Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (20)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB27
Act 640
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…from the bottom, which is Senator English's bill. First up, SB27, Senator Garner.”
|
TO ENSURE THAT THE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE EMPLOYS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH VETERANS. | T. Garner | Notification that SB27 is now Act 640 |
|
SB88
Act 159
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…he bill is passed. transmit to the House. Senator Hester on SB 88.”
|
TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS. | Hester | Notification that SB88 is now Act 159 |
|
SB70
Act 66
· 2 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…ll is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Blake Johnson. Senate Bill 70 by Senator Johnson. To amend”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COUNTY FINANCIAL RECORDS AND THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY. | B. Johnson | Notification that SB70 is now Act 66 |
|
HB1058
Act 219
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred House Bill 1058 by Representative Dalby and Senator Clark, compare the engr…”
|
TO PERMIT A JUROR TO DONATE HIS OR HER PER DIEM COMPENSATION AND MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT … | Dalby | Notification that HB1058 is now Act 219 |
|
SB100
Act 69
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB100 Irvin TO ENHANCE HIGHER EDUCATION FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND…”
|
TO ENHANCE HIGHER EDUCATION FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS … | Irvin | Notification that SB100 is now Act 69 |
|
SB128
Act 70
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…econd one, SB30, Senator English's bill. We're passing over SB128, down one from the bottom, which is Senator English's bill.…”
|
TO AMEND THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; AND TO DELEGATE … | J. English | Notification that SB128 is now Act 70 |
|
SB142
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 142 by Senator Ingram compared to the engrossed copy with the o…”
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CONCERNING FUNDING BASED ON THE AVERAGE DAILY MEMBERSHIP OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC … | K. Ingram | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB162
Act 20
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e on Joint Retirement Social Security, to whom was referred Senate Bill 162 by Senator Sample, recommend due pass? Counter. Senate Bill…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TERMINATION PERIOD REQUIRED FOR RETIREMENT UNDER THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC … | B. Sample | Notification that SB162 is now Act 20 |
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SB175
Act 9
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB175 Senate Efficiency Hester AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SENATE APP…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SENATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR. | Senate Efficiency | Notification that SB175 is now Act 9 |
|
SB178
Act 698
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 162 by Senator Sample, recommend due pass? Counter. Senate Bill 178 by Joint Budget, an act to make an appropriation for the pa…”
|
AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF APPROVED CLAIMS. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB178 is now Act 698 |
|
SB21
Act 74
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 21 by Senator”
|
TO EXCLUDE MILL SCALE AND SLAG FROM THE DEFINITION OF “SOLID WASTE” IN THE ARKANSAS … | D. Wallace | Notification that SB21 is now Act 74 |
|
SB30
Act 543
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…that we're passing over. We're passing over the second one, SB30, Senator English's bill. We're passing over SB128, down one…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS AND OUTSIDE VENDORS. | J. English | Notification that SB30 is now Act 543 |
|
SB37
Act 4
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB37 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROMOTION BOARD APPROPRIATI…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROMOTION BOARD APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB37 is now Act 4 |
|
SB39
Act 5
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB39 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS BEEF COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS BEEF COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB39 is now Act 5 |
|
SB49
Act 6
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB49 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH INITIATIVE OF THE D…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH INITIATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - ARKANSAS … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB49 is now Act 6 |
|
SB58
Act 7
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB58 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF AERONAU…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 … | Joint Budget Committee | DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR. |
|
SB74
Act 67
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB74 #3 Hill Hill TO AMEND TH4E TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY RE…”
|
TO AMEND THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2013; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | Hill | Notification that SB74 is now Act 67 |
|
SB87
Act 136
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB87 Hester TO CLARIFY THE CRIMINAL OFFENSES THAT WOULD CAUSE TH…”
|
TO CLARIFY THE CRIMINAL OFFENSES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION OF THE … | Hester | Notification that SB87 is now Act 136 |
|
SB94
Act 8
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB94 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - CONTINUING EDUCATION OF L…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LOCAL OFFICIALS APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB94 is now Act 8 |
|
SB99
Act 97
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 99 by Senator Bledsoe compared to the engrossed copy with the…”
|
TO REGULATE STEP THERAPY PROTOCOLS. | Bledsoe | Notification that SB99 is now Act 97 |
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Unknown speaker
0:00
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 3
3:30
Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Ballinger,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
3:56
Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismang, Eads, Elliott, English,
Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stebifield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. I want to just point out that
Chair
Unverified
4:35
Senator Flowers is joining us via virtual again.
Hi, Senator Flowers. Everyone please stand, including those in the gallery. Senator Sturge will lead us in a word of prayer followed by the pledge. Senator Sturge. Thank you, Mr. President. Would you bow
Senator James Sturch
Unverified
4:54
with me, please? Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for this day. We thank you for many blessings in life that you give us that we so often take for granted. Lord, we thank you for our state and the nation in which we live. We just ask that you be with our leaders and our service people and all those on the front lines, Lord, as they do their work in yours. Lord, we just ask that you go with us and guide us.
help us to be the examples of you that we should be help us to work together for the common good of our state and its people Lord I just ask that you be with those that are on our hearts those that are in need of you that they be ill or have lost loved ones or whatever the case may be Lord we ask that you help us to be a blessing to other people when we can be Lord again we just thank you for Jesus and all he
Speaker 14
5:37
did for us on the cross and we ask all these things in his name Amen I pledge allegiance to the
Speaker 16
5:42
flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Any announcements? Any items be read across the
desk? Leave for Senator Hammer without objection. Will your Committee
Speaker 21
6:14
on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 21 by Senator
Wallace compared to the engrossed copy with the
Speaker 23
6:20
original and find the same correctly engrossed? Public help. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 99 by Senator Bledsoe compared to the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Public help. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 142 by Senator Ingram compared to the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Education. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was referred House Bill 1058 by Representative Dalby and Senator Clark, compare the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly
engrossed? Judiciary. Will your Committee on Joint Retirement Social Security, to whom was referred Senate Bill 162 by Senator Sample, recommend due pass? Counter. Senate Bill 178 by Joint Budget, an act to make an appropriation for the payment of approved claims Senate bill 178 your
Chair
Unverified
7:13
budget any announcements we're going to move into morning hour Senate bills with Senate amendment Senator Hill
my bill my amendment any questions anyone wish to speak there is an emergency clause. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Bill is adopted. Amendment's adopted. Senator Engrossing. To move on to the business agenda, just before we start, we got two that we're passing over. We're passing over the second one, SB30, Senator English's bill. We're passing over SB128, down one from the bottom, which is Senator English's bill. First up, SB27, Senator Garner.
Speaker 23
8:06
Senate Bill 27 by Senator Garner. To ensure that the suicide prevention
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
8:27
hotline employs individuals who have experience working with veterans. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
8:36
This idea came from a discussion we had from the Veteran Suicide Task Force all across the state to see if we could improve our veteran suicide rate here in the state of Arkansas. One thing we found out is that the hotline that we call for suicide prevention is a valuable resource for veterans and others who are in a crisis situation. What this bill does is make sure we ensure that somebody is either a veteran or has experience with veterans in order to be working those spots so when that veteran calls for those crisis situations, they're able to actually talk to somebody who has the experience.
I'm working with them for an appropriation change to add two new positions that could also fill some of the dead time they have. They could also retrain people who are already on staff if it was an issue, so nobody will lose their job over this, so just do the training. Senator Hammer asked during the debate how many veterans actually called in this number since the last three years, and what we have is that 1,077 veterans have called the suicide prevention hotline in the last three years, and of those, we know that they have saved numerous
lives because of that intervention. With that, I'll take
Speaker 42
9:42
any questions from the chamber. Any questions for Senator Garner?
I have a question. Senator Flowers
has a question. Thank you. Senator Garner, I listened to the testimony given in, I think it was the Public Health Commission on this, and it was stated that the calls from veterans to the hotline generally are passed on to another resource. Is that resource
employed by the state hotline, or does it go to a veteran center, or what? Do you know? I believe it's a
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
10:22
different division within that suicide hotline, and these would, from my discussion with the Department of Health, these individuals would feel that need for when that veteran calls and gets switched
over. Are those individuals veterans or persons that have been trained to work with veterans?
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
10:43
During the testimony this last summer, I believe, they said that they typically care greatly about veterans, but I don't think there's any kind of requirement that they do it. As far as the personnel in there now, I do not know the exact training they have, but I said moving forward, either A, they can retrain the people that are in there now, give them some kind of certification to train veterans better, or when they hire new people, if that happens, they'll meet these qualifications. It's basically just to ensure that that individual has some kind of experience with a veteran when they call them during that crisis situation.
I would think that if they're passing the call on to another source, it would be those persons that are familiar with veterans' issues. Thank you, Mr. Governor. Any other—thank
Speaker 33
11:28
you, Senator Flowers, I appreciate you. Any other questions? Anyone we should speak against, anyone we should speak for? Senator, close. Closed. Thank you. Any objection
Speaker 55
11:37
or roll on the vote? Please roll the vote. I have
no objection. Objection, just vote me present, please.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
11:54
objection. Just vote her present. Okay, got that. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismain, Eads, Elliot, 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. Anyone wish to change their vote?
Speaker 27
12:29
Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 33 yays, zero
Speaker 59
12:35
nays. The bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Blake Johnson. Senate Bill 70 by Senator Johnson. To amend
Speaker 23
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the law concerning county financial records and the financial operations of the county.
Speaker 61
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Members, this bill comes to you from the county treasurer. It updates language and brings us into the 21st century. I'd
Speaker 33
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appreciate a good vote. Any questions for the senator? Anyone wish to
Speaker 55
13:12
speak against? Anyone wish to speak for? The senator has apparently
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
13:20
closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, 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, Rapert, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Sullivan, T, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Present.
Speaker 33
13:53
Senator Pitch, present. Anybody else? Seeing
Chair
Unverified
13:59
none, cast up the ballot. 33 a's, 0 nays, 1 present.
Speaker 31
14:07
Bill is passed. Transmit to the House. Senator Hester. Senate Bill
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
14:12
87 by Senator Hester. To clarify the criminal offenses that would cause the denial, suspension, or revocation
Chair
Unverified
14:18
of a licensure of a massage therapist. Senator Hesler is recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. This
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
14:25
just adds that if you have been convicted of prostitution, you cannot get your massage therapist licensed, or it can be revoked. Any questions for the senator?
Speaker 33
14:37
Senator Hill has a question. Senator Hill is recognized. Senator
Speaker 68
14:42
Hesler, how did you come up with this bill, and
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
14:47
where did you find it at? Well, on behalf of the Department of Health, they asked if I would run
Speaker 72
14:55
this. They thought it was very important. I agree. Any other serious
Senator Joyce Elliott
Unverified
15:02
questions? I have a question. Senator Elliott. Senator Hester, just because I haven't had the benefit of hearing the rationale for this,
could you just give me what was said that makes that a disqualifying, it might seem like it's obvious, but it's not to me, why when people, when they get their lives together and they are pursuing some kind of profession that is a good one, I would just like to understand why this would be a disqualifying something that they've done because it's not as if it has to be perpetually
habitual, I don't think, when somebody's gotten, in this case I guess herself, mainly not men. We don't do that to
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
15:50
them. Well, you know, I haven't spoke to the Board of Massage Therapists, but I think it's just the nature of the business and the close contact, human-to-human contact, and the put yourself in a position to commit the crime that you've potentially, that you've been convicted of committing in the past.
Chair
Unverified
16:12
Okay. Senator Mark Johnson and then Senator Garner. Senator Johnson,
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
16:21
do you recognize it? Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Hester, I was prompted by Senator Elliott's comment. Is there either a look back or a look forward in this? For example, if someone in their youth, a young person, should have been charged with and maybe because of that, or actually did act as a
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
16:45
prostitute, would, and as Senator Elliott said,
they got their life together, they became a good citizen. Is there anything that, I mean, I guess what I'm saying is this a lifetime ban or a lifetime prohibition? I can certainly see if someone does something in the situation, unseemly in a massage situation, Yes, this is a good bill, but I'm just
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
17:12
wondering how permanent is the penalty or is it totally left up to the board?
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
17:19
No, it is added to the list of causes that the Massage Therapist Board could deny
you a licensure on. And there's appeal to, there's always an appeals process if you disagree with their decision.
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
17:31
So maybe on a case-by-case basis, they could say someone 20 years ago had this conviction, then they would not necessarily have a lifetime ban. That's correct. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Garner. Thank you, Mr. President.
So there's already a ban in Arkansas for affiliate conviction if you have prostitution.
What this does is actually extend at the other states, because there was a case that the Department of Health brought up where there was somebody from other states who was convicted, came here and started working and started getting back in that lifestyle. So basically, it's already existing law. It's expanded
Speaker 42
18:10
at the other states. Is that correct, Senator Hester? That's correct. Thank you. Any other questions? I
have a question. Senator Flowers, recognize for a question. Thank you. Senator Hester, does our law presently ban those persons that have been convicted of soliciting prostitution from serving as a massage therapist?
Speaker 33
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I do not know the answer to that question. Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone
Chair
Unverified
18:40
wish to speak against? Anyone wish to speak for? Senator Closed. Senator has
Speaker 57
18:51
vote? Yes. Please call the roll, Madam Secretary.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
18:58
Ballinger. Ballinger. Beckham. Beckham. Bledsoe. Caldwell. Chesterfield. Clark. Davis.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
19:22
Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill. Ingram. Ingram. Irvin. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. Letting. Letting. Pitch.
Aye. Raypert? No. Rice? No. Sample? Aye. Stubbafil? Aye. Sturge? Aye. Sullivan? Aye. Teague?
Chair
Unverified
20:10
Teague? Tucker? No. Wallace? Aye. Anyone wish to vote who did not vote or anyone wish to change their vote? Senator Ingram is aye. Senator Elliott is no. Senator Beckham is aye.
Chair
Unverified
20:40
over here? Anybody else? Senator Elliott's no. Okay, we got it. Does that reflect? Okay. Cast up
Speaker 105
20:48
the ballot. 27 yays, 4 nays. The bill is passed. transmit to the House. Senator Hester on SB 88.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
20:57
Senate Bill 88 by Senator Hester to amend the
Speaker 21
21:01
composition of the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers.
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
21:07
Senator Hester. Thank you, Mr. President. So this bill just right now there's eight members on the board. It takes it down to seven it removes the requirement that there's a member from that has a that specializes in ontology there's only about 80 of those licenses in the state of arkansas and over the past nine years there's only been one physician with that actually attend a meeting it's been vacant for the last two and a half years and the board is just asking that we remove that requirement
and a little more clarification that still there's a requirement for look at it on my phone here oh someone with a degree in audiology still required to be on
Speaker 107
22:00
there any questions anyone wish to speak against
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
22:20
vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismain, 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? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 34 yeas,
Speaker 105
23:02
to the House. Senator Irvin, that's Bill 100. Senate Bill
Speaker 23
23:08
100 by Senator Irving to enhance higher education, fiscal accountability and transparency
and to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning student accounts, receivable policies, and certain financial condition reports. Senator Irvin. Thank
you. Members, this is the bill to enhance higher education fiscal accountability and transparency. A lot of these changes, of course, were derived from the situation that occurred with Henderson. Specifically, what the bill does is it requires links to each state-supported institute of higher ed
onto the Department of Higher Ed's website. There's specific information in regards to the governing board members and their activities, eliminates some redundant language, adds student accounts receivable disclosure requirements, also adds student accounts receivable and days cash-on-hand disclosures, and adds days cash-on-hand certification. It does exempt UAMS from the requirements. I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Irvin?
Chair
Unverified
24:18
Senator Tucker has a question. Senator Tucker is
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
24:22
recognized. Thank you, Governor. Senator, I like your bill. I was just curious, for the accounts receivable, is that a public report or is that clarified somewhere in the code? I'm sorry, say that one more time. When all the accounts receivable for
Speaker 115
24:37
the students get transmitted to the boards for the institutions, is that
information publicly available or no? Do you know? If you look in the bill, it talks about making sure that they're reporting, so it's not necessarily disclosure of the student's information privately,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
24:52
but of the students' accounts receivables that they may have on the books. Okay. Thank
you, Senator. Any other questions? I have a question. Senator Flowers, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. Senator Irvin, so does that require the institutions to post
daily these cash balances? um so if you look at section four of the bill um i'm looking at the annual certification of
solvency the calculation of number of days of cash on hand um i i that's a i'm not sure if i can answer your
question well you mentioned daily cash balances
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
25:43
right just a moment And I
believe this is an annual report, but I can get that information back to you.
This was Institute, the Institutes of Higher Ed worked with the Department of Higher Ed on this bill, and this
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
26:05
is an agency bill. So, but I'll get that
information to you, Senator Flowers. Well, I'd like to know, is this going to add to their positions? I mean, is this something that the institutions already do on a daily basis or annual basis, and they just link it in to higher eds?
Right. So I think, you know, the situation, unfortunately, that occurred at Henderson, it was because you didn't have full disclosure. the Department of Higher Ed was not able to have full disclosure of what was actually happening with the finances there. And so this is a bill to bring an enhanced accountability and an enhanced transparency about those finances so that we don't find ourselves into another situation like what happened. So Arkansas State University Systems worked closely with the Department of Higher Ed
on this language of this bill and this is really a result of what we learned coming through that process and making sure that we have a higher look and a little bit more information so we don't find ourselves back in the situation that we found ourselves in with Henderson. So I believe you know enhancing the accountability and transparency for both the department to be able to look at those finances making sure that there's accountability for the people that are on those boards of trustees, that they're making sure that they're looking at good information
and making sure that they have good decision-making policies with all the information at hand, and then also making sure that the public has got eyes on this as well. And I think it's an important bill and one that we need to pass. Any other questions? Anyone wish to
Speaker 107
27:52
speak against? Anyone wish to speak for? Senators closed. Yes, thank you. Any
Speaker 55
28:00
objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
28:07
Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismain, Eads, Elliott, 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. Anyone wish to change
Chair
Unverified
28:42
their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Transmitted to the House. Last one on the business agenda before we go to the budget. Senator Hester of Senate Efficiency, SB 175. There is an emergency clause, and this
Speaker 30
29:03
Senate Efficiency, an act for the Arkansas Senate Appropriation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
29:10
Senator Hester. Members, this is the budget for
Speaker 33
29:18
our money. It's the same budget we used last session. Any questions?
Speaker 57
29:26
Anyone wish to speak against? Anyone wish to speak
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
29:31
for? Any objection or rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismain, Eades, Elliot, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendron, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Ingram, Irvin,
Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Rayford, Rice, Sample, Stubblefield, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish to change their vote? Seeing
Chair
Unverified
29:59
none, Cast up the ballot. 34 yays, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Emergency clause is adopted. Transmit it down to the House. Senator Dismang.
Speaker 128
30:14
Thank you, Governor. Members, we have six bills,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
30:18
budget bills before us,
preparation bills before us today. I'm going to try to do those as a batch. I'm going to read through them.
And at the end of that, if there's any discussion, then we'll need to move to Committee of the Whole, is my understanding. or if you'd like to pull one out for a separate vote, let me know. None of the items deal with general revenue, and there are no increases from the prior year. SB 133, the money for that
Speaker 33
30:45
comes out of Central Services. They all have emergency clauses. Senator Garner, for what reason do you wish to be recognized?
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
30:50
I'd like to pull out SB 133 out of the batch, please.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
30:55
All right. And then if it's okay, I'll read the other five bills, and then we'll have a separate vote on SB. What's that? SB 37, an act for Arkansas Catfish Prohibition Board, appropriation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. SB 39, an act for the Arkansas Beef Council appropriation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. SB 49, an act for the Arkansas Minority Health Initiative,
the Department of Health, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, appropriation for the 2021 to 2022 year. SB 58, an act for the Department of Commerce, Division of Aeronautics, appropriation for the 2021 to 2022 year. SB 94, an act for the Auditor State, continuing education, local officials, appropriation for the 2021 to 2022 year. Voting these as a batch. Senator has
Chair
Unverified
31:46
closed. any objection to rolling the vote on this batch? Please roll the vote.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
31:56
Ballinger, Beckham, Bledsoe, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Davis, Dismaine, Eades, Elliott, English, Flippo, Flowers, Garner, Gilmore, Hammer, Hendren, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Hill, Ingram, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Letting, Pitch, Raypert, Rice, Sample, Stubbeville, Sturge, Sullivan, Teague, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
32:30
Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up, sitting down, cast up the ballot. 34
Speaker 59
32:38
yay, 0 nays. The bills as a block have passed. Emergency clauses are adopted.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
32:46
Transmit to the House. SB 133, Senator Dismore.
SB 133, an act for the Office of Governor Legislative Liaison's Appropriations for 2020-2021 year.
Speaker 33
32:56
Any questions for the senator on SB 133?
We have Senator Garner, who we should speak against. Thank you,
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
33:10
Mr. President. During the summer, we were on a conference call with the governor's office. I imagine many people here were on that same call during the COVID-19 crisis while it was impacting us all, getting hundreds of calls from our districts, emails, Facebook messages, and others. On that call, we had an idea that the governor was going to do a major policy shift through an executive order.
Of the multiple state senators and state reps who were on that call, One of them asked, Governor, we know you're going to announce this at 1 p.m. Can you explain to us what this policy actually is? And the governor, in his normal way, explained that we were going to find out at the exact same time as the general population, which we did during that press conference. I know after that policy decision was made, I was inundated by more calls and text messages and e-mails.
And I didn't have an answer beyond what I read in the press release. A few months ago, one of the governor's legislative liaisons reached out to me to let me know that the governor was going to do a task force, recommendations for policing. Many of you probably remember that memo that came out. I appreciate the heads up, but when I asked for details that I would keep confidential, both as an attorney and a legislator, once again, I was denied that right. as a separate and co-equal branch of government.
The Founding Fathers were great in their intentions about what the legislator actually stands for. Our power is multitude, but the most fundamental part of it is the power of the purse. Today, with this small appropriation, we can start taking major steps on holding the executive branch accountable for the months and months of ignoring us and putting us on the sideline. I will not vote for an appropriation that shows a legislative liaison when for months emails weren't answered, calls were ignored,
decisions were made, and we were put on the sideline. That is why I'm speaking out against this bill, and that is why I will vote against this and many other bills coming from the executive branch. Thank
Speaker 33
35:33
you. Anyone wish to speak in favor? Anyone wish to speak again? Center has closed. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Ballinger? No. Beckham?
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
35:49
No. Bledsoe? No. Bledsoe? No. Caldwell? No.
Speaker 23
36:03
Chesterfield? Aye. Clark? Clark? Davis? Davis, Dismang,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
36:13
Eads, Elliot, English, English, Flippo, Flowers, Aye, Garner,
Gilmore Gilmore Hammer Hendren Hester Hickey Hill Hill Ingram Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson Mark Johnson Letting Pitch Aye.
Raypert? Aye. Rice? Aye. Rice? Sample? Sample? Stubbafield? No. Sturge? Aye. Sullivan? No. Teague? Aye. Tucker? Aye.
Chair
Unverified
37:13
Wallace? Aye. Anyone wish to vote or change their vote? Senator Bledsoe is aye. Anybody else over here?
Senator Clark is no. Senator David Gilmore
is present. Senator Gilmore is present. Senator Davis is aye. Anybody else? Senator Hill is
Speaker 59
37:34
no. Senator Mark Johnson present. Senator Rice is that present or not voting? Present. Anybody else? Make sure this looks the way you want it. Senator Sample, aye. No. Senator Sample,
Speaker 118
37:53
no. Present. Senator Sample is present.
Chair
Unverified
37:56
Anybody else? Okay. Cast up the ballot. 21 yeas, 8 nays. The bill is passed. No, the bill is not passed and the emergency clause is not adopted. He's 27. Both the emergency clause and the bill fails. Senator Desmaye is recognized.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
38:28
Thank you, Governor. I'd like to place Senate Bill 133 on the calendar for tomorrow. SB 133. Okay, any announcements?
Chair
Unverified
39:21
Senator Caldwell. Good to see you running down
there. Thank you. My pleasure. Senator Caldwell is recognized for an announcement. Thank you. On Thursday in Senate Agri, we will have the Secretary of Economic Development, Mike Preston, the chairman of the of the Port of Little Rock and the CEO of Wellspun.
come and make a presentation on how the executive order on the XL Keystone Pipeline has affected the jobs in Little Rock. So if y'all are interested in that, that will be 930 on Thursday. Ag will meet 930 on Tuesday also. Any other announcements? Senator Stubblefield
and Senator Clark, is that okay? Warning fights down in the
Speaker 55
40:15
wall. There'll be no city-county local tomorrow.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
40:23
Senator Clark. The Senate challenge commemoration coins are in. Please see Sabrina in room 312 to sign for your coins. A reminder that the Senate pens are also in. If you haven't got yours yet, please see me. Senator Tucker. Thank you, Governor.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
40:53
I'd just like to recognize today's doctor of the day, Dr. Menderada in geriatrics at UAMS, and the nurse of the day, Sherry Barnard. Any other announcements? Any
Speaker 23
41:16
items at the desk? Yes, sir. Senate Bill 179 by Senator Blake Johnson to require maintenance of fire protection district information for the efficient operation of the 9-11 emergency system.
Senate Bill 179. City, county, local. Senate Bill 180 by Senator Beckham to prohibit discrimination against a utility service provider. Senate Bill 180. City, county, local. Senate Bill 181 by Senator Garner to amend the law concerning the sales tax holiday to exempt certain electronic devices during the sales tax holiday and declare an emergency, Senate Bill 181. Senate Bill 182 by Senator Sturge to amend the law concerning delinquencies in improvement districts,
Speaker 23
41:59
Senate Bill 183 by Senator Ingram to amend campaign finance law to prohibit the use of campaign funds or carryover funds to pay for an ethics violation and to amend provisions of law resulting from Initiated Act 1 of 1990, Initiated Act 1 of 1996, Senate Bill 183. State agencies, 1
Chair
Unverified
42:22
o'clock tomorrow, 1 o'clock tomorrow, 1 o'clock, I'm adjourning.
Senate's adjourned until 1 o'clock tomorrow, subject to the clearing of the desk. Thank you.
Agenda
Call to Order
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Announcements
Senate Bills with Senate Amendments
SB74 #3 Hill Hill TO AMEND TH4E TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY REFORM ACT OF 2013; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB27 T. Garner TO ENSURE THAT THE SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE EMPLOYS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH VETERANS.
SB70 B. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COUNTY FINANCIAL RECORDS AND THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY.
SB87 Hester TO CLARIFY THE CRIMINAL OFFENSES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION OF THE LICENSURE OF A MASSAGE THERAPIST.
SB88 Hester TO AMEND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS.
SB100 Irvin TO ENHANCE HIGHER EDUCATION FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING STUDENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE POLICIES AND CERTAIN FINANCIAL CONDITION REPORTS.
SB175 Senate Efficiency Hester AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SENATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR.
Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
SB37 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROMOTION BOARD APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR.
SB39 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS BEEF COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR.
SB49 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH INITIATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH COMMISSION - APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR.
SB58 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 20212022 FISCAL YEAR.
SB94 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LOCAL OFFICIALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2021-2022 FISCAL YEAR.
Announcements
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Speaker 3
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Senator James Sturch
Unverified
Speaker 14
Speaker 16
Senator Ronald Caldwell Chair
Unverified
Speaker 21
Speaker 23
Senator Trent Garner
Unverified
Speaker 42
Senator Stephanie Flowers Chair
Unverified
Speaker 33
Speaker 55
Speaker 57
Speaker 27
Speaker 59
Speaker 61
Speaker 31
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
Speaker 68
Speaker 72
Senator Joyce Elliott
Unverified
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
Speaker 96
Speaker 8
Speaker 19
Speaker 105
Speaker 107
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Speaker 115
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 30
Speaker 128
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Speaker 118
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
Speaker 149