U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve sixty one also twelve fifty one by represented Ladyman to amend the law concerning the state water pollution control agency to authorize the agency to administered section for for permitting program of the federal clean water act in lieu of the United States Army corps of engineers represent Ladyman you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. A Collins this bill has to do with the clean water act and I'm one of I want to read some technical stuff in on a comment but section for for the federal clean water act requires permitting of any activities that would cause a discharge to waters of the United States including in this case grudging or feel activities. the states under clean water act are then required to certify that the activity which is currently permitted by the US army corps of engineers will not cause a violation of the state's water quality act. This legislation would give the state the legal authority to permit such activities in lieu of the core. this just starts the activity if this is approved. It gives the energy department Department environment quality the right to pursue this we would still need to be agreements with two EPA regions and four core districts so bottom line what this does is dredging and filling in our rivers in Arkansas right now there's a second step where you have to go through the core to get these activities approved and if you've ever done that I've done it once and I don't want to do it again. It's a lengthy process and you're dealing with people in my case in Dallas we don't really know or rivers well and I think our local people in the department of energy would be better equipped to do that so this would allow them to work with people much better and to get these things done quicker I've talked to some farmers who have called me about this and asked me about this bill I would affect them specially rice farmers and they're they're okay with this so that I appreciate a good vote via I take any question. Represent Ladyman as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Ladyman is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve sixty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by voted ninety days when a and to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen seventy five also thirteen thirty five by representing the group to designate state highway five known as the hot springs by pass extension in garland county as a scenic highway Rebsamen grew you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. And members of the band get before you today a very simple bill it's to designated state highway number five which is a continuation of the bypass in hot trying to continued over to the beautiful territory of district twenty two but simply to designate the highways the Senate by way questions. Being unexpected good vote thank you. Resentment grew is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent the group is closed for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill thirteen seventy five prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of eighty nine yeas three nay and one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read House Bill Fortino six. Also Fortino six by Representative speaks to amend the law concerning the limitations on the issuance of military and veteran veterans a special license plates to authorize the issuance of additional special license plates in certain circumstances Senate speech you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. I have today House Bill Fortino six this is not a new license plate it just simply amends the law to give two additional special plates at regular price two veterans that's with the Pearl Harbor survivors medal of honor recipients disabled veterans disabled veterans World War. One. Purple Heart recipient and a retired member of the United States Armed Forces under twenty seven twenty four to ten I've worked with the FNA on their sentences for a sign of I have no opposition. Yes take any questions. I'd ask for a good vote. Person speaks has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Person speaks is closed for the bill the question for the house's passage of house bill Fortino six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. As everyone voted. 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 Senate bill thirty two. Senate bill thirty two by represented brown to authorize certain permit holders to deliver alcoholic beverages directly to a consumer represent brown you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues today I bring you Senate bill thirty two this is a good small business bill. This bill codifies what is currently occurring in response to the governor's emergency order that we are currently operating under. This legislation will allow liquor stores microbreweries and craft breweries to continue to deliver to those customers who wish to receive their purchases by delivery. This legislation does not impact any draw areas of the state. I repeat this legislation does not impact any dry areas of the state. The bill will provide a double check on customer information when they place the order and when the product is delivered and a rule to maintain records which ABC will require will also provide additional accountability. The pandemic and the governor's emergency order have created a new business model and the liquor stores microbreweries and craft breweries are needing to know that they too will be able to continue to make deliveries safely and accountably once this state of emergency is declared over. This is a safety bill. It will continue to protect immune compromised people and it will help keep people off the road who might otherwise drop to the liquor store after they've already consent. Most of all it is a small business bill. And I repeat this bill will not impact any dry areas of the state. And with that I would ask for a good vote thank you. Represent Brown is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent Pilkington you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. I I represent to dry counties so this doesn't benefit me at all and so it's easy for me to go and make a no vote but I'm gonna be a yes vote because even though it doesn't affect my district I know that other districts would benefit from it and so I think sometimes we need to not be myopic and sometimes put ourselves in others shoes and think about how it affects them so because of that I'll be voting yes on this very good bill thank you. Represent Pilkington has spoken for the bill. We would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the. Rips and brown it's close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill thirty to prepare the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of sixty seven yeas twenty one days and five present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill seventy eight. Senate bill seventy eight my Representative Lynch to establish Arkansas occupational licensing of uniformed servicemembers veterans and spouses active twenty twenty one and to declare an emergency. Representative went you are recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. A colleague this bill is to modify the automatic. occupational licensure requirements for uniformed servicemembers. it does two things one it changes. The clarification of what constitutes a valid lessons. And the second thing it does it expands it to include the armories are the National Guard and Coast Guard if there transferred in the state and I have a spouse that carries a license or a professional occupation give them the opportunity to be covered by the same law. And so I would appreciate a good vote thank. Representative Lynch has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Lynch is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill seventy eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted you are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mister Clerk. With ninety three a zero nays and zero present the bill and the emergency clause have passed. Please read Senate bill sixty six Mister Clark Senate bill sixty six per cent of Charlene Fite to allow the tuition free benefit for soldiers and airmen of the Arkansas National Guard to apply to programs of study in which the courses are taking exclusively online Representative fight you are recognized to present the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker Senate bill seventy seven does one thing excuse me rangi on. Senate bill sixty six does one thing and one thing only currently our airmen and soldiers in the National Guard can take courses free of charge in any State University this expands this to any online program within the state of Arkansas. See no questions appreciate a good that. Representative fight has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative fight is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill sixty six please prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety five yeas and zero nays and zero present the bill has passed. Please read Senate bill seventy seven Mister Clark Senate bill seventy seven by represented Charlene Fite to amend provisions of the Arkansas code concerning education renewals owns. Represent a fight you're recognized to present the bill. Thank you madam Speaker. The current education renewals on structure was established in two thousand and three under the no child left behind heir of the contabilidade and limited school improvement work to schools that applied is supported only schools within a given region so what this bill will do on the tape first what it does not do this bill does not change the appropriation needed for these Education renewal sounds so they will not be any additional money going in with appropriation this bill does not change the number or location of the ERC's or the number of personnel this bill expands the support offered to our school districts statewide this bill aligns with the state's every student succeeds act plan and current federal and state accountability systems this bill utilizes ERC's to assist with state initiatives and maximize the support for professional development technical assistant training parent and community engagement etcetera and then the clean up language within the bill aligns with the changes that we had under transformation of our state government uses to correct titles changes to the Division of elementary education under the transformation act of twenty nineteen and what this does our colleges of education all over the state of Arkansas work with our local school districts to improve the services that they are giving to our students. For what purpose Representative Godfrey question you're recognized thank you madam Speaker represent if I was running if you could comment on that changes made to the local and local advisory group as part of the R. as the I know that desi has eliminated the requirement both to include parents on that advisory group as well as to require that the advisory group reflect the diversity of the community that that years the service can you speak a little bit about that. Sure they can find it get to many papers here. We did talk about that when this was brought to me from the Senate they felt that this would be more helpful include more people it will not exclude parents they will still be able to bring their ideas and the community members can bring in their ideas that they thought that this would be a more efficient way of gathering together and getting all the information and disseminating it out to the to the school districts. Thank you appreciate a good vote. Representative fight has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent a fight is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill seventy seven prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With eighty six C. A. Z. six nays and zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one seventy three Senate bill one seventy three by represented Matix concerning the definition of critical infrastructure regardless of the offense of unlawful use of unmanned aircraft system Representative Maddox you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker. Colleagues this is a as we all say this is a very simple bill this bill merely adds food processing and manufacturing facilities and corrections and detention facilities as it relates to the unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft this is necessary there have been some incidents with our food processors where people are flying drones over there is distracting the workers there's also been some pretty creative things where in people are trying to get contraband into prisons by using a drone so we don't think that's good this bill is not opposed and as far as I know not be happy to take any questions. Saying that I presented a. Representative Maddox's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Repor. You're recognized close for your bill. Thank you colleagues is important I'd like to close for my bill senator rice ran this on the other entity got a unanimous vote thirty five zero so I need at least that you know some is popular CS so I appreciate a good vote. Representative Maddox I think just close for his bill at the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one seventy three prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With the ninety five yeas to nays and zero present the bill has passed. Mister Mister Clark please read Senate bill eighty seven Senate bill eighty seven by represented Ladyman to clarify the criminal offenses that would cause a denial suspension or revocation of the license of a massage therapist. Represent Ladyman you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. this bill was brought to me by the department of health. And as the title says it it manages a massage therapist. currently massage therapist must take an oath that they have not been convicted of the offense of prostitution in Arkansas or in this state is the way it reads this bill adds or a another state. And it does a second thank concerning disciplinary actions and penalties for massage therapist includes a felony listed in seventeen dash three dash one oh two this bill adds or The offense of prostitution either in this state or another state. There have been cases where these felonies have been committed by individuals from other states in Arkansas. This bill clarifies the offense in the penalty for this activity. I hope I presented this bill in a professional manner. And I hope I haven't loved anyone the wrong way. I take any questions. Representative Ladyman has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Ladyman is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill eighty seven prepare the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety days one day and to present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one oh two. Senate bill one of two by represented born to amend the law concerning employer contributions under the Arkansas State Highway employees retirement system of some one you're recognized explained the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. These server three bills this one and two more our bills for the Arkansas State Highway employee retirement system I want to give a shout out to robin Smith who's up here who does a great job with their retirement system's this first bill SB one oh two simply gives Asher's Board the ability to increase their employer contribution if they need if they see a need to get back to normal funding levels this is already accepted practice in two other retirement system so I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Warren has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Warren is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one oh to prepare the machine Mr Clark. 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 of three Senate bill one of three by represented more intimate the law concerning the Arkansas State Highway employees deferred retirement option plan contribution requirements and to declare an emergency. Percent worn you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues this bill is revising the employer and employee contributions for distance and the Asher's drop program it increases the employer contributions to be in line with the other systems for new hires to reach the drug plan they will simply just have to continue making contributions to the drop I would appreciate a good vote. Represent worn is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent worn is closed for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill one oh three prepare the machinist Clark. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six C. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed in the emergency clause Mr Clark please read Senate bill one of five. Senate bill one of five a represented more intimate the law concerning the marriage eligibility requirement for survivor annual benefits skews me and nobody benefits under the Arkansas State Highway employees retirement system into the clan emergency person born you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker calling since the last of the three bills all this bill is doing for Asher's is reducing the marriage requirement from two years to one year for a spouse to receive the survivor benefit upon a retiree's death and this is also consistent with social security I appreciate a good vote. Represent worn is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Warren is closed for the bill the question before the House is the past of Senate bill one oh five prepare the machines to Clark. Is everyone voted you're voting on the bill and the emergency clause has everyone voted cast about Mr Clark by a vote of ninety six yeas zero nine zero present the bill emergency clauses past represent makes for what purpose. Motion place let's hear your motion after the announcement trading of the bills transferring the bill's place in the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalizing resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee report I move that we adjourn until one o'clock on Monday afternoon. It's a proper motion it's not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion passes. Members before we go to announcements as is it been indicated by represent makes motion we will not meet tomorrow both the house and the Senate we'll come back next Monday as for listen to these announcements at our upcoming I believe there was one committee meeting this afternoon. And it's been canceled correct okay all right so this should conclude all of our business for today I would remind you today is the deadline for resolutions for constitutional amendments and that we will close that down at the close of business which could be as early as as five PM so just to if you've got those wouldn't you need to get on get on filed by five. All right any other any other announcements. Represent Ladyman for what purpose announcement you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker I just wanna say the published agenda for public health on Thursday will be moved to to stay intact. Represent fight for what purpose announcement recognized aging children youth military it will not be meeting this afternoon as the Speaker has just indicated instead will be meeting on Monday. Represent worn for what purpose announcement you're recognized public retirement will be scheduled for eight thirty Monday morning and big mac K. represent all before purpose announcement you're recognized Judiciary we will only have one bill on Tuesday so if you were scheduled to run a bill Tuesday you're no longer scheduled it'll be just one bill in the members have been notified of that. Percent Lowery for purpose announcement you're recognized. House insurance and commerce will not meet on Monday we will keep our Wednesday only scheduled of Wednesday nine thirty next week. Any other announcements. All right members please be careful as you return home I know there's already some reports of ice in certain parts of the state. There's nothing further the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion The Addams named in the joint resolution the house will be adjourned until one PM Monday.