House Convenes

One two three four five. One two three four five. I am by the member staff press and guests in the gallery stand to be led in prayer. By Dr rex mourn House chaplain retired pastor menu Baptist Church Little Rock and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance be led by represented Lane Jean. Let's pray. Bother with thank you for this day and for the opportunities that have already been hours and those that we will have this afternoon I pray for the women and the men here in the House operator bless them those that have personal needs and physical need to be with them. Those who have been suffering through bereavement in recent days continues to be ever close to them by your presence be near. And dear and powerful in their lives. Father is the. Folks go through the session and as the days become weeks and the weeks months give them strength for each day and even in the grind of things to see good that comes out of their efforts. More help us to remember what you require of us. That we might be the people who act justly. Love mercy. And while calmly before our god in Jesus name amen. Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button prepare the machine Mr Clark. Cast out Mr Clark. With ninety nine. Ninety nine members present the chair sees a quorum. Are there any request for leave represent Gazaway for what purpose leave for Representative Mayberry is leave granted for represent Mayberry. I've been advised that represent Mayberry is voting by proxy so she will not. She will not be given leave today so be voting by proxy so with let the record reflect that. Represent Fredrick Love most we dispense with the reading of the previous day's Journal without objection so ordered. Are the Reports from select committees read reports Mr Clark. Mr Speaker we are Committee on joint budget to whom was referred house bill ten ninety one house bill eleven twenty seven House eleven sixty seven house bill twelve eighty six and house bill thirteen twelve beg leave to report we've had the same under consideration here with turn same to recognition to do pass respectfully submitted Lane Jean chair Mister Speaker we are Committee on Advanced Communications to whom was referred house bill ten or eleven ten beg leave to report we had the same under consideration here with the term the same the recognition to do pass as amended number three respectfully submitted Spencer Hawks vice chair. Mr Clark R. their Reports from standing committees. Read the reports Mr Speaker we are Committee on Public Health to whom was referred house bill Levin sixteen house bill eleven eighteen house bill eleven eighty eight Senate bill ninety nine beg leave to report that we've had the same under consideration here with the turn the same with recognition and do pass respectfully submitted Jack Ladyman chair Mr Speaker we are Committee on Public Health to whom was referred house bill Levin seventy six beg leave to report we had the same under consideration here with trying to sing the recognition to do pass as amended number two respectfully submitted Jack Ladyman chair Mr Speaker your committee on education to whom was referred house bill Levin seventy five House eleven ninety three House eleven ninety for Senate bill seventy one Senate bill eighty three big league report we've had that same under consideration here with her the same the recommendation do pass respectfully submitted Bruce Cozart chair Mister Speaker we are Committee on Education to whom was referred house bill ten twenty nine beg leave to report we had similar consideration here with turn the same the recognition do pass as amended number one respectfully submitted Bruce Cozart chair. Is there any unfinished business. Are there any Executive communications. Mr Clark read Senate concurrent resolution number one. Senate concurrent resolution number one Representative Warren. To request that the Arkansas state social security administrator hold a referendum to determine whether a majority of the Arkansas members of the General Assembly those are full social security coverage. Purpose of one you're recognized explain resolution. Thank you Mr Speaker. Members all this does have passed will be to. Send a formal request to the Arkansas state Social Security Administration to hold a referendum to see if a majority of the members of the General Assembly all one hundred and thirty five desire full social security coverage. Years ago when this was first discussed salaries were around the fifteen thousand dollar range now at around forty one thousand. this does have an impact on some members. What will happen is there will be a resolution to the Arkansas state so Security Administration. There will be a vote via an election committee that will be set up Through members of the Arkansas Legislative Council. And so basically all I'm asking you is for a vote to have a vote. Be glad to answer any questions. I appreciate a good vote. Represent worn is explain the resolution when he would like to speak against the resolution. Twenty one like to speak for the resolution. Percent worn is closed for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of sin Senate concurrent resolution one all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion carries. Resolution is adopted. Mr Clark please read house concurrent resolution one thousand eight house concurrent resolution one thousand eight by represented shepherd to provide for an extension of the regular session of the ninety third General Assembly and to provide for a recess of the General Assembly. Representatives you're recognized explain the resolution thank you Mr Speaker of members this is a resolution we run every session and it's one I sincerely hope we don't have to use of this will allow us to extend the session to may third if necessary currently we're to adjourn on the eighty nine today which would be around April ninth one experts provision was added this year which is Covin days or we work to get shut down due to an outbreak of code in here we without those days to the end of the first part of the sessions with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Represent eaves explain the resolution would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution. Percent eaves's close for the resolution the question before the House is the adoption of house concurrent resolution one thousand eight prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. I voted ninety five U. A. zero nine zero present the resolution is adopted. Mr Clark please re actually the morning hours ended. Members the doctor the days Dr Richard E. McCarthy of little rock and the nurse today is Sherri Bernard. Clark please read house bill twelve twenty six. House Bill twelve twenty six all represented Crawford to modify the cemetery Act for perpetually maintain cemeteries into amending solvent cemetery grant fund act. Crawford you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker hello friends and neighbors. I bring before you today house bill twelve twenty six that will allow our perpetual care licensee to tap into some principle in the trust for infrastructure repair and capital improvements the current perpetual care cemetery laws require that the principle of the permanent maintenance fund shall be preserved this means that a license perpetual care cemetery organization cannot utilize any of the principal balance in the transfer anything the licensee can only withdraw accrued interest income from the trust to pay for a regularly occurring maintenance repairs and fees. With the conning investment income and earning rights over the past twenty to thirty years a majority of license perpetual care cemetery organizations are not earning enough interest income on on the trust to cover the regular maintenance expenses such as mowing trash and removing debris let alone to pray pay for large infrastructure such as repairs capital improvements roads drainage and mausoleum. The Secretary ownership management has a difficult time generating new business for cemeteries when the roads and grounds or in poor deteriorating conditions such repairs are needed to support current business indigent rate new sales for the cemeteries. The program rules and requirements will be created and administered by the Arkansas state board of embalmers funeral directors cemetery and burial services I appreciate your sponsorship of these proposed changes to the perpetual care cemetery laws I believe that will certainly help out several licensees that desperately need major repairs that currently cannot be paid for and I'll take any questions if you're really nice and if you realize I'm not a funeral director or an emblem. With that. With no questions I appreciate a good vote. Represent Crawford has explained the bill would he would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Crawford is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve twenty six prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote ninety seven you A. zero nine zero present. The bill is passed represent Mayberry voted yes by proxy. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty two house bill twelve forty two by represented Lowery to require certain long term care insurance to follow market conduct annual statements. Represent Lowery recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. The bill that you have before you house bill twelve forty two is a insurance department bill it is a technical clean up bill basically what it states is that all other lines of insurance the if they collect if the insurer collects fifty thousand. Dollars. The reporting fifty thousand dollars or more they have to report it but the issue of long term care insurance that has not been included in so to be in line with the provisions of the in a I. see national association of insurance commissioners that's what this section does There was no opposition to the bill and I would appreciate a positive vote thank you. Represent Lowry's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Ferguson Lowery is closed for the bill the question before the House the passage of house bill twelve forty two prepared the machines to Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about his Clerk. Other ninety one yeah he's one eight zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve thirty six. Also twelve thirty six by Representative Mark Berry concerning unified command of law enforcement agencies in and around the state capitol in the event of a civil disturbance or crime in progress. Person very the you're recognized explain the bill thank you Mr Speaker this is concerning unified command of law enforcement agencies in and around the capital property in the event that we have a civil disturbance or crimes in progress it in the governor would establish who is actually gonna be in charge of such as we have insurrection or something like that that happen in our nation's capital he would be able to declare whether it be the capitol police the state police on the National Guard as being in charge. We have to take any questions. Represent wooden for what purpose thank you Mr chairman you're recognized. So this will give the governor the authority to pick through the use of five command alter B.. Thanks for the question are represent within it what what would happen is if we had a insurrection or somebody on attack of the capital or the Capitol grounds there the governor would be able to determine who is actually going to be in charge the number one guy unity of command who's gonna be in charge of the operation. What what did we What what is the bill supplies state police what what would we just won't have them in charge like we ultimately had to do in June served in we we we would not have had the problem. That we encountered in June last year at the state police but in charge to start with what what uniformed hello you know I understand the National Guard capitol police Laura Pulaski County the the the the one respect the authority in law enforcement in Arkansas is the state police and they have the ability to the to me is that you they also be the one that would be the unified command. Operate appreciate your comment the Mr Wooten and and you and I both I I was one of the main players in the development of the civil disturbance plan and presented to the governor over three years ago bill Bryant director Bryant and I put this plan together in in the right agency is the the state police but if it's a small if it's just a smaller you know crimes everything against the capital then the capitol police can handle it we accordingly this language to the Secretary of State's office as well as the capitol police and everybody was in agreement with the language as provided. Thank you Sir thank you may. Senate berries explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent various close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve thirty six prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. The Representative. Mayberry votes yes cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety yeas to nays and for present. The bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve thirteen sixty eight S. the thirteenth sixty eight by represented ready to mend the law concerning the dates for certain special elections and to promote voter turnout. Percent rate you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker and thank you colleagues for the opportunity to present house bill thirteen sixty eight this bill would standardize the election calendar is a pertains to special elections so that voters in Arkansas can go to the polls at reliable predictable consistent dates and vote on issues that affect their community and state. This legislation would allow for for opportunities to run a special election every election cycle if the election were held in an election year it would be run in either in conjunction with a preferential primary or on the date of the general election. If the election were held in a non election year it will be held on the third Tuesday in may or it would be held on the first Tuesday in November after the first Monday which is the language for a the normal November election. This bill would not a not impact vacancy vacancy elections for office this bill would not impact run offs this bill contains several emergency election provisions there's a lot of exceptions that would allow for an emergency special election I'll go over this very quickly the first is a natural disaster so there is a fire flood tornado earthquake. That tore up the county jail or something along those lines this would allow for an emergency special election also court a court ruling either by federal or state courts of the court said you have to fund this that would create an exemption to allow for an emergency special election and then the third is if there's an imminent dat imminent threat to public health or safety that would be a qualifying exemption as well this bill has been vetted by the secretary of state's office they found no issues it's been vetted by the state board of elections they found no issues all of the association of county groups are not opposed to this bill as well. We've all seen the special elections pop up where they're held at random or inconvenient times for voters and the turnout is typically abysmal sometimes it's as low as five percent six percent eight percent So what this bill would do by standardizing the election calendar is it'll increase voter participation and we should all want to increase voter participation because increase voter participation brings greater legitimacy to the actions of government. And citizens not even knowing when the election is going to be held. Is one of the highest barriers to participation in the first place. So this bill is fair for voters it'll save millions of taxpayer dollars by eliminating extra unnecessary elections and with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Semicolon for purpose. You're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker a I was just wondering if you take into consideration that a lot of these issues that come up in the special elections are very localized issues and it seems to me like they could get lost a little bit and when you have them during the presidential elections or local elections there the for there are a lot of races being run that some of the public published if they would get can get lost in all that have you considered any of that sure thank you for that question Representative and that's why provided for dates under this bill which is ample opportunity so there would be dates both in the election year but also dates in the non election year so there's there's ample opportunity if a community decides Hey this issue sort of localized we don't want to get mixed up with the presidential election in November well there's three other options in every election cycle for that. Thank you represent Murdock for purpose the question you're recognized. furthering on the question is Representative of just mentioned. I think it's this left in the face of each of us determining here would your community where you come from and and and and across the state other local communities what they need to do that's local control those four days if you have we appreciate the offering but that might not meet what we need locally in my community so we have the ability to make those decisions we're not going to do something to make the it's going to affect voter turn out in a negative way not necessarily a would you may be doing may of an affected that because of your pre determining the need and would that still be versus people at the local level making those decisions for the people they represent at those levels that's the very purpose of local control it was this this clearly. It's clearly is doing it from Little Rock for the local communities wasn't assess any of that. I appreciate your concern about that the the data on voter participation in special elections is very clear there's been literally thousands of special elections that have been held over the last couple of decades have been analyzed by the Arkansas center for research in economics and it shows that the voter turnout rate is much lower than when those elections are held in conjunction with the primary or general day now with regard regards to your concern about local control I appreciate that as well I believe in local control I'm a small government person I believe that the government closest to the people often governs the best but I'm also a good government person I don't believe that it's local control to put a a set of property tax increase on the ballot on Valentine's day which is what North Little Rock did in two thousand twelve I don't believe it's local control to put a bond issue on the ballot ten days before Christmas which is what Little Rock did in twenty thirteen so that may just be a difference of opinion but I respect that concern and I've taken that into account thank you Sir. Represent Deffenbaugh. Question. Represent raise left the well I should know left. Represent raise explain the bill we would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Again against the bill. Represent what. Thank you Mr Speaker refers. Or get. Thank you. The you're recognized to speak against the bill. First of all representatives right. For those of us who live in the hinterlands of Arkansas I don't want to be compared to little rock and north little rock. Let me share with you. Hello where the all of it is is against the constitutional amendment number seventy four but it gave the people of Arkansas and school districts the right to vote. I was gonna has a question for the other morning get up here and speak against. But the constitution Senate constitutional amendment seventy four gives this is and the school's choice to follow. Also limiting school elections to two times a year will lead to flooding of the bond market. Which will lead to perhaps lower rates and they can give us lower than they are now. School boards are elected by the community they serve in my opinion this bypasses the will of the people of both constitutional and local boards to make local decisions so I'll help open each of you to please pull it in the consideration would you vote thank you Mr Speaker. Percent wouldn't spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Percent Deffenbaugh you're recognized speak against the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I had I was trying to ask this question but. What I was told I ask for is that the same basically to elections year and several people pass bond issue then it's going to put the bond. Market it could be flooded so what that means is with the school districts it it probably will cause them to have to have to pay higher rates so you know in in in Committee I didn't hear anything about the bond industry and that has to affect schools but my perspective is. It could be a good lady last favorable interest rates thank you. Represent Deffenbaugh has spoken against the bill anyone like speak for the bill. Represent Gonzales you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. If if you all vote. For this bill some your mayor some your county judge as may hate you but your people will love you for the hate special elections I've had a mayor a county judge and a superintendent all tell me we need to have special elections we need lower voter turnout because it will only the people who vote for it we're gonna talk turn out support this we need this to get it passed so. The people should be the ones deciding this I totally agree on local control give the control to the people let them know when they're elections will be so. So they can decide the issues. Ferguson Gonzales spoken against the bill when you would like to speak for the bill. OPS season Representative Gonzalez before the bill we would like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the built represent Ladyman you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker I'll go to you can. First off I can't believe I'm coming in here speaking for this bill You did a good job in writing this bill is reason I'm down here I voted we rode in on this the for terms that I've been here I voted against it every time because of cities because I felt like the city's needed to have elections if they had a public health issue like water breaker or whatever and I don't feel like any of the bills that we voted on the past allow that. This bill does allow that it has an exemption for that so that the cities have a major problem they can still have a special election is a process for them to do that so I just want to come down here and say but because of the exemptions that are in this bill that I will be voting for the bill. Represents les mis spoken for the bill anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent ray. You're recognized to close for the bill. Thank you colleagues for the debate on this I apologize represent Deffenbaugh didn't look your wire so your question but I'll just briefly touch on couple of things or race there were no constitutional issues raised by B. L. R. when they reviewed this bill I'm not aware of any at this time we're guarding the the issuances of bonds the election simply authorizes the bond to be issued there is a great deal of latitude in terms of when the the date on which that is executed I've confirm that with the bureau of legislative research and so government entities would have plenty of flexibility to execute those bonds at a time that's advantages for their local government I believe this bill is a win win it's a win for the voters because they will have predictable and reliable times to go to the ballot they'll have ample opportunity to do so four times a year and this is a win for the taxpayers as well so with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Senate of ray has closed for the bill the question before the House. Is the passage of house bill thirteen sixty eight prepared machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. Person Mayberry voted yes by a vote of fourty As forty nine days and five present the bill fails. Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen thirty eight also thirteen thirty eight by represented Lundstrum to amend election long term in the petition process to be on the ballot as a candidate for president or vice president of the United States and to increase the number of signatures required to be listed on the ballot. Represent Lundstrum you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. As you all know we just finished a presidential election. And if you went into the voting booth you realize there were thirteen presidential candidates. And if you were a Clark in your local county or an election commissioner your phone probably rang a number of times in all of your phones probably rang a number of times because you had frustrated voters that couldn't find your presidential candidate or were frustrated that they couldn't find the presidential candidate the reason being is Arkansas since the early nineteen seventies has not updated the number of signatures that you need to run for president currently the only need a thousand signatures. If you ran for Supreme Court in Arkansas you need ten thousand signatures all this bill does is raise that bar to five thousand signatures so that one running for president is taken just a little more seriously and I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Lundstrum as explained the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like speak for the bill. Represent Lundstrum is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen thirty eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voting cast about Mr Clark. Represent Mayberry votes yes by a vote of ninety three a zero nine four present the bill passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen fifty six. Thirteen fifty six No Representative Dawson to amend the process of evaluation of state boards and commissions to require submission of a report and to recommend the abolition of a state board or commission for failure to submit a report. Person Dotson you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members house bill thirteen fifty six Started off at about a year and a half or so ago I was made aware of a statute that we had on the books the required boards and commissions to report to you Joint J. P. R. joint performance review committee every other year and if they did not meet regularly it gave J. P. R. the the charge to reevaluate the purpose need and effectiveness of the board or commission. One that statute was made when someone may that statue where when I was made aware of that statute and they asked to see these reports I I went to see the report try to find those reports and no one had ever filed any of these reports. So I ask. Our staff to contact the agents or the boards and commissions and try to get some of these reports filed and was informed or they were informed that that because these are part time state boards and commissions in the law that they consider themselves full time in the they don't have to comply with this so that began this bill and redefining we're all boards and commissions have to submit that report and then J. P. R. and lays out a process for J. P. R. to reevaluate that and by the end of the it by the end of the cycle make recommendations for the next legislative session on the purpose need and effectiveness of that state board or commission and whether or not they need to continue to exist if they're not actually meeting or not more happy to try to answer questions on the bill. Create a good vote. Represent Dotson is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Dotson is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen fifty six per machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Represented Mayberry is voting yes by proxy. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety three a one day in one present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read has built twelve twenty eight. House Bill twelve twenty eight by Representative Johnson to authorize the establishment of designated entertainment district in an area with entities authorized to sell alcoholic beverages represented Johnson you're recognized to present your bill thank you. Colleagues the intent of this bill is to try to create a pathway for restaurants who are already allowed legally to sell alcohol to the private club process in dry areas to create outdoor dining areas under the law that we passed last session that allowed for entertainment districts it does not create any new alcohol sales it preserves local authority control so anything that was done would still have to go back to the local city council and government to create permission for this process I think it's important that you understand that I know alcohol or sensitive issues I want everyone to understand this is not creating any new pathways to alcohol sales or any new alcohol sales in certain certainly again doesn't circumvent any local controller authority and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions on this bill. C. nine appreciate a good vote. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Anyone like to speak for against the bill represent consolidated nice to speak against the bill. Thank you madam chair and plan on coming down here and all day and killed one bill without trying now I get to speak against one or the other but the. I lived most of my district is dry counties this puts more alcohol in in my dry counties if they wanted to be with than the others Avenue for them to do that I think it should be up to them whether they make that choice or not. Representative Gonzalez's spoken against the bill would anyone like to speak for the bill. Anyone against the bill. Would you like to close Representative Johnson as signal that he is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve twenty eight. Repair the machine Mr Clerk. Representative Mayberry votes no by proxy. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With fifty five yeas twenty nascent thirteen present the bill has passed. Let me correct that fifty four yeas and twenty one days the bill is passed Representative her. Mr Clark please really read house bill eleven twenty to a House bill Levin twenty two by represented Mark Berry to amend the law concerning the authority to award a metal rivet or decoration to a member of the organized militia and to authorize the presentation of an award to certain persons or groups Representative very you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker this bill quite simply just allows the military department to recognize individuals outside of the military department by giving them awards of medals or decorations for contributing to the military departments because. Be happy to take any questions otherwise I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative very stepped out of the well would anyone like to speak against the bill. Anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative bear. Represented Smith you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you madam Speaker. This is important that we recognize the significance of this type of bill because I'm the recipient. Of a large by the United States military specifically the army for my own service to the nation. I was a GS fifteen. In a combat environment sent out on missions. Five days a week. And I collected intelligence for my commanders have briefed. The staff. Lived in a small container to we called it. And on several occasions I was presented with. an honorary bronze star. The global war on terrorism medal. And various army commendations. I didn't feel like I should receive anything like that. But the army felt different and so now we can see if this is something that's important to a lot of us who were considered mission essential. And I really value this and hope you'll give it a good vote. Representatives met the spoken for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill. Representative Mary has signaled that he is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven twenty to prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative may very votes yes by proxy. As everyone voted. As everyone voted her. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety sixty eight zero nays and zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read house bill eleven twenty three House Bill within twenty three hours and Mark Berry to amend the law concerning the powers duties and immunities of organized militia Representative mark there You are recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker House Bill eleven twenty three is is is amending the law concerning the powers and duties of the and immunities of the organized militia is basically changing a very archaic term of a peace officer to law enforcement officer there were some questions about the organized militia or militia in general always raises eyebrows but this is specifically the Arkansas the organized militia which already defined in the code twelve sixty one oh two as the organized militia being the Arkansas National Guard with that being said be happy take any questions otherwise I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative berry has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative very has signaled he is close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven twenty three prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative may very votes yes by proxy. Has everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety A. zero nays and one present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill eleven twenty four thousand eleven twenty four by represented Mark Berry to amend the punitive articles of the military code of Arkansas concerning sexual assault and sexual contact. Representative very you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam chairman I'm a little more passionate about the this bill probably the most passion of the bills that that I presented that as you're all aware of sexual assaults in the in the military have been of high interest and I will tell you from being the former secretary of the military in the adjutant general state of Arkansas I was the first J. commanding general that prosecuted somebody for sexual assault in the state of Arkansas under the a general court martial and I'm proud to say that I believe in holding people accountable for their actions the and let them know that we do not tolerate sexual assault or sexual harassment in the ranks of the military in the great state of Arkansas this bill replaces the punitive article of sexual misconduct was sexual assault it currently falls into the general articles as crimes and offenses not capital so with that being said I hate to be happy to take any questions that you might have otherwise appreciate a good vote. Thank you. A Representative berry has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative various signal that he's close for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill eleven twenty four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative Mayberry boats yes by proxy. Has everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety seven U. A. zero nays and zero present the bill has passed please read house bill Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty five. House bill twelve forty five a represent of Charlene Fite to allow confidential juvenile records to be released to the department of corrections represent a fight you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker this is an agreed upon bill between the department of corrections the Division of Youth Services and the Department of Human Services. Juvenile justice reform was a big issue last session and we made many good changes but one issue we did not address is that the juveniles who are coming from extended juvenile jurisdiction into adult correctional facilities are not having their records follow them so this bill is to correct that issue. This is a continuum of care for those who the judges said will continue in an adult facility when they reached Page eighteen. This is very limited in scope right now we have about nineteen juveniles in our state who are coming from the Division of Youth Services into an adult facility so it's very narrowly tailored. We currently have a I treatment class and we need to correct that this would allow us to have access to the treatment plans that have been working for these juveniles so that we continue to give them the treatment that they need as an adult yes they have been guilty found guilty of heinous crimes but we need to find what has been working for them and we can't do that without access to their records and I'll take any questions. Let me add this does not address juveniles who have just been adjudicated delinquent this is only for extended juvenile jurisdiction. A good vote. Representative fight has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative fight is close for her bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve forty five prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative Mayberry votes yes by proxy. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety six C. A. zero nays and zero present the bill has passed. Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen eighteen possible thirteen eighteen by represented that way to separate the offices of sheriff and tax collector in yell county. Representative Bentley you are recognized to present your bill. Colleagues are constitutional Lyles for these office of circuit share and tax collector to be separate numerous cans of separated the Avenue that were going right here your county quorum court has unanimously voted for their share for the collection to be separated the next step is for us to bring it down here and as I said it doesn't other counties have done the same way so with that I'd appreciate a good vote from accounting this is truly the the ultimate in local control. Representative Bentley has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Bentley is closed for the bill the question before the House is the is the passage of house bill thirteen eighteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative Mayberry votes yes by proxy. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety four yeas and zero nays and to present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill thirteen fifteen. House bill thirteen fifteen the Representative ought to create a state meat inspection program to amend the Arkansas meat and meat products inspection act to transfer authority over meat inspection to the department of agriculture into the clear emergency Representative Vaught you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you madam Speaker I'm pretty sure I've spoke with all of you about this bill at some point in time this bill has the opportunity to help more Arkansans than anything we passed this session and with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Vaught has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against it. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative bodies closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill thirteen fifteen prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Represented Mayberry votes yes by proxy. You are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety five EA zero nays and zero present the bill and the emergency clause have passed. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty eight. House bill twelve forty eight a represented Bentley to amend the law concerning consolidation of certainly districts and boards Representative Bentley you are recognized to present your bill. Colleagues in two thousand nineteen our state saw massive amount of flooding especially in my district along the Arkansas River after this flooding occurred the governor up put for some funding and we approved eleven million dollars to help repair some levees along the Arkansas River as soon as that was over with the governor so for the task force represented Hillman myself Senator Rapert and Senator Stubblefield or on a task force to come up with legislation look over statutes what we had in place in Arkansas we need to pass this session so I'm gonna bring you for different bills I'll be a little long in this first want to be happy to answer any questions that you've got it all for these came out of related task force on the delivery test forward ripped the judges represented the assesses represent the county clerk's this functionality in the office of emergency management was represents about work together to get these four Bills together and well vetted by the farm bureau by the task force while those groups as well with their approval the first bill that we've got is a consolidation so we have a levy and is all connected this is really this point as you all know it's really hard to get volunteers and folks around to be on boards and commissions so if there's a levee board that would like a combined with another lady Board our first bill just talks about an Avenue to allow consolidation between two levee boards that's pretty much it with bill twelve forty eight with that I'll take any questions. I appreciate. Representative Bentley has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Bentley is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve forty eight prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative Mayberry votes yes by proxy. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. The ballot Mr Clark. With ninety five EA zero nays and zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve fifty one house bill twelve fifty one to represent a Bentley to amend the law concerning improvement district the protection districts reporting requirements for collection of assessment by county collector's. Represented Bentley you're recognized to present your bill. Colleague's house bill twelve fifty one really has the meat of what we went over with the delivery task force it really I. combines a lot of reporting that was done different reporting forms that would do really consolidates down to one report due April first this report we feel that by the levee boards turned into our county Clerk will take it to the county judge and report we sent also to a and R. C. as well as office of emergency management the the hopes of this reporting form will allow us to see what levee boards are active across the state unfortunately has eleven border people passed away we don't know if anybody's active or not so this require the report to be turned in it's really a little addition to what Senator Rapert did a couple years ago if the report is not turned in then the levee board will not receive their assessment funding so this it gets a little teeth in there so actually allows entrance transparency for local farmers people that are on the affected by the lady they need to know who's on the board how much money do we have where's the money going to what repairs need to be done many of our levees have of. It's in their gates in there that were put in the nineteen thirties we have a lot of work to do on the Arkansas River this will help us to understand really what we have going across the state and that's one take as a sterling and answered her ladies in Arkansas but it was a step in the right direction so this will definitely gives more transparency helps it was going on across our state and with that I'll take any questions on house bill twelve fifty one. I appreciate a good vote thank you. Representative Bentley has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representatives Bentley is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve fifty one prepare the machine Mr Clerk. Representative Mayberry votes yes by proxy. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Estep the ballot Mr Clark. With ninety four yeas three nays and zero present the bill has passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve forty nine as well twelve forty nine to represent a Bentley to create a procedure for the dissolution for boss man of a levee district. Representative Bentley you are recognized to present your bill. Collins from a stem of this levy bills this one twelve forty nine just allows for a disarmament four of the levee board so if all of the people of passed away in the board somewhat forges all of its people on active on the boards another way forward to dissolve it has to go through the. She's me as we put the paper has to go to the county court so there is a way for the again for the landowners to know what the world is going on actually just right now we have no way living which can dissolve we have absolutely no idea whether they were active or not so this actually was a process in place for that this is all meant for it to occur so with that I'll take some questions anybody has any. Representative of. I'm. Represent Bentley's explain the building would like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Absent Bentley is closed for the bill the question before the House is passing house bill twelve forty nine prepared machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety six you A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed represent Mayberry voted yes. Mr Clark please read house bill twelve fifty twelve fifty by represented Bentley to amend the law concerning assessments in certain let your drainage improvement districts. Represent Bentley you're recognized to explain the bill. We say the best bill for last house bill twelve fifty takes care of the bill so put in place in nineteen thirty seven we have to evidence for levee boards together money they can do it through five percent increase value or they can do it through gather what was for only twenty five cents an acre. As we saw as I told you guys earlier these when these levees break on the top over whatever it cost us hundreds of millions of dollars we put forth eleven million last time to help or maybe boards if we want these levies to be intact to be able if they also get technet there's sales of doing well the end qualifies for some funding to the corps of engineers so to move them to actually get the money that they need when it increases that happened twenty five cents from nineteen thirty seven this does not raise a single fee we're not adding a fee which is given Avenue data caps of those boards can them sales increase those funds if they need to so those one twenty five cents to two dollars and fifty cents on the cap. And I will take any questions of anybody has it on this bill. But that appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Bentley's explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Bentley is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of house bill twelve fifty compare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Cast ballot Mr Clark. Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of seventy one U. A. seventeen days of one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read house bill twelve sixty eight out of twelve sixty eight by represented Vaught to clarify the exemption to license by the veterinary medical examining board for chiropractors perform chiropractic upon animals. Person Vaught you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker so when we pass this bill the first time we kinda did a monopoly and the law and so we added to the equivalent of so to be the American vet contractors association or the equivalent of and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Represent Vaught has explained the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Cenvat is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill twelve sixty eight prepared machines Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Represent Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of ninety seven yays zero nine zero present the bill is passed. The objection removing to the yellow budget calendar Representative Jeanne moos we re referred house bill Levin sixty eight Committee that's proper motion represent gene you're recognized explain your motion. Thank your Speaker motions this this these be referred back that came out of the Joint Budget four Amendment. We won't send it back to joint budget for members only any questions. Per share a good vote. Person changes explains motion anyone like speak against the motion. We would like to speak for the motion represent gene is close for the motion question for the houses the re referral. Of house bill eleven sixty eight all in favor say aye. Any opposed the motion carries represent Jeanne moos we place house bill ten seventy two on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read a member number one Mr Clark member number one to House Bill ten seventy two. Person gene you're recognized explain the amendment thank my Speaker of the first three on house bill two seventy two House Bill twelve oh six House Bill twelve AU seven these are amendments what this does is delete special language that we some language come back to codify this in regular bill. Of in house bill two city to this amendment deletes. Of. Section five any questions. Once again to come back codified in a regular bill. Create a good vote on Amendment. Represent Jean is explain the amendment. We would like to speak against the amendment. Anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Jean is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one to House Bill ten seventy two all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Emam is adopted. Represent Jean moved that we place. House Bill twelve oh six on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read a member number one Mr Clark Amendment over one to House Bill twelve oh six percent gene you're recognized explain the amendment. Thank your Speaker colleagues this is amended on house bill twelve oh six member number one this from represented Payton this delete special language it'll be codified in a regular bill any questions. Created good vote. Percent gene has explained The Amendment. Anyone like to speak against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment. Represent Jane is closed for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one to House Bill twelve oh six all in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Jean moved that we place house bill twelve oh seven on second reading for the purpose of amendment without objection read Amendment number one Mr Clark the member number one to House Bill twelve oh seven ten Jean you're recognized to explain the amendment thank you Mr Speaker a colleague same thing on house bill twelve AU seven part of virgin emergencies energy and environment this delete section fifty one which a special language it'll come back on a regular bill that the codified any question. Preciado good vote on Amendment. Represent Jean is explain the amendment would anyone like speak against the amendment. Anyone like to speak for the amendment. Percent genus. Lows for the amendment the question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one to House Bill twelve oh seven all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendment is adopted represent Jeanne moos we place house bill twelve await. On second reading for the purpose of amendment read Amendment number one Mr Clark amended number one to House Bill twelve oh eight. That objection represented gene you're recognized explain the amendment thank you Mr Speaker house bill twelve await amendment one what this does is for the Arkansas state police it gives their merging sea Fund land right now is twenty five hundred dollars it increases it to fifty thousand but if there's no new revenue in it is just a spending authority any questions. Create a good vote on Amendment. Represent Jean is explain the amendment they would like to speak against the amendment. We would like to speak for the amendment. Representative gene is closed for the amendment question before the House is the adoption of amendment number one to House Bill twelve await all in favor say aye. Any opposed the amendment is adopted. Purposive Jean you're recognized presents budget count. Thank you Mr Speaker colleagues will start off on the these are all House bills today will take the first two up separately. Because the we've all had request an already figured it would ten seventy eight is the vote on separately that's eighty in. Of the first will take up a House bill ten seventy six. Permittivity of energy and environment this is the oil and gas commission budget it has no general revenue. it is basically flat except of insurance and cost of living adjustment any question. Your one voted for the bill an emergency clause the Speaker had the Clerk read the bill for a third time Mr Clark please read the bill for the third time House Bill ten seventy six. Percent Jean as explained the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like speak for the bill. Represent Jean is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten seventy six per machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. Voting on the bill and the Emergency Clause everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. I voted ninety four yeas one nine zero present the bill an emergency clause or pass Mr Clarke please read house built in seventy eight. House Bill ten seventy eight. Dinging you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker House Bill ten seventy eight of this is the Arkansas educational television. and it does have general revenue. It is the increased about hundred thousand as home insurance and matching salaries that the. Of the track to general revenue total is about five point two million dollars any questions. Reverie one vote is for the bill number two calls the Speaker had the root the Clerk read the bill for the third time. Read the bill Mr Clark also ten seventy eight. Percent genus explain the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent Jean is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of house bill ten seventy eight per the machine Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted. Everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. By a vote of seventy five yeas eleven days and nine present the bill emergency clause are passed Mr representing you're recognized. Thank you Mr Speaker calling. Give you time to look at it we're going to batched these education bills the first one is the School the blind House Bill Levin forty four. University of Arkansas little rock twelve seventy one. Your shortfall Committee collagen OpenText's cannot twelve seventy two. Twelve eighty five the Comstock community college twelve eighty seven Arkansas tech. Twelve eighty eight Arkansas state mid south. The house bill twelve nineteen Arkansas northeast community college. Twelve ninety two southern Arkansas university. Twelve ninety three universe for Arkansas Fort Smith. House Bill twelve ninety four Arkansas state mile sciences institute. House Bill twelve ninety five Phillips community college house bill twelve ninety six university of Arkansas community college at rich mountain. House Bill twelve ninety seven East Arkansas Community College house bill thirteen oh nine national park. And house bill thirteen eleven north are college. Do I need to pull any of these other batch for any reason. You have any questions on any of these. Seeing none remember your one vote is for the merger clause and the bills the Speaker had the the park read the bills for the third time Mr Clark please read the bills for the third time House eleven forty four helpful Levin urged him twelve seventy one house bill twelve seventy two House Bill twelve eighty five house bill twelve eighty seven House Bill twelve eighty eight House Bill twelve ninety helpful twelve ninety two possible twelve ninety three house bill twelve ninety four House will twelve ninety five house bill twelve ninety six house bill twelve ninety seven house bill thirteen oh nine house bill thirteen eleven. Where the machine Mr Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. By a vote of ninety forty eight zero nine to present the bills emergency clauses are passed. Members moving back to the red calendar. Mr Clark please read Senate bill four. Senate bill four by represented warrant to amend the law concerning disability retirement employer accumulation accounts and employer contributions under the Arkansas local police and fire retirement system and to declare an emergency. Represent warn you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker members. This is a lot the retirement bill that's designed to help with increasing number of disability retirements and their cost it allows an employer to add an additional load to their contribution amount to help offset the rising costs. It strikes the word probably when determining a disability either you have a disability or you don't know probably the bill establishes three categories of disability that occur while on duty catastrophic duty hazardous duty ordinary duty a review process is put in place to make sure disabilities continue if payments continue and less than emergency clauses contained here to allow for this to go into effect April first two thousand twenty one I would appreciate a good vote. Percent worn is explain the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Rips in Warren is closed for the bill the question before the House is passage of Senate bill four prepared machines Clark. Is everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast ballot Mr Clark. Person Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of eighty nine yeas for nays and one present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read this. An emergency clause Mr Clark please read Senate bill seven. Senate bill seven bye Representative warning to amend the law concerning deferred retirement option plans and Internal Revenue Code qualified plans of retirement risk firefighters relief and pension funds and policemen's pension and relief funds into declared emergency represent warn you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker this is a technical change bill for the police pension review board. There was a federal bill that was filed or that was passed the setting every community up for retirement enhancements called the secure act what it did was raise the age. Required age to start taking distributions to seventy two Arkansas laws seventy and a half this would put us in line with the federal laws that seventy two so I would appreciate a good vote. Percent Warren has explained the bill would anyone like speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent worn is closed for the bill the question before the House the passage of Senate bill seven prepare them Seamus Clarke. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause is everyone voted. Is everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. Represent Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of eighty six C. A. zero nine to present the bill emergency clause or pass Mr Clark please read Senate bill. Eighty four. Senate bill eighty four by represented boy to amend the law concerning the notice and publication requirements of lists of abandoned property. Person Boyd you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker house members this is a cleanup bill if you will for the auditor and relate to for publication notice notice of lists of abandoned property literally all it does is it removes a redundancy in the law and allows the administrator to determine what to include in the notice with that said I'd appreciate a good vote thank you very much. Represent Boyd is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. We would like to speak for the bill. Represent Boyd is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill eighty four prepare the machine Mr Clerk. As everyone voted. As everyone voted cast about Mr Clark. Represent Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of ninety five U. a zero day and zero present the bill is passed Mr Clark please read Senate bill one twenty three. Senate bill one twenty three by represented parts to modify the law concerning the electronic recording commission. Senate fox you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker thank you colleagues this is a simple clean up bill for the electronic recording commission one of the. The most important but most overlooked Commission so what we're doing is we're modifying this because of Amendment ninety five and pass in twenty sixteen it disallowed an elected official to be on this so we are replacing that with somebody from the banking title or real estate industry this has to do with title companies reporting deeds in it so a banking official title official all those folks B. highly qualified to be on that we're changing the tire from two years to four again so they can function without interruption and I'm open for any questions. Thank nine I'd appreciate a good vote thank you. Represent Hawks is explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Percent hawks is closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of Senate bill one twenty three per machine Mr Clerk. Is everyone voted. Is everyone voted. Asked about Mr Clark. Represent Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of ninety five U. A. zero nine zero present the bill is passed. Mr Clark please read Senate bill one fifty four Senate bill one fifty four by represented Lanny Fite to amend the law concerning the creation and assessment collection matters of certain fire departments and improvement districts. Person fight you're recognized explain the bill. Thank you Mr Speaker. Senate bill seventy four what it does it changes the public hearing from the fire district it changes it to the quorum court there's multiple counties and the hearing will have to be held in each one of those counties what it does it does away with the letter there was a letter in here that the party is rejected hold a meeting a public hearing and then send it to the quorum court for approval and anyway it does away with that letter. Also it changes the the words certified to return delinquent amendments I mean assessment skews me because the collector cannot assess a cannot certify proper only property tax can the collector survive choose me and so that needed to be changed and there's some other small changes in it there but that's basically the big change in this right now is Senator the quorum court instead of the the fire district I would be happy to answer any questions Mr Speaker. Seeing none I appreciate a good vote. Represent fight as explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Represent fight is closed for the bill the question before the House is passive Senate bill one fifty four prepare the machine Mr Clark. As everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast about Mr Clark. Represent Mayberry votes yes by proxy by a vote of ninety four U. a zero day and zero present the bill is passed represent makes for what purpose. Motion place you're recognized after the announcement trading the bills transferring the bill's place on the calendars on the desk members amending their own bills with their own amendments members withdrawing their own bills finalized resolutions reading communications and any remaining committee reports I move we adjourn until one o'clock Monday afternoon. That's a proper motion is not debatable all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Motion carries are there any announcements. Represent Smith what purpose announcement you're recognized house Judiciary meets and ten minutes down and big mac a. Represent worn for what purpose announcement you're recognized public retirement will meet Monday morning at eight thirty in mac a. Represent Holcomb purpose announcement you're recognized public transportation will take a photo of media the on dismissal at the stamps here in front of the house and we will meet in ten minutes after the photo and maxi thank. Any other announcements. The. Show me the. This will remain open as needed for the reading of bills and upon completion The Addams named in the adjourn resolution house would be adjourned until one PM Monday.