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Senate Convenes

February 9, 2021 ·1:00 PM ·Senate Chamber ·2:06:29
Video Transcript

Bills discussed (43)

Bill Title Sponsor Status
HB1009 Act 141 · 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “to House Bill 1009 Members, this amendment just adds sponsors to it, co-sponso…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS FOOD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Wardlaw Notification that HB1009 is now Act 141
HB1031 Act 143 · 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1031 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF INCO…”
TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF INCOME TAX RETURNS BY TAX PRACTITIONERS; AND TO AMEND … Jett Notification that HB1031 is now Act 143
HB1033 Act 144 · 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1033 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO REMOVE EXTRANEOUS REFERENCES TO DIGIT…”
TO REMOVE EXTRANEOUS REFERENCES TO DIGITAL MAGAZINES IN THE SALES TAX LAWS; AND TO CLARIFY … Jett Notification that HB1033 is now Act 144
SB102 Act 137 · 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB102 B. Sample TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. B. Sample Notification that SB102 is now Act 137
SB103 Act 138 · 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “the House. Senator Sample, SB 103. Emergency clause is attached. Assembly 103, Best”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES' DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN CONTRIBUTION … B. Sample Notification that SB103 is now Act 138
SB105 Act 139 · 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Senate Bill 105 by Senator Sample to amend the law concerning the marriage…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MARRIAGE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT FOR SURVIVOR ANNUITY BENEFITS UNDER THE … B. Sample Notification that SB105 is now Act 139
HB1010 Act 142 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1010 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION…”
TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALES OF CERTAIN AIRCRAFT. Jett Notification that HB1010 is now Act 142
HB1026 Act 125 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1026 Cavenaugh B. Johnson TO CLARIFY THAT CERTAIN APPEARANCE FEE…”
TO CLARIFY THAT CERTAIN APPEARANCE FEES ARE NOT COMPENSATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY … Cavenaugh Notification that HB1026 is now Act 125
HB1041 Act 145 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1041 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPART…”
TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO WAIVE THE CERTIFICATE … Jett Notification that HB1041 is now Act 145
HB1042 Act 146 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1042 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO REPEAL THE LONG-TERM RENTAL VEHICLE T…”
TO REPEAL THE LONG-TERM RENTAL VEHICLE TAX. Jett Notification that HB1042 is now Act 146
HB1099 Act 130 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ro, Forestry and Economic Development, whom was referred to House Bill 1099 by Representative Volk, recommend do pass. Calendar. Commit…”
TO AUTHORIZE THE VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINING BOARD TO PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING TELEHEALTH AND TELEMEDICINE AND … Vaught Notification that HB1099 is now Act 130
HB1142 Act 131 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ri and Forestry and Economic Development, whom was referred House Bill 1142 by Representative Volk, recommend do pass.”
TO RECOGNIZE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF LIVESTOCK AND ANIMALS AS A ROUTINE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICE. Vaught Notification that HB1142 is now Act 131
HB1183 Act 258 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1183 Underwood Ballinger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN COU…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN COUNTY ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS AND FILE MAINTENANCE. Underwood Notification that HB1183 is now Act 258
HCR1002 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HCR1002 Boyd Gilmore TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED COLLABORATION AMONG HEA…”
TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED COLLABORATION AMONG HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATORS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND THE ARKANSAS … Boyd Approved by the Governor
SB121 Act 581 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Commerce. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 121 by Senator Dismayne. Compare the engrossed copy with the or…”
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING - DIVISION OF LABOR APPROPRIATION FOR … Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB121 is now Act 581
SB124 Act 251 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB124 J. Sturch TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNI…”
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS ACADEMIC CONTENT STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM … J. Sturch Notification that SB124 is now Act 251
SB143 Act 745 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB143 Irvin TO ENSURE THAT BENEFICIARIES OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID…”
TO ENSURE THAT BENEFICIARIES OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM HAVE ACCESS TO NEW PRODUCTS AND … Irvin Notification that SB143 is now Act 745
SB165 Act 155 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB165 J. Hendren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TERMINATION AND…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TERMINATION AND CANCELLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL LEASE UNDER THE … J. Hendren Notification that SB165 is now Act 155
SB169 Act 256 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB169 T. Garner CONCERNING OUTDOOR SALES OF NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE…”
CONCERNING OUTDOOR SALES OF NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY A MINOR. T. Garner Notification that SB169 is now Act 256
SB195 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…t budget. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 195 by Senator”
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF … D. Sullivan Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
SB208 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…agencies. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 208 by Senator Sullivan compared the engrossed copy with the or…”
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; TO DEFINE THE TERM "MEETING" UNDER … D. Sullivan Sine Die adjournment
SB22 Act 445 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…c Health. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 22 by Senator Irving compare the engrossed copy with original…”
TO MODIFY THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR CERTIFICATION TO PRACTICE AS AN ORTHOTIC ASSISTANT, ORTHOTIC/PROSTHETIC ASSISTANT, … Irvin Notification that SB22 is now Act 445
SB226 Act 632 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…re, Forestry and Economic Development, whom was referred to Senate Bill 226 by Senator Chesterfield, recommend do pass. Calendar. Commi…”
REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE … L. Chesterfield Notification that SB226 is now Act 632
SB23 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…c Health. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 23 by Senator Blake Johnson. Compare the engrossed copy with t…”
TO ESTABLISH THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE CORPORATION SELF-REGULATION ACT OF 2021. B. Johnson Sine Die adjournment
SB240 Act 441 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB240 D. Wallace TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NONMUNICIPAL DOMESTI…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NONMUNICIPAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. D. Wallace Notification that SB240 is now Act 441
SB247 Act 1061 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB247 B. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR A…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE OFFENSE OF RACING … B. Johnson Notification that SB247 is now Act 1061
SB254 Act 401 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB254 K. Hammer TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE NOT PENALIZED BY TH…”
TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE NOT PENALIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE BEHAVIOR … K. Hammer Notification that SB254 is now Act 401
SB268 Act 169 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…agencies. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 268 by Senator Dismane compared the engrossed copy with the ori…”
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REAPPROPRIATION. Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB268 is now Act 169
SB282 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…dar. Committee on City, County, Local, whom was referred to Senate Bill 282 by Senator Mark Johnson, recommend do pass. Calendar. Senat…”
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS SYSTEMS; TO AMEND THE GENERAL POWERS OF A … M. Johnson Died on House Calendar at Sine Die Adjournment
SB287 Act 217 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…budget. Committee on Engrossed Bills, whom was referred to Senate Bill 287 by Senator Hester, compared the engrossed copy with the ori…”
TO AMEND THE SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS TO ALLOW CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN SCHOLARSHIPS; … Hester Notification that SB287 is now Act 217
SB289 Act 462 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB289 K. Hammer TO CREATE THE MEDICAL ETHICS AND DIVERSITY ACT.”
TO CREATE THE MEDICAL ETHICS AND DIVERSITY ACT. K. Hammer Notification that SB289 is now Act 462
SB305 Act 440 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…s are conducted, Senate Joint Resolution 5. State Agencies. Senate Bill 305 by Senator Caldwell to amend the award procedure for public…”
TO AMEND THE AWARD PROCEDURE FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTS. Caldwell Notification that SB305 is now Act 440
SB306 Act 638 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “contracts, Senate Bill 305. State Agencies. Senate Bill 306 by Senator Clark permitting a concealed handgun licensee to…”
PERMITTING A CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSEE TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN IN A MUNICIPALLY OWNED OR … A. Clark Notification that SB306 is now Act 638
SB307 Act 722 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…in a municipally owned or maintained part, Senate Bill 306. Senate Bill 307 by Senator Hendren. Concerning the penalties for the offens…”
CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENSE OF FLEEING IN A VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE. J. Hendren Notification that SB307 is now Act 722
SB31 Act 319 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB31 J. English TO AMEND THE COMPONENTS OF A COLLEGE AND CAREER…”
TO AMEND THE COMPONENTS OF A COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ASSESSMENT. J. English Notification that SB31 is now Act 319
SB5 Act 374 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill your Committee on Enrollable Bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 5 by Senator Sample compare the engrossed copy with original…”
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RECIPROCAL SERVICE CREDIT, BENEFIT RIGHTS, AND DEFERRED RETIREMENT UNDER THE … B. Sample Notification that SB5 is now Act 374
SB6 Act 309 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill your Committee on Enrollable Bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 6 by Senator Raypert compare the engrossed copy with original…”
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT; TO ABOLISH ABORTION IN ARKANSAS AND PROTECT … Rapert Notification that SB6 is now Act 308
SB71 Act 96 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…t Resolution 4 by Senator Chestfield, Elliott, and Flowers, Senate Bill 71 by Senator Search, Senate Bill 83 by Senator Davis, Senate…”
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ETHICAL VIOLATIONS APPLICABLE TO EDUCATORS. J. Sturch Notification that SB71 is now Act 96
SB83 Act 95 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ld, Elliott, and Flowers, Senate Bill 71 by Senator Search, Senate Bill 83 by Senator Davis, Senate Bill 99 by Senator Bledsoe, Wallac…”
TO ADD A STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO THE STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE EXEMPT … B. Davis Notification that SB83 is now Act 95
SB99 Act 97 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 71 by Senator Search, Senate Bill 83 by Senator Davis, Senate Bill 99 by Senator Bledsoe, Wallace, and Irving, compare the enroll…”
TO REGULATE STEP THERAPY PROTOCOLS. Bledsoe Notification that SB99 is now Act 97
SCR4 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ittee on Enrolled Bills to whom was referred the following, Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 by Senator Chestfield, Elliott, and Flowers, Senate Bill 71…”
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2021. L. Chesterfield Approved by the Governor
SCR6 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SCR6 D. Sullivan TO COMMEMORATE AMERICAN HISTORY.”
TO COMMEMORATE AMERICAN HISTORY. D. Sullivan Sine Die adjournment
SJR5 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l 282 by Senator Mark Johnson, recommend do pass. Calendar. Senate Joint Resolution 5 by Senator Rayford, an amendment to the Arkansas Constituti…”
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING THE MANNER IN WHICH PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED. Rapert Sine Die adjournment

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Unknown speaker 0:00
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Speaker 2 1:30
Thank you.
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Unknown speaker 2:00
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, bye-bye. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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Speaker 8 8:30
You want me to? Madam Secretary, please call the
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Speaker 9 8:57
roll. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eads, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubbefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Senator Hill
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Speaker 12 9:35
everyone please stand including those in the gallery Senator Hill is going to lead us in a
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Senator Ricky Hill Unverified 9:50
word prayer Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day that you've given us, Lord. We pray that you will be with our military members spread throughout the world. Lord, we pray for their safety their guidance and their leadership from you, Lord. We pray for our new administration as they take office, Lord. We pray, Lord, that you'll be with them. And Lord, we pray they will make godly decisions for us. We pray, Lord, that as far as the state goes, Lord, that we'll be here, we'll seek wisdom from you, Lord, and we'll make the decision that you would have us to make for you,
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Speaker 17 10:18
Lord, while we're taking care of the state's business. In your name we pray, amen.
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Speaker 19 10:23
Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic of which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
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Speaker 20 10:35
and justice for our lives. Any announcements? Any announcements?
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Speaker 22 10:38
Senator Pitch. Senator Flowers, can you... I know we were having some technical difficulty. Can you hear me? I can
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Senator Mathew Pitsch Unverified 10:50
hear you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Pitch. Thank you, Governor. Members, today I challenge each of you to consider mentoring someone. I've done that with our local university, and the young lady that I've mentored the last year has become a banker, and we have with us today three young bankers picked by the presidents of their bank to come down here and spend a day at the Capitol. So please help me welcome Maggie Henson from Arvest Bank. Please stand, Maggie. And then, I don't know who's next, Maddie Stojanovich from First National Bank and Megan Nichols from Regions Bank. Please give me a round of applause. Thank you, Governor. Thank you.
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Speaker 12 11:40
Any other announcements? Any items be right
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Speaker 30 11:51
across the desk, Madam Secretary. Will your Committee on Enrolled Bills to whom was referred the following, Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 by Senator Chestfield, Elliott, and Flowers, Senate Bill 71 by Senator Search, Senate Bill 83 by Senator Davis, Senate Bill 99 by Senator Bledsoe, Wallace, and Irving, compare the enrolled copies with the original in it at 9.25 a.m. delivered to the Governor for his approval. Roll it. File it. Will your Committee on Enrollable Bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 5 by Senator Sample compare the engrossed copy with original and find the same correctly engrossed? Retirement. Will your Committee on Enrollable Bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 6 by Senator Raypert compare the engrossed copy with original and find the same correctly engrossed? Public Health. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 22 by Senator Irving compare the engrossed copy with original and find the same correctly engrossed? Public Health. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 23 by Senator Blake Johnson. Compare the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Joint budget.
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Speaker 37 12:57
No, that's, hang on, I can barely read the Ferrari. Insurance of
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Speaker 30 13:01
Commerce. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 121 by Senator Dismayne. Compare the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Joint budget. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 195 by Senator Sullivan compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. State agencies. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 208 by Senator Sullivan compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. State agencies. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred Senate Bill 268 by Senator Dismane compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Joint budget. Committee on Engrossed Bills, whom was referred to Senate Bill 287 by Senator Hester, compared the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Education. For your Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development, whom was referred to Senate Bill 226 by Senator Chesterfield, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Agro, Forestry and Economic Development, whom was referred to House Bill 1099 by Representative Volk, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Agri and Forestry and Economic Development, whom was referred House Bill 1142 by Representative Volk, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on City, County, Local, whom was referred to Senate Bill 282 by Senator Mark Johnson, recommend do pass. Calendar. Senate Joint Resolution 5 by Senator Rayford, an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning the manner in which primary elections are conducted, Senate Joint Resolution 5. State Agencies. Senate Bill 305 by Senator Caldwell to amend the award procedure for public improvement contracts, Senate Bill 305. State Agencies. Senate Bill 306 by Senator Clark permitting a concealed handgun licensee to carry a concealed handgun in a municipally owned or maintained part, Senate Bill 306. Senate Bill 307 by Senator Hendren. Concerning the penalties for the offense of fleeing in a vehicle or conveyance, Senate Bill 307. I think I
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Speaker 50 15:21
hear Senator Teague. Senator Teague. Mr. President, up in whatever side this is,
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Speaker 51 15:26
west side, I have my friend Timothy Morin up there. Hello. Thank you, sir. You're welcome. Senator Aster.
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Speaker 52 15:38
Thank you. Members, if you would join me
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Senator Bart Hester Unverified 15:42
in welcoming the doctor of the day, Dr. Matthew Kincaid over here on the east side. He's a urologist from Bentonville, Arkansas. If you'd help me welcome him, I'd appreciate that. And Senator Blake Johnson, he said he would to see you in the infirmary to continue
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Speaker 58 16:03
with your consultation. And the nurse of
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Senator Bart Hester Unverified 16:07
the day is Ms. Sherry. Thank you for being here. Senator Wrightberg. Thank
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Senator Jason Rapert Unverified 16:14
you. Members, I have another special guest here with me today. If you would, up next to Senator Eddie Joe Williams is Alan Parker. Alan Parker is the founder and president of the Justice Foundation. and very historic cases that he led. He was the attorney for Norma McCorvey in the famous Roe v. Wade decision. So if you would make him
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Speaker 64 16:46
welcome, thank you. Any other announcements? Now we're going to move on to the morning hour. I've got a number
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Speaker 66 16:55
of amendments. Senator Beckham from Columbia County. Amendment 1
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Speaker 68 16:58
to House Bill 1009 Members, this amendment just adds sponsors to it, co-sponsors
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 17:02
to the bill, my bill, my amendment Any questions? All those in favor say aye No, no, no If you're
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Speaker 74 17:21
going to say no you've got to say no when I ask for no can't say no on I. So as far as I'm concerned, that was a bunch of I's. All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Aye. Oh, he called it. Too slow. Senator Johnson, Mark Johnson,
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Speaker 66 17:45
Amendment 1 to House Bill
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Speaker 78 17:53
10-10. Rowdy Bunch, Senator. Rowdy Bunch. Senator. Thank
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Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 17:59
you, Mr. President. This bill and the next ones that follow it, they simply add Senate's
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Speaker 64 18:07
co-sponsor. Appreciate a good vote. All those in favor, say
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Speaker 74 18:12
aye. Aye. Opposed? Aye. Ayes have it, amendments adopted. Senator Mark Johnson again.
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Speaker 66 18:18
Amendment 1 to House Bill 1031. Senator Johnson. Thank
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Speaker 80 18:23
you, Mr. President. Same thing, this ad's co-sponsored.
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Speaker 86 18:26
All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it, amendments adopted. Senator Johnson. Amendment 1
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Speaker 66 18:32
to House Bill 1033. Did we skip one,
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Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 18:37
Madam Secretary? No, that's right. 1033, then we get 1041 and 1042. All right.
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Speaker 80 18:44
Same thing. Just add. Wait for the
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Speaker 74 18:48
question. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Amendments adopted. Senator Engrossing. Senator Johnson. Amendment 1 to House Bill
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Speaker 66 18:56
1041. Senator Johnson. Same thing. Just add co-sponsor.
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Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 19:00
All those in favor, say
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Speaker 12 19:03
aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Amendments adopted. Senator Engrossing.
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Speaker 22 19:05
Last one for Senator Johnson on behalf of Senator Jett. Representative Jett. Amendment 1 to House Bill
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Speaker 92 19:12
1042. Same thing, Ed's co-sponsor. All those
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Speaker 74 19:17
in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, aye's have it. Amendment's adopted. Senator Engrossing. Moving to the business agenda. Thank you. Senator English. We're passing over SB 31, it appears. Senator Sample, SB 102. Senator 102 by
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Speaker 30 19:34
Senator Sample. to amend the law concerning employer contributions under the Arkansas State Highway Employees Retirement System. Senator Sample. Let me turn this off.
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 19:51
It feeds back in my ear. Members, this just allows the Asher board to take and set the employee contribution levels. And that's done by the actuarial computations. And so that's all this bill does. Any questions for the senator?
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Speaker 22 20:23
Anyone wish to speak against? Speak for. Senator closed? Yes, sir. Any
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Speaker 8 20:32
objection to rolling the vote?
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Speaker 9 20:35
Roll the vote. Please roll the vote. Ballinger? Beckham? Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismain, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change the vote? Cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0
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Speaker 22 21:08
nays. The bill is passed. Transmit it to
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Speaker 12 21:13
the House. Senator Sample, SB 103. Emergency clause is attached. Assembly 103, Best
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Speaker 30 21:20
Interest Sample. To amend the law concerning the Arkansas State Highway Employees' Deferred Retirement Option Plan contribution requirements and to declare an
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 21:30
emergency. Mr. Zappel. Thank you, Mr. President. The purpose of this bill is to revise the employer and employee contribution rates for active employees of the Deferred Retirement option plan. Asher's drop is comprised of two groups, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 covers the first five years of the employees' participation in the drop. Tier 2 is for those employees in the drop that have participated more than five years, but who have not yet turned 65.
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Speaker 64 22:05
Any questions? No more speak against. Speak for. Set or
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Speaker 114 22:13
closed? Any objection
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Speaker 9 22:16
or roll the vote? Roll the vote. Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eads, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change your vote? 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed.
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Speaker 115 22:53
Cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill
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Speaker 12 22:58
is passed. Mercy clause is adopted. Transmit to the House. Senator Sample.
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Speaker 30 23:09
Senate Bill 105 by Senator Sample to amend the law concerning the marriage eligibility requirement for survivor annuity benefits under the Arkansas State Highway Employees Retirement System and declare an emergency. Senator Sample. Thank you, Mr. President.
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 23:23
This bill has changed the marriage requirements for Option B, the spousal survivor from two two years to one. At retirement, for a spouse to be eligible for the 50% survivor benefit, they must have been married two years prior to the retirement date. For active members who die in service, the spouse is eligible to choose a survivorship if
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 23:51
they've been married one year. Any questions? I have a question. I have a question. Sorry, startled me there. Senator Flowers. Okay, thank you. Senator Sample, so can an individual whose account this is, can they designate who they want as their beneficiary and avoid spousal, that one half to the spouse? Senator, I would, if
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 24:26
you would like, I could pull this bill in. I don't have an answer for
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Speaker 128 24:32
you on that. I would be
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 24:36
glad to get you that answer if you'd like. I would like that answer. And also, you know, under our decedent estate laws, a surviving spouse in order to take has to, other than dower and courtesy and homestead rights, we'd have to be married for two years. So I don't understand why they're changing this, wanting this change to one year. Yeah. If you could find those two questions out, I just want to know what the motivation is for this bill, because normally, you know, we recognize survivors' rights.
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 25:23
Normally, most of the systems, I did know this, and I will confirm it, most of the systems are
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 25:34
one-year eligibility for marriage. Hmm. It's not consistent with our decisions of state statutes. So I'd just like to know, I haven't seen the one year
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 25:45
before. Let me take, the proposed changes in the marriage requirements for survivor eligibility would have a minimal impact on the system. And it's for the actuarial studies that, and this will make this system consistent with all of the requirements from Social Security. Oh, they're doing it to make it consistent with
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 26:09
Social Security? Okay. Well, I mean, you can go ahead and run it. It's a Senate bill. I will get you that information, or I'll have the
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Senator Bill Sample Unverified 26:20
director of the system contact you with that information. All right. Thank you.
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Speaker 121 26:26
Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone we speak
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Speaker 135 26:34
against? Four. Center's closed.
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Speaker 9 26:41
Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Roll it. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Sullivan, T. Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up
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Speaker 22 27:14
the ballot. 35 yeas, zero nays. Bill is passed. Emergency clause is adopted. Transmit to the House. Senator Sturge. Senator Sturge.
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Speaker 30 27:33
Senate Bill 124 by Senator Sturge, to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning the Arkansas Academic Content Standards and Curriculum Frameworks, and to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning the Statewide Student Assessment System. Senator Sturge. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, most of this is going
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Senator James Sturch Unverified 27:56
to be clean-up language, as you can see, we're taking out the date. It's already passed and trying to reflect the boards of accreditation, what the State Board of Education actually does with approving the standards. They don't develop them. That's developed by actual teachers and DESE and every so often on rotation. But the main part of the bill is on the second page, the one that's a substantive change. It's at the very end on line 30, where we're changing the scoring reports to be given from July 1st to August 1st. This would actually give our districts then more time at the end of the year to have testing so what's been happening is we keep having these reports and things be due in the middle of summer which pushes the five-week testing window then to be done in April or at least the first part of May and so if you've ever been in the classroom and after so many tests students minds turn off and you might as well close school because after those tests are done they're not in it anymore And so this would allow, then, those assessments to be done later in the year, preferably then in May, to where they're still getting those reports on time before the next school district or next school year begins, where they can have district-wide plans to, you know, make any adjustments or remediations or anything like that. But it just allows that testing window to be done later
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Speaker 74 29:13
in the year. I appreciate a
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Speaker 144 29:16
good vote. Any questions? Senator Garner. Thank you, Mr.
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 29:21
President. On page two line. Senator Garner. On page 2, line, starting line 12, so we're cutting the law and the requirements if somebody's found in noncompliance, and the enforcement action will actually be done through the standards for accreditation of Arkansas public schools and school districts. One, what is that specifically, the standards for accreditation of Arkansas public schools and school districts? Secondly, after you explain what it is,
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Speaker 144 29:51
can they change that standard at any time? Because right now we have it codified that they're required to report. In theory, this board or whatever this is could change that requirement. Could you explain that, please? Yes, sir. I'd be glad to. we're actually
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Senator James Sturch Unverified 30:08
taking it out of this one because it's actually another code. The code that deals with standards of accreditation has this date in there. And so this was just repetition from that. And so it still has to be accredited. Every school has to go through that as far as their courses. So this deals with the courses that are being taught. They have to certify that every course they have meets those accreditation standards each year still. We're not taking that requirement away. Will there be a notice
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Speaker 147 30:33
of the failure to comply annual school performance. I
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 30:36
don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but right now, we're taking that requirement out under this and kick-punting it to this accreditation
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Speaker 151 30:45
thing. Will that still be a part of it?
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Speaker 152 30:48
Is that something we don't do? No, it's already handled by
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Senator James Sturch Unverified 30:52
the standards of accreditation. I'm just taking it out of this section of code because it's in
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Speaker 121 30:58
another section of code with the standards of accreditation board being done. Okay, thank
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Speaker 9 31:17
you. Any other questions? Anyone want to speak against? For any objection on the vote, please roll the vote. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismang, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubbefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change the vote? Cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0
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Speaker 22 31:51
nays. The bill is passed. transmit to the House.
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Speaker 30 31:58
Senator Irvin. Senate Bill 143 by Senator Irvin to ensure the beneficiaries of the Arkansas Medicaid program have access to new products and label expansions approved by the
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Speaker 161 32:11
United States Food and Drug Administration and to create the Rare Disease Advisory Council.
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Senator Missy Irvin Unverified 32:18
Senator Irvin. Thank you, members. This is a bill that really is targeted and aimed towards making sure that our Arkansans who are on Medicaid who may have rare diseases have the ability for a quicker access to any medication that is approved by the FDA. And so to that point, you know, we want to make sure that there's no necessarily delays in patient access to these products. So once they are approved by the U.S. FDA then it would go to a formal clinical review and what this bill does is set up it sets up a rare disease advisory council within DHS. Of course they have to follow all state and federal laws as it relates to that but this board then seeks that advice and looks at the treatment plan to make sure that those drugs are good utilized drugs but you have to have a high level of knowledge for those individuals that are helping to make those decisions. So what this bill does is it creates that rare disease advisory council so that patients who do have rare diseases can get quicker access to those drugs as soon as the FDA approves them. Any questions? Anyone
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Speaker 22 33:36
we speak against? Four. Senator Close. Yes. Appreciate
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Speaker 9 33:39
a good vote. Thank you. Any objection to the vote? Please roll it. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eads, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubbafill, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague,
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Speaker 22 34:13
Tucker Wallace you know we should change the vote cast out the ballot 35 yeas 0 nays the bill is passed transmit
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Speaker 30 34:27
to the house senator Hendren Senate Bill 165 by Senator Hendren to amend the law concerning the termination and
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Speaker 161 34:33
cancellation of a residential lease under the Arkansas Soldiers and Airmen Civil Relief Act. Thank you, Mr. President.
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Senator Jim Hendren Unverified 34:44
So this bill is a modification of the Arkansas Soldiers and Airmen Civil Relief Act. It gives the same protections for breaking a lease if you're PCS'd or permanently change of station to National Guards who are, National Guard who are basically on active duty as the active duty force has. So again, it's, they still have to pay the current month's rent, the next month's rent, give notice as military do now, but basically providing the same protection to our National Guardsmen because many of them are going on active duty for way more than six months at a time.
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Speaker 63 35:16
I'd be happy to answer any questions. Any questions? Anyone? Senator Hicken. Just one,
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr Unverified 35:23
and I know I'd asked you this earlier, Senator Hendren. If one of those tenants were to tear the home up and the lease is going to go away because of this. Does this in any way preclude them from being exempt from some proceeding in court? And
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Senator Jim Hendren Unverified 35:41
as I told you, no, it does not. It has no implication on your civil remedy for damage or anything else. And at the other point, having been a military tenant, he's going to have a whole lot more problems with his commander if he tears up your place than with the landlord. So that's why it's not normally a problem, but this bill does not change your remedies
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Speaker 177 36:01
currently. Right. I would worry about the privacy issue from the landlord having
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr Unverified 36:05
to call the tenant with the commander or whatever, but we are for sure that they can still pursue it through the courts, just like now. Doesn't have
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Senator Jim Hendren Unverified 36:12
any impact on that, just the ability to break the lease. Thanks, Senator Andrews.
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Speaker 22 36:17
Any other questions? Anyone we should speak against? Four. Senator is closed. Senator
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Speaker 9 36:27
is closed. Any objection from the way to vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up
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Speaker 22 37:02
the ballot, 35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Transmit to the
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Speaker 115 37:11
House. Senator Garner. Senate Bill
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Speaker 30 37:17
169 by Senator Garner. Concerning outdoor sales of non-alcoholic beverages by a minor.
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 37:43
Senator Garner. Thank you, Mr. President. Many of you know the famous comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who had a show for many years on network TV that made him a boatload of money. A few years ago, he was trying to teach his son about entrepreneurship and running a business. So him and his son and his two friends went outside and set up a lemonade stand with a big sign out in their yard of their neighborhood. It was going great until the joke caught up with Jerry. And a police officer showed up because he was participating in unlicensing, unlicensed selling of a non-alcoholic beverage. Jerry put it on Instagram that now he was a criminal with his hands up in the air. This might sound like a joke, but this is something that has affected many different people throughout the United States, where local municipalities enforcing permitting laws have sent police officers to those kids who set up lemonade stands. Now, I don't know about you, but I set up a lemonade stand when I was a kid. Apparently, setting up a lemonade stand at the end of a dirt road in rural South Arkansas ain't the best location to start a new business, and I failed miserably. Fortunately, I used my skills to become a politician. This bill is simple. It prohibits that from becoming, for giving an exception to our permanent law and licensing law. With that, I'll
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Speaker 189 39:18
take any questions. Any questions? Senator Hickey.
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr Unverified 39:22
It seems innocent enough. Have we thought it through, though? What if a child was out selling, or a young child was out selling energy drinks to another child? What we're doing is telling that municipality they can't get involved. So I understand from a lemonade standpoint, there's not an impact, but have we thought everything through as far as the non-alcoholic? One, I don't think that has been a
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 39:43
problem. I haven't heard of many cases of that becoming an issue. Secondarily, I mean, you could still do it. It just prohibits the police from being sent there in any kind of enforcement part. I think kids, if they were going to sell energy drinks, could do it now. This just allows whenever they do set these lemonade stands, which are commonplace for being in this. Like I said, I haven't heard of any specific issue of a minor selling a non-alcoholic beverages that turned into a health situation. If there is an
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Speaker 191 40:08
example, I'd be more than happy to hear it, but I have not heard that in my studies. Right. Non-alcoholic beverages just seems...
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr Unverified 40:14
Did we define that in the bill? I didn't have a chance to look at it. Did we define what non-alcoholic beverages are? No, sir. I don't believe so.
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Speaker 191 40:24
It just seems fairly broad to me. Thank
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Speaker 121 40:27
you, sir. Yes, sir. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak against or?
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 40:33
Senator Kloves? Kloves, thank you. Any objection or on the vote? Objection, objection. We have an
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Speaker 92 40:42
objection. Please call the roll. Ballinger?
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Speaker 9 40:49
Ballinger? Beckham? Aye. Bledsoe? Bledsoe? Caldwell?
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Speaker 195 40:54
Aye. Chesterfield? Chesterfield? Aye. Clark? Aye. Davis? Aye. Dismang?
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Speaker 9 41:14
Aye. Dismang? Eads? Elliot?
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Speaker 195 41:20
Elliot? English? Flippo? Flippo? Flowers? No. Garner? Garner? Gilmore?
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Speaker 9 41:32
Gilmore? Hammer? Hendron? Hester? Hickey? Hickey?
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Speaker 195 41:42
Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rypert, Rypert, Rice, Sample, Aye. Stabafil? Aye. Sturge?
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Speaker 9 42:07
Aye. Sullivan? Aye. Teague? Aye. Teague? Aye. Tucker? Aye. Wallace? Aye.
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Speaker 22 42:20
Anyone wish to vote or change their vote? Senator Gilmore
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Speaker 12 42:26
is aye. I'm okay. Senator Wallace is aye. Senator Ballinger is aye. Great. Senator Hickey is present here
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Speaker 22 42:35
today. Anybody else? Anybody else? Cast up the ballot. 33 a's, 1 nay. The bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Wallace.
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Speaker 30 42:51
Assembly 240 by Senator Wallace to
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Speaker 110 42:53
amend the law concerning non-municipal domestic sewage treatment works and declare an emergency. Senator Wallace.
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Speaker 203 43:01
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill codifies and clarifies the exemption of certain public facilities from the non-municipal domestic sewer treatment work trust fund. This exemption is already currently included in special language, and we're just codifying it today. Specifically, we're talking about state agencies, I'm sorry, state or federal facilities, schools, universities in colleges, entities that might have a continual operation due to a connection with a city or a town or a county, a commercial or an industrial entity that treats domestic sewer from its operation, it does not include domestic sewer from other entities. No financial impact to this, and the benefit is that it permanently and clearly codifies an exemption
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Speaker 64 43:58
contained in special language, state of Arkansas. Any questions for Senator Wallace?
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Speaker 168 44:04
Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator closed?
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Speaker 9 44:10
Closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Ledding, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubbefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote, cast up the ballot,
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Speaker 12 44:48
35 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Emergency clause is adopted and
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Speaker 30 44:59
transmitted to the House. Senator Johnson. Assembly 247 by Senator Blake Johnson to amend the law concerning the penalties for a violation of the
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Speaker 210 45:08
offense of racing a vehicle on public highway. Members, this bill simply increases the possible penalty for a second and subsequent offense of street racing in the state of Arkansas. This is becoming an ongoing problem on city streets and interstates around central Arkansas. And it's been accentuated by some television shows and can damage and hurt individuals and neighborhoods. And also it's a danger to our law enforcement officers who are responding to these incidents. Appreciate a good vote. Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President.
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Senator Mark Johnson Unverified 45:53
Senator Johnson, can you tell me the definition of racing in this bill? What constitutes racing? I had a specific application I was wondering about. Let me just ask it this way. You may recall some of the video and news reports of the so-called peaceful protests last year on the Capitol grounds on Capitol Avenue. I remember one, there was a, I believe it was a Dodge Challenger, but it was moving, I thought, pretty fast for Capitol Avenue and doing donuts in the middle of the street. Would that possibly be perceived to be racing even though there might not have been another car
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Speaker 213 46:34
like right there? I don't think doing donuts and
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Speaker 210 46:38
that would be considered racing. I think a racing is more like a drag racing with two persons where they, I mean, what I've seen is they have blockers that'll block the roadway going and coming, and then they'll have those drag races or street races, two, you know, two cars.
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Speaker 216 46:57
I've seen the same shows you were talking about, so that's, I understand. Yeah. Okay,
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Speaker 217 47:12
thank you. Thank you. Senator Johnson, has this been a major issue
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 218 47:16
in Corning, Arkansas? Do what? Has this been a
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Speaker 210 47:18
major issue in Corning? No, my mom told me they used to go out to the airstrip and do this at the airstrip.
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Speaker 219 47:31
I'm sorry, Senator Rice, Senator Beckham,
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Speaker 121 47:39
then Senator Rice. Senator Johnson, you want to
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Speaker 70 47:45
entertain questions? Okay. Senator Beckham. Senator Johnson, this only applies to public highways, correct? Not county streets or other areas?
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Speaker 210 47:53
I mean, it applies across the state with public roadways. doesn't
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Speaker 70 47:59
the bill spell out public highways only
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Speaker 213 48:02
i don't i don't know i hadn't looked at it i mean what's a public highway you know is a county county road a highway a public highway but that's what i'm asking you for clarification on yeah i mean i mean it's as long as it's a public highway it's it's using using tax money to whether it's county county funds or state funds. So it's public public roadways.
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Speaker 22 48:32
Any other questions? Any other questions we speak against? Four. Senators closed.
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Speaker 9 48:41
Any objection rolling the vote? Roll the vote, please. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Senator Clark would like to vote no. Would like to vote no. Senator Clark. Anybody else want
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Speaker 12 49:17
to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yays, 1 nay. The bill is passed. Emergency clause is adopted. Send the whole thing down to the House. Senator Hammer. Senate Bill 254 by Senator Hammer.
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Speaker 30 49:37
To ensure that businesses are not penalized by the Department of Health for the behavior of their patrons or customers during the COVID-19 public health emergency and declare an emergency. Senator Hammer. Thank you, Mr. President.
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Senator Kim Hammer Unverified 49:52
Simply stated, you can read on page two what the bill does. During the COVID-19, if an agent walks into an establishment and sees a person that is violating one of the health department directives, they would have to engage the member of the public directly and not penalize the business in the way of either writing them up or fining them. It would put the agent in a position to have to deal with the public directly. I'll be
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Speaker 22 50:18
glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer? Senator
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Clarke Tucker Unverified 50:23
Clark Tucker. Thank you, Governor. I was just reading Section 2 of the bill, and I just want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly. The state board still has the authority in a public health emergency to regulate businesses or other entities, but it can't require the businesses to regulate the behavior of their customers.
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Senator Kim Hammer Unverified 50:41
Do I have that correct, Senator? They would still be expected to regulate their employees, and this does not touch any of the other areas. The classic example of that would be like if somebody steps up to the bar and they've had too much to drink, it does not relieve them of that responsibility. It's only specific to this one. Thank you,
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Speaker 22 51:03
Senator. Thank you. Any other questions? When we speak against, for Senators closed, any objection you want to vote, please roll
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Speaker 9 51:12
them. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismayne, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner. No. Flowers, no. You got Flowers? Yes.
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Speaker 131 51:31
All right. Senator Flowers. Senator
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Speaker 9 51:35
Flowers. You got to. Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Ledding, Pitch, Raifert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Senator Chesterfield, present. Senator Elliott is present. Anyone else
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Speaker 12 52:00
wish to change their vote, cast up the ballot, 32 yeas, one nay. The bill is passed, and
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Speaker 159 52:13
transmit that bill to the House.
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Speaker 9 52:16
Senator Hammer. Senator 289 by Senator Hammer, to create the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act. Senator Hammer. Mr. President, I'd like
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Senator Kim Hammer Unverified 52:25
to ask that this bill be passed over today, but... without objection without objection i'd like this bill to be passed over today but i would like it added to the calendar i had a member ask me a question i want to respect it get it to him so i'll do the bill tomorrow without objection without objection
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Speaker 63 52:48
he's going to pass over and put it on
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 22 52:56
the calendar for tomorrow without objection house bills senator blake johnson hb 1026
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Speaker 30 53:05
House Bill 1026 by Representative Kavanaugh and Senator Blake Johnson to clarify that certain appearance fees are not compensation for the purpose of determining eligibility for the sales and use tax exemption for fire protection equipment and emergency
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Speaker 210 53:23
equipment. Members, this bill just clarifies so you don't have your local volunteer fire department's getting in trouble with these appearance fees, so they don't get classified anything besides a volunteer force. So this helps them and helps them in recruiting and maintaining local volunteers, and this is a good bill. Any questions? Anyone
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Speaker 22 53:52
wish to to speak against. Four. Senators closed. Any objection or any of the
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Speaker 8 54:00
vote? Please go
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Speaker 9 54:02
ahead. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eads, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stebbelfield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace.
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Speaker 22 54:34
Let's change the vote. Cast up the ballot. 35
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Speaker 50 54:41
yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. And
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 159 54:48
return to the House.
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Speaker 30 54:51
Senator Ballinger. House Bill 1183 by Representative Underwood and Senator Ballinger, to amend the law concerning certain county electronic payments and file maintenance.
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Speaker 206 55:09
Senator Ballinger. thank you mr governor this bill is
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Speaker 244 55:33
one that we um have for the clerks so currently there is some limitations on how they can accept um payment for for the records electronically so this allows for them to be able to collect the payment and then collect the fee associated only the cost associated with collecting it
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Speaker 22 55:56
electronically, and that's basically it real simple, and I appreciate a good
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Speaker 9 56:05
vote. Any questions? Anyone we speak against? Four. Senators close. Any objection for the vote? Roll the vote, please. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eads, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubbefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 35
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Speaker 22 56:37
yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed.
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Speaker 12 56:42
Turn to the House. Senator
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Speaker 206 56:46
Stubblefield, are you handling this instead
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Speaker 22 56:51
of Senator Sullivan? Is that what you said, Senator Sullivan?
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Speaker 47 57:00
SCR6, you said it was Senator Stubblefield.
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Speaker 30 57:06
Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 by Senators Sullivan and Stubblefield to commemorate the American history Senator Stubblefield Thank
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Senator Gary Stubblefield Unverified 57:12
you Governor Football legend This bill is not only to commemorate American history but also specifically to commemorate the role that African Americans have played in American history since we are celebrating the month, this month is African American History Month. By the way, I forgot to mention the other day when I told Senator Chesterfield this years ago, the first African American black player to play at the University of Arkansas was my roommate on away games. His name was John Richardson, and he and I got to be very good friends. John passed away a few years ago. Whereas the accomplishments of African Americans throughout American history have been abundant, significant, and far-reaching, helping shape America into the exceptional nation of unprecedented opportunity and achievement it has become over the centuries. Whereas the countless contributions of African Americans have made varied and diverse as well as indispensable and inspiring influence in areas such as politics, religion, military, education, science, research, business, entrepreneurship, and other realms. Many important and disputable facts from American history have been underemphasized and overlooked, but are worth presenting, and the first African-American slaves were originally brought to North America unwillingly, having been conquered, captured, and sold by other African tribes and slave traders to the Dutch and other traders journeying America. And the first African slaves in North America were brought by the Spanish to their colonies in Florida region in 1565. The first African slaves in North American English colony arrived in Virginia in 1619, but became indentured servants instead of remaining slaves, earning their freedom with the state giving them their own land after a set number of years. Whereas the first documented occasion of legalized chattel slavery in the English colonies of America did not occur until 1654 in Virginia, when free African-American Anthony Johnson sued the court and won the right to own another African-American for life. And a slave ship arrived in 1646 in Massachusetts, whereupon the slaves were freed, and the slave owners imprisoned and charged with capital crimes of man-stealing. And the two English colonies of Virginia and Massachusetts began a dual track for African-Americans, with much slavery and oppression in the South and much freedom and opportunity in the North. African-Americans contributed much to America's rich colonial history, including political officials such as Matthias de Souza, elected to office in 1642. Winthrop Cheswell, elected to office in 1768, re-elected for the next 49 years to eight different political offices. Thomas Hercules elected to office in 1793. One of the first casualties of the movement for American independence was black patriot Crispus Attucks who was shot by British soldiers during the Boston Massacre. Notable African-American soldiers in the American revolutions included James Armstead Lafayette, James Sisson, Prince Whipple, Peter Salem, Salem Poor, LaMelle Haynes, Richard Allen, Prince Esther Brooke, Jordan Freeman, Oliver Cromwell, Brister Baker, and numerous others. During the American Revolution, African Americans and whites served together in integrated units in virtually every battle, and African Americans routinely reenlisted voluntarily, serving an average of eight times longer than the white soldiers. Influential African American colonial clergymen included Richard Allen, founder of America's first African-American Christian denomination. Absalom Jones, the first African-American clergyman to be ordained into a major Christian denomination. Lemo Haynes, the first African-American to receive a degree of higher education and to have a sermon published pastoring multiple white churches. Harry Hoosier, credited by some historians as being the namesake of the Hoosier State of Indiana. African-Americans also contributed much to America's rich history, well beyond the colonial era and the founding of America. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, there were many distinguished African-Americans, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, including Paul Cuffins, Stephen Smith, Claire Brown, Robert Gordon, Bridget Mason, Charles Richard Patterson, and many others. Notable 19th century African-American soldiers included Robert Smalls, the first African-American United States Naval Captain, Major General in the South Carolina Militia, William Harvey Kearney, Christian Fleetwood, Alfred Hilton, Charles Ville, and the Alexander family, five of the eight African-Americans who received the Medal of Honor for protecting the American flag, with many others receiving that medal, other acts of courage. In the 19th century, influential African-Americans included federal political leaders such as Howard Rhodes Revels, the first African-American United States Senator, Blanche Kelso Bruce, the second African American United States Senator, and the first African-American man to be nominated for vice president and have his name printed on federal currency, Joseph Hayne Rainey. The first African-American person to preside of the the United States House of Representatives, and other African Americans at the federal level, and hundreds more African Americans at the state legislative level. Distinguished African American ministers and civil rights advocates should be honored by all Americans, including Frederick Douglass, Henry Highland Garnett, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Truman, Sojourner Truth, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Many critics today wrongly assert that the United States Constitution was a pro-slavery document pointing to the three-fifths clause and claiming that the United States Constitution says that African Americans are the three-fifths of a person. Famous African American clergyman and abolitionist Frederick Douglass had been told this and initially accepted that the United States Constitution was a pro-slavery document until he personally read it for himself as well as the writings of those who wrote it. After that personal examination, Mr. Douglas concluded that the United States Constitution was an anti-slavery document and declared, I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it and that to the contrary, it will be found to contain principles and purposes is entirely hostile to the existence of slavery. Too many today overlook or ignore America's ongoing positive record on race and slavery. By 1804, every northern state in a nation passed laws for the abolition of slavery, making it one of the earliest regions in the world to do so. Of the scores of nations in the world in the late 18th and 19th centuries, In 1807, America became one of the first nations in the world to sign a law banning the slave trade with Great Britain doing so shortly thereafter while the British law
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Speaker 252 1:04:58
went into effect two months before America did.
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Senator Gary Stubblefield Unverified 1:05:08
I apologize. Whereas the scores of nations in the world In the late 18th and 19th centuries, in 1807, America became one of the first nations in the world to sign a law banning the slave trade with Great Britain, doing so shortly thereafter, while the British law went into effect two months before America's did. It contained major loopholes, causing America to be the first nation in the world with an immediate ban on the slave trade. Whereas beginning in 1819, America dispatched and maintained a naval presence off the coast of Africa to prevent other nations from taking slaves out of Africa. And American naval vessels intercepted and turned back numerous ships from other countries, continuing this effort until the outbreak of the Civil War, when those ships were called home in 1861 to fight the southern slave-holding confederacy. And America was not a major world leader in African slave trade. And of the 12,500,000 Africans brutally removed from Africa and sold into slavery from 1501 to 1875, approximately 5,800,000 were made slaves in Portuguese holdings, 3,300,000 in English holdings, 1,400,000 in French holdings, 1,100,000 in Spanish holdings, 600,000 in Dutch holdings, 300,000 brought to the United States. Whereas of the nearly 200 nations in the world today, 94% still have not criminalized slavery or the slave trade. And there are currently 40 million slaves in the world, including individuals forced into labor and into marriage. America is currently one of the top nations in the world in fighting slavery, the slave trade, and human trafficking. Despite America's early progress and work in advancing the issue of securing racial freedom and equality, that issue regrettably became more political and polarized. Whereas, for example, in 1789, a law that prohibited slavery, the federal territories were diversed in 1820 when Congress passed the Missouri Compromise. In 1850, Congress passed the Reprehensible Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, codifying and denying the minimal constitutional protections to accuse slaves and allowing slave hunters to take African Americans north to slavery in the South. In 1854, Congress passed the Kansas-Nebrass Act, legally allowing the extension of slavery all the way north to Canada through many formerly anti-slavery territories. In May of 1854, following the passage of these pro-slavery laws in Congress, a number of anti-slavery members of Congress joined with anti-slavery members of Congress from the Whig, Free Soul, Emancipationist Parties. And in 1856, Republicans issued the first national platform, affirming its call not only for the end of slavery, but also for equality and civil rights. And in 1857, the United States Supreme Court delivered the reprehensible Dred Scott decision, declaring that African-Americans were not persons, but instead were property and therefore had no rights. and that Congress could not ban slavery anywhere. And in 1860, the Democratic Party platform supported slavery and distributed a copy of the Dred Scott decision along with their platform to show that they had abided with the court's disgraceful decision. In the 1860 presidential election, anti-slavery candidate Abraham Lincoln represented the Republican Party, and the rest of the vote was split between three pro-slavery candidates. Stephen Douglas of Illinois, John Breckenridge of Kentucky, and John Bell of Tennessee, with Lincoln receiving 39 percent of the national popular vote, but 60 percent of the electoral vote, and the Democrats receiving 61 percent of the popular vote, 40 percent of the electoral votes, meaning that Abraham Lincoln became president. And Republicans not only won the presidency, but also gained control of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, after the majority of Democrats resigned, succeeded, whereupon Congress began passing anti-slavery and civil rights laws. In 1865, when the 13th Amendment was passed to abolish slavery, 21 percent of Democrats in Congress voted to end slavery. On the same day that Congress abolished slavery, Senator Charles Summers took African-American attorney, teacher, dentist, and physician John Rock to the United States Supreme Court, where he became the first African American to be admitted to the United States Supreme Court bar. Whereas after the passage of the 13th Amendment, Congress asked African American pastor Reverend Henry Highland Garner, a former slave, to preach a sermon to commemorate the end of slavery at the church services held every Sunday in the hall of the House of Representatives inside the United States Capitol. The Reverend Garnett preached the most powerful sermon on Sunday, February the 12th, 1865, saying, what is slavery? Too well do I know what it is. I was born among the cherished institutions of slavery. My earliest recollections of parents, friends, and the home of my childhood are clouded with its wrongs. The first sight that met my eyes was my Christian mother enslaved. By giving this sermon, Reverend Garnett became the first African American officially to speak in the halls of Congress, and the 14th Amendment securing civil rights for African Americans was passed without a single Democratic vote of support, and the 15th Amendment securing voting rights then passed. When African Americans in Southern states received civil rights, including the right to vote, they promptly elected. State Republican legislators across the South, which moved quickly to protect voting rights for African Americans, prohibit segregation and open public education, public transportation, state police schools, and other institutions. African Americans became active legislators in the South with the first 42 African Americans elected to the state legislators in Texas as Republicans, along with the first 127 African American legislators in Louisiana, the first 103 in Alabama, the first 112 in Mississippi, the first 190 in South Carolina, the first 46 in Virginia, the first 30 in Florida, the first 30 in North Carolina, and the first 41 in Georgia. The first 23 African American legislators elected to the United States Congress were largely from Southern states, where 13 of them had been slaves. In 1866, white Southerners began to retaliate against African American advancement in the southern states, not only by the manipulation of election laws in the south, but also by physical violence. As in Louisiana, where 40 African Americans and 20 whites were killed, with 150 more wounded at the Republican convention. Also in 1866, Democrats openly acknowledged in the congressional hearings that they formed the Ku Klux Klan as a political affiliate to help regain democratic control in elections. The national leader and grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who was an honored member of the Democratic National Convention of 1868. The Ku Klux Klan reigned a reign of violence, targeted and lynched many African Americans, but also white individuals, with 3,446 African Americans and 1,297 white lynched between 1862 and 1968. And by 1875, Congress had successfully passed almost 24 civil rights laws to secure equality and full civil rights. In 1867, Democrats regained control of the United States House of Representatives, blocked further civil rights progress, and began repealing existing civil rights laws so that it would be another 89 years before the next federal civil rights law was passed. Congress had opposed equal education for all students, with 87 percent of congressional Democrats voting against the 1872 Civil Rights Education Bill, while at the same time, schools and churches in which African American children were being taught were being burned, resulting in segregated, inferior, dilapidated schools for blacks becoming the norm in the southern states. And in 1919, one of the most bloodiest racial confrontations in the history of the country occurred in the Elaine Massacre in Elaine, Arkansas, in which hundreds of African Americans and five white individuals were estimated to have been killed following a meeting of a courageous African-Americans who were taking a bold stand for equal opportunity, individual liberty and the right to make a living for themselves and their families. Whereas in 1954, Brown versus the Board of Education, the United States Supreme Court finally struck down mandatory state segregation law and education, thus reinstating the anti-segregation standard that Congress had passed 75 years earlier in the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which had been strongly opposed by Democrats at that time. Ninety-nine Democrats and two Republicans in the United States Congress, 19 senators and 82 representatives signed the Southern Manifesto denouncing the Court's 1954 decision to end segregation. Although under President Franklin Roosevelt, the 1944 Democratic Party platform for the first time called for an end to racial discrimination, Congress still killed every piece of the civil rights legislation introduced in that era. When President Harry Truman introduced an aggressive 10-point civil rights legislative package that included an anti-lynching law, a ban on a poll tax, and a desegregation of the military, Congress killed all of his proposals, including his proposed Civil Rights Commission. Whereas President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued executive orders to eliminate racial discrimination and segregation in the District of Columbia and among federal contractors and became the first president to appoint an African-American, Frederick Morrow, to an executive position in the White House staff. In 1957, President Eisenhower proposed a bold civil rights bill to increase African-Americans voting rights and protections, but it was weakened by Senator James Eastland, who is credited with killing every civil rights bill that came before his committee in the 1950s. And in 1960, John F. Kennedy refused to sign an executive order to integrate public housing until the violent racial discord in Birmingham in 1963 caused him to change his mind, after which he began promoting the Civil Rights Bill. When President Lyndon Johnson promoted the Civil Rights Act in 1964, which President Kennedy he had earlier voted against while serving in the United States Senate, it was halted by Senator Robert Byrd, Richard Russell, until Senator Everett Dirksen and Congress were able to move the measure forward, allowing the Civil Rights Act Act of 1964, followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to be signed into law. Democrats had it completely within their power to pass these landmark civil rights bills but did not, and Republicans overwhelmingly supported the Civil Rights Act of 1964, with 80 percent of Republicans voting for the bill, a percentage of support almost 20 percentage points, higher than they had of the other party. recognizable civil rights leader of that area was Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Christian minister who was with President Johnson when the famous civil rights bill was signed into law and the contributions of not only those noted African Americans but also countless others in these and many of the facets of American life and culture should be recognized and honored and the story of African American heroes over the past 350 years needs desperately to be told and known by all Americans today, but it is often ignored or rewritten. These heroes are not just African-American heroes, but they are American heroes and should be honored by all Americans regardless of race, ethnicity, and Arkansas is committed to preserving the historical literacy, honoring the names and lives of those who have contributed so much to America, becoming the remarkable nation it is among the nations of the world. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the 93rd General Assembly of the state of Arkansas, the House of Representatives, concerning therein that the Senate urge each citizen to become familiar with the names of this resolution and investigate and learn about their extraordinary achievements, celebrate and contributions of all Americans, especially those of African Americans during Black History Month, and are grateful and thankful for their contributions across previous generations, which made America the exceptional nation it is today. Thank you. Senator Tucker.
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Senator Clarke Tucker Unverified 1:19:41
Thank you, Governor. And Senator Silverfield, Lord knows I'm grateful beyond words for the monumental contributions of African-Americans in building and creating our great country. I suppose I'm curious whether there was anything in particular that prompted this resolution from you and Senator Sullivan, or if there's anything in particular y'all are trying to accomplish with this. That's what I was
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Speaker 262 1:20:08
curious about. Well, Senator Tucker, aside in regard to all the things,
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Senator Gary Stubblefield Unverified 1:20:15
I think that this is just my opinion. In light of all the things that's happened in the last few years involving racism and discrimination, I think there's a lot of Americans that are just fed up with it. They're just fed up with it. I, for one, as a Christian, I've always believed, from the time I was a little boy, I believed that the ground at the level of the cross is level. That God created everyone equal. I've always believed that. No man, no person is worth more than another person. He's never created someone who's worth more than another person. So I think that's something that we need to get across to all Americans, that we're all equal. We need to work together and try to make that, you know, the theme of what
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Speaker 224 1:21:07
we're trying to accomplish in this country today. Other than that.
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Senator Kim Hammer Unverified 1:21:15
Senator Hammer has a question. Thank you, Senator. I, too, agree that I appreciate the intent and the effort. I would just like to ask, would you tell me where you got the information to substantiate what's in this resolution as far as verification of the information? This is a resolution
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Senator Gary Stubblefield Unverified 1:21:38
that was passed by the South Dakota legislature. We had the Bureau double fact-check it to make sure that every date, every name was accurate. So it has been thoroughly fact-checked and vetted.
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Speaker 271 1:21:54
Was that by our bureau or their bureau? Our bureau.
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:21:58
All right. Thank you. Any other questions? I got a
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Speaker 64 1:22:03
question. Oh, I'm sorry. I apologize, Senator Engel. Senator Flowers, it was all the virtual screen. Senator Flowers, you've
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:22:12
got the floor. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Stubblefield. You know, I question the veracity of some of this. I think you need to always consider, even if some things are reported and factually written down as true, you got to consider who the author was. And then you have to consider also the things, many things that were left out. Now, you say the you think you talk about how many slaves were brought to the United States. You said 300,000 and some more were taking some other South American countries and stuff. Those Africans that were brought from Africa as slaves and placed over there in those South American countries like Brazil, Cuba, and a lot of other places over there, Those were they were there to be indoctrinated and to be abused and to be placed in submission and then brought to the United States. And so I resent some of that stuff you got in there. I'm happy to hear that you talk about the history of this country and how the Democrats, who were mostly in the South then, carried out all this. And yes, the Republican Party back then was supportive of anti-slavery actions. But that Republican Party now has flipped. And the Democratic Party has flipped. And parties flip. People flip. But you can imagine a lot of people sitting up in the chamber there with you. Their ancestors were part of that Democratic Party. My father was a Republican in 1956 for Eisenhower. And many of my ancestors were Republicans. But you got to distinguish were certain things in that resolution, and I resent it. I appreciate you trying to point out some stuff, but don't just do it for the hell of it. And if you want to talk about Elaine, you can talk about Howard County race riot of 1883, when my great-grandfather was killed innocently. A few days before my grandfather was born. My grandfather never knew his father. My great-grandfather's ears were cut off. Senator Flowers, if
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Speaker 206 1:24:54
you want to speak on the bill, on the resume. No, I'm going to ask him a
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:25:02
question. Well, ask him a question, or I'm going to cut it off. I'm going to get to my question, and if you will allow me. Excuse me? If you will allow me, I will get to my question. If you're allowed, ask a question, please. Thank you. You know, you're right when you say God created humankind and ain't nobody better than the other. You're right about that. But would you agree that if you really wanted to do something, that you talk about reparations for the descendants of those slaves who have been abused and you talk about education after a certain while they were segregated talk about the Jim Crow laws would you agree reparations are in order now for black communities
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Senator Gary Stubblefield Unverified 1:25:59
yes or no I would agree that there's been a great evil done in this country and I would agree that we need to know the truth about our history, whether it's good, bad, or ugly. And there's been an ugly part of our country's history, and it was an evil part of our country's history. And I hope
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:26:20
and pray that it never happens again, Senator Flowers. Thank you. You didn't answer my question. What about reparations? Senator has left the well.
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Speaker 17 1:26:31
Would someone like to speak against the resolution? Senator Chesterfield is going to speak against SCR
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Speaker 22 1:26:36
6. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I really do
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Senator Linda Chesterfield Unverified 1:26:43
not want to speak against the motive of this resolution nor many of the facts that are in this resolution, because I know the heart of Senator Stubblefield and I know the heart of Senator Sullivan, and I believe that they are genuinely trying to portray the history of African Americans in this country. But the resolution as it is currently structured, in my view, is filled with some misinformation. For instance, we say that slavery did not happen until 1654 when an African American named Anthony Johnson sued in a court of law and won the right to own another African American for life. That was the first judicial ruling that put into place slavery. Slavery was established in Massachusetts in 1641, 1641. John Punch in 1640 was sentenced by the Virginia Council to serve for life in 1640. I had tried to visit with Senator Sullivan to talk about those things that were of concern to me as far as facts are concerned, not what his heart is, or what the heart of this bill is. Because I am pleased to always celebrate African American history as I have taught it as a part of American history for a long period of time. I'm concerned also on page four, when we talk about the fact that, whereas many critics today wrongly assert that the United States Constitution was a pro-slavery document, pointing to the three-fifths clause and claiming that the United States Constitution says that African-Americans are only three-fifths of a person. Article 1 says that representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within the union according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service, those who are indentured servants, for a term of years, and excluding Indians, not taxed, and three-fifths of all other persons. Those three-fifths of all other persons were the Africans who were in America. There are two great compromises that are always taught about the Constitution. The great compromise which established a bicameral legislature, One House based on representation, the other based on equal representation. Representation, excuse me, by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate. In order to get to that representation and to determine how taxation would take place, there was a fight between the Northern and Southern individuals in the Constitutional Convention. the northerners wanted to count all of the slaves for taxation purposes or they wanted to count none of them because they felt that it would give the south too many individuals the south wanted to count all of the slaves for purposes of population and so the compromise was that we would count three that they would count three-fifths of the slaves as individuals for purposes of taxation and representation That's just the way that is. Also, when we talk about Frederick Douglass, speaking about what a great document it is, he did indeed say that, but he said it is allowed to be willed on behalf of emancipation. We've got to understand that this Constitution did not start out as a perfect document. It is the greatest document, I believe, that has ever been created. But it had its flaws, because it was made by human beings like you and me. Whereas America was not a major world leader in the African slave trade, indeed it was a recipient of a plethora of slaves. Many of them, through the Middle Passage, which went to other countries first before it came here. We do not need to whitewash our history. We need to say that, indeed, African Americans made great contributions to our history, but that this country did some things that were very, very poor as far as its people of color were concerned. We know this. Let us be truthful totally about it, because what we have here has many, many truths, and I believe it is built on the best of intentions. But I am concerned when we start saying things like who the people were that were ministers, why did Richard Allen leave the church? Our children need to know why. And that's because he was not allowed to worship with white parishioners in the same area. Much like I was not allowed to attend the movies in the lobby, except that Hendricks made them make an exception for Emily Johnson and me when we desegregated Hendricks. It needs to be said as a part of African-American history that I was not allowed to try on shoes and clothing in stores. That too needs to be said so that we find out from whence we came and how far we've come and perhaps how far we have to go. If we're going to deal with black history. Let us deal with all of black history. Let us not use it as a political tool to say that one party was worse than the end. What he had said about the Democratic Party is absolutely correct. It had a horrible history as far as race was concerned. A horrible history. I acknowledge that. It is a different party, much as the Republican Party has evolved, so has the Democratic Party. But I say to you that I am concerned that we, as we start talking about African-American history, and we've already adopted a black history resolution that I did not choose to read all of, because I thought y'all would run me off, but where I was going to point out a number of people, I was going to ask you who was the first African-American to serve in this body since Reconstruction. Do any of you know? Who was the first African-American to serve as majority leader in this body do you know? Who was the first African-American to serve as the president pro-tempera of the Senate do you know? And I was going to do all of that but for the sake of time I did not but I am so glad that Senator Stubblefield read it all. I am so glad that I get to respond to it all and say to you that many parts of it are really great but there are some parts of it to me are questionable and don't do black history justice. Thank you.
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Speaker 284 1:34:03
Anyone else which to speak for? Senator Sullivan, then Senator Hendren against. Folks, I'll be
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Senator Dan Sullivan Unverified 1:34:12
real quick with this. You know, we did spend a lot of time vetting this. It didn't just come down and a couple people look at it. We spent a lot of time, a lot of hours, making sure the information was correct. everything that went through came through our Bureau of Let Us Light of Research. If they asked for changes, we made those changes to vet that. And I'll say this. When I ran for election, I met with the African-American leaders in my community in Jonesboro, some of whom I've known for a long time and appreciate them. They never questioned on this. I sent this document to them, gave them several days to review it. I think we have one of the only African-American radio stations in the state. Senator them asked them to review it. None of them question my sincerity or the opportunity, and I appreciate the senator not doing that because it's not there. I really appreciate the opportunity we have to read this today and share this information. And, Senator, I hope we'll read the document next time. It's important. We've done a poor job of educating our citizens about the contributions of African-Americans. The intent of this is to start this discussion and continue it. And it's factual. If there are disagreements, let's talk about those and study that. And I'm open for that. But I would appreciate a good vote on this. The intent is good. I hope it will go out to our schools and our schoolchildren. If there are revisions that need to come about, make that as we go out. Or let's just have that discussion. But I'd appreciate
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Speaker 74 1:35:48
a good vote. Thank you. Question. One second, Senator Flowers. Senator Ingram has a question for Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan, you want to entertain a question? OK. Sorry, Senator Ingram. If he didn't want to take a question, I can't
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Speaker 12 1:36:07
make him take it. OK. And Senator Flowers. Sorry. We're so are you close? We got Senator Hendren going to speak against. Well, let me just
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Senator Jim Hendren Unverified 1:36:18
start by saying I'm not questioning the sincerity of the people bringing the resolution either, but I do want to make a couple points about it because I think this is setting the absolute wrong tone for how we should be working together. Yesterday we spent, I don't know, 15 or 20 minutes talking about a resolution on the 10th Amendment, which accomplishes nothing except to make us feel better that we're telling the federal government to step off now we're spending a significant amount of time the Bureau has spent hours likely I don't know apparently since it's copied from South Dakota or from somewhere who they gave it to us but we're spending more time debating a resolution that does nothing except get the opposition of the people supposed to be commemorated during Black History Month that tells you you've got a problem I've been down here for 14 years six in the House and eight in the Senate. And again, with all due respect, this is probably the worst resolution I've ever seen. Two years ago, I made a motion down here in the well to defer all resolutions till the last week of the session, because we started this kind of silliness then. And what do I mean by silliness? I mean by resolution with partisan, petty purposes. When I see the word Democrat all throughout this thing and us trying to point out how superior our party is to another party, even though, as it's been clearly demonstrated, has nothing to do with the positions of the parties today, I see something that is a complete abuse of what we're supposed to be doing with memorials and resolutions. And I saw it two years ago, and this body agreed, and we deferred all that until the last week of the session, because instead of spending an hour debating a resolution that offends the people it's supposed to be commemorating, We should be debating things that help health care and education, the things that we're actually paid to come down here and do. It's just ironic to me that after Charlottesville, Senator Elliott and I brought a real piece of legislation to create a race relations subcommittee. Instead of talking about a bunch of points we've cherry-picked out of history to say that our party is superior, year, we said, let's put a bipartisan group together and figure out a path forward. And we got nowhere. And I guess that's why I think it's so hard for me to sit here and see us waste our time and the staff's time with resolutions about Venezuelan presidents or Obamacare or saying that the Democratic Party was racist back in the day. I hope we can stop this stuff and get back to debating the things that
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Speaker 102 1:39:10
really matter. Senator Hendren, would you take a question for Senator Ingram, please? Or it's
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Speaker 291 1:39:22
up to you. Senator, I appreciate the sound. I could not agree more with it. Would you agree that you would be very nervous, since we've heard from the sponsors, that our Bureau has vetted this, that this has been made sure that everything was correct in it. But yet, if I read this, it says that President Kennedy in 1960 didn't sign an executive order. I think that would come as a shock to historians since President Kennedy did not take office until January of 1961. Does that make you a little nervous that we've been told our bureau has completely vetted this well i'd
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Senator Jim Hendren Unverified 1:40:04
be interested to know the south dakota resolution had the same mistake in it i guess what i would say senator ingram it kind of makes the point it would make me nervous if this actually did anything but again we
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Speaker 293 1:40:20
we know what we're doing here and thank you earlier senator elliott did you were you just trying to help
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Speaker 295 1:40:29
Senator Ingram, or do you have a question?
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Senator Jason Rapert Unverified 1:40:31
Okay. Senator Rayford has a question. Yes, my question is simply to make sure so that there's not a void on this, Senator. There were other senators that joined you and Senator Elliott in support of that vocally and spoke out for it, and I just want to make sure so that nobody thinks the body was void
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Senator Jim Hendren Unverified 1:40:48
of anybody. No, Senator Rayford, you and then Representative Williams from Springdale, there absolutely were, and again, And I appreciate those who did at the point I was making is if we want to do something to educate ourselves and to find out why there is this tension. And you were extremely helpful in that. And I appreciate it.
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Senator Jason Rapert Unverified 1:41:05
And I appreciate that. And that's that's the point is that in hearing all of this. Absolutely. I join all of you, no matter what our race is, no matter what our party is, that we need to speak for unity in the country right now. We could disagree on issues, but it's time for us to unify on certain matters. Thank you. No
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Speaker 63 1:41:24
other questions. Speak for Senator Garner. Anyone want to speak against after that? Thank you, Mr.
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 1:41:33
President. I'm not speaking for or against this resolution. I think it's a normal course of action when you hear a resolution. What I had to respond to is Senator Hennerin talking about last session, how they stopped the resolutions from the ones in which I passed and tried to get it done. I don't know where Senator Hennerin lives or how he deals with things, but issues of communism in Venezuela comes up in my district when I talk to people. Issues about the Communist Chinese Party and what they've done to us comes up when I talk to people down in South Arkansas. Issues dealing with Republican versus Democrat and the ideals that we believe in and the things that we agree with comes up when I talk to average people. You can get inundated on social media from people who hear these things, share these things, talk about these things. These silly ideas are ideas that people in Arkansas all across the state hold and believe every single day. And we know resolution has no weight of law behind it. But this Senate body, as a majority, can make positional stands on issues that we typically don't get to. Whether that's national issues, whether that's other issues that we do. You know what? You have a right to vote down any resolution you don't want to. You have a right to bring any resolution you want to, to be heard and discussed. But when you call it a waste of time to deal with issues that people care about, when you call it a waste of time to arrogantly sit up there and think you know how to run things and your bills are perfect and your bills do substantial things. You know that bill last time that Senator Hendren talked about, it was a fundamentally flawed bill, and egregiously so, if you want my opinion on it. We could have discussed it at that time. It gave legislative power to a non-governmental entity to examine different rules that we did to make sure... Sir?
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Speaker 302 1:43:30
I'm talking. Yes, sir. To make sure we
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 1:43:32
had the power outside of this legislative body. And once again, these issues are forefront in the media and with the attention of people we do. I'm proud we're having a debate. 90% of the time we're passing cleanup bills or things that don't do much to affect the people of Arkansas' lives. You think they care that a line 3 on page 6 got changed from one department to another? They're important. I get why we do them. He's
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:44:13
not speaking on the bill. Objection. He can speak. He's speaking on a resolution. He's not speaking on this resolution. He's talking about China and Venezuela and all kinds of stuff.
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Speaker 304 1:44:21
Senator, when you were speaking, you were speaking when you were supposed to be asking questions. I'm going to cut your microphone off if you don't. You can cut it off. I'll cut it off.
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Speaker 306 1:44:35
Let him finish. You don't have to agree with it. Cut yourself off. Please proceed, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President, for respecting this body
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 1:44:43
and the rules we have in place. I'll finish with this. Senator Flowers' passion that you just saw— You dumbass, you don't know nothing about it. You know, eventually that's going to become a real problem, people being able to interrupt senators like that.
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Speaker 12 1:45:08
I didn't hear it, thank goodness, but go ahead. Please, I don't know what you said, but if it was foul language, please don't use that. We will
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Senator Trent Garner Unverified 1:45:15
deal with that. It's all right, Mr. President. We know that certain members of this body get carte blanche to insult and to disrespect other members when it comes to how this proceeding works. So I'll finish up with this. the passion that center flowers and others have shown today i think that's important for the people of arkansas to see us care about these issues and that's why i'm happy that we spoke and we discussed passionately real life debate and we try to do it civil center chess filled in an attack anybody personally i haven't attacked people personally might use some strong language for sure but that's what's a great thing about the Senate. And even when we deal with contentious real issues, it's important that we do that. Thank you. Thank you.
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Speaker 74 1:46:00
It's important to note that people have wide latitude if they're speaking at the appropriate time. I'm not up here to judge whether you're... There's a lot of stuff that's said in here I totally disagree with, and I would totally correct if that was my role, but it's not. My role is just let people talk. You don't want me correcting you, because I'd
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Senator Jonathan Dismang Unverified 1:46:23
be busy. Senator Desmay is going to speak again. And I guess this is really a request of the sponsors. We've had some members that have raised some questions about it. They want to have a conversation about the resolution. I mean, I'd ask that it be pulled down at this time and allow those conversations to occur. That does not mean that this resolution is ever going to run. But maybe there is one that we run that we talk about some of the achievements here in this state specifically. And I think that's something that, you know, what we've heard from the members, they like to work in unison, you know, with you as sponsors to do. So I guess my request is, is that we not bring it for a vote, that we, you know, have the discussion that's been asked of the sponsors and not move forward today.
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Speaker 36 1:47:05
Thank you. Is that, are you making a motion, Senator? Are
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Chair Unverified 1:47:14
you just, okay. Looks like there's no, Senator Hickey
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr Unverified 1:47:18
is recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to call for immediate consideration with a roll call vote. Okay.
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Speaker 47 1:47:24
Roll call. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
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Speaker 314 1:47:30
No, no, no. Hang on one second. He asked.
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Speaker 304 1:47:37
He took 24 votes for that motion. Oh, you made a motion. Maybe, sir. Okay. Motion
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Speaker 317 1:47:44
for... Can you do that after you recognize me? I haven't recognized
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Speaker 74 1:47:49
you yet. He just made a motion for immediate consideration. I thought you were saying I'm going
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Speaker 321 1:47:55
to speak next, but this comes in between that. You want to allow her to speak and then? Okay.
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Speaker 74 1:48:01
You can make the motion to me. The motion is right. All those that need 24 votes, all those in favor say aye. 5. Opposed? 2. No. Get
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Speaker 17 1:48:17
up. Okay. The no's have it. Okay. One. We need
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:48:26
five. My hand's raised. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Yeah, yeah,
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Speaker 322 1:48:38
this is on the motion.
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Speaker 74 1:48:42
This is on the motion. 24 votes on the motion made by Senator Hickey. Senator Bledsoe, for immediate consideration, yes. Senator Hickey made a motion for immediate consideration. It needs 24 votes. It failed on the voice vote. We're having a roll call vote on
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Speaker 36 1:49:03
the motion. If the motion is successful, we will then have immediate consideration of the underlying bill. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Any questions?
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Speaker 9 1:49:13
You ready? Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, Clark, Clark, Davis, Aye.
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Speaker 195 1:49:38
Dispeng? Aye. Eades? Aye. Elliot? No. English? Aye. Flippo? Aye. Flowers? Present. Garner?
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Speaker 197 1:49:52
Yes. Gilmore? Aye. Hammer? Aye. Hendron?
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Speaker 9 1:50:00
No. Hester? No. Hickey? Aye. Hill? Aye.
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Speaker 195 1:50:09
Ingram, Irvin, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Leading Pitch Riepert Riepert Rice Sample Stebafil Sturge
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Speaker 9 1:50:43
Sullivan Teague Teague Tucker No. Wallace. Aye. Anyone wish to vote
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Speaker 74 1:50:59
or change their vote? Senator Davis, it looks like a no. Is there a no? Senator Irvin, aye. Anybody else? Okay. Cast up the vote. Aye. Senator Teague, aye. Cast up the ballot. Twenty-four yays, seven nays. The motion is carried. The motion
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Speaker 121 1:51:23
for immediate consideration is carried. Now we're going to vote on the underlying bill, and
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Speaker 37 1:51:31
we're not going to roll the vote. Ballinger? Aye.
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Speaker 9 1:51:43
Beckham? Beckham? Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Clark, Davis,
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Speaker 195 1:52:10
Davis, Dismang, Dismang,
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Speaker 9 1:52:16
No. Eads? Eads? Elliot? No. English?
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Speaker 195 1:52:31
Flippo? Flippo? Flowers? No.
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Speaker 197 1:52:40
Garner? Yes. Gilmore? Gilmore? Hammer Hammer
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Speaker 9 1:52:49
Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Hill Ingram Irvin Irvin Blake
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Speaker 195 1:53:06
Johnson Blake Johnson Mark Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rapert, Rapert, Rice, Rice, Sample, Stubbafil,
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Speaker 74 1:53:34
Aye. Sturge? No. Sullivan? Aye. Teague? No. Tucker? No. Wallace? No. Anyone wish to vote or change their vote? Senator Hammer is no. Senator Beckham is no. Senator Breanne Davis is no. Anybody else over here? Okay. Senator Rafer is no. Senator Mark Johnson is present. president. Senator Hill is no. Senator Gilmore is no. Anybody else over here? Okay. Cast up
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Speaker 12 1:54:17
the ballot. Four yeas, 22
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Speaker 74 1:54:23
nays. The resolution fails. Senator Gilmore. This is not Senator
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Speaker 195 1:54:37
Gilmore's first time. Right. HCR 1002. House Concurrent Resolution 1002
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 30 1:54:43
by Representative Boyd and Senator Gilmore to encourage continued collaboration
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Speaker 161 1:54:48
among health care providers, law enforcement, educators, public officials and the Arkansas community in battling the abuse of prescription drugs in Arkansas. Senator Gilmore,
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Speaker 17 1:54:59
will you suspend for just one second? Senator Irvin, did you want to bring
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Senator Missy Irvin Unverified 1:55:07
something to my attention? Yes. Under Rule 9.06, I'd like to make a motion to censor Senator Flowers for the language, and she made a derogatory comment against one of our existing senators. I don't think that was appropriate, so I'd make a motion based on Rule 9.06. That's inappropriate and needs to stop. My motion is to censor Senator Flowers for using that language and calling another member of the Senate chamber
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Speaker 86 1:55:36
a derogatory name. Okay. I'd like to respond. I'd like to respond. You'll get to.
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Speaker 74 1:55:43
Just hang on one second. I'll call on. In the future, and I understand Senator Gilmore was there, but let's make motions from the well. So the Senator's made a motion regarding the language of Senator Flowers, and first of all, I'll let you speak, Senator Flowers. Are there any questions about, okay, Senator Hester? Senator Irvin, would you take a question for Senator Hester, and if you would, would you please come down to the chamber? What's that? I'd like to ask Steve. Okay, okay. Well, Steve, you'll come up here and he's going to ask you a question. You
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Speaker 219 1:56:19
just go ahead and ask a question to the
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Senator Bart Hester Unverified 1:56:23
chairman. Okay, Steve, can you define what a censure is? I've been here, it's my fifth session, never done it.
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Speaker 334 1:56:39
Can you just define what it is and what the... Can you use
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Speaker 337 1:56:50
mine? Rule 906. Rule 906. allows a member to be censured as punishment. I mean, it's spelled out that under that rule that if the body feels a member has transgressed as a rule, that member can be liable to be
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Speaker 304 1:57:17
censored by the body. If the motion fails, nothing
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Speaker 12 1:57:22
happens. If the motion passes, then the body can decide to censure or punish the, correct?
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Speaker 310 1:57:32
Senator Chesterfield. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Specifically, because of the
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Senator Linda Chesterfield Unverified 1:57:40
night, was she not under the impression that you would cut her mic off? Well, we're going to let her speak to that. I don't know that. I remember you saying that you were going to cut her mic off. And so that's why I was wondering if that did not happen. I don't even know how you would cut a
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:58:00
mic off, but I was going to find out how, but I didn't.
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Speaker 12 1:58:05
Senator Flowers, would you like to, I assume you can hear what's going on. If
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Senator Stephanie Flowers Unverified 1:58:14
you would just respond. All right. I'm reading rule 9.06. If any member in speaking or otherwise transgresses the rules of the Senate, the presiding officer shall, or any member may, call him to order, in which case he shall immediately sit down unless permitted on motion of another member to explain, and the Senate shall, if appealed to, decide on the case without debate. If the decision is in favor of the member called to order, he shall be at liberty to proceed, but not otherwise. and if the case requires it, he shall be liable to censure or such punishment as the Senate may deem proper. In the first place, I wasn't called to order. And in the second place, if I have transgressed by language, certainly the Senate can see that a transgression has been committed and probably still is being committed by Senator Garner in not wearing his mask and other members of the Senate and carrying a gun around the Senate chamber and in committees. So I don't feel like I should be censored, you know, and somebody I was explaining and trying to object and call a point of order on Senator Garner for getting away from the contents of the resolution. He was speaking well off the resolution. That's my response.
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Speaker 263 1:59:41
Okay, I'm looking at 9.06, and do not find it on point
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 12 1:59:47
in this particular case, but I'm going to call on Senator Pitts. Did you have a motion?
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Senator Missy Irvin Unverified 2:00:00
Senator Irvin. I just, I would like to respond because we're to a point where this needs to stop. and it's inappropriate to use a derogatory term to call one of our senators a name at the well. It's not right. It needs to stop. And it's going to be recorded in our Senate business that Senator Garner was called a name. That is inappropriate. And are we either going to stand up as a Senate and decide that we are going to be professionals and conduct our business in such a way that we are not calling members by names that are derogatory. You may disagree with a person all day long, but to stand up at this well and to call a member a name like that is wrong. And we have rules to address this. And all I'm asking for is to utilize our rules in 906 and 907 to censor a member to say, no, please stop doing this and don't do it again. That's all I'm asking for because I think it's important that we conduct ourselves as professionals and that we ensure that the Senate as an institution is seen in such a way that is not derogatory towards another human being, whoever it is. Thank
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Speaker 121 2:01:25
you. Thank you. My point was simply 9.07. You're going
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Speaker 135 2:01:30
to stay with six? Okay. Okay. All right. So we, anyone, so Senator, just to
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Speaker 74 2:01:38
make sure, because it's hard to hear here, when you stood up, did you cite 9.06 and 9.07 or just 9.06? 9.06. Okay. All right. So any other? We've heard from Senator Flowers. I think we've had questions, we've had questions asked and answered. Now we're going to have a vote on the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed? No. The ayes have it. The motion is carried. The Senate will have to figure out on their own terms
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Speaker 12 2:02:20
how they want to proceed from here.
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Speaker 346 2:02:22
Senator Gilmour. Members, you've heard the title
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Senator Ben Gilmore Unverified 2:02:38
as our secretary has read it. I would appreciate a good vote on this. This is speaking to a very important issue that has impacted all of our districts and everybody in some way or another. So I'd appreciate a good vote.
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Speaker 349 2:02:52
Any questions for the senator against
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 135 2:02:58
for all those in favor, say
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Speaker 12 2:03:04
aye. Opposed, ayes have it, concurred resolution is adopted, return to the house. notice of passage
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Speaker 107 2:03:22
of Senate bill 42 notice of passage of Senate bill 43 notice of passage of 104 109 notice of passage of Senate Bill 201. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 202. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 209. Enroll it. Notice the passage of Senate Bill 210. Enroll it. Notice the passage of 214. Enroll it. Notice the
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Speaker 9 2:03:59
passage of 222, all by the House. Enroll
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 124 2:04:04
it. Enroll it. No, it's patched Symbol 223 by the
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Speaker 44 2:04:10
House. Any announcements? We're going to do those substantive
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Speaker 74 2:04:16
clearing of the desk, we're going to do them
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Speaker 78 2:04:21
now. Okay, we have to do these now, Senator Reagan.
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Speaker 30 2:04:26
Okay. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom we deferred House Bill 1009 by Representative Wardlow, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred House Bill 1010 by Representative Jett, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred House Bill 1031 by Representative Jett, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred House Bill 1042 by Representative Jett, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed bills to move forward House Bill 1041 by Representative Jett, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed bills to move forward House Bill 1033 by Representative Jett, compare the engrossed copy
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Speaker 48 2:05:17
with the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
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Speaker 74 2:05:25
Calendar. Senator Rupert has an announcement. We're going to take some announcements before we adjourn.
▶ Play Suggest a correction Report an error
Senator Jason Rapert Unverified 2:05:30
Members, this is the last opportunity to say something. Senator's
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Speaker 306 2:05:34
in the well talking. Please listen. Members, this
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Senator Jason Rapert Unverified 2:05:36
is the last opportunity to say something, but tomorrow at 1145, there's a press conference with Arkansas Right to Life, Arkansas Family Council, and others in support of SB6. Those of you that wish to be, we'd love to have you there. Thank you. Any other announcements? Okay.
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Speaker 12 2:05:58
Senator Alley, you have something for the good of the order?
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Speaker 356 2:06:02
May I just do it from here, Ms. Chair? I was just going to remind people, if you want to be a part of the Arts Caucus, you need to let me know, because we'll be having a meeting soon. Thanks so much. Any other announcements? Senate's adjourned at
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Speaker 22 2:06:15
1 o'clock tomorrow, subject to the clearing of the desk. Senate Bill 308 by Senator Trump. You
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Agenda

Call to Order

8:48

Roll Call

8:53

Prayer

9:42

Pledge of Allegiance

10:21

Announcements

10:35

HOUSE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS

16:52

HB1009 #1 Wardlaw Beckham TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS FOOD IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

16:55

HB1010 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALES OF CERTAIN AIRCRAFT.

17:48

HB1031 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF INCOME TAX RETURNS BY TAX PRACTITIONERS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING TAX PRACTITIONERS.

18:18

HB1033 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO REMOVE EXTRANEOUS REFERENCES TO DIGITAL MAGAZINES IN THE SALES TAX LAWS; AND TO CLARIFY THE EXEMPTION OF A CAR WASH OPERATOR'S SALE OF A CAR WASH.

18:33

HB1041 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO WAIVE THE CERTIFICATE OF INDEBTEDNESS FILING FEES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

18:58

HB1042 #1 Jett M. Johnson TO REPEAL THE LONG-TERM RENTAL VEHICLE TAX.

19:09

SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE

19:25

SB31 J. English TO AMEND THE COMPONENTS OF A COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ASSESSMENT.

SB102 B. Sample TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

19:35

SB103 B. Sample TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES' DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

21:19

SB105 B. Sample TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MARRIAGE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT FOR SURVIVOR ANNUITY BENEFITS UNDER THE ARKANSAS STATE HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

23:13

SB124 J. Sturch TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS ACADEMIC CONTENT STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM.

27:28

SB143 Irvin TO ENSURE THAT BENEFICIARIES OF THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM HAVE ACCESS TO NEW PRODUCTS AND LABEL EXPANSIONS APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION; AND TO CREATE THE RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL.

32:03

SB165 J. Hendren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TERMINATION AND CANCELLATION OF A RESIDENTIAL LEASE UNDER THE ARKANSAS SOLDIERS' AND AIRMEN'S CIVIL RELIEF ACT.

34:30

SB169 T. Garner CONCERNING OUTDOOR SALES OF NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY A MINOR.

37:18

SB240 D. Wallace TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NONMUNICIPAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

42:51

SB247 B. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PENALTIES FOR A VIOLATION OF THE OFFENSE OF RACING A VEHICLE ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY.

44:58

SB254 K. Hammer TO ENSURE THAT BUSINESSES ARE NOT PENALIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF THEIR PATRONS OR CUSTOMERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19) PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

49:36

SB289 K. Hammer TO CREATE THE MEDICAL ETHICS AND DIVERSITY ACT.

52:19

HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE

53:03

HB1026 Cavenaugh B. Johnson TO CLARIFY THAT CERTAIN APPEARANCE FEES ARE NOT COMPENSATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT.

53:05

HB1183 Underwood Ballinger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN COUNTY ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS AND FILE MAINTENANCE.

54:50

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION

56:49

SCR6 D. Sullivan TO COMMEMORATE AMERICAN HISTORY.

57:07

Motion to suspend member

1:54:40

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND CONCURRENCE

2:02:29

HCR1002 Boyd Gilmore 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.

2:02:31

Announcements

2:04:20

Adjourn

2:06:25

Documents

No documents posted.

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