Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (138)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SR71
· 8 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Senate resolution 71. to walk in the other.”
|
REQUESTING THAT SENATOR DISMANG BE AUTHORIZED TO PURSUE THE CONSIDERATION OF SJR 15 AS A … | J. Dismang | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SJR15
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “the consideration of Senate joint Resolution 15”
|
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL … | J. Dismang | Approved by the Governor. |
|
SR60
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “time. We'll come back to those next. We will go to Senate Resolution 60. Senate resolution”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 4A STATE … | Dees | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB347
Act 1025
· 4 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Hester Motion to recall SB347 from House for amendment”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR CERTAIN DENTAL SERVICES AND … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB347 is now Act 1025 |
|
SB596
Act 940
· 4 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB596 - Sen. McKee: Motion to Expunge vote by which SB596 passed”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; TO ESTABLISH A STATE ENERGY POLICY; TO REGULATE RETIREMENT … | M. McKee | Notification that SB596 is now Act 940 |
|
SR74
· 4 mentions in transcript
Matched: “recommended pass calendar. Senate resolution 74 by Senator Irving. To recognize the”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, FEATURING FOUR (4) PLAYERS FROM … | Irvin | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1847
Act 798
· 3 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Hester Motion to recall HB1847 from House”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE SELF-EXCLUSION LIST. | McAlindon | Notification that HB1847 is now Act 798 |
|
HB1917
Act 839
· 3 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1917 M. Shepherd Hester TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PU…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1917 is now Act 839 |
|
SB643
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…certain public utilities report to the legislative council, Senate Bill 643. Insurance and commerce.”
|
TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PUBLIC UTILITIES TO … | D. Sullivan | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1662
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1662 B. McKenzie B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED F…”
|
TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY. | B. McKenzie | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1762
Act 1009
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion to suspend the rules to adopt HB1762”
|
TO REQUIRE REVOCATION OF A PERMIT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN AN AGRICULTURAL … | Hall | Notification that HB1762 is now Act 1009 |
|
HB1832
Act 975
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…mmended pass. Calendar Committee on Judiciary to him as for House Bill 1832 by Representative Shepherd recommend Du pass calendar Commi…”
|
TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1832 is now Act 975 |
|
HB1865
Act 976
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1865 - TO CREATE AN ENHANCED PENALTY FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES AGAINS…”
|
TO CREATE AN ENHANCED PENALTY FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES AGAINST A CHILD. | Vaught | Notification that HB1865 is now Act 976 |
|
HB1913
Act 928
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…commended past calendar Committee on Transportation was for House Bill 1913 by Representative Moore recommended pass. Calendar committe…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DRIVER'S LICENSES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE QUALIFICATIONS … | J. Moore | Notification that HB1913 is now Act 928 |
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HB1926
Act 980
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred House Bill 1926 by I'm gonna recommend do pass calendar Committee on Transp…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR NONRENEWAL OF A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE … | Unger | Notification that HB1926 is now Act 980 |
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HB1991
Act 1020
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Local, to whom was for House Bill 1991 for represented Child's recommended to pass”
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TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS RELATED TO A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE ARKANSAS FIRE PREVENTION … | Childress | Notification that HB1991 is now Act 1020 |
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HB2001
Act 932
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…mmended calendar Committee on Transportation and he was for house Bill 2001 by Representative Painter”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND … | Painter | Notification that HB2001 is now Act 932 |
|
SB106
Act 898
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…budget, 71 by joint budget, Senate Bill 81 by joint budget Senate Bill 106 by budget, Senate Bill 124. a joint budget symbol 241 by Ce…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB106 is now Act 898 |
|
SB124
Act 899
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…, Senate Bill 81 by joint budget Senate Bill 106 by budget, Senate Bill 124. a joint budget symbol 241 by Center Scott compared the rog…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB124 is now Act 899 |
|
SB36
Act 890
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…so about 34 by joint budget, send Bill 35 by joint budget, Senate Bill 36 by joint budget, send bill 40 by joint budget, sending 41 b…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB36 is now Act 890 |
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SB397
Act 931
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on Transportation to whom was referred Senate Bill 397 by”
|
TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION OF RAIL EMPLOYEES IN REPORTS INVOLVING RAILROAD FATALITIES. | D. Wallace | Notification that SB397 is now Act 931 |
|
SB51
Act 893
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…, send bill 40 by joint budget, sending 41 by joint budget, Senate Bill 51, my joint budget in Bill 52”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR COORDINATOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB51 is now Act 893 |
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SB55
Act 895
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “by joint budget, Senate Bill 55 by joint budget, 71 by joint budget, Senate Bill 81 by join…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB55 is now Act 895 |
|
SB622
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Davis Motion to suspend rules to add SB622 to calendar”
|
TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON A TIRE RETAILER FROM CHARGING OTHER FEES TO A PERSON … | B. Davis | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB637
Act 1018
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…n recommend Du pass calendar on joint budget team was first Senate Bill 637 by Central”
|
TO AMEND THE REVENUE STABILIZATION LAW; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB637 is now Act 1018 |
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SB81
Act 897
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…budget, Senate Bill 55 by joint budget, 71 by joint budget, Senate Bill 81 by joint budget Senate Bill 106 by budget, Senate Bill 124.…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB81 is now Act 897 |
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HB1003
Act 871
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1003 House Management Hammer AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF RE…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - STAFF APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | House Management | Notification that HB1003 is now Act 871 |
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HB1063
Act 875
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1063 J. Mayberry Crowell TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EX…”
|
TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS … | J. Mayberry | Notification that HB1063 is now Act 875 |
|
HB1085
Act 802
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1085 K. Brown English TO ADOPT FEDERAL LAW CONCERNING TAX-DEFERR…”
|
TO ADOPT FEDERAL LAW CONCERNING TAX-DEFERRED TUITION SAVINGS PROGRAMS; AND TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX … | K. Brown | Notification that HB1085 is now Act 802 |
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HB1106
Act 872
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1106 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATI…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1106 is now Act 872 |
|
HB1126
Act 873
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1126 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - OFFICE OF EARLY CH…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1126 is now Act 873 |
|
HB1142
Act 859
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1142 A. Brown Dotson TO CREATE THE REPRODUCTIVE EMPOWERMENT AND…”
|
TO CREATE THE REPRODUCTIVE EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGH OPTIMAL RESTORATION (RESTORE) ACT. | A. Brown | Notification that HB1142 is now Act 859 |
|
HB1178
Act 993
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1178 by Representative Richardson recommended to pass. Calendar.…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY; TO AMEND THE LAW … | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1178 is now Act 993 |
|
HB1185
Act 799
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1185 L. Johnson Penzo TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT I…”
|
TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1185 is now Act 799 |
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HB1187
Act 858
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1187 Vaught Payton TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR M…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS. | Vaught | Notification that HB1187 is now Act 858 |
|
HB1285
Act 856
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1285 L. Johnson Boyd TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBUL…”
|
TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1285 is now Act 856 |
|
HB1290
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1290 L. Johnson Boyd TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH WELLN…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS; AND TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS SUPPORT OF … | L. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB13
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ss. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 13-12 by Representative Brooks recommended due pass. Calendar.…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1428
Act 855
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1428 Steimel Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR … | Steimel | Notification that HB1428 is now Act 855 |
|
HB1433
Act 828
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1433 K. Moore Irvin TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS…”
|
TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS EXECUTING OR SERVING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1433 is now Act 828 |
|
HB1439
Act 853
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1439 Ladyman Flippo TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE D…”
|
TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A … | Ladyman | Notification that HB1439 is now Act 853 |
|
HB1456
Act 852
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1456 Rose Hill TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO B…”
|
TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT … | Rose | Notification that HB1456 is now Act 852 |
|
HB1458
Act 851
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1458 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORMATION" WHEN THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD IS PROVIDING … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1458 is now Act 851 |
|
HB1491
Act 874
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1491 Wardlaw Dismang CONCERNING THE EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN BEER A…”
|
CONCERNING THE EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE; TO CREATE AN EXCISE TAX CREDIT … | Wardlaw | Notification that HB1491 is now Act 874 |
|
HB1529
Act 827
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1529 S. Meeks Penzo TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL C…”
|
TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL; AND … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1529 is now Act 827 |
|
HB1537
Act 850
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1537 Ladyman Dees TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. | Ladyman | Notification that HB1537 is now Act 850 |
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HB1562
Act 941
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1562 Gazaway Caldwell CONCERNING THE TERMINATION OF AN ORAL LEAS…”
|
CONCERNING THE TERMINATION OF AN ORAL LEASE OF FARMLANDS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1562 is now Act 941 |
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HB1580
Act 801
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1580 Gramlich Petty TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORM…”
|
TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1580 is now Act 801 |
|
HB1585
Act 849
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1585 L. Johnson Hammer TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS…”
|
TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICE TO AN ENTITY THAT … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1585 is now Act 849 |
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HB1627
Act 877
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1627 Barnett Murdock TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE … | Barnett | Notification that HB1627 is now Act 877 |
|
HB1646
Act 917
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1646 McGrew McKee TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN L…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED COMPARTMENTS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA. | McGrew | Notification that HB1646 is now Act 917 |
|
HB1672
Act 800
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1672 McCollum Boyd TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO C…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC … | McCollum | Notification that HB1672 is now Act 800 |
|
HB1680
Act 811
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1680 Vaught B. Johnson TO PREVENT A FOREIGN-PARTY-CONTROLLED BUS…”
|
TO PREVENT A FOREIGN-PARTY-CONTROLLED BUSINESS FROM LEASING LAND; AND TO PROHIBIT A PROHIBITED FOREIGN PARTY … | Vaught | Notification that HB1680 is now Act 811 |
|
HB1685
Act 1008
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1685 Underwood Hester TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO A…”
|
TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND … | Underwood | Notification that HB1685 is now Act 1008 |
|
HB17
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ss. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 17-19 by Representative Vault recommended due pass. Calendar.…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1706
Act 829
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1706 McCollum Hester TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTIONS; AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT RANKED CHOICE VOTING. | McCollum | Notification that HB1706 is now Act 829 |
|
HB1719
Act 905
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…commend due pass calendar Committee on Education and as for House Bill 1719 by Representative Volt recommend DuP pass calendar Committe…”
|
TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS APPROVED BY … | Vaught | Notification that HB1719 is now Act 905 |
|
HB1730
Act 830
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1730 M. Brown Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER OF WHOLESALE PERMITS. | M. Brown | Notification that HB1730 is now Act 830 |
|
HB1732
Act 878
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1732 Vaught Leding TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX DEDU…”
|
TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION ALLOWED FOR A TEACHER'S CLASSROOM INVESTMENT. | Vaught | Notification that HB1732 is now Act 878 |
|
HB1739
Act 814
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1739 M. Brown Dees TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIA…”
|
TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIALS ACT. | M. Brown | Notification that HB1739 is now Act 814 |
|
HB1764
Act 831
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1764 Underwood Bryant AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A VIOLA…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. | Underwood | Notification that HB1764 is now Act 831 |
|
HB1767
Act 863
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1767 L. Johnson Irvin TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES…”
|
TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO CREATE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1767 is now Act 863 |
|
HB1768
Act 815
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1768 Lundstrum Irvin TO REQUIRE A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL CONTRACT…”
|
TO REQUIRE A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL CONTRACT RELATING TO A HOST FEE TO BE VOTED … | Lundstrum | Notification that HB1768 is now Act 815 |
|
HB1783
Act 834
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1783 Clowney Petty TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REDUCTION OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REDUCTION OF A CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS TO … | Clowney | Notification that HB1783 is now Act 834 |
|
HB1786
Act 826
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1786 Brooks Bryant TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY FOR A TUITION BENEFIT…”
|
TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY FOR A TUITION BENEFIT TO SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL … | Brooks | Notification that HB1786 is now Act 826 |
|
HB1793
Act 804
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1793 Duke Dees TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE B…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS. | Duke | Notification that HB1793 is now Act 804 |
|
HB18
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ss. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 18-74 by Representative McKenzie recommended due pass. Calenda…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1805
Act 805
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1805 Childress Hammer TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND TO CREATE A PROCESS WHEREBY A PUBLIC SCHOOL … | Childress | Notification that HB1805 is now Act 805 |
|
HB1807
Act 879
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1807 Eaves Payton TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT…”
|
TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL … | Eaves | Notification that HB1807 is now Act 879 |
|
HB1809
Act 880
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1809 Warren McKee TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LI…”
|
TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO QUALIFY … | Warren | Notification that HB1809 is now Act 880 |
|
HB1817
Act 865
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1817 L. Johnson Boyd TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND…”
|
TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1817 is now Act 865 |
|
HB1826
Act 866
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1826 Bentley Wallace TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR DELIVERY OF A NEWBO…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR DELIVERY OF A NEWBORN IN A LICENSED BIRTHING CENTER. | Bentley | Notification that HB1826 is now Act 866 |
|
HB1833
Act 806
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1833 M. Shepherd Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMISSION…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMISSIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1833 is now Act 806 |
|
HB1837
Act 999
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1837 McAlindon Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTERS REFERRED TO VOTERS; AND TO BAN FOREIGN … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1837 is now Act 999 |
|
HB1850
Act 867
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1850 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING GROUND AMBULAN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICES; TO CLARIFY THE MINIMUM ALLOWABLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1850 is now Act 867 |
|
HB1853
Act 835
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1853 J. Moore Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING AGENCY RELATIONS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING AGENCY RELATIONSHIP AND DUTIES RELATED TO REAL ESTATE LICENSES; AND … | J. Moore | Notification that HB1853 is now Act 835 |
|
HB1855
Act 818
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1855 Ennett Hammer TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING THE POWERS AND D…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND … | Ennett | Notification that HB1855 is now Act 818 |
|
HB1863
Act 836
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1863 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT MANAGE…”
|
TO AMEND THE TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT MANAGER ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1863 is now Act 836 |
|
HB1869
Act 868
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1869 L. Johnson Irvin TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT…”
|
TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1869 is now Act 868 |
|
HB1870
Act 840
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1870 Wing McKee CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLO…”
|
CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE A VOTER … | Wing | Notification that HB1870 is now Act 840 |
|
HB1875
Act 841
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1875 Tosh Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF AN IGNI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE; AND TO PROVIDE … | Tosh | Notification that HB1875 is now Act 841 |
|
HB1876
Act 927
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who was deferred House Bill 1876 by Representative Scott, recommended to pass. Calendar. Com…”
|
REGARDING THE OWNERSHIP OF MODEL TRAINING AND CONTENT GENERATED BY A GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL. | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1876 is now Act 927 |
|
HB1893
Act 819
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1893 M. Brown Hammer TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BU…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER TO BAN AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1893 is now Act 819 |
|
HB1894
Act 842
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1894 Beaty Jr. Gilmore TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR RE…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR REAL PROPERTY USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND TO … | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1894 is now Act 842 |
|
HB1895
Act 843
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1895 Dalby Tucker TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIO…”
|
TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION TO EMPLOY IN-HOUSE ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT AFFILIATES OF … | Dalby | Notification that HB1895 is now Act 843 |
|
HB1898
Act 837
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1898 Painter Crowell TO CREATE THE REGULATORY DIVISION AND THE R…”
|
TO CREATE THE REGULATORY DIVISION AND THE REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE … | Painter | Notification that HB1898 is now Act 837 |
|
HB1901
Act 844
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “.HB1901 Milligan TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PASSPORT FEES COLLECTE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PASSPORT FEES COLLECTED BY COUNTY PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITIES. | Milligan | Notification that HB1901 is now Act 844 |
|
HB1902
Act 845
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1902 Milligan Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A CERTIFICATE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE AND BOND; AND TO AMEND THE … | Milligan | Notification that HB1902 is now Act 845 |
|
HB1918
Act 810
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1918 McAlindon Dotson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGAL TENDER; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF A … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1918 is now Act 810 |
|
HB1921
Act 824
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1921 Torres Dees TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT…”
|
TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO AMEND THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS … | Torres | Notification that HB1921 is now Act 824 |
|
HB1922
Act 881
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1922 Maddox Dismang TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2…”
|
TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR … | Maddox | Notification that HB1922 is now Act 881 |
|
HB1923
Act 838
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1923 Maddox Hester TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACT…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NATURAL STATE … | Maddox | Notification that HB1923 is now Act 838 |
|
HB1925
Act 846
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1925 Beaty Jr. Gilmore AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENT…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; TO AMEND THE ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTER … | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1925 is now Act 846 |
|
HB1928
Act 820
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1928 M. Brown Crowell TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOIL NUTRIENT APPLIC…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOIL NUTRIENT APPLICATION AND POULTRY LITTER UTILIZATION ACT. | M. Brown | Notification that HB1928 is now Act 820 |
|
HB1929
Act 797
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1929 McAlindon Dotson TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARI…”
|
TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1929 is now Act 797 |
|
HB1933
Act 912
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ss. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 1933 by Representative McCollum recommended due pass.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A … | McCollum | Notification that HB1933 is now Act 912 |
|
HB1935
Act 882
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1935 Eaves Gilmore TO CREATE A MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION TAX…”
|
TO CREATE A MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT BY EXISTING BUSINESSES WITHIN … | Eaves | Notification that HB1935 is now Act 882 |
|
HB1937
Act 821
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1937 Jean Caldwell TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL…”
|
TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL RIGHTS UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § … | Jean | Notification that HB1937 is now Act 821 |
|
HB1938
Act 807
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1938 Joey Carr English TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE CREATION OF DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANS AND … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1938 is now Act 807 |
|
HB1939
Act 808
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1939 Joey Carr English TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIV…”
|
TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIVE AND MERIT PAY; TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE EVALUATIONS; … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1939 is now Act 808 |
|
HB1941
Act 809
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1941 Joey Carr English CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARDS…”
|
CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; AND TO PROTECT ARKANSAS STUDENTS BY ENSURING THE … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1941 is now Act 809 |
|
HB1942
Act 1023
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1942 L. Johnson Davis TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WITHIN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1942 is now Act 1023 |
|
HB1943
Act 962
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1943 L. Johnson Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZ…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1943 is now Act 962 |
|
HB1954
Act 869
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1954 Andrews Irvin TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGIS…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER … | Andrews | Notification that HB1954 is now Act 869 |
|
HB1960
Act 1013
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1960 Wardlaw Stone TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR…”
|
TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES … | Stone | Notification that HB1960 is now Act 1013 |
|
HB1964
Act 825
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1964 Brooks Clark TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION A…”
|
TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE JUVENILE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT … | Brooks | Notification that HB1964 is now Act 825 |
|
HB1965
Act 870
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1965 McCullough Hammer TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAI…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES … | McCullough | Notification that HB1965 is now Act 870 |
|
HB1966
Act 914
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom was referred House Bill 1966 by Representative Barnett, recommended due pass. Calendar.…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE … | Barnett | Notification that HB1966 is now Act 914 |
|
HB1976
Act 883
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1976 Nazarenko Dotson CONCERNING VERTIPORTS; AND TO CREATE THE O…”
|
CONCERNING VERTIPORTS; AND TO CREATE THE OPEN ACCESS TO PUBLIC-USE VERTIPORTS ACT. | Nazarenko | Notification that HB1976 is now Act 883 |
|
HB1983
Act 1026
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1983 Eubanks Stubblefield TO AMEND ACTS 1973, NO. 167, § 4, CONC…”
|
TO AMEND ACTS 1973, NO. 167, § 4, CONCERNING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO … | Eubanks | Notification that HB1983 is now Act 1026 |
|
HB1986
Act 794
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom was referred House Bill 1986 by Representative Nazarco, recommended due pass. Calendar.…”
|
CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS. | Nazarenko | Notification that HB1986 is now Act 794 |
|
HB1988
Act 930
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ss. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who was deferred House Bill 1988 by Representative Tosh, recommended to pass. Calendar. Comm…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AUTO AUCTION FEES FOR SALVAGE-TITLED OR PARTS-ONLY … | Tosh | Notification that HB1988 is now Act 930 |
|
HB1995
Act 985
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on city, county, local, to whom was for House Bill 1995, by Representative Bentley, recommend do pass. Calendar. Co…”
|
TO SEPARATE THE OFFICES OF SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTOR IN PERRY COUNTY. | Bentley | Notification that HB1995 is now Act 985 |
|
HJR1018
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HJR1018 Ray Payton THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT.”
|
THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT. | Ray | Approved by the Governor |
|
SB241
Act 885
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 106 by joint budget, Senate Bill 124 by joint budget, Senate Bill 241 by Senator Scott, compared the enrolled copies of the origi…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO GRANT PAID LEAVE TO … | J. Scott | Notification that SB241 is now Act 885 |
|
SB32
Act 886
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ur committee on enrolled bills to whom refer the following? Senate Bill 32 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 33 by Joint Budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB32 is now Act 886 |
|
SB33
Act 887
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…o whom refer the following? Senate Bill 32 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 33 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 34 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB33 is now Act 887 |
|
SB34
Act 888
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 32 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 33 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 34 by joint budget, Senate Bill 35 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB34 is now Act 888 |
|
SB343
Act 734
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB343 #1 Irvin Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTO…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC PROPERTY; … | Irvin | Notification that SB343 is now Act 734 |
|
SB35
Act 889
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 33 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 34 by joint budget, Senate Bill 35 by joint budget, Senate Bill 36 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB35 is now Act 889 |
|
SB362
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB362 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMEN…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION YOUTH … | K. Hammer | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB367
Act 735
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB367 #1 Irvin Irvin TO REPEAL THE SMALL BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN…”
|
TO REPEAL THE SMALL BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR POLLUTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES ACT; … | Irvin | Notification that SB367 is now Act 735 |
|
SB374
Act 751
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB374 #1 B. Davis Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CIVIL SER…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM. | B. Davis | Notification that SB374 is now Act 751 |
|
SB40
Act 891
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 35 by joint budget, Senate Bill 36 by joint budget, Senate Bill 40 by joint budget, Senate Bill 41 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB40 is now Act 891 |
|
SB41
Act 892
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 36 by joint budget, Senate Bill 40 by joint budget, Senate Bill 41 by joint budget, Senate Bill 51 by joint budget,”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB41 is now Act 892 |
|
SB52
Act 894
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 52 by joint budget, Senate Bill 55 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB52 is now Act 894 |
|
SB523
Act 762
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB523 #1 Irvin Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAG…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PRIVATE … | Irvin | Notification that SB523 is now Act 762 |
|
SB54
Act 1015
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB54 #2 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATT…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB54 is now Act 1015 |
|
SB569
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB569 M. Johnson AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCER…”
|
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING BALLOT TITLES OF PROPOSED MEASURES; AND AMENDING THE … | M. Johnson | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB636
Act 1017
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Joint Budget, to whom was referred Senate Bill 636 by Senator Dismayne, recommended due pass. Calendar. Commit…”
|
AN ACT TO TRANSFER FUNDS; DEFINE THE MONIES TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE RESTRICTED RESERVE … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB636 is now Act 1017 |
|
SB644
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Motion to place SB644 on tomorrow's calendar”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EXECUTION OF A WRIT OF POSSESSION; AND TO ALLOW … | M. McKee | Died on Senate Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB67
Act 1016
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB67 #2 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION APPRO…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB67 is now Act 1016 |
|
SB71
Act 896
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 52 by joint budget, Senate Bill 55 by joint budget, Senate Bill 71 by joint budget, Senate Bill 81 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT PERSONNEL APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB71 is now Act 896 |
|
SJR6
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “…T SENATOR KING BE AUTHORIZED TO PURSUE THE CONSIDERATION OF SJR 6 AS A THIRD PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.”
|
A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND … | B. King | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SR46
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR46 C. Tucker TO RECOGNIZE THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS RO…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS ROCKETS GOLF TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A … | C. Tucker | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR47
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR47 C. Tucker TO RECOGNIZE THE MOUNT ST. MARY ACADEMY BELLES GO…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE MOUNT ST. MARY ACADEMY BELLES GOLF TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A STATE … | C. Tucker | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR65
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR65 C. Tucker TO SUPPORT ARKANSAS'S ENGAGING THE JUSTICE COUNTS…”
|
TO SUPPORT ARKANSAS'S ENGAGING THE JUSTICE COUNTS METRICS AND TO URGE POLICYMAKERS THROUGHOUT STATE AND … | C. Tucker | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR73
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR73 B. King REQUESTING THAT SENATOR KING BE AUTHORIZED TO PURSU…”
|
REQUESTING THAT SENATOR KING BE AUTHORIZED TO PURSUE THE CONSIDERATION OF SJR 6 AS A … | B. King | Died on the Senate Calendar Having Failed to … |
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0:00
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Transcription by CastingWords
Speaker 3
3:00
Senate will be called to order. Any requests for
leave at this time? Seeing no one, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 8
3:30
Bowen, Bright, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan,
Tucker Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise for a prayer led by Senator Scott, followed by the
Speaker 6
4:10
Pledge of Allegiance. I'm sorry. Oh, you're going to introduce our Pastor of the Day. Okay, I apologize, Senator Scott. So Senator Scott will introduce our
Speaker 14
4:21
Pastor of the Day who will lead us in prayer, and that will be followed by the Pledge
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
4:27
of Allegiance. Good morning. I stand before you to introduce Pastor Dr. George Shears.
He is a pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in my district, and actually Representative Tracy still attends his church, so I'm happy that he was able to join us today. I've been trying to get him all session to come up here and pray for us. So if there's a couple more days left, we still need
Speaker 18
4:52
prayer, so thank you. Good morning, shall we pray? Gracious and sovereign God, We lift up the Arkansas Senate to you today.
You are the giver of wisdom, the judge of all justice, and the source of every good and perfect gift. Cover each senator with your clarity, your compassion, and conviction. Let every debate be guided by discernment, not division. Let every decision reflect righteousness, not just rhetoric. Strengthen their hearts when the weight of responsibility feels too heavy. Protect their minds from confusion and their homes from turmoil.
Remind them that true leadership is service and true power is found in humility. Bless Arkansas through their hands and let their work not just be about policy, but about purpose. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
Speaker 22
6:00
America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, the honor
Speaker 23
6:04
of God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you, Pastor, very much for those uplifting words. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate. It is our expectation that each of you will exercise proper decorum
and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. Without objection, the rules will be suspended, and the Senate will dispense with the reading of the journal. The morning hour has now begun. I'd like to call on, recognize Senator Dotson, who will
Chair
Unverified
6:36
introduce our pages for the day. Senator Dotson, you're recognized.
Speaker 29
6:42
Thank you, Madam Governor. Members, I would like to recognize our
Senate pages joining us today. When I call your name, please come to the front here and be recognized Yavaz Bogrik is with Lisa Academy West Middle School and is from Senator Tucker's
district Sawyer Jackson from Green County Tech is from Senator
Dave Wallace district Hudson Smith
is from Magnolia Middle School from Senator Kroll's district Sutton Smith from Central Elementary School is from Senator Kroll's district and Carly Morgan from Clarksville High School is from Senator Stubblefield's district. Please help me welcome them. Thank you, Madam President.
Chair
Unverified
7:46
Thank you, Senator Dotson, and welcome to our
Senate pages for the day. we are glad to have you here. Other announcements or introductions? Senator
Hester, you're recognized. Members, just an update. We talked some about maybe batching. We're not going to batch
any bills today. All but like eight were pulled from the batch. So we might as well just settle in for an interesting day. I would like to make a motion. I'd like to make a motion that we suspend the rule and allow any House or Senate bills that were amended in the
House to be heard directly on our floor without having to go back to
Speaker 42
8:27
committee. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying
Speaker 45
8:31
aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. And I
suspect we didn't get through all of our committees this morning. There may come a time where we need a break. I don't know if that's roughly one o'clock. I'm going to talk to our chairman. And if we need to take a break during our day today to go back to committees briefly, then we will do that. But that's no
decision. Just if you've got thoughts on that,
Speaker 6
8:56
please come see me. Thanks. Thanks, Senator Hester. Any other announcements or introductions? If not, Madam Secretary, are there items
Chair
Unverified
9:05
at the desk? Yes, dear Madam President, will your committee on enrolled bills to whom refer the following? Senate Bill 32 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 33 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 34 by joint budget, Senate Bill 35 by joint budget, Senate Bill 36 by joint budget, Senate Bill 40 by joint budget, Senate Bill 41 by joint budget, Senate Bill 51 by joint budget,
Senate Bill 52 by joint budget, Senate Bill 55 by joint budget, Senate Bill 71 by joint budget, Senate Bill 81 by joint budget, Senate Bill 106 by joint budget, Senate Bill 124 by joint budget, Senate Bill 241 by Senator Scott, compared the enrolled copies of the original, Find the same correctly enrolled and at 8.19 a.m. this morning delivered to the
governor for her approval. Please file it. For your committee
Speaker 55
9:51
on city, county, local, to whom was for House Bill 1991, by Representative Childers, recommend do pass.
Chair
Unverified
9:58
Calendar. Committee on city, county, local, to whom was for House Bill 1995, by Representative Bentley, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 13-12 by Representative Brooks recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 17-19 by Representative Vault recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 18-74 by Representative McKenzie recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was forward to House Bill 1933 by Representative McCollum recommended due pass.
Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom was referred House Bill 1966 by Representative Barnett, recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom was referred House Bill 1986 by Representative Nazarco, recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on
Joint Budget, to whom was referred Senate Bill 636 by Senator Dismayne, recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred Senate Bill 637 by Senator Dismayne, recommended due pass. Calendar.
Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1178 by Representative Richardson recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1832 by Representative Shepard recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1926 by Representative Unger recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation to whom was referred Senate Bill 397 by Senator Wallace recommended to pass to concur in House Amendment No. 1.
Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who was deferred House Bill 1876 by Representative Scott, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who was deferred House Bill 1913 by Representative Moore, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who was deferred House Bill 1988 by Representative Tosh, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who was deferred House Bill 2001 by Senator Payne recommended to pass. Calendar. Senate Resolution 74 by
Senator Irving to recognize the College of Ozark women's basketball team featuring four players from Arkansas as a 2025 National Christian College Athletic Association Division 1 National Champions. Senate Resolution 74. Calendar. Senate Bill 643 by Senator Sullivan
to provide transparency and accountability for public utilities and require certain public utilities, report to the legislative council, Senate Bill 643. Insurance and Commerce.
Any other business to come before the body
in the morning hour? If not, the morning hour has expired. We
Speaker 62
12:56
will now begin the business agenda. We will be passing over the Senate
Speaker 65
13:01
Resolutions. Senator Tucker is the sponsor on at this
Speaker 67
13:07
time. We will come back to those. Next, we will go to Senate Resolution
Chair
Unverified
13:15
60. Senate Resolution 60 by Senator Deese
to recognize the Gravette High School Lions Wrestling Team and the 2025 Class
4A state champions. Madam Secretary, he's going to see
Speaker 77
13:32
if the group's here. I believe that we need to pass over these as well.
Speaker 77
14:21
We are going to pass over Senate Resolution 60. We will
Chair
Unverified
14:51
Senate Resolution 71 by Senator Dismane, requesting that Senator Dismane be authorized to pursue the consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 15 as
a third proposed constitutional amendment. Senator Dismane, you're recognized. Members, this would authorize
us to have a debate on the floor about SGR 15.
This is the Economic Development District Bill. Every state around us has something in play. In fact, every state but us has something in play. This would allow
us to have similar tools in our cities and counties. I appreciate a good vote on the resolution authorizing
the consideration of SGR 15. Any questions? Anyone?
Senator Dotson? Thank you Madam President. Senator,
this, according to the Senate or the joint rules, can we take this up for consideration before we
pass HGAR 1018 or the House passes SJR, whatever the one we sent down there on Payton's building?
That's my understanding in both talking to our parliamentarian and also talking to the House, yes. So we can take up
this one and the next two after it? This resolution to consider, yes. So I guess that bears the question, if this passes, did the next two end,
or can they pass as well? I'm not sure what the process would be on that. I guess that might be
a parliamentary inquiry. I think, I mean, the one thing that I do know is that you would have had to file
a resolution authorizing the consideration in both chambers, that both chambers would have to support that. And so if there is one that does not have a resolution in the House, then that would not be viable. We can vote on it, but there would be nothing to vote on the House, and so by the joint rules would not qualify to be considered. If there is a corresponding on both sides, I don't think the rules are silent on that. I suppose you could vote both of them out if both of them are viable. Whichever one passes first, then becomes the one.
And I don't know what the process would be for that. Okay, so we're kind of
wading into uncharted territories here. Okay, all right. Thank you. Other questions? If no other questions, Senator's closed.
Any objection to rolling the votes? I'm sorry, speak against? Senator King, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, in Senate education this morning,
Senator Davis had a school nurse's bill about
funding, and I voted for it, and she voted against, and she did a very good job, honestly, of stating her position. It was about priority at some times, and we have to prioritize things. I am not attacking Senator Disming's constitutional amendment. Basically, what mine is is about prioritize, just like Senate education, that sometimes we have to prioritize one or the other. We have down to two that can be considered, my understanding, from the rules because of what happened on the House side of not filing one there.
But basically, this is about priority. If you look at, we've talked about this whole session, and we've had a session that's had, and I want to compliment Senator Dismang about through the process that we had about the prison, the $750 million. He was very good about telling me when the votes were and giving me a fair word or a fair fight in the whole thing. And so I want to compliment him on that. But I want to say that we have a high crime. And you'll see in these things, and I've sent all you members things that study after study have shown
that whenever you police in a positive way, it reduces crime. That doesn't come from conservative pro-police things. That's coming from Princeton University, coming from a lot of studies that show basically you can reduce crime. And we see the tragedy in Conway last night. We can see that if we don't reduce our incarceration rate, we have to reduce our crime to reduce our incarceration rate. You reduce crime before it happens, you reduce incarceration rate, you increase our state budget to do things.
Basically, this comes down to priority. A vote against Senator Dismang's today is not necessarily a vote against it, it's just which do you prioritize? Senator Dismang's tax district bill, the TIF bill, or do you prioritize extra funding to hire extra officers? That's all it is, folks. So I'd appreciate a no vote and vote yes on mine.
Anyone else wish to speak for or against? Seeing no other, Senator Dismang is closed.
Any objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bowen? Bowen?
Speaker 106
20:01
Yes. Bryant? Aye. Caldwell? Caldwell. Clark? Clark.
Speaker 107
20:13
Dismang? Aye. Dotson? No. English? English. Flippo?
Speaker 8
20:22
Aye. Flowers? Aye. Gilmore. Yes. Hammer. Aye. Hester. Aye. Hickey. Aye. Hill. Aye. Irvin. Irvin. Blake Johnson. Aye. Mark Johnson. Aye. King.
Speaker 112
20:45
Aye. Ludding. Ludding. Love. Yes. McKee. Aye. Murdoch. Aye. Peyton.
Payton. Penzo. No. Petty. Yes. Rice. Rice. Scott. Yes. Stone.
Speaker 8
21:08
Aye. Stuboffel. No. Sullivan. Aye. Tucker.
Aye. Wallace. Aye. Any senator who did not vote or change your vote, Senator Urban, yes.
Any other senator? Senator Clark, yes. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 26, yay, 4, nay, 5, not voting. Senate Resolution 71 passes. Or
rather, Senate Resolution 71 is adopted.
Senator Wallace, you're now recognized. Thank you, Governor.
In sergeant's arms, would you please join me? Members, I'd like to take a moment for us to recognize our sergeants at arms. Every day, these gentlemen, our outer defense, they work hard to make our life easier, to to make it smoother, and I'm just gonna let you know
a little bit about each and every one. Sergeants, as I call your name, if you will take one step forward. Sergeant Henry Kistler is a retired businessman from Little Rock. He's also a 20 year veteran of the West Pulaski Fire Department, where he held the position of Battalion Chief. Sergeant Alvin Rogers is a native of Arcadelfia. He served in the United States Army. He attended Henderson University and was a physical education major.
He worked five years with the Archadelphia Police Force. He then joined the Arkansas State Police, where in 2013, he was named Trooper of the Year. Sergeant Rogers is a member of the most worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He is a past worshipful master of his lodge, and he was elevated to the rank of Grand Inspector General 33rd Degree, the highest degree in maistering. That's a very difficult degree to make. Sergeant Woodford Batch was born in Little Rock.
He attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on a football scholarship. He was a four-year starter at linebacker. He graduated as a distinguished military graduate at ROTC and went on to serve 28 years in the United States Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He is also a member of the Omega Sci-Fi fraternity, and he has spent 40 years in logistical management before coming and making our lives easier.
Sergeant Joe Gray was a member of the Little Rock Fire Department for 30 years. He was the first black chief fire marshal to be promoted to that rank in the state of Arkansas in 2010. He holds a bachelor's degree in science for the University of Central Arkansas. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. In addition, he holds a black belt in karate and is working towards his second degree black belt, so no one wants to give him any lip.
Sergeant Von Neely. Raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas, married. His wife is a schoolteacher. We're taught for 38 years. He retired from the Arkansas State Capitol Police Department of 2024. You all may remember him from being down there with us. He served in the Arkansas Air National Guard as a C-130 cargo plane maintenance crew chief. And he is a licensed drone pilot and enjoys flying his drones and he has time.
Sergeant Brad Harness, born and raised in Searcy County, graduated from Arkansas State Tech, has been married for 35 years to Miss Abby, and they have two sons together. Retired after 32 years in law enforcement, and became a sergeant-at-arms for the Arkansas Senate in 2022. He says, be as kind to people as they will let you, heroes and enemy alike. We all just walk in each other home. Sergeant Dave Mullinex, married for 36 years, one son, one daughter,
retired from financial services business in 2013, was a volunteer at the West Pulaski's Fire Department since 2014, achieving the rank of captain. And he joined us in 2021 and says it's an honor to serve in this capacity. The last individual here is Sergeant Charles Bauer, originally from Longoak County, graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Lonex, attended Arkansas Agri Mechanical
and Normal School, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He's a Navy veteran and was employed at Little Rock Convention and Visitor Bureau and worked for Dawson Falcon Jet. He retired from Little Rock Fire Department with the rank of captain. We have one member missing, Sergeant Spooner, Thomas Spooner, and he served as a paratrooper in the United States Army, and he also retired from the Arkansas State Capitol Police with 28 years of service. Fellow Senators, these are our Sergeants of Guards.
Unknown speaker
26:55
These are the men that secure us. Thank you all.
Thank you, Senator Wallace.
Members, we will now go back and take up Senate
Speaker 69
28:10
Resolution 60. Senate Resolution 60 by Senator Dees and Senator
Chair
Unverified
28:15
Dodson to recognize the Gravette High School Alliance wrestling team as the 2025 Class 4A
state champions. Senator Dees,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
28:25
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members, we've got the 2025 back-to-back wrestling state champions here from Gravit coming in.
Feel free to kind of pile around, come on through, wherever you can find a spot. That's great. All right, whereas the Gravit High School Lions wrestling team won the 2025 4A state championship, this is back-to-back state championships for the Lions, reflect on their discipline, their preparation, and their teamwork to find and define the program as it's just in their fourth year. So take that in for a minute. They're in their fourth year and they've won back-to-back state championships. That's pretty awesome, pretty amazing. And of all
the great things this program has done, I do want to highlight one individual. Could Mr. Logan Miller recognize yourself here. Where's Logan? There he is. Logan is finishing as a four-time state champion. Four-time state champion. There have only been, we believe, 13 in the state that have ever done that. He's four-time state champion. We're really proud of him. Congratulations, Logan. But this team is all about effort and grit from the wrestlers to the staff to the coaches to the
trainers. Nothing great is done alone. We all believe that. And this program definitely exemplifies that. So whereas, I want to make sure we finish this strong here and get a great vote. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that the Senate recognize the Gravette High School Lions wrestling team as the 2025 Class 4A state
champions. And members, I ask for a resounding great vote to recognize their great year.
Speaker 142
30:08
Thank you, Senator Dees, as the proud aunt of a 2020 Gravett Lion graduate
and sister-in-law to second grade teacher Mrs. Tracy Rutledge. I am happy to ask for a vote for Senate Resolution 60 to recognize the Gravett High School Lions wrestling team as a 2025 Class 4A state champions. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed, ayes have it.
Speaker 147
30:38
Senate Resolution 60 is adopted. Congratulations. Congratulations.
Speaker 148
30:48
Great job. Great job, guys. Senator Tucker,
Speaker 155
31:20
Next, we'll take up Senate Resolution 65. Senate Resolution 65 by Senator Tucker
Chair
Unverified
31:25
to support Arkansas's engaging justice courts metrics and to urge policymakers throughout
state and local government entities
to implement and utilize the Justice Counts metrics. Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members, a
lot of the resolutions that we pass have, they're
very good things that we do, but they don't have any actual effects.
This one does have an effect. There's a program called Justice Counts. It's been across several administrations as part of the Department of Justice. And this is where this organization partners with state governments to help us get better, more accurate criminal justice data help us make more informed decisions on criminal justice policy. It's only as much as the state wants it. They don't come in and tell us what to do. They just offer support where we ask for it and where we choose to take it. So they need some action by the state government in order to invite them in. This resolution will get that job done. So it's just an invitation to them to come help
us get better and more accurate criminal justice data as we see fit. So with that, I'd
Speaker 42
32:31
appreciate a good vote on the resolution. Thank you, Senator Tucker. All those in favor of Senate Resolution
Speaker 67
32:36
65 to support Arkansas's engaging the justice counts metrics and to urge policymakers throughout state and local government entities to implement and utilize the justice
Speaker 146
32:44
counts metrics. Please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Aye's have it. Senate Resolution 65 is adopted. Senator
Tucker, you're recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Madam President. Members,
please join me in welcoming our doctor of the day today, Dr. Gina Debrina. She's a pathologist here at UAMS so anytime you get a biopsy done and you're worried about whether you might have something bad wrong with you she's the one helping figure the answer out to that question so thank you so much for the work that you do and for being here today and also Lee Fazio for being here with us every day this session
Chair
Unverified
33:21
we appreciate y'all welcome to the Senate. Senator Hill you're
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
33:26
recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Madam Governor. Colleagues, I'd like to introduce y'all
that are up here in the gallery to my left to the Cabot Chamber of
Commerce Youth Leadership Group. If you would, join me in welcoming them today.
Speaker 146
33:59
Next, Senator King, do you have a motion?
No, I want to bring... Well, we are going to take up Senate Resolution 72, and then we'll come back to Senate Resolution 73. Okay. Are you going to pass over? All right, we are
Chair
Unverified
34:25
passing over Senate Resolution 72. Next, we will take up Senate Resolution 73. Senate Resolution 73 by Senator King, requesting that Senator King be authorized to pursue the consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 6 as a third proposed constitutional amendment.
Senator King, you're recognized. Okay, members, so the clarification of the rules is we can pass 2. This
rule was done when I was out, and this has not happened before. We can pass my resolution and send it down there. So I would just, I'm not going to reiterate to give the competition, to give the choices down there because of our crime rate. Like I said, when you have a high incarceration rate, you have high budget problems because of it. If we reduce the incarceration rate and reduce the crime part, and this is an opportunity to fund extra police officers to reduce crime.
So I'd appreciate a good vote on this resolution just to send it down to the House and we'll see which one
Speaker 49
35:26
sorts out down there. and just for clarification and i've asked mr treat to clarify this
for me and so i can clarify it for you all this vote on senate resolution 73 and other votes is simply to authorize us to
pursue consideration of sending something to the House. This is not sending anything. My bill
Speaker 176
35:47
is in committee and will have to be amended, but we can
take care of that if it passes. Right, but I just want to make sure that membership was clear what we were voting on, that this will not be sending anything to the
Chair
Unverified
36:01
House. This is simply to allow us to
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
36:03
consider it here in the Senate. Any questions? Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you. Senator King, could you just briefly give an
overview of the funding? I mean, very brief. Yeah, basically it's taken the marijuana funding above administration and funding extra police officers. There'll be an amendment put on
that they cannot, if it contributes $40 million to voters decide on this and they contribute $40 million, then public safety can't reduce their budget $40 million. This will be in addition to that. I think casino revenue, there's some stipulations of like 8% goes back to the county it originates in. Those would say the same. 55% of this, of the casino revenue that goes to general revenue will go to this public safety officer fund to reduce crime. Marijuana will change because of
the vote that was stressed earlier, I think, that addressed food insecurity. So this just allows the people of Arkansas to decide where that extra money goes from casino and marijuana that is either going to general revenue or these other
things. That's it. Senator Hammer, do you have a question regarding this Senate resolution. I realize there was an
underlying, but Senator Henry. My inquiries to the Chair, please. Sure. Clarification. Senator Dismayne's bill in the
form of which it was voted on
has already cleared here and is going down to the House,
correct? No, that is not correct. It is same as what I stated earlier. It simply authorizes the Senate to pursue consideration of that underlying Senate joint resolution 15. Which will be
the same for Senator King's if voted out of
here, correct? Correct. Okay. Nothing is
being sent to the House of these three if we take up Senator
Dotson's. Okay. My question is Senator King then. Yes. What was it
you said about needing to go back to the committee for amendment? I didn't catch
that part. It's currently in committee now, so it needs to be amended to put the part in there to address some members' concerns that are for it. That means that basically like I said, if we pass and it's $40 million the extra funding that what we don't do in public safety we just reduce the funding so it's not an increase in the officers. So this would just do something like we did with the lottery about supplant, not supplement that and clarify some other few things that
can be taken care of. But the general drive and the direction is the same thing that I did in 143 that I presented in judiciary and presented I gave the constitutional amendment when we talked. I just at the time didn't do that because Matthew Miller, you know, trying to keep him from doing it. But yeah, so 8% of the casino money will still go back to where it originates from. Those things will be 55%, I think, of general revenue on casinos will go for these extra officers to make sure that we don't, we add officers, not just keep things the same.
All right. Question back to the chair, please. Sure. How
is it that if that bill is sitting in committee, but Senator Dispain's bill was on the floor, I guess having been out of committee, logistically how do we handle this vote that we're going to
vote on a bill that's still sitting in
committee? And again, and I'll flip to counsel, but we're simply authorizing us to take it up when it comes out of committee. It doesn't... Is that correct, counsel?
I'm going to ask Mr. Treat to come address the question, just to
Speaker 198
39:30
make sure that we don't have it. I'll let Philip, but it's basically suspending
Speaker 199
39:35
the rules like we've done Yes, Mr. Treat, to answer the question, just so that way we have... Sure. Yeah, so under the joint rules, this kind of a constitutional proposal can't be even considered by either body unless we first, by two-thirds vote in both chambers, pass a resolution to take up consideration of what is called a third constitutional proposal.
And so that's all we're doing right now is our part of that vote. It's still then going to be in the House's court as to whether or not they will vote by two-thirds to allow the consideration of this proposal. And only then will we be able to actually consider the substantive proposal. And I think at that juncture, Senator King's proposal is at a different stage in our proceedings than Senator Dismay's.
Okay, and I guess maybe I just didn't hear it. The bill's sitting in committee, and maybe you said it, and I just didn't hear it. Do we need a motion to set aside the rules in order to consider this if this bill is still sitting in committee, but we're debating
Speaker 202
40:42
it on the House floor? That's what I'm trying to clear up in my mind. Again, I think that
Speaker 199
40:48
we're not there yet. So this is just consideration of a resolution. It has nothing to do with the underlying proposal. So that proposal is still in committee, you're correct. But it's not being questioned right now.
Just the resolution to authorize consideration at a later point is what's being considered. All right. Thank you. And that's a good point.
This is just authorizing it. Basically, we won't know. The House doesn't meet until 1.30, so we will not know. Senator Dismang is up first again. So if Senator Dismang, they can have that debate down there. And Senator Dismang and I talked about it earlier that if his fails, we would have this one ready to go. Or we also can have a competition. We'll just have to suspend the rules.
Same way we've done on a laundry list of bills. And the amendments will not be anything different than I've discussed in multiple committees. So folks, it's just allow to get this in the process going. And then we will see what happens. But I just appreciate, let's just, to keep the process going, I certainly didn't hold up Senator Dismangs or try and fight it. I hope that we can do this and have a real democracy and discussion on the merits of honor. Senator has closed.
Anyone want to speak for or against? Speaking for, Senator
Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, we see these initiatives that get way down in the weeds and talk about how the money is going to be, what the tax is, what the rate is, where it's going to be spent.
And I worry about that because our needs change, but we've put these things in the Constitution. I think Senator King's amendment has some merit. I think we ought to look at that. And considering too often we pass on finding an agreed-to third amendment that the House and Senate can submit to the voters. So I would encourage a yes vote on this resolution and let's move forward to look at some ways that we can clean up some problems
that we have in that regard. Thank you, Madam President.
Anyone else wish to speak for or against? Senator Stubblefield, Senator
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
43:22
just want to speak on the resolution because I want to clarify the money and the direction of the money. As you know, we have taken a lot of steps to move money to support the National Cancer Institute designation.
And so I'm not sure if that money that supports National Cancer Institute designation is then going to be taken and used for this or not. So, that's a question that maybe you could clear up. Thank you. Senator Stubblefield, do you wish to speak on the motion? On, for,
or against? On. Okay, Senator Stubblefield, you recognize it.
This is for. For. Senator Stubblefield, you recognize it.
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
44:11
I want to take but a second. there's absolutely nothing improper about having another amendment to give people an extra option whether they you know whether it passes or not but the more options you have the better it is it's always been that way so there's certainly nothing improper about us putting an extra amendment on on this issue so I would I would urge you to vote for yes anyone else wish to speak
on Senate resolution 73 Senator King would you like to
close Senators recognize this just allows moving the process along as anybody knows I don't surprise anybody I don't hide anything and since Senator Dismanings went first This would just allow to move the process along. We do not know if Senator Dismayne's one will even get considered, and then we've got to wait later. This will just allow us to move forward in the process. That's all it is, and we can, you know, like I said,
if his gets locked down, give some
choices that we need out there. That's
it. Just move forward in the process.
Speaker 106
45:33
That's it. Senator has closed. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd? Bright? Caldwell? Caldwell. Clark? Clark. Crowell?
Speaker 107
45:49
Crowell. Davis? Davis. Dees? Dees.
Dismang? Dismang. Dotson? Dotson. English? English. Flippo? Flippo. Yes.
Speaker 8
46:05
Flowers? No. Gilmore? Gilmore. Hammer? Aye.
Speaker 111
46:13
Hester? Aye. Hickey? No. Hill? Yes. Irvin?
Speaker 8
46:24
Irvin. Blake Johnson? Aye. Mark Johnson? Aye. King? Aye. Letting?
Speaker 112
46:35
Letting, Love, Love, McKee, McKee, Murdoch, Murdoch, Payton, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Scott, Stone, Stubbafil,
sullivan tucker tucker wallace any senator wish to vote who did not
vote or wish to change your vote senator dodson yes tucker present murdoch yes gilmore no any other senator
Love, present. Any others? Please check the board. Scott, present. Any others? Please check the board. Seeing
no others, please cast up the ballot by vote of 16, yay, 5, nay, 11, not voting, 3 present. Senate Resolution 73 fails. Senator King, you're recognized. Members, we've had the vote, and
I always want a fair word or a fair vote, and we just had that.
I know there's still some questions. I just ask that you make a motion to expunge it, and then by whatever time the House meets, we'll know the outcome of Senator Disman's bill, and by expunging it, we'll be just able to clear that up, and in case his doesn't make it, we can bring this back up for consideration. Move on. Just ask for expunge it, and we'll wait and
see what happens. Motion to expunge the vote by which Senate Resolution 73 failed. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it.
Motion carries. Senator Hester. Members, just an update. I think most of you heard, but right when we started session,
we're not going to batch anything today. All but like eight bills were pulled from the batch. So the effort to batch would be futile. So we're not going to do that. I made a motion to suspend the rule for the rest of the session
that says that if a Senate bill is admitted in the House, it just comes back to our floor, and we can have a full debate on it here rather than to committee because of time's sake, and that was passed. Today, we're going to hear budget on page 2, SB 523. We'll do the budget on page 2. And at that time, after we do the budget, I'm going to ask if you're a chairman,
and we'll do the budget, then we'll break for a few minutes so that staff can get the computers and stuff ready to go. I would ask if you're a chairman and you have things left in a committee, If you would huddle up with your committee for just a minute and let's get a game plan on when you would like to meet today or how we want to accomplish that. Because if you've got one non-controversial bill and you can sign it out, well, then I would ask you to do that. But if we need to break today for committees, we will also do that. So right after budget, we'll take a brief break.
If, Chairman, if you get your committees huddled up somewhere around here and get a game plan and let me know, I would appreciate it. Thanks. I
got a question. Yes. so I talked about my bill so can state agencies meet and at least do my bill just in case at some point in time whatever your
committee decides to do I mean I support the chairman doing whatever they feel like they need to do in each
committee okay thank you Senator Hester with that
we will continue with the agenda is Senator Payton here we
Speaker 254
50:51
will pass over HJR 1018 for the time being
Speaker 6
51:05
we will next go to Senator Irvin amendment 1, Senate Bill 343 amendment
Chair
Unverified
51:11
1, Senate Bill 343 Senator Irvin, you're recognized
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
51:16
thank you members There was an amendment placed on the House, just some technical changes that needed to be made. It's an agency bill for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, and we've heard this bill. I appreciate your vote for the amendment to concur with
House Amendment. All those in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is
Chair
Unverified
51:43
concurred then. Senate Bill 343 by Senator Irving to amend the law concerning state-owned motor vehicles,
to amend the law concerning public property, and to amend the automobile and pickup truck acquisition act for the state of Arkansas.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
51:58
Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you, members. Appreciate all the hard work this body did and the other. This is our transformation shared service fleet management system that we're trying to put in place, so I'd appreciate a good vote on
the bill. Thank you. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Speaker 219
52:19
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection.
Speaker 77
52:33
Please check the board. Anyone wish to change your
vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 yea, 0 nay, Senate Bill 343. Passes
as amended. Please enroll it. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 367.
Speaker 262
52:57
Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 367. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank you. This
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
53:01
is with the Department of Energy and Environment. There was, again, agency had to make an amendment on the House's end.
I'd appreciate a good vote to concur with the
House amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it.
Chair
Unverified
53:21
Amendment is concurred then. Senate Bill 367 by Senator
Irving to repeal the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund for Pollution Control and Prevention Technologies Act and repeal the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. Senator Irvin
you're recognized thank you members happy to take any
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
53:35
questions we voted on this bill I think I think actually the amendment was just to add a
house sponsor so no substantive changes were made any questions anyone
wish to speak against or for senator has closed any objection to putting the vote on the board rolling the boat seeing no objection please put the boat on the board roll the vote
Speaker 67
54:01
however y'all were saying it last week when I was gone do that please check the
board anyone we should change his or her vote seeing no
one please cast up the ballot
by a vote of 35 yay zero nay Senate bill 367 passes as amended please enroll it.
Senator Davis amendment 1 to Senate bill 374. Amendment 1 to
Chair
Unverified
54:33
Senate bill 374. Senator Davis you're recognized. Thank
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
54:42
you madam president. This amendment that we're concurring
just put back in some FOIA
language to make everyone comfortable with what we were
doing. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have
Chair
Unverified
55:02
it. Amendment is concurred in. Send bill 374 by Senator Davis to amend the law
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
55:08
concerning the civil service system. Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. This was just to allow law
enforcement who are registered to civil service to have a little more flexibility in how they let people know about testing for law enforcement
so that we're not missing different law enforcement schools and they can get the training necessary. This is just to help
Speaker 25
55:29
with the law enforcement hiring shortage. Thank you. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak
against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, please put the vote on. Please roll the vote. Anyone wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one,
please cast out the ballot. By a vote of 35 yeas, 0 nays, Senate Bill 374 passes as amended.
Please enroll it. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 523. Amendment 1 to
Chair
Unverified
56:07
Senate Bill 523. Senator Irvin, you're
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
56:12
recognized. Thank you. Actually, ABC wanted to jump on my bill and make some cleanup language they've been needing to do in code, so happy to oblige. Appreciate, again, Senator Petty bringing this second bill to my attention. So, this, again, just the amendment is just some cleanup language from the department from ABC.
Appreciate a good vote to concur the House Amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify saying aye. Aye.
Chair
Unverified
56:49
Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is concurred then. Senate Bill 523 by Senator Irving
to amend the law regarding alcohol beverages and to remove the requirement that a
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
56:59
private club be a non-profit organization. Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you, members. Again, this just now eliminates for anyone and everyone the inefficient stuff of trying to have to file a non-profit corporation
before you apply for a private club permit. It was an unnecessary and meaningless step that we had in law, and we're taking that away. This is going to be better for small business owners and all restaurant owners for our state. So I
would appreciate a good vote. Anyone, questions, anyone would speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, please roll the vote. Senators please check the board. Anyone wish to change? Senator Love, no.
Senator Dodson, present. Any other senator? Senator Hammer, present. Clark, no. Any other senator? Dees, present.
senator? Please check the board. Seeing no other senator, please cast up the ballot by vote 29 yea, 4 nay, 2 present. Senate Bill 523 passes as amended. Please enroll
Speaker 6
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it. Senator King, you're recognized for an
introduction. Thank you, Madam President. Members, I want to recognize some members of the Chickamaa Nation,
Chief Justin Flanagan, Will White, the Hedman, Lacey Flanagan, clan mother, and from Franklin County up here in the gallery, I want to recognize
Colt Shelby, Casey Brown, Whitney Brown, Sarah Douglas, the Franklin County Rough Riders. Thank you. Thank you,
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Senator King. Senator Tucker, I know Senator Payton.
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Well, Senator Tucker, are you ready for an amendment? Members, do I need to suspend the rules?
Motion to put amendment 2 to House Bill 1865 on second reading
Speaker 45
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for amendment. All in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries.
Speaker 114
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Amendment 2 to House Bill 1865. Senator Tucker, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. I move to adopt the
amendment and send it to engrossing. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Are we, Senator
Speaker 311
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Payton, are we passing over HJR 1018? next
Speaker 142
1:01:04
okay all right actually we are not going to take up budget we are going to go ahead and
Chair
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take up SB 569. Senator Mark Johnson. Senate Bill 569 by Senator Mark Johnson to amend an amendment to the
Arkansas Constitution concerning ballot titles of proposed measures
and amending the Arkansas Constitution under the
authority of Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, Section 1. Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Thank
you, Madam President. Colleagues, we
voted on this Thursday. It got 22 votes. We need 24 because this is what Article 5, Section 1 says. It has to be two-thirds of both houses. Let me sum this up simply by saying that we had a lively discussion,
and I appreciate the opportunity to debate and discuss with Senator Tucker, who makes some excellent points about what the 52 decision was and what our Attorney General's opinion was. And the question that seems to be keep coming up is, what does the Constitution say? Can we amend a measure that's been passed by the voters by two-thirds or not? And I submit that if we pass this and the House passes it, certainly someone will challenge it,
and we will get a ruling from the Supreme Court, and then we will know. If it is status quo is maintained, that's where we are. But as the Attorney General has opined and says he can defend this, they say that yes, the General Assembly by two-thirds of both houses may amend any measure that was passed by the voters. So by doing this, we get to define the law more clearly and can move forward.
And I believe it gives us a tool that about 100 years ago was originally given to the General Assembly by an initiated amendment. Make that clear. It was given to us by an initiated amendment, and we can move forward. Again, the 500-word limit is the issue, but the broader issue is the challenge to the 1952 Supreme Court decision. And so I'll be happy to answer any
questions. Questions for Senator Mark Johnson?
Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized, closed. I'm closed, Madam President. Appreciate a good vote. Senator Mark Johnson is closed. Any
Speaker 8
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objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bowett? Bryant?
Speaker 107
1:04:17
Caldwell? Caldwell. Clark? Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English,
Speaker 8
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Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hickey, Hill, Hill,
Irvin. Irvin. Blake Johnson. Aye. Mark Johnson. Aye. King. King. Letting. Letting. Love. Love.
Speaker 112
1:04:55
Love. No. McKee. McKee. Murdoch. No. Payton. Yes. Penzo. Penzo. Petty. Yes.
Speaker 114
1:05:06
Rice. No. Scott. No. Stone. No. Stubblefield.
Speaker 112
1:05:13
No. Sullivan. No. Tucker. No. Wallace. Aye.
Speaker 142
1:05:27
Any Senator who should change his or her vote or vote who did not vote? Irvin,
aye. Hickey, no. Penzo, aye. Any other Senator? Please check the board. Dismang, aye. Any other Senator? Please check the board. Seeing no other. Hill,
aye. Any other senator? Please check the board. Senator King, aye. Any other senator? Please
check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 24, yea, 7, nay,
for not voting. Senate Bill 569 passes. Please transmit to the House.
Speaker 88
1:06:23
Now, we will take up the budget calendar. Okay. The amendments first. Amendment 2 to
Senate Bill 54. Senator Dismang, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Adds nine new positions, total costs and salaries, $1 million, and it's funded out of state
central services. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against
or for? Senator has closed. Any, all those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send
Chair
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1:07:03
to engrossing. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 67. Senator Dismang, you're recognized. This adds
11 new positions, total cost $1 million, and also state central services. Any questions? All those in favor of the
amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing.
Chair
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1:07:25
House Bill 1106. House Bill 1106 by joint budget. An act for the
Office of the Treasurer of State Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senator Dismayne, you're
recognized. I'd be happy to take
any questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has
closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Senators, please check the board.
Anyone wish to change his or her vote?
Seeing no one, please cast up the
ballot by a vote of 35 yeas, 0 or nay. House Bill 1106 passes. The corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please return to the House. House Bill
Chair
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1:08:11
1126. House Bill 1126 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood Appropriation
for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senator Dismang, you're recognized. I'm happy to take any questions.
Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling
the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Senators, please check the
board. Anyone wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one,
please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35, yay, zero, nay. House Bill 1126 passes. Corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please
return to the House. Senate Bill 362. Senate
Chair
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1:08:51
Bill 362 by Senator Hammer. An act for the Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Youth Organization Grants.
Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senator Dismang, you're recognized. This is a $2
million unfunded grant. Any questions? Anyone we should
speak against or for? Senators, closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam
Secretary, please roll the vote. Senators, please check the board. Any senator
wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the
ballot by a vote of 35 yeas, 0 nay. Senate Bill 362 passes, and the corresponding emergency clause
is adopted. Senate Bill 354. We are passing over Senate Bill 354.
The one I passed over, HJR 1018? Yeah, we can go ahead and
do it. Senators, we are going to take up HJR 1018. House
Chair
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1:10:00
Joint Resolution 1018 by Representative Ray and Senator Payton, the Citizens Only Voting Amendment. Senator Payton,
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you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
So, members, I was over in the House.
State agencies got here late and a little frazzled, so I had to pass over it a minute ago. But I think we've got the concerns alleviated. Basically, the constitutional amendment that the Senate wants to refer to the people just passed their state agencies this morning in the House. So this amendment is running a step ahead of that one. So what I'd like to do is go ahead and present it. Hopefully, you'll vote for it. and then we can hold it here until tomorrow, and that way the other one gets heard on the House end
before we've released this one. But HJR 1018 is the citizens-only voting amendment. It's a proposed amendment that would ensure only United States citizens can vote in our state and local elections. It amends Article 3, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, which deals with the qualifications of electors. So basically, Americans should determine the future of America. Arkansans should determine the future of Arkansas.
We all have voters in our districts who are concerned about the crisis of illegal immigration. They want us to do something about it. I think this measure is doing something about it, and I think the people will support it. Allowing non-citizens to vote undermines the importance of citizenship. Voting is a fundamental right of U.S. citizens and allowing non-citizen voting dilutes the votes of regular Americans. Because of the efforts in many places to legalize non-citizen voting, there's now a nationwide movement on this issue,
and we have the choice to either be part of it or be left behind. There are 20 states that dictate citizen-only voting, and 15 of those have adopted citizens-only voting amendments that you see before you today. In 2024, Missouri, Oklahoma, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, all adopted similar measures. The voters of Arkansas will approve this amendment. In all the states that I just mentioned, every single citizen voting amendment passed with at least 63% support.
Some passed with as much as 86% support as it did in South Carolina. The average was 73.5%. So Arkansans are going to want this. In Arkansas, recent polling shows the measure is supported by over 70% of Arkansans. I'll stand by for questions. Questions for Senator Payton. No questions.
Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're recognized to
close. I'd just like to say
this is the House has referred it to us,
and I'd like to refer it to the people of
Arkansas. Appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to
Speaker 6
1:13:12
rolling the vote? Seeing, was that an objection? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call
Speaker 8
1:13:20
the roll. Bowen? Yes. Bright? Caldwell? Caldwell. Clark?
Speaker 107
1:13:29
Clark. Crowell? Davis? Davis? Deese? Dismang? Dismang.
aye. Dotson? Yes. English? Aye. English? Aye. Flippo?
Speaker 8
1:13:46
Aye. Flowers? Aye. Gilmore? Yes. Hammer? Yes.
Speaker 107
1:13:58
Hester? Yes. Hickey? Aye. Hill? Yes. Irvin? Aye. Blake Johnson? Aye. Mark Johnson.
Speaker 112
1:14:06
Aye. King. Aye. Letting. Letting. Love. McKee. McKee. Murdoch.
Speaker 112
1:14:32
Petty. Yes. Rice. Scott. Scott. Stone. Aye. Stebafil. Aye. Sullivan. Aye. Tucker. Tucker. Wallis. Aye.
Speaker 25
1:14:51
Any senator wish to change his or her vote or vote who did not vote? Senator Davis. Yes.
Penzo. Yes. Clark. Yes. Any others? Please check
Speaker 177
1:15:02
the board. Seeing no other, please cast.
Please cast up the ballot. By vote of 27 yea, 0 nay, 6
not voting, 2 present. house joint resolution 1018 passes do i need to make a motion to hold it here
yes okay so members i would appreciate we hold it 24 hours so that the our amendment can catch up appreciate a good vote all those in favor of
the motion to hold house joint resolution 1018
for 24 hours. Please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it.
Motion carries. Senators, I believe that this is the time.
Senator Hester, we're going to take a break at this time, so Senate will stand in recess.
Unknown speaker
1:16:27
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Transcription by CastingWords
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
The Senate will come back to order. Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? Yes,
Chair
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1:31:18
we, your Committee on State Agencies, to whom was referred House Bill 1957, or if Senator Hawke recommend to pass. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom it was referred to Senate Bill 54 by Joint Budget, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Calendar. Senate Bill 644 by Senator McKee to amend the law concerning the execution of a writ
Speaker 386
1:31:40
of possession and to allow for the removal of a manufactured home or mobile home from property that is subject to
Speaker 120
1:31:49
writ of possession. Judiciary. Thank
you, Madam Secretary. Now we will take up House Bills, beginning with House Bill 1003.
Chair
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1:32:01
House Bill 1003, House Management, an act for the Arkansas House of Representatives,
staff appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senator Hammer,
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. The bill title
says it all. This is the act to approve the House appropriation. Appreciate a good vote. Any
questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Please check the board.
Please check the board. Any senator wish to change his
or her vote? Seeing no objection, or rather, seeing no changes, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 yea,
0 nay. House Bill 1003 passes, and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please return to
Speaker 112
1:33:03
the House. House Bill 1142. House Bill 1142 by Representative Brown and
Chair
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1:33:08
Senator Dodson to create the reproductive empowerment and support through Optimal Restoration Act.
Senator Dodson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members, House Bill 1142 is the
RESTORE Act guaranteeing coverage for women to treat issues they may encounter that causes them difficulty to conceive a baby. Health conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and ovulation dysfunctions left untreated can cause women pain, discomfort, and are some of the leading causes of infertility in the United States. This bill seeks to allow the necessary medical coverage for women to have a baby.
This coverage could include hormonal panels, blood tests, ultrasounds, etc. Simply put, this bill expands options for treatments. I'm happy to try and answer any questions. Questions for Senator Dotson. Anyone wish
Chair
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1:33:59
to speak against or for? If you have a question, Senator Hill, you're recognized
for a question. Senator Dotson, what's the fiscal
Senator Ricky Hill
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1:34:10
impact on this? You know, I didn't bring
that with me over here, so I don't know if there is one for sure or not.
I think there was one that was earlier in the, before it was amended. Might be able to pull it up online and see. Theoretically, it should have a positive, because if women are seeking these types of treatments, they may forego more expensive other types of treatments. So, $50,000 to $300,000. Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Chair
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1:34:57
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? CM, no objection. Madam Secretary, please
roll the vote. Objection was noted after I asked the Secretary to
roll the vote. Would you like to change your vote? Senator Flowers, no. Any other Senator? Senator Scott, no.
Speaker 404
1:35:30
Murdoch, no. Love, no. Tucker, no. Letting, no. Any other Senator? Seeing no other,
please cast up the ballot. By a vote of
29 yea, 6 nay, House Bill 1142 passes. Please
Speaker 14
1:35:52
return to the House. House Bill 1185.
Speaker 114
1:36:00
House Bill 1185 by Representative Johnson, Senator Penzo, to adopt the Dietitian Licensure Compact
Chair
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1:36:06
in Arkansas. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you,
Madam President. This is another compact bill similar to the physician compact and the
physician assistant compact bill we've already passed. I think there's a few others. It's got all the language in it that everybody has requested for the other compacts, so I'd appreciate a good vote on this.
Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Chair
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1:36:39
Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Senators, please check the board. Any senator wish to
change his or her vote? Senator Dodson, present. Any other senator?
Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. by a vote of 34 yea, 0 nay, 1 present. House Bill 1185 passes. Please return to the House.
House Bill 1187, Senator Payton. House Bill
Speaker 55
1:37:10
1187 by Representative Vaught and Senator Payton to authorize the
Chair
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1:37:14
licensure by endorsement for marriage and family therapist. Senator Payton, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, 1187 will allow additional licensed mental health therapists to practice in Arkansas. It's not really lightening the standards, but it's given a lot shorter path to coming in.
If you have a license in good standing in another state, it has a little bit of verification in there to make sure that you're in good standing in another state. We currently allow licensees from other states to come into Arkansas already, But this is just keeping some guidelines in place to make sure that their license is in good standing in that other state. And there's no known opposition. Appreciate a good vote. Any questions? Anyone
wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed.
Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Senators, please check the board. Let me know if you
wish to change your vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 yeas, 0 and nay. House Bill
Chair
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1:38:29
1187 passes. Please return to the
Speaker 114
1:38:33
House. House Bill 1285, Senator Boyd. House Bill 1285 by Representative Johnson, Senator Boyd. To establish an exemption program for
Chair
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1:38:39
ambulant services operators for certain health care services.
Senator Justin Boyd
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1:38:42
Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 1285, this bill very simply allows that a medical director of an ambulance service establishes a set of protocols approved by the EMS Commission at the Arkansas Department of Health. The service can then forgo the use of telemedicine while using treating in place. There's no known
opposition. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Any senator wish to change his or
her vote, seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 yea, 0 nay. House
Speaker 411
1:39:30
Bill 1285 passes. Please return to the House.
Chair
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1:39:38
House Bill 1428, Senator Irving. House Bill 1428 by Senator Irving to amend the law regarding public lodging and to provide a bed height requirement for mobility-accessible rooms.
Senator Missy Irvin
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1:39:48
Senator Urban, you're recognized. Thank you. What the bill does is that it creates an exact measurement, I think, of 23 inches for that bed height, which is proven to be the safe height according to disabilities and those with disabilities. So that's what the bill does. It just sets an exact height for the
bed. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote? Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Anyone wish to change his or her vote? McKee,
Dotson, no. Payton, no. Penzo, no. Any other senator? Senator Filippo, no. Any others? Please
Speaker 404
1:40:46
check the board. Hester, no. Hill, no. Davis, present. Dees, no.
Sullivan, no. Clark, no. Rice, no. Boyd, present. Stubblefield, no. Hickey, no. Any others? Seen, no others.
Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 18 yea, 14 nay, 1 not voting, 2 present. House Bill 1428 passes. Please return to the House.
Chair
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1:41:44
House Bill 1433, Senator Irving. House
Bill 1433 by Senator Irving and Representative Moore. To require a law
enforcement officer who is executing or serving an order of protection to serve any outstanding criminal warrants
related to domestic violence or offenses involving the petitioner as the victim. Senator
Senator Missy Irvin
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1:42:06
Urban, you're recognized. Yes, this is really an important
bill. What it does, it just says that if law enforcement is assisting in the execution or service of an order of protection under current state statute, then they shall perform a check for active warrants for the arrest of the person being served before executing service under this section. I just
have to say, we had a deputy in Stone County
who was actually killed trying to issue one of these orders. And it would have been helpful if he had known kind of all the history behind the person that he was going and knocking on their door. So I think it's a really great bill. I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions? Anyone
wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. I'm closed, thank you. Any objection, rolling the vote?
Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? King, not voting. Any other Senator?
Seeing no other, please cast up
the ballot by a vote of 34 yeas, 0 nay, 1 not voting. House Bill 1433 passes. please return to the House. House Bill
Chair
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1:43:28
1439. House Bill 1439, for Representative Lady Madden, Senator Filippo,
to remove the certification process of the Department of Human Services from licensure as a private care agency. Senator Filippo, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Scott Flippo
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1:43:42
you, Madam Chair. Members, so this is dealing with private care agencies, which are agencies that provide in-home care, non-medical in-home care services to people in their houses. So activities of daily living, dressing, grooming, preparing meals, housekeeping. So currently the process requires that you go through the Department of Health first for a licensure. And then if you get that approved, you go to DHS for the permit or the certification, excuse me.
And so there's a duplicative process here that was put in place back in 2009 when all this took shape. And so DHS and Department of Health brought this bill to myself and Representative Lederman. And they've gone from nine applications in 2009 to an average of 80 to 120 a year right now. so this has actually taken up quite a bit of time, so this streamlines the process. No opposition.
Speaker 242
1:44:29
Appreciate a good vote. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote.
Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? King not voting. Any other Senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. I vote 34, yay, zero, nay, one, not voting. House
Speaker 49
1:44:53
Bill 1439 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1456,
Chair
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1:45:00
Senator Hill. House Bill 1456 by Representative Rose, Senator Hill, to amend the State Kidney Disease Commission
Senator Ricky Hill
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1:45:06
to be an advisory council to the Department of Health. Senator Hill, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Colleagues, all this bill does, that takes the kidney
replacement and puts it from a commission to an advisory board. They've had trouble getting people to come to meetings, people not filling spots, so they're going to change it to an advisory board from a commission and drop the number of memberships down from 10 to 7, so hopefully they can get those positions filled. And then it's going to also put it under the Department of Health.
Any questions for Senator Hill? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator is closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? King not voting. Any other Senator? Seeing no other Senator, please cast up the ballot. By a
vote of 34 yea, 0 nay, 1 not voting. House Bill 1456 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1458, Senator Irvin. House Bill 1458 by Representative Johnson, Senator Irvin,
Chair
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1:46:11
to amend the definition of credentialing information when the Arkansas State Medical Board is
providing information to a creditizing organization. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Missy Irvin
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1:46:24
you. What this bill does is just strikes one of the
credential information because there's a federal issue with being able to share this information about your DEA license. So that's what the bill does. Representative Johnson worked with the state medical board on the legislation,
and this was a necessary change in state law that we needed to make. Questions
for Senator Irvin? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objections to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator King, not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34, yea, 0, nay,
1, not voting. House Bill 1458 passes. Please return to the House.
We are passing over 1471
right now. We will next move Senator Penzo to House Bill 1529. House Bill
Speaker 114
1:47:27
1529, Representative Meeks and Senator
Chair
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1:47:30
Penzo to create the criminal offense of unlawful creation or distribution of deep-fake visual materials and to establish a cause of action for unlawful
creation of deep-fake visual material. Senator Penzo, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. We worked with the AG's office on this bill, and it's one of their priorities. Some of the language was derived from them, and they testified
in support of the bill and committee. Bill outlaws the creation or distribution of non-consensual, deepfake, sexually explicit material that depicts an identifiable person. Violation for the first offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Two or more is a Class D felony. It provides a private right of action against a violator for damages
and provides the AG right of action against the image generator if they fail to have reasonable
safeguards in place to prevent the creation of this type of material. If there are any questions, I'd be happy to answer them if not. Any questions? Anyone
Chair
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1:48:33
we should speak against or for? Senator Penzo is closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or
her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35, yea, zero, nay.
House Bill 1529 passes. Please return to the House. House
Chair
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1:49:14
Bill 15. Leave requested for Senator Flowers. Leave.
Next, we'll take up House Bill 1537. House Bill 1537 by Representative Lady Mann and Senator Deese to repeal the Location Act for Community Homes for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Senator Tyler Dees
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1:49:28
Senator Deese, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members, House Bill 1537 is an act to repeal the Location Act for Community Homes for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This helps with a lot of our HDCs across the state and to repeal some of this language and this regulation that would help
Chair
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1:49:51
them function. Questions for Senator Dees? Senator Love, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Tyler Dees
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1:50:01
Thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Dees, I haven't
Senator Fredrick J. Love
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1:50:05
had a chance to look at this, but practically, like, what is actually going to
Senator Tyler Dees
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1:50:11
be happening once this bill takes effect? It's my understanding that it should make things easier for HDCs. There's a lot of language that's being removed around density control that is
kind of cumbersome around the city populations about where these facilities can function. Okay, so are we talking
about, will this increase the number of HDCs?
I don't think it would necessarily increase them. It would just help them function better as my understanding.
Okay. All right. Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senators closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing
no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his
or her vote? King not voting. Any other Senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33.
a zero nay one not voting house bill 1537 passes please return to the house house bill 1580
Chair
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1:51:22
house bill 1580 by representative gramlett and senator petty to require schools to provide certain uh information on type 1 and
type 2 diabetes when other health information is provided Senator Petty, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. Members, nearly 14% of our population have been diagnosed with diabetes.
This bill, HB 1580, is simply an education bill. It's not a diagnosis bill. And it's intended to bring greater awareness around diabetes, both type 1 and type 2. And all this bill essentially does is it requires schools, if they are already handing out information around other medical conditions or for other purposes, infectious diseases, that kind of thing, then they would hand out a material about diabetes.
Speaker 426
1:52:17
And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions.
Questions for Senator Petty. Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. So as I read this yesterday, I was curious, do we mandate the educational materials that you're linking it to? Or are those things, we're saying if they provide educational information on the other things, that they have
to do this. I'm asking, is the other part mandated? The other information, I
do not know the answer to that.
I'm sorry. So my concern is we may be all gung-ho about mandating this. But if they don't want to do it, all they've got to do is quit doing the other part that's not mandated. And then we're actually counterproductive if we're trying to teach the kids about diseases or whatever. So if we hand out a mandate instead of a recommendation, and then we tie it to recommendations, the mandate is worthless.
So I don't know about the mandate of other materials. This is
not my bill. I agreed to be the Senate sponsor on it. As I understand it, though, they are already handing out materials at first of the year packet or during certain times of the year around certain diseases or raising awareness. At that point is when they would do that. I would be perfectly happy with a future bill that mandated it because it is a big issue and a growing issue.
You know, they expect 19,000 adults and umpteen thousand children to
be diagnosed with this. So I think that would be a good idea. It's just not in this way.
Well, don't get me wrong. I'm not for the mandate
in either situation. I'm pointing out the fact that they're doing something voluntarily. Right. They could do this voluntarily. But we're going to make it a mandate. And so then they could actually quit doing the other and still avoid the mandate. So I don't support the mandates, period.
I understand. It just seems like it's a very haphazard way to do it.
Speaker 425
1:54:28
Thank you. I understand. Any other questions? Anyone wish
Chair
Unverified
1:54:36
to speak against or for? Senator, you're free to close. I am closed. Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the
vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote?
Senator Payton, no. Any other Senators? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33 yay, 1 nay.
House Bill 1580 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1585. House Bill 1585 by Representative
Speaker 114
1:55:09
Johnson Central Hammer to provide an exception for licensure as a home health care service to an entity that Sully provides therapy services that are
Chair
Unverified
1:55:19
not reimbursed by Medicare Part A. Senator Hamer, you're recognized. Thank
you, Madam Governor. This affects Medicare only, not Medicaid, so there's no fiscal impact or cost.
Medicare allows certain therapy services like physical and occupational therapy to be performed in home settings. Arkansas law for home care licensure is broadly worded and can be interpreted to require these therapy companies to get a home care license. This is already an exemption in code to clarify these therapy providers are not home care providers, and this bill clarifies the company is not a home care company either. Home care companies often provide non-skilled services and can be Medicaid providers. If therapy companies get a home care license, it would lead to confusion by patients seeking care.
These companies and providers are still licensed and credentialed in other ways. This just says that they don't have to come home care companies
to operate, and there is no known opposition to this bill. Be glad to take questions. Questions for Senator
Hammer? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator is closed. Closed, thank
you. Senator is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? King not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by vote of 33A0 name. One not voting. House Bill 1585 passes.
Speaker 123
1:56:58
Please return to the House. We are passing over House Bill 1624. Next we'll take up
Chair
Unverified
1:57:06
House Bill 1627. House Bill 1627 by Representative Barnett to amend the law concerning property tax relief
and require counties to provide notice to taxpayers concerning certain property tax relief offered under Arkansas law.
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
1:57:23
Senator Murdoch, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. This is just a notification bill specifically helping those that are ADA or have disabilities and an order for 65 that when the county sends out their tax bills, they make sure they put in their bill their relief as well, let them know about the relief that's available to them
through the property tax relief in Amendment 79. So it's just a
notification. Any questions for Senator Murdoch? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Payton, no. Senator Dotson, no. Bryant, present. Any other senators?
Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 31 yea, 2 nay, 1 present.
House Bill 1627 passes. Please return to the House. House
Speaker 441
1:58:23
Bill 1646. House Bill 1646 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
1:58:26
McGrew and Senator McKee to require certain materials to be stored in locked compartments within a designated area. Senator McKee, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
1:58:39
Governor. Members, this is a simple bill that seeks
to give teachers and parents mechanism to make sure that the material available in their school media center is age-appropriate
if it is about sexuality. I'd be happy to take any questions.
Speaker 426
1:58:58
Any questions for Senator McKee? Seeing no questions, Senator Sullivan? No. Okay.
Anyone wish to speak against, for or on? Senator Sullivan, you're recognized to
speak against. Remember, it's the only part of
this bill I'm concerned about. It says the board, if you're found knowingly guilty for the third time, the board shall revoke the individual's teaching license.
I don't think they have the authority to do that. They can fire them and they can terminate them. They can suspend them. I don't think your local school board can achieve that. I'll not be voting for this
bill at this time. Any other senator wish to speak for, against, or on the bill? If not, Senator McKee, you're recognized to close. Senator McKee is closed. Any objection
to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Have a pair at the desk.
Speaker 489
2:00:01
Centra Dotson, yes. Centra Flowers, no. Boyd,
Speaker 106
2:00:09
Bryant, Caldwell, Caldwell. Clark, Clark. Crowell,
Speaker 107
2:00:24
Crowell. Davis, Davis. Dees, Dees. Dismang? Dotson? Yes. English? Flippo? Flippo. Flowers? No.
Speaker 8
2:00:46
Hester. Hickey. Hill. Irvin. Irvin. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. King. Letting? Letting. Love?
Speaker 112
2:01:16
McKee? Murdoch? Murdoch. Peyton? Peyton? Enzo?
Speaker 8
2:01:33
Petty? Rice? Scott? Scott? Stone? Stubbafil?
Speaker 25
2:01:39
Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace, Wallace. Any senator who wishes to change his or her
vote, Senator Mark Johnson, yes. Senator Kroll, present. Senator Letting, no.
Senator Dees, yes. Scott Gilmore, aye. No. Gilmore, yes.
Speaker 25
2:02:09
Irvin yes. Any other senators please check the board. Gilmore
other senator? Seeing no other please cast up the ballot by a vote of 16 yay, 6 nay,
6 not voting, 7 present. House bill 1646 fails. Senator McKee you're
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
2:02:41
recognized. I can make a motion to expunge the vote by
which 1646 failed. All those in favor of the motion please signify by saying aye. Any opposed?
Chair
Unverified
2:02:58
Ayes have it. Motion carries. House bill 1662. House bill 1662 by by Representative McKenzie and Senator Johnson to prohibit lobbying for a covered foreign entity. Senator Blake
Speaker 503
2:03:13
Johnson, you're recognized. Members, this bill prohibits our enemies
from lobbying the state of Arkansas and our local entities and having undue influence into the procedures and enriching themselves through that process. Members, this nation is always at war. Sometimes it's with bullets, and this is economic, and I would appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
2:03:44
Any questions? Senator Rice, you're recognized.
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
2:03:47
Thank you. Senator Johnson, it lists on page one,
line 31, it talks about are a party other
Speaker 503
2:04:05
than an individual. Who is that party? Those would be corporations and other structures that are not domiciled in the United States, but in those prohibited four nations.
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
2:04:19
And this bill was amended. Is that what the party was amended out of? I don't know on
Speaker 503
2:04:26
the other end. You know about the amendment? I don't know on the other end. I'm sorry. You don't know about an amendment that let a large retailer
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
2:04:36
to give clearance to? No, sir. You carried the bill in the Senate, was that not part of the information you were given
Speaker 510
2:04:55
from the House? No, sir. Okay, I'll address it
from the floor. Any other questions for Senator Blake Johnson? Seeing no questions, anyone wish to speak against? I see Senator Sullivan, Tucker, and Rice, but I will also, and
Clark, but I will also invite senders to speak for or on. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized to speak against.
Members, I just think this is not the right timing. Right now, we have a lot of dynamics going on nationally, and our president is cutting deals with countries all over the world. I think it
was 70-something that agreed on the tariffs to negotiate. We are locking ourselves in with this bill. And I just think the timing is not right for us to lock in with any nation on this and allow our president and others to negotiate this issue. Thank you. Anyone wish to speak
for or on? If not, to speak against Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
My concerns with the bill are all constitutional and I think it could violate up to five separate provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The first and most important is the First Amendment. And make sure that you understand this bill is not regulating the ability of foreign countries to speak in the United States. It's regulating the ability of Arkansans to speak on behalf of foreign-owned entities in the United States. So it is actually regulating the free speech of Arkansans. As part of that, we'll just use TikTok as an example. There's over 10,000 Arkansas businesses that advertise on TikTok
talk regularly, and those Arkansas businesses deserve to have a voice at their Arkansas state capitol. The whole point of the First Amendment is that I don't have to agree with what you say, but I do agree and support your right to say it. I don't support the policies of China and Russia, but I do support the ability of Arkansans to speak freely in their state capitol. Beyond just the fundamental free speech portion, the way the bill is written, it actually prohibits unpaid lobbying on behalf of covered foreign entities, because it just says if you receive compensation for lobbying, then you're not allowed to lobby on behalf of a covered foreign
entity. It doesn't say for what you're compensated for. So I think there's an ambiguity in the way the bill is written. The other four constitutional provisions, Senator Sullivan actually already mentioned one. In Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the U.S. Constitution, it says foreign affairs are to be managed by the federal government. President Trump actually issued an executive order this weekend dealing with TikTok, in which he said, hey, let me do my job. States, y'all shouldn't do foreign policy. We've actually been engaging in a good bit of foreign policy here this session,
but I think this is one area that's best left to the federal government. Third is that laws get declared unconstitutional if they're too vague. And I think the language in the bill about whether something is under the influence of a foreign covered entity is too vague to actually be enforced. The Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution says that commerce with foreign nations is to be managed by the federal government, not by state governments. And then the last one is the Equal Protection Clause, which again goes back to the first point,
a free speech, which is, I don't have to agree with what you say, but I do agree with your right to say it. This bill picks and chooses what speech is and is not allowed. There are U.S.-owned subsidiaries of businesses headquartered in foreign countries that would have a claim that this law is being applied to them unequally, which that's where the violation of the Equal Protection Clause comes in. So, you know, we all swear an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution when we vote on laws down here, so I'll be voting no about for those reasons. Anyone wish to speak
on or for, if not to speak against, Senator Reich, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
2:08:50
Members, this is the one I've, not the only
one, because I've said it about all bills that get signed out. This is the one the other day. It did not pass with a 4-4 vote with all eight members in judiciary. And after that, I did some homework and thought if it came back up, I'd be able to address it.
But I was the last one to get notified that it was being signed out. So I'm here today. China is our adversary. It's a fact. Russia is our adversary. That's a fact. The First Amendment is not our adversary. This bill doesn't do anything to accompany. This bill criminalizes speech from lobbyists to lawmakers about clients who are operating
legally in our state. This bill does not regulate or affect any entity in the bills defined covered for an entity list. Through the online platform operating legally and serves as an advertising medium for over 34,000 small and medium Arkansas businesses, The platform's lobbyists could not talk to lawmakers under threat of felony or imprisonment.
HB 1662 was amended to make sure it did not capture the world's largest retailer, also an Arkansas company, who sold an estimated $49 billion in Chinese merchandise of last year. This bill is not about China. It penalizes Arkansans and violates the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech for Arkansas residents and U.S. citizens.
My colleague standing in front of me, Senator Dishmang, fairly, in recent time when I questioned about an appointment to a commission, Made the statement, fair, if you're legally registered in Arkansas, if you're filing your reports, required reports, transparently, as you should, you have a right to be a lobbyist.
I can't argue with that. That's all I was asking for. Let's be all out in the open. What Senator Tucker just referenced is something that I printed off and would have brought up in committee from April 4th. It's from the White House. It is a two-page, really a page and a half, from President Trump's order. And it was mentioned, I mentioned in committee, I believe he had extended it.
I didn't remember the days, I think it was 75 days. In section D, it says, because of the national security interest at stake and because 2D of the act vest authority for investigations and enforcement of the act only in the Attorney General, attempted enforcement by the states or private parties represent an encroachment of the powers of the executive.
The Attorney General shall exercise all available authority to preserve and defend the executive's exclusive authority to enforce the act. I know Senator Cotton, and I support his very staunch concerns of our adversaries, and rightly so. But we're targeting somebody here that I don't think is necessary.
And let me add, General Electric Company, which is not only the covered foreign entity list, but it's a very well-recognized name. And the GE company that makes MRI machines and jet engines and turbines and everything, they sold GE appliances in 2016. They just kept them because they kept them in your houses, and that name means something, and it was PR.
They finally wasn't making enough money on it and just wanted to divest. They sold it to Hire, a Chinese company from the mainland China, but it is manufacturing in five U.S. states. They spent like a billion dollars and brought back a line they had in Mexico and put in Tennessee. They're in Kentucky, they're in Georgia, they're in South Carolina and one other state I don't remember.
You know, they're not on this entity list. Are we going to make it where you can't come lobby for them if they want to build
a plant in Arkansas? Let's target our adversaries. Let's not target the First Amendment free speech. I'd ask you
to vote no. anyone else wish to speak against on or for senator dismaying you're
recognized to speak for against china for the bill uh members we already regulate what we can't what lobbyists can and
cannot do this is an extension of that regulation i think everyone is in the chamber understand the influence that China and Russia is having on us as we're making legislative decisions through their entities and their corporations and their associations. It was heavily influenced prior to this administration. I don't think this is out of turn for what we're able to regulate and with that I'd ask for
a good vote. Okay. Senator Rice, you're recognized. Just to be fair, I spoke up when
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
2:15:13
the previous Governor Hutchison had chairmen of Chinese companies who cannot do business unless they're approved by the communist Chinese. And it was said in his conference room down there by the head of his economic development, chairmen, these are now your legislators, about Arkansas legislators standing there. I called out about his lobbying efforts
from his namesake law firm his son run about dealings that I don't remember anybody being concerned about that what changed you don't remember anyone being concerned about that I
don't remember anybody else speaking up about that at the time
I'm sorry I don't know what your no I'm sorry
I was opposed to it at the time I'm not sure what I was supposed to do differently I don't know what
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
2:16:13
to the Well, I mean, if there's concern with the companies, deal with the companies.
Nobody seemed to have concern with the companies just a few years
ago. Okay. Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized for a
question. Senator Dues-Bang, I'm a little confused on what... We know what a lobbyist is defined for in the state of Arkansas. But I also know that if you are an agent for a foreign government,
and of course it's kind of hard, there's a gray line between Chinese companies and the Chinese government because it's a communist country. Someone that's lobbying for a foreign entity, should they be registered as an agent of a foreign government? I don't know the answer to that. And we'll
speak directly to this bill for me. I think this is good policy for the state of Arkansas. And
I tend to agree with you on that. But I'd rather err against them than... And I also believe that the First Amendment is generally for citizens.
We welcome free speech, but to have a right to it, you need to be a citizen. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
2:17:32
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. Senator Clark,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:17:38
you're recognized to speak against. We can certainly eliminate speech, regardless of the First Amendment. You have to be careful when you're doing it. We can't yell, fire in a crowded theater. That's well established. But it's very dangerous when you eliminate speech,
because I want to be able to hear the full argument. And we, in 12 years, I have watched this group working together, then this group working together, then this group working together. And a lot of times the people that are on the wrong side, sometimes being blackballed, have ideas that I need to hear
if I want to get the whole truth. This bill doesn't say that someone from China can't speak. It says someone from the U.S. can't speak certain things. And they can't speak for China. Now, what's carefully not in the bill is this is on politics. This is lobbyist, which is a type of sales. But when it comes to actually selling product, which if you really want to go after your enemy, when it comes to selling product, we're careful that that's not in there
because I'm buying products from China. I'm selling you products from China. But what I do is a drop in the bucket compared to the largest retailer in the world. The idea that I can't take a dollar for this one thing. I can take a dollar to sell you on Walmart. I can take a dollar to sell you against Walmart. I can take a dollar to speak for Russia or Russia's spin on things
or for Vietnam's, for the Philippines, but not for China. And I can assure you there will be arguments that we ought to hear that we won't when we eliminate what we can say and who we can say it for. I have voted for every other China bill, not this one. There is a bill that regulates, that says that you have to register. And I'm all for that bill, that if you're all being for China, that you have to register.
But a bill that says you just can't
speak, can't do that. Anyone else wish to speak for, against, or on? Seeing no
Speaker 535
2:20:23
one else, Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized to
Speaker 503
2:20:26
close. I appreciate the opposition, don't agree with it. These are paid lobbyists and their monetary gain for our enemies. This bill prohibits that monetary gain through lobbying and influencing you.
You can't go to China, you can't go to Russia and lobby on behalf of a company that's in the United States. I'll promise you that. I'm not asking for us to be like China and Russia, but I'm asking you to not allow our freedoms to be our weaknesses. I'm asking you to vote for this
Speaker 535
2:21:14
bill because we don't want to enrich our enemies.
and I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Madam Secretary, please call
Speaker 262
2:21:30
the roll. We do have a pair at the desk. A pair was announced. Senator Flowers, nay. Senator Blake Johnson, yay. Bowett? Yes.
Speaker 106
2:21:48
Bryant, Bryant, Caldwell, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang,
Speaker 107
2:22:03
Dotson, Dotson, English? No. Flippo? No. Flowers? No. Gilmore?
Speaker 540
2:22:21
Yes. Hammer? Hammer. Hester? Yes. Hickey? No. Hill? Hill.
Speaker 107
2:22:38
Yes. Blake Johnson? Yes.
Mark Johnson? Aye. King? Aye. Letting? Aye. Letting? Love?
Speaker 112
2:22:49
Aye. McKee? Aye. Murdoch? No. You didn't hear McKee?
Speaker 114
2:23:04
He was aye. Payton? No. Penzo? Penzo? Yes.
Speaker 112
2:23:11
Patty? Yes. Rice? No. Scott? Scott? Yes. Stone? Aye. Stubbafil? No. Sullivan? No. Tucker? No. Wallace? No.
Any senator who did not vote or who wish to change your vote? I see Senator Dotson, yes. Senator Hammer, present. Bryant,
yes. Hill, present. Letting, no. Any other? Irvin, aye. Irvin, yes. Any other?
Speaker 123
2:23:59
Please check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 16 yea, 14 nay,
3, not voting to present. House Bill 1662 fails. Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized. Motion to
Speaker 535
2:24:14
expunge the vote by 1662 failure. All those in favor of
the motion to expunge the vote by which House Bill 1662 failed, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it.
Chair
Unverified
2:24:29
Motion carries. House Bill 1672. House Bill 1672, Representative McCollum and
Senator Boyd, to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code, create a more efficient system for
public schools of innovation in Arkansas. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:24:49
Madam President. This bill creates a timeline for conversion charters to renew their contracts, which will include a written agreement. By the end of the 27-28 school year, All charters will have a written contract holding them to performance standards.
There are more than 30 district conversion charters. Schools of innovation will be phased out due to other pathways. These schools may become district conversion charter schools. The Office of Innovation at the U of A previously provided coaching and support to schools of innovation. They support this
change. Questions for Senator Boyd? Seeing no questions. Anyone we should speak against or for? Senators closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wants to change his or her vote? King, not voting. Any other Senator?
Tucker, present. Any other Senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote
of 32, yay, zero, nay, one not voting, one present. House
Bill 1672 passes, please return to the House. And Senators, one quick announcement, introduction. Speaking of our, more of our international allies rather than our international adversaries,
we have some special guests up here in the VIP gallery. We have Major Adrian Kyle and Warrant Officer Chris Howard. They are with the British Army Reserve Operational Shooting Team. They have been competing with other military teams from across the globe at Camp Robinson. I appreciate them dropping by my office and visiting with my team and presenting me with the plaque. But
thank you, gentlemen, for your work, for your friendship, and for being here tonight.
Speaker 155
2:26:46
Secretary, are there items at the desk? Yes, we are in your committee on engrossed bills to whom is first
Chair
Unverified
2:26:57
sent bill 67 by joint budget compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar, committee on engrossed bills to whom is first house bill 1865 by Representative Vaught and Senator Tucker compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar, we are in your committee on public health to whom was referred house bill 1865.
by Representative Anchor, recommend do pass. Calendar. Thank you,
Speaker 245
2:27:24
Madam Secretary. Now we will take up House Bill
Chair
Unverified
2:27:28
1680. House Bill 1680 by Representative Vaught and Senator Johnson to prevent a foreign party controlled business from leasing land and to prohibit a prohibited foreign party from holding an interest in
real property or agricultural land in certain circumstances senator blake johnson you're recognized
Speaker 503
2:27:48
members this expands uh what i did
in last session uh don't allow the those prohibited foreign parties to lease and uh and have those in the critical in our critical infrastructure and also into the city so appreciate a good vote any questions anyone wish
has closed any objection to rolling the vote. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Chair
Unverified
2:28:17
We have a pair at the desk. Senator Johnson, Blake Johnson, yes. Senator Flowers, no.
Speaker 25
2:28:28
Senator Flowers, no. Blake Johnson, yes. Any others? Tucker, no.
Scott, no. Murdoch, no. letting no any other love no any other seeing no other please cast
up the ballot by
a vote of 29 yay 6 nay house bill
1680 passes please return to the house
Speaker 114
2:29:01
house bill 1682 house bill 1682 by Representative Painter and Senator Davis Senator Wallace, do
Speaker 555
2:29:15
you want to handle it? You're one of the sponsors. You want to handle this
Speaker 49
2:29:30
bill? Okay. We'll just pass over. We will temporarily pass over House Bill 1682 as well as 1728.
Senator Bryant, we will next go to House Bill 1730. House Bill 1730
Chair
Unverified
2:29:45
by Representative Brown and Senator Bryant to amend the law concerning
the issuance and transfer of wholesale permits. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:29:55
Chair. Members of House Bill 1730 just reauthorizes ABC to issue wholesale liquor permits across Arkansas in 2013. The state stopped the issuance of new permits. It's been 12 years with the consolidation and new products coming online.
It's prohibiting some of the growth of the market. So what this bill will do is allow ABC to issue new wholesale permits. It's an agreed-upon bill across the existing partners in the industry. So I'd
be glad to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Bryant? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change
Speaker 245
2:30:42
his or her vote? Senator Payton, present. King, not voting. Lubb, no. Dodson, no. Any other senator? Seen
no other senator. Dees, no. Any other senator? Seen no other. Please cast up the ballot. by a vote of 29 yea,
3 nay, 1 not voting, 1 present. House Bill 1730 passes. Please return to the House.
Chair
Unverified
2:31:16
House Bill 1764. House Bill 1764 by Representative Underwood and Senator Bryant, an act to amend the law
concerning a violation of an order of protection.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:31:31
Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members of House Bill 1764 expands our law about orders of protection for our victims to include when those come across state lines. So it doesn't change anything with our current orders of protection. What it does is it addresses those that come across our state lines from other states that have similar laws and violations of protection that come over here and commit that act here. We can recognize it as a state as a previous offense. With that, I'd be glad to take any questions.
Speaker 426
2:32:01
Any questions for Senator Bryant? Anyone wish to speak against or
for? Senators closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please
cast up the ballot. By vote of 34, yea, 0, nay. House Bill 1764 passes. Please return to the House.
We will temporarily pass over House Bill 1766. Next, we'll go to 1767. House
Chair
Unverified
2:32:44
Bill 1767 by Representative Johnson and Senator Irving to abolish the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council
and to create the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. Senator Irving,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:32:56
you're recognized. Thank you. What this bill does is just integrating emergency medical services
into the Department of Health
instead of its own stand-alone division that's all integrated now. And instead of this being a stand-alone advisory council, it will now become a committee under the Department of Health and reconstituted under the Department of Health. And this has a good mix of both physicians and EMTs that will do the exact same job of providing recommendations to the State Board of Health. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Irvin?
Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator King not voting? Any others? Seeing Senator Dotson, no. Any other? McKee, no. Any other? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot
by a vote of 31 yay, 2 nay, 1 not voting.
House Bill 1767 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1768. House Bill 1768 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
2:34:19
Lundstrom and Senator Irving require a solid waste landfill contract relating to a host fee to be voted on at a regularly scheduled meeting of a host community in which the landfill
is located. Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President and members.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:34:36
This is just allowing and making sure that these contracts
that are negotiated for a host fee within a county and a city that are being proposed, number one, that it should not exceed a term of four years and that the agreement or contract for this may be renewed with an additional term not to exceed four years at the same amount or renegotiated for a new amount.
and that it be done in public at a public meeting.
Any questions for Senator Irvin? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? King not voting. Dotson, no. Any other Senator? Seeing no other Senator. Please cast up the ballot.
By a vote of 32 yea, 1 nay, 1 not voting, House Bill 1768 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1783. House Bill 1783, person Clowney and
Speaker 114
2:35:43
Senator Petty, to amend the law concerning the
Chair
Unverified
2:35:46
reduction of a city of the first class to a city of the second class. Senator Petty, you're
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members, currently a city that is a city of the first class, or becomes a
city of the first class when they reached a population of 2,500. However, we have an exception there that
if they are cities with up to a population of 5,000, that they can opt out of being a first class immediately and remain a city of the second class. This bill just simply raises that 5,000 threshold to 7,500. Most cities want that first class designation, but there are those that are new to that and there's cost that comes with it and obviously there's benefits that come with it as well. But this bill will simply give those cities
that reach that threshold an option to not become a first class citizen I mean a first class city immediately. And with that I'm happy to answer any questions. Questions
for Senator Petty. Senator Payton you're recognized. So just
to be sure we're broadening the range in which they have the option. We're not
pushing them one way or the other. That's right. Currently, is it 5,000? If you're over 5,000 currently, then you have to become a first-class city.
Speaker 468
2:37:08
This is raising that half-two number to 7,500. Okay, thank you. Any
Speaker 82
2:37:14
other questions? Seeing no other questions. Closed. Anyone would speak
against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? King not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other,
please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33, yea, 0, nay, 1, not voting.
House Bill 1783 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1786. House Bill
Chair
Unverified
2:37:45
1786 by Representative Brooks and Senator Bryant to provide eligibility for tuition benefit to soldiers and airmen of the arkansas
national guard attending certain private
two-year and four-year colleges and universities senator bryant you're recognized thank you madam president members in
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:38:00
2019 this body created the national guard tuition waiver program to be used at our two and four-year state institution what this bill does is allow those guardsmen to take this tuition waiver to
our private universities across the state these would include washington baptist john brown harding Philander Smith, Central Baptist, there's zero fiscal impact. What we were finding was as the National Guard members were taking their federal benefits to these colleges because they're Title IV and they're able to be accepted there, they weren't being able to use the benefits that we granted to them with the state to offset the cost of books and other items. With that, I'd be glad
Speaker 426
2:38:39
to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Bryant? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the votes? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary. Please roll the vote. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? King not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by
a vote of 33, yay, 0, nay, 1, not voting. House Bill 1786 passes. Please return to the
Chair
Unverified
2:39:07
House. House Bill 1793. House Bill 1793 by Senator Duke and Senator Deese to amend the law concerning the use of
positive behavioral supports in public school districts.
Senator Tyler Dees
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2:39:17
Senator Dees, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. 1793 is a positive behavior intervention support bill. It really is a common sense local control bill. And so PBIS is a behavioral framework that all school districts that are currently required to use, what this would do is not stop them from if they want to continue using it, but just removes the mandate and gives a return for local control to the districts to decide what works best for their school district. And so it really is a positive direction that if a school district wants to make a change, they can.
We've worked with the Department of Education on this, about the bill, and they are in favor for allowing districts to use the
strategies that work best for their students. Any questions for Senator Dees? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Scott, no. Senator Tucker, no. Senator Murdoch, no.
Love, no. Letting, no. Any other senator? Senator Dismang, present. Any other senator? Senator Irvin, present. Any other senator? Seeing no other senator,
please cast up the ballot. by a vote of 27 yea, 5 nay, 2 present. House Bill 1793 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1805.
Speaker 114
2:40:53
House Bill 1805, Senator Childress, Senator Hammer,
Chair
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2:40:56
to amend the definition of bullying and to create a process whereby a public school may conduct multiple simultaneous investigations into the same allegation of bullying under certain circumstances.
Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. essence of this bill is
it's permissive if you notice on page one line 34 a couple of places line two or page two line 23 in the event that there's a report dealing with bullying there are standards by feds standards by state this aligns them together to reduce the duplication of reports
and that's what the bill's about Any questions, anyone wish to speak against or for, any senators closed, any objection to rolling the vote, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34, yea,
Speaker 459
2:41:59
0, nay. House Bill 1805 passes, please return to the House.
Chair
Unverified
2:42:05
House bill 1809 House bill 1809 by Senator Warren and Senator McKee to allow for property owned by a trust or a limited liability company to qualify as a homestead for purposes of property tax exemption for disabled veterans in certain circumstances Senator McKee, you're recognized Thank
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
2:42:32
you, Governor Members, this is a bill that came to us from our tax
collectors. There's been an issue for disabled veterans with respect
to the homestead exemption on their primary residence. This basically just allows them to have that residence in an LLC or irrevocable trust and still receive that exemption. Happy to take any
Speaker 426
2:42:53
questions. Any questions for Senator McKee? Seeing no questions. Anyone wish
to speak against or for? Senator McKee is closed. Any
Speaker 554
2:43:05
objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll
Speaker 489
2:43:10
the vote. We have a pair at the desk. Senator Dotson, yes. Senator Flowers, no. Any
Speaker 25
2:43:24
other Senator, we should change his or her vote. Seeing
no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yea,
1 nay. House Bill 1809 passes.
Chair
Unverified
2:43:40
Please return to the House. House Bill 1817. House Bill
1817, by Representative Johnson and Senator Boyd, to establish Elijah Law in Arkansas and to require the Department of Health and the
Department of Education to establish a statewide policy for child care facilities. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:44:00
you, Madam President. In 2017, three-year-old Elijah Silvera tragically passed away after being fed a grilled cheese sandwich at his daycare facility in New York State. Elijah suffered a dairy allergy in his daycare,
failed to follow emergency anaphylaxis protocols. This bill simply tasked the Department of Health and Department of Education with forming an anaphylaxis policy for child care centers in the state. We already have this for public schools. This is just expanding it to daycares. There's no fiscal impact, and literally the bill just says the child care may seek help from the departments when applying for federal funding to supply epinephrine. Any questions? Anyone
want to speak against or for?
Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, please roll the vote. Any senator wish to change, here's her vote. Dotson, present. Payton, present. Any other
Speaker 67
2:45:05
senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 32 yeas, 0 nay, 2 present. House Bill 18-17 passes. Please return to the House.
Senators, we are going to take a recess in order to address administrative matters. Senate
will stand in recess for 10 or so minutes.
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2:45:51
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2:47:51
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Unknown speaker
3:09:51
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:12:51
Okay, the Senate is back in session from a recess, do you want to read across
Speaker 386
3:13:01
the desk? Will your Committee on State Agencies to Moonsford House Bill 1974 by Representative Long and Senator McKee recommend do
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:13:08
pass. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Next bill we're going to do is House Bill 1826 by
Chair
Unverified
3:13:16
Senator Wallace. House Bill 1826 by Senator Wallace and Representative Bentley to mandate coverage for delivery of a newborn in a licensed birthing center. Senator Wallace
you're recognized. Thank you Mr. President. Members this
is a good bill it's going to help our expecting mothers and our newborns. This bill requires insurance companies to pay for delivery in licensed birthing centers as if in the hospital. Arkansas is one of the few states without birthing centers. And 50 of our counties do not have any labor and delivery maternity wards. Hospital Association is not against
it. I have no one that is opposed to this. Members, it's a good bill that's going to help
our young folks. And with that, I stand by for your questions. Anyone have any questions of Senator Wallace? Anyone want to speak
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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3:14:16
against the bill? Anyone want to speak for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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3:14:19
the bill? You close, Senator Wallace? I am close, sir. Okay, any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:14:30
the vote. Okay, anyone want to change their vote? Senator Dotson is present.
Senator Payton is present. Senator McKee is no. Anyone
else? Anyone else? Okay, cast up the
ballot. Okay, by a vote of 31 yeas, one nay, two present, one
on leave. House Bill 1826
passes. Please return to the House. Next one's going to be House Bill 1833 by Senator Davis. House Bill 1833 by
Chair
Unverified
3:15:05
Senator Davis and Representative Shepard to amend the law concerning the Admissions at the University of Arkansas College
Senator Breanne Davis
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3:15:19
of Medicine. Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. This is a bill that's just clarifying
the admission parameters for UAMS. We're moving away from a percentage allocation to a number allocation in congressional districts, and this matters because part of the accreditation standards for UAMS is to have people actually graduating.
So, we put a number of 25 per each congressional district, and if they don't have that many students in that district qualify, meet the standards to be admitted, then it will go to other congressional districts with a focus on putting Arkansans first, and then after that, if they're taking out-of-state residents, it'll be people that they believe most likely to stay in the state once they graduate from medical school. I'm happy to take any questions. Okay, any questions for Senator Davis?
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:16:10
Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Do you think this is a good compromise of where we've been from in the past? Absolutely.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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3:16:17
Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Davis? Okay, anyone want to speak against
it? Anyone want to speak for it? You close, Senator Davis. Senator Davis is closed. Any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:16:29
objection? Roll in the vote. Okay, please cast a, please roll the vote. We have a
Speaker 489
3:16:35
pair at the desk, Senator Davis, yes. Senator Flowers, no. Okay, anyone want to change their vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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3:16:44
Senator Gilmore is no. Anyone else? Anyone else?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:16:50
Please cast up the ballot. By vote of 33 yeas, 2 nays. House Bill 1833 is
passed. Please return to the House. The next one is going to be
Chair
Unverified
3:17:05
House Bill 1850 by Senator Irvin. House Bill 1850 by Senator Irving and Senator Johnson to amend the law concerning ground ambulance
services to clarify the minimum allowable reimbursement for ground ambulance services and declare an emergency.
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:17:19
Ma'am, you're recognized. Senator Irving. Thank you. House Bill 1850 is being run to correct a code revision error that was created when we passed these bills last session dealing with in-network and out-of-network reimbursement rates for ambulance providers. This removes a reference to workers' comp rates and sets the minimum reimbursement rate at 325% of the Medicare rule rate. This was a rate that's been negotiated
with the primary insurance providers in the state.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:17:50
Happy to take any questions. Any questions of Senator Irvin? Anyone want
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:18:00
to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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3:18:03
it? Bless you. Do you close, Senator Irvin? bless you yes i'm closed any objection to rolling the vote please roll the vote anyone want to change their vote senator dodson is a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:18:15
no senator mckee is a no senator king is non-voting senator bryan is present senator payton is no
Senator Penzo is present. Anyone else? Senator Alan Clark is no. Anyone else? Okay,
please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 27 yays, 4 nays, 1 non-voting, 2 present, 1 on leave. House Bill 1850 is passed, along with its corresponding emergency clause. Please return to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:18:50
the House. House Bill 1855 by Senator Hammer.
Speaker 114
3:18:56
House Bill 1855 by Senator Hammer, Representative Ennett,
Chair
Unverified
3:18:59
to amend the laws concerning the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and to amend the laws relating to fire protection district boundaries.
Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you. This bill is permissive, you notice, on
page 1, line 35, for making adjustments with regards to the boundaries of fire protection districts. some areas that are not covered and a municipality may have to go over into a unclaimed area and this bill structures the process for which that can be done
this is an agreed upon bill and there was no opposition to the bill and i'll be glad to take any
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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3:19:38
questions any questions of cinder hammer anyone want to speak against it
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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3:19:44
for it you close close appreciate your vote any objection rolling the vote please roll the vote okay any member want to change their vote senator king is non-voting senator payton is present anyone else
senator sullivan is present anyone else please
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:20:06
cast up the ballot by a vote of 31 yay zero nay one non-voting two present one on leave house bill
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:20:14
1855 is passed please return to the house senator ervin you're up next for house bill
Chair
Unverified
3:20:20
1863. House Bill 1863 by Senator Irving and Representative Johnson to amend the Transportation Benefit Manager Act and declare an emergency. Senator
Irving, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:20:32
House Bill 1863 was requested by the Arkansas Insurance Department. What it states is that the Arkansas Ambulance Association, they are going to be the ones responsible for collecting the rates that are approved or contracted for between an ambulance provider and any local government entity as provided under current state law. This information is required of the section, and it shall be submitted annually to the commissioner. Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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3:20:56
any questions for Senator Irvin? Senator Payton, you're recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. So just flying through these yesterday, trying to see what they said, it seemed eerily similar to pharmacy benefit managers. If we're going to have a middleman that's a manager on an insurance benefit, this is transportation. But, I mean, can you explain the difference? I mean, we're going to have somebody in the middle that's negotiating their transport rate or what?
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:21:28
No, they're just collecting the – They're just
gathering the data and the collecting of the rates
and reporting the information back to the insurance commissioner. So they're
in no way a middleman negotiating rates?
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:21:41
No. Okay, thank you. That's between the ambulance entity and the city or the county. Okay, thank you. And on the previous bill, that only applied if there was not a rate schedule that's been set and negotiated by contract already by an ambulance provider in the city or county. So, again, this bill is just collecting the information
and transmitting it to the insurance commissioner. Any other questions of
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:22:11
Senator Irvin? Anyone want to speak for it, against it? Senator Irvin is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, anyone want to change their vote? Okay, Senator Dodson is present. Senator McKee
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:22:31
is present. Senator Penzo is present. Senator Bryant is present.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:22:38
Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Senator Alan Clark is present. Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. Five voted 28 yeas, zero nays, one non-voting, five present. House
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:22:56
Bill 1863 is passed along with its corresponding emergency
clause. Please return to the House. Next is House Bill 1869 by Senator Irvin.
Chair
Unverified
3:23:09
House Bill 1869 by Senator Irvin and Representative Johnson to create the maternal outcomes management system within the Department
of Health and to organize maternal health resources. You're
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:23:23
recognized, Senator Irvin. Thank you, members of the Senate. Right now we only have 35 labor and delivery
units in the state of Arkansas. And so what this bill does is it creates, there's no funding attached to this bill, so it's zero fiscal impact. but what it would do is allow for the Department of Health
to create a comprehensive maternal outcomes management system. What this would do is track alongside with the trauma system that we have. The trauma system has been very good at minimizing the time between injury and then triaging that patient to the best location of where the specialist or the hospital is that can take care of that problem as soon as possible. and we all know when it comes especially to heart attacks and strokes that time is of the essence. And so what this would do is basically create a system where we could track our labor and delivery units
and our hospitals and then make sure that we can keep them stabilized and in place but be very focused on those labor and delivery units and especially those small hospitals. So it's a good bill, and I
appreciate all the work that's been done on this, so I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions to Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:24:41
Irvin on this bill? Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, and I
appreciate you said no fiscal impact, no
funding, but it does set up a grant program.
Can you explain who's going to manage that grant and where that
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:24:57
money is going to come from? So it would be very similar to the trauma system, and again, if there are funds that are designated for this, and that's where that would come from. At this time, there is no, it just sets up the program. We don't have any funding for this at this time. It just sets it up. So at that time, if it were funded, then that would come through an appropriation bill for
those grants. So you do foresee it then as being taxpayer money in the end?
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:25:23
Well, exactly like we do with our trauma system. Our trauma system would designate, like our rural hospitals are
considered critical access hospitals. because of where they're located, and the same would be true for our labor and delivery, looking at the state of Arkansas to see what our options are for those women, so that they're not having to travel six or seven hours to deliver their babies. So it's really trying to stabilize the healthcare infrastructure that we have in place, and through a designation, and then for them to meet that criteria
and help the ones that we really need to help. That's what the trauma system is designed to do, too. It's not just to make sure you have a good call system in place, but it's also to designate our health care infrastructure and our hospitals and keep
them stabilized as we can keep them stabilized. So I would just argue it's critically important for maternal outcomes if women can deliver their babies closer to home. They're not critical enough
to demand funding? Well, I'd love that. I
Senator Missy Irvin
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3:26:23
mean, I would love to do that.
Yes, I would love that, but we just have not been able to
Chair
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3:26:30
identify the funding yet. Okay, thank you. Any other questions on this bill?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:26:35
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? You closed, Senator Irvin? I'm closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:26:48
Please roll the vote. Anyone want to change their vote? All right, Senator Payton is no. Senator King is non-voting. Senator McKee is present.
Anyone else? Senator Dotson is present. Last
time, anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot.
By a vote of 30 yays, one nay, one non-voting, two present. House Bill 1869 is passed. Please return to the House.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:27:15
Next is going to be House Bill 1870
Chair
Unverified
3:27:19
by Senator McKee. House Bill 1870 by Senator McKee and Representative Wing concerning voter registration list and to allow the Secretary of State
Speaker 53
3:27:26
to provide a voter registration list to federal courts.
Senator Matt McKee
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3:27:30
Juror recognized, Senator McKee. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is simply a bill that allows the
sharing of information between federal courts and our Secretary of State's office. Federal courts get their juror pool lists from our voter rolls, and if they kick somebody out of that list because they're either no longer living or don't live where they sit or they are a felon, it would be nice if we had that information so we could also remove them from the voter rolls. So I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions to Senator McKee on this one?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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3:28:00
Okay. Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? You're closed. Senator McKee
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:28:07
is closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Please roll
Chair
Unverified
3:28:13
the vote. We have a pair at the desk. Senator Dotson, yes.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:28:18
Senator Flowers, no. Okay. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator Tucker is no. Anyone else? Anyone else want to change their vote?
Senator Letting is no. Senator Love is no. Anyone else? All right. Senator King is non-voting. Last time, anyone? Senator Murdoch is present or non-voting? Non-voting. I said last time. Last time again. Anyone else? Okay, please
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:28:58
cast up the ballot. Okay, with 29 yays, 4 nays, 2 non-voting, House Bill 1870 has passed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:29:05
Please return to the House. Next one's going to be House Bill 1875 by
Chair
Unverified
3:29:10
Senator Crowell. House Bill 1875 by Senator Crowell and Representative Tosh to amend the law concerning the use of an ignition interlock device and to provide for the extension of the mandatory period for the use of an ignition interlock device. Senator Crowell, you're recognized.
Thank you, Senator. Right now, if you get a DWI in Arkansas, you, with a restricted license, you have an interlock device to start your vehicle.
It's for 180 days, and it's removed afterwards. We've had problems with compliance, so this is to change it. So in the last 60 days, if you blow and you register, then it is extended by 60 days. This is for a behavioral change, and this is agreed to by sheriffs, chief police, judges.
prosecutors we work with dfna and the driver's control on this legislation any questions of senator crowe senator payton you're
Chair
Unverified
3:30:03
recognized thank you mr president so who pays for these
devices when they go on the vehicle the offender so when we require that the device be capable of capturing and storing the results of each test and then also be capable of capturing and storing a digital image of the person that's new from the devices that we're currently using so that's going to be an increased cost. Do you know how much that It actually hasn't changed.
It's still $3.50 a day and that is not expected to change I appreciate that That
was my question. Thank you. Yes sir Any other questions in regards to this bill?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:30:42
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Crowe
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:30:45
looks like he's closed Any objection to rolling the vote? Please
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:30:57
roll the vote. Anyone, if you would, check the board. Anyone
want to change their vote? Anyone want to change their vote? Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? All right. Cast up the ballot.
By vote of 33 yea, 0 nay, 1
non-voting. House Bill 1875 is passed. Please return to the House. The next one is going to
Chair
Unverified
3:31:23
be House Bill 1893. House Bill 1893 by Senator Hammer
and Representative Brown to authorize a private property owner or business owner to ban an emotional support animal from the private property or the business premises and to regulate liability on private property related to emotional support animals. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
Thank you. There's a difference between
an emotional support animal and a service animal that is ADA approved. This does not touch the ADA approved animals that are for support. This applies to those that are not registered. And simply what it does is gives the private property owner the ability to deny access to an emotional support animal that comes with someone into their business, such as into a restaurant. They have to post a sign, and the owner will not be held liable for injury to a customer
or visitor by an emotional support animal, except in the
case of gross negligence, and I'll be glad to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:32:23
answer any questions. Any questions to Senator Hammer? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Closed. Thank you. Senator Hammer is closed. Any objections? Rolling the vote. Please roll
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:32:40
the vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator Clark Tucker is no. Anyone else?
Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot with a vote of 33 a's, 1 a, House Bill 1893 is passed. Excuse
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:33:00
me. Please return to the House. Next one is going to be House Bill 1895
Chair
Unverified
3:33:07
by Senator Tucker. House Bill 1895 by Senator Tucker and Representative Dalby. allow a corporation or voluntary association to employ in-house attorneys to represent affiliates of the corporation or voluntary association. Senator
Tucker you're recognized. Thank you Mr.
President. Members under current law if
you have multiple corporate entities then a different lawyer has to represent each corporate entity. What this bill says is that if two corporate entities are affiliated through common ownership or control subsidiary parent or sibling organization then the The same lawyer, again, basically you
have two corporate entities with the same ownership. One lawyer can represent both of those corporate entities. Any
Chair
Unverified
3:33:47
questions for Senator Tucker? Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized.
Is this a good lawyer support bill? Well, Senator Sullivan asked me a question about
this earlier. Who could be hurt by this bill? And the honest answer is lawyers in private practice because they may
lose a client or two through this. So that's the truthful answer, Senator Johnson. Thank
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:34:13
you. Any other questions? Anyone want to speak against it, for it? You closed. Senator Tucker is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Anyone want to change their vote? Look at the screen, please.
Anyone want to change their vote? Okay. Please cast up the ballot. The ballot with 34
yeas, 0 nays. House bill 1895 is passed. Please return to the House. The next one is going to be House bill
Chair
Unverified
3:34:46
1898 by Senator Crowell. House bill 1898 by Senator Crowell and Representative Painter. To create the Regulatory Division and
the Regulatory Enforcement Division in the Department of Finance Administration
and to allow personnel of the Regulatory Enforcement Division to
be designated as agents. agents. Senator Crowe, you're
recognized, sir. Thank you, Senator. House Bill 1898. What this does is establishes a regulatory division in the agency within DF&A. It combines the ABC enforcement and the ATC enforcement in the same division. They've been working together since 2020. This does not create any new expenses or any new jobs. Anyone have any questions? Senator Crowe?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:35:30
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Kroll is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:35:40
Everybody look at the screen, please. Do you want to change your vote? Senator Dotson is a no. Senator King is non-voting. I'm sorry, Senator King. Senator King is non-voting, I mean is no. Senator Bryant, did you show me something? Senator Bryant is present. Senator McKee is no.
Senator Penzo is no. Senator Payton is present. All right. Senator Clark is no.
Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. With a vote of 27 yeas, 5 nay, 2 present. House Bill 1898 passes.
Please return to the House. The next one is House Bill 1901, Senator Crowell.
Chair
Unverified
3:36:35
House Bill 1901 by Senator Crowell and Representative Milligan to amend the law concerning passport fees collected by county passport acceptance facilities. Senator
Crowell, you're recognized. Thank you, Senator. Colleagues, the federal government sets a fee that can be
collected by the passport acceptance facility. All this bill does is allow the county offices that act as the passport acceptance facility, typically the county clerk's office, to keep the fees in their general fund.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:37:06
Any questions of Senator Crowell? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Crowell is closed. Any objection to rolling
the vote? Please roll the vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Everybody look at the screen. Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:37:27
Dodson is no. Anyone else? Anyone else? Senator King is non-voting. All right, please
cast up the ballot. 32 yeas, 1 nay, 1 non-voting.
House Bill 1901 is passed. Please return to the House. Next is going to be House
Chair
Unverified
3:37:45
Bill 1902 by Senator Crowe. House Bill 1902 by Senator Crowe and Representative Milligan to
amend the law concerning a certificate of marriage and bond and to amend the law concerning a lost, burned, or destroyed certificate
of marriage. Senator Crowe, you're recognized. Thank you, Senator. HB 1902 creates a process for a couple, surviving spouse,
or heir to get a replacement marriage license
if their license was destroyed or lost before they could turn it to the county clerks. Rather than the $100 bond, this actually only costs
Speaker 667
3:38:15
for a $10 replacement fee. Any questions, Senator Crowe? Anyone speak against the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:38:21
bill? Anyone speak for the bill? Senator Kroll appears like he's closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the
vote. Any member wish to change their vote? Anyone want to change their vote? Please cast up the ballot. With 34 yeas, 0 nay. House
Bill 1902 is passed. Please return to the House. Next is House Bill
Chair
Unverified
3:38:53
1921. House Bill 1921 by Senator Dees and Representative Torres to amend the law of the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act and to amend the training and certification process for foster parents and to streamline the process of training and certifying relatives as foster parents. Senator Dees
Speaker 493
3:39:09
you're recognized. Thank you Mr. President. Members
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
3:39:15
this bill is I think it's
really great it really helps our foster care parents to make it easier to become foster care parents especially for relatives in these cases to help take care of these children and it does that by capping the training requirements. We have some of the largest required training hours in our area and so this would would lower the amount of total hours. It doesn't change the curriculum or the actual training but just lowers the total number of hours it actually makes it better than the states that are that are around us and and really the overall intent is that the
bill is meant to remove barriers especially for relatives like i said and for other foster care foster parents helping children get placed
Chair
Unverified
3:40:02
in homes faster okay any questions of senator dees senator love you're recognized thank you uh senator
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
3:40:10
these what is the hours captain sure so today uh initial training hours are 30 hours to current state this would would reduce it to 15 hours and as a comparison to other states oklahoma's 14 uh louisiana is two mississippi is
one so it's still higher than some of the other states but it reduces it from 30 to 15 hours for foster foster
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
3:40:33
care parents correct in the agency this was the agency bill yes so with the DC let me get it right here DCFS they're
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
3:40:40
currently working on trying to make these changes through rules but
this would help clarify and make it easier for them okay thank you any other questions any other questions anyone want to speak against
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:40:58
the bill Senator Love you're recognized to speak against the bill
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
3:41:11
you're recognized thank you mr. chair and members I really don't want to speak against the bill but two years ago I worked with DHS and we were we always talked about the the training hours the requirement for the training hours and when you go into foster care and we you go to foster care training there's a lot of information that you that you have to cover in order to
ensure that your placement is correct, I think that 30 hours is more than sufficient. It's not too much. It's just two weekends. I actually did the training myself. You get condensing into two weekends in order to ensure that you are really the best fit for the child and the child is the best fit for you once they enter your home. I think this is kind of a step in the wrong direction. I do support the fact that we want to get more families in the pipeline for foster care,
but I think this is just kind of the wrong step. I'll be voting no for this
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:42:13
bill. Thank you. Okay, Senator Love has spoken against the bill. Anyone want to speak for it? Okay. All right, you want to close?
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
3:42:22
Okay, you're recognized to close, Senator Deese. Mr. Chair, appreciate your heart and your direction on that, Senator Love. I do want to reiterate that nothing is changing on the training. It's just making it streamlined and faster. And I believe the 15 hours is more than adequate.
And, in fact, if you look at, again, of our region, it's very similar to what's going on. And we don't want to put any
burdensome activity to stop anything from allowing us to get these kids in loving homes. And with that, I'd
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:42:52
appreciate a good vote. Okay. Senator Dees is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll
Speaker 489
3:42:58
the vote. We have a pair at the desk. Senator Dees, yes. Senator Flowers,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:43:03
no. Okay, any members wish to change their vote? Senator Love will be no. Right, Senator Love?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:43:10
Anyone else? Anyone else want to change their vote? Please cast up the ballot. 5 voted 33 yays, 2 nays. House Bill 1921 is passed. Please return to
the House. Next one, members, on top of page six is House Bill 1922 by Senator
Chair
Unverified
3:43:31
Dismang. House Bill 1922 by Senator Dismang and Representative Maddox to amend the Consolidated Incentive Act of 2003 to create an income tax credit for relocating corporate headquarters to this state
and to encourage incorporations to relocate to Arkansas. Senator Dismang, you're recognized, sir.
Thank you. Senator, members, this does create a credit. equal to 50% of the
payroll for the qualifying employees of a business that relocates its headquarters to Arkansas. It's a tiered approach the four tier system to four different tiers of counties. Also it cannot be sold. It has to be used by that entity so it can't be transferred and it does eventually expire at the end of ten
years if they're unused. Any questions of Senator
Dismang? Senator Payton you're recognized. Thank you. You said up
to half of their payroll. Is that correct? That's correct.
It will be used as a credit. It can only be used by that company if they've got 10 years to
try to use it. But it can be used for income and sales tax. Correct. Yeah. And who decides whether or
not they get this credit? Economic development does. There will be a cost benefit analysis done. It's subject to
clawbacks. So in fact, in the bill it says the director. So we're putting the power into one man's hand
to give them up to 50% of their payroll, which is the state providing 50% of their payroll, they get to elect whether it's sales tax or income tax. And we just denied 135 members the opportunity to weigh in and vote on several bills that had tax cuts. But we're going to put all this power in one man's hand. I mean, I think that's how it works with most
of these as it stands right now. I mean, all that information is going to be gone
through and vetted by AEDC, but obviously one person does have to make a decision. Okay,
Chair
Unverified
3:45:23
thank you. Any other questions? Senator Dismang, Senator King, you're recognized. So is there a specific example of somebody that they
were fishing or got in mind or interested or anything, it's just trying to open the door to see, but there's nobody in mind that they know that X, Y,
Z... Not that it's been brought to my attention now.
Chair
Unverified
3:45:40
Okay. Any other questions? Anyone want to speak against the bill?
Okay, Senator Payton. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, we don't trust each other to vote on these tax cuts, but we're going to trust the Economic Development Director to make these decisions. He's going to be a very important person because as an outside entity coming to the state of Arkansas, allocating my headquarters, corporate headquarters.
That's the highest paid individuals in a corporation. And this is corporate headquarters. It involves the upper echelon of the employment for that corporation. And we're going to give them a tax credit equal to half their payroll. Now, if it was just income tax, arguably, until they make a profit, it didn't matter. But it's sales tax. So, I urge you to vote against this. Thank you. Senator Payton has
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:46:45
spoken against the bill. Anyone want to speak for it?
Senator Dismang, you want to close? Senator Dismang is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please
Speaker 489
3:46:56
roll the vote. We have a pair at the desk. Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:47:01
Dismang, yes. Senator Flowers, no. Okay, everybody look at the board. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator King is non-voting. Senator Payton is no. Senator Stubblefield is no. Senator Sullivan is no. Senator English is no.
Senator King is now no. Anyone else on this side over here? Senator Penzo is a no. Okay, over on the right, I've got Senator Love as a no. I've got Senator Dotson as a no. Senator Bryant as a no. Senator Mark Johnson is a no.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:47:44
Senator Alan Clark is a no. Senator Flippo is a no.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:47:50
Anyone else? Check the board one more time. Anybody else? Okay,
cast up the ballot. So, with 22 yeas, 13 nays, House Bill 1922 is passed. Please return to the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:48:10
House. Okay, next is going to be House Bill 1923 by Senator
Chair
Unverified
3:48:16
Hester. House Bill 1923 by Senator Hester and Representative
Maddox to amend the Arkansas Tourism Development Act
and to amend the law concerning natural state initiative opportunity zones. Senator Hester,
you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Senator. Members, we passed a law in 2021 about the Arkansas Tourism Development
Act created incentives for people that want to invest in outdoor tourism in and around our state parks within an eighth of a mile of a state park. Over two years of that, no one made application for those incentives because the thresholds were just too high. So this bill lowered those thresholds in these underemployed areas in and around our state parks.
You know, the goal here is to continue to incentivize people, hopefully, to incentivize people to invest in our state parks and outdoor tourism.
Chair
Unverified
3:49:07
Any questions of Senator Hester? Senator Mark Johnson,
you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Hester, let me give you a hypothetical, okay? Pinnacle Mountain State Park is in my district. So would this basically create a radius of a mile around the park where someone could put a, I don't know,
I was thinking, first thing that hit my mind was convenience store, but some kind of service or retail industry, and that radius would be one mile. Is that correct? That is correct, and it would have to promote tourism in
the state of Arkansas. So if you, and clearly that's one of the four parks that this takes care of, you know, Pinnacle Mountain Park, Queen Willamela. But if they are promoting tourism for the state of Arkansas, they'd be eligible within that mile.
Not any business within those mile, but a business that is promoting tourism
at that park. Okay, so, well, I think of promoting, let's say,
and we don't have that, but let's say someone wanted to have a canoe rental. Would that be promoting tourism? I
believe it would, and I believe a restaurant, you know, feeding people that are out there enjoying our state parks would be helpful. Yeah, but, you know, there's a definition in here, but that's what it would be. anything that's
helping support in our state parks and outdoor tourism.
Amenities for tourism, you might say. Okay. Thank you, Senator. Thank
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:50:37
you, Mr. President. Other questions of Senator Hester? Senator King, do you have a question?
Chair
Unverified
3:50:47
Hang on. Let me call you back. Senator King, you're recognized. So were any of the local...
Senator King, hold on. Your mic is not on. Let's start over. Is any of the local
folks consulted on this, like in the Teresa Marius?
Chair
Unverified
3:51:03
Yes. Any other questions? Anyone want to speak against this? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:51:11
want to speak for it? Senator Hester is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, please check the board and tell
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:51:19
me if you want to change your vote. Anyone want to change their
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:51:29
vote? Okay, cast up the ballot. With 34 yeas, zero nay, House Bill 1923 is passed. Please return to the House.
Next one is House Bill 1928 by
Chair
Unverified
3:51:38
Senator Crowe. House Bill 1928 by Senator Crowe and Representative Brown. To amend the Arkansas Soil Nutrient Application and Poultry Litter Utilization Act. Senator Crowe,
you're recognized. Thank you, Senator. Colleagues, this is a
bill to protect farmers who apply
their poultry litter as long as they follow the state-approved nutrient management plan. This comes because there's been frivolous lawsuits against some farmers, and this is to protect them as long as they are following their state-mandated nutrient plan.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:52:08
Questions of Senator Crowell? Any questions of Senator Crowell? Anyone want to speak against it?
Anyone want to speak for it? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. members check
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:52:21
the board tell me if you want to change your vote Senator Dees is a non-voting anyone else anyone else want to change their vote please cast up
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:52:36
the ballot with the vote of 33A 0 nays one non-voting
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:52:40
House Bill 1928 is passed please return to the House next one is going to be
Chair
Unverified
3:52:47
House Bill 1929 by Senator Dodson House Bill 1929, Mr. Dodson, to create the recognizing GEDA and Samaritan Act and to prohibit state agencies from using the term West Bank in official government materials. Senator
Dodson, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, House Bill 1929 does one simple thing. It basically instructs our state agencies and anyone in the state of Arkansas for official government material
to refer to the land in Israel as Judea and Samaria, the land north of Jerusalem being considered Samaria and the land south of Jerusalem being considered Judea.
That's what it does. Any questions of Senator Dodd? Happy to answer any questions.
Chair
Unverified
3:53:32
I believe Senator Sullivan. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized. Thank
you, Mr. Chair. How many times is West Bank in our documents now? I couldn't even begin to tell you.
And this has a very clear definition of what that is. What if that changes? What if in negotiations the feds change those definitions
or change those restrictions? What happens in this bill? Are we bound by law that's no longer applicable federally? Well, we would
continue to recognize it in our state documents until we would change
this law. So we're bound by it until we change it.
Yeah, if in the future something happens where it changed.
And I don't think the reason for this legislation is basically to refer to the area of that region of the world more in its historical context. So I don't know that Judea and Samaria historically are going to change. ever that's part of the historical area so we're referring to it by its accurate historical name in that part of the country world. It's necessary for Arkansas to get involved
in these kinds of debates that's that's necessary now. Well I guess you say yes. I would say yeah
Speaker 719
3:54:54
this I support this bill yes. Any other any other
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:54:59
questions of Senator Dodson? Appreciate it. Do you want to take another one or are you out of the well? You want to take another one? Senator Mark Johnson is recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, when you're in New Orleans, Senator Dodson, they talk about West Bank, meaning West Bank of the Mississippi. So this might help end confusion if no one used the term West.
Because too often we've heard the term occupied West Bank, like it was somebody else's country and not part of Israel. So this would kind of clarify that, wouldn't it? Yeah, it has a tendency to be more of a politically
charged term, West Bank. Right, it is politically charged. This is
referring more to it, the land, the area, the land masses that are there in more of their historical terms. For a long period of history. For a long
history, yes. Yes, okay. Several thousands of years. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:55:58
Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:56:04
to speak for the bill? Senator Dodson is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll
the vote. All right, members, check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. I've got Senator Sullivan as a no. I've got Senator Love as present. All right, over on this side, I've got Senator Scott as a no. I've got Senator Clark Tucker as a no.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:56:29
I have Senator Stubblefield as a no. I got Senator Clark Tucker as a no. Oh, I'm sorry. Senator Murdoch as a no. Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:56:43
Letting as a no. Senator Hill as a no. Senator English as a no. Senator Irvin as a no. Anyone else? Senator Hickey as a no. senator flippo as a no anyone else anyone else want to change
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:57:04
their vote okay cast up the ballot
with 22 yeas 11 nays one present house bill 1929 is passed please return to the house next one
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:57:17
is going to be house bill 1937 by senator colwell Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:57:22
Stone, are you going to run that? Okay, this
Speaker 418
3:57:28
is going to be Senator Stone's bill. House Bill 1937,
Chair
Unverified
3:57:32
by Senator Stone, Representative Jean, to amend the method of valuation for mineral rights under Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, Section 5, and to clarify the method of valuation for oil and gas well production equipment.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:57:45
All right, members, again, this is House Bill 1937. It'll take 27 votes.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
3:57:55
You're recognized, Senator Stone. Thank you,
Mr. President. Members, House Bill 1937 corrects an unintended interpretation of Act 668 of 2021. Apparently among county assessors, they're interpreting the law differently and different assessors are assessing different wells at different rates and this would just add continuity so everybody will understand how wells will be assessed
and paid for. With that, I'm open to any questions. Any questions of Senator Stone?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:58:27
Okay, anyone want to speak against the bill? For the bill? You closed, Senator Stone? I'm closed,
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
3:58:31
and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:58:34
Stone is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, check the board and tell me if you want to
change your vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Okay, seeing none, cast up the ballot.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:58:49
With 34 a 0 nay House Bill 1937 is passed. Please return to the House. The next one is
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:58:55
House Bill 19... I'm sorry. Senator Hester is going to be recognized for a motion. Hey members, I've
got two motions. Both are going to be to recall bills from the House for amendments because they haven't suspended their rules and if we want them to have a chance, we need to recall them, amend them on our floor and send them back. The first one is SB 347, that is the dentist Medicaid reimbursement.
We know we passed out of this bill with one fiscal impact. We learned when it got to the House it had a much more significant fiscal impact. The hope is that you would allow us to ask to withdraw that from the House. We amend it to a more reasonable fiscal impact so it has a chance to pass the House. So
that's my ask that we ask to, I guess, withdraw Senate Bill 347 from the House. Recall. Recall. Recall. All
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
3:59:48
right, members, the motion is to recall Senate Bill 347 from the House.
All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion will carry.
You recognize for your next one, Senator Hester. Members, this is, since I'm down here,
House Bill 1847. That is to do with problem gambling. Senate added an amendment. Send it down there. They're not going to have another rules meeting, so we need to call it back here, remove the amendment. The sponsor is okay with that, Senator Payton. So it's the same deal. House Bill 1847 asks that we recall that
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:00:24
thing with the motion is just a recall from House Bill 1847 from the House.
That's correct. That we return down there. So all in favor of recalling House Bill 1847, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That
carries also Senator Hester. Okay, at this point we're going to be at House Bill 1938, Senator English's
Speaker 418
4:00:48
bill. House Bill 1938 by Senator English and Representative Card to amend provisions
Chair
Unverified
4:00:53
of the Arkansas Code concerning the creation of district strategic plans and the responsibility of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:01:01
Senator English, you're recognized. Thank you very much. So basically what this does is many times school districts have a multiple of strategic plans. What this does is
it encourages every district to have one strategic plan. Any questions to Senator English?
Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:01:24
want to speak for the bill? Senator English, are you closed? I'm closed. Senator English is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Please roll the vote. Members, please cast up the ballot. Excuse me. Members, please let me know if you want to change your vote. Senator King is a what is he, non-voting? Senator King's non-voting. Anyone else?
Anyone else want to change their vote? Okay. Now, please cast up the ballot. With 33
yays, zero nays, one non-voting, House Bill 1938 passes.
consider dismaying your recognized for a motion return to the House on
Speaker 728
4:02:08
1938 thank you members the House just voted on the motion
to consider SJR 15 with and I think it passed with 70 votes so that bill is ready to be considered as the third constitutional amendment like a motion to spin the rules to add SJR 15 to the end of page six is that where we're on
it so prior to starting in phase two of the house bills okay
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:02:33
everybody heard the motion all in favor say I just
well this suspend the rules all in favor of suspending the rules say aye any opposed Senator dismay do you want to make
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:02:42
the motion I don't know if that was all-inclusive do you want to make the motion now to put it
at the end of page six yeah so the motion was to add SJR to the end of pay SJR 15 to the end of page six so before we start the second phase of house bills right everybody understand that okay all
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:03:01
in favor say aye any opposed okay that also carries okay the next one
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:03:08
we are on is House Bill 1939 I
Chair
Unverified
4:03:13
believe House Bill 1939 by Senator English and Representative Carr to amend eligibility for teacher incentive and merit pay to amend to amend requirements for summative evaluations and to amend school district requirements under the merit teacher incentive aid fund program. Senator English, you're recognized, ma'am.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:03:34
Thank you very much. Basically, this just lays out requirements for the teacher merit pay.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:03:42
Any questions of Senator English? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator English,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:03:48
are you closed? If Senator English is closed, any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, look at the board and let me know if you want to change your vote. Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Senator Tucker is present. Anyone else? Okay. Senator Scott is no.
All right, anyone else? Senator Clark Tucker is now no. Anyone else?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:04:30
Senator Love is no. Okay, cast up the ballot. With 30 yeas, 3 nays, 1 non-voting, House Bill 1939
is passed. Please return to the House. Next one is going to be House Bill 1941 by Senator English.
Chair
Unverified
4:04:48
House Bill 1941 by Senator English and Representative Carr concerning Department of Education Boards and Commissions and to protect Arkansas students by ensuring the efficient depositions of ethics complaints against teachers. Senator English, you're recognized. thank
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:05:08
you very much basically what this does is it lays out
the process for complaints against teachers to make sure that we have they have their due process
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:05:19
okay we have a do you want to take a question senator english okay senator sullivan you're recognized to ask senator english a question senator english you want to go
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:05:28
back to the well yeah do you know senator english senator english you want to come back to the well if
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:05:34
you'll come back to the well so the microphone will get you in center sullivan you're recognized thank
you mr president so at what point are these documents subject to FOIA what are they
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:05:45
I'm sure they probably always I know they're not always because I've tried
Speaker 760
4:05:51
before is it for the ethics complaints I don't know
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:05:57
the answer to that and I'm assuming that's kind of what this is is for the ethics with teacher complaints sets out the process for the ethics process. Okay,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:06:06
thank you. Any other questions of Senator English? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator English is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:06:22
Members, if you'll check the board and tell me if you want to change your
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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4:06:27
vote. Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot with 33 yeas, 0 nay, 1 non-voting House Bill 1941 is passed. Please return to the House. And at this point, we're going to recognize Senator Clark Tucker because he's going to go back and do his two resolutions
Speaker 762
4:06:47
that we passed over. The first will be SR46, I believe.
Chair
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4:06:52
Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 46 by Senator Tucker to recognize the Catholic High School for Boys Rocket Golf Team as the Class 6A state
champions. Okay, Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members may ask for leave for the Catholic High and Mount St. Mary's state champion
golf teams to come out on the floor. Leave.
Senator Missy Irvin
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4:07:22
Yeah, just line up right along here. Y'all stand in front.
Let the boys stand behind you. We're doing them together. Yeah. Can you guys stand behind them? Hey, Lane, y'all scoot up so the boys can stand behind
them. The girls are next to them or whatever. Thank you. Okay. Is that...
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I'm going to do this one. He's going to do that one. I'm going to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:08:07
do this one. Okay, members, here's the thing. We've got both here. The first one we're going to do is SR46. We're going to read it, vote on it, and then we'll go to SR47, and we'll read that in a moment. So you're recognized, Senator Tucker. Thank you, Mr. President.
Members, they're brother and sister schools, Catholic High and Mount St. Mary's, so that's why we have them out here together.
But they both this year are state champion golf teams, and so we want to celebrate and congratulate them on that. We're starting first with the Catholic High Resolution. It's the second state championship for the Rockets in the past four years, so an extra tip of the cap to them for that. Very impressive. The members of the team are Jack Dennery, Reese Johnson, Jackson Wolfe, Adam Squires, Davis Crowe, and Cade Keith. They were Jackson Wolfe. Raise your hand, Jackson. Jackson Wolfe was the individual state medalist for the lowest score
in the state championship, so congratulations, Jackson. Sophomore Jack Donnery was just two strokes behind him. So congratulations to Jack. Both of them and Reese Johnson earned All-State honors. So really a tremendous effort on all of their parts, but All-State especially. They are student athletes, right? So their cumulative GPA as a golf team is 3.718. And I didn't know if Mr. Strasley was going to be here today, but I just want to check. There's no grade inflation going on with the golf program, is there? Okay, so no, these young men have earned those grades. So, congratulations to them, but sincere congratulations on the state championship.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:09:30
Members, I'd ask for a good vote. Okay, y'all have heard the motion. All members in favor of SR46, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion
carries. And the next one we're going to do is going to be SR47. I believe Senator
Irvin is going to present it. Senator Irvin, you are recognized to
Chair
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4:09:50
present. Senate Resolution 47 by Senators Tucker and Irving and Mark Johnson. to recognize the Mount St. Mary's Academy Bells Golf Team as the Class 6A state champions. Senator Irvin, you're recognized, ma'am.
Senator Missy Irvin
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4:10:01
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the Senate, I am a proud alumni of Mount St. Mary Academy. I have one of my classmates here, Lane, is with me. We graduated the same year, and Mr. Straceley and I were also in high school together because I was a cheerleader for Catholic High. So, brother-sister school, so it's exciting to have them here. And the Mount St. Mary Academy Bells golf team
won the Class 6A Girls State Championship held at Conway Country Club.
It was their second back-to-back state golf championship win in Mount St. Mary Academy history. And the Bells beat runners-up the Rogers High School Lady Mounties by 20 strokes. Team members Bella Kate Kreglow, Maria Isai, Chloe Freeville, Amelia Green, Annabelle Gutierrez, Lily York, and the team manager is Maddie Hernandez. And team members Lily York and Chloe Freeville were named the most valuable players and all
conference players as they came in second and third respectively in the state championship, helping to clinch a team score low enough to win the championship. And whereas Annabelle Gutierrez tied for ninth individually in the state championship, it's hard to
do. Congratulations. They have really received a bunch of accolades, but obviously they have great leadership, great coaching, great administration, and it's a great school, and I'm proud to be a part of it, too. And I'm proud of these young men and women for what they have achieved in these golf championships.
Speaker 664
4:11:37
So with that, I would ask for a good
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:11:43
vote. Go Bells. Okay. And Rockets. You all have heard the motion. All in favor of the passage of SR 47, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? That's also passed. Thank you.
We appreciate having you all here. Thank you. Okay, Senator Davis, if you'll be making your way down, you'll be the next one to present.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:12:41
Senator Alan Clark, you're going to be up
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:13:10
next. Okay, members, at this moment, what we're going to do is pass over House Bill 1943 and House Bill 1954.
We're going to go back and pick those up. So right now we're going to do
Chair
Unverified
4:13:21
House Bill 1964 by Senator Alan Clark. House Bill 1964 by Senator Clark and Representative Brooks to move the
Child Welfare Ombudsman Division and the Juvenile Ombudsman Division to the Department of Inspector General and declare an emergency. Senator
Senator Alan Clark
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4:13:37
Clark, you recognize, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The bill is real simple. It just moves the child welfare ombudsman, which we created,
I carried that bill with your help, and the juvenile ombudsman to the inspector general. That spot did not exist when those positions were created, and everyone is agreed on the bill. I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions of Senator Clark?
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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4:14:09
to speak for it? Senator Clark is closed. It appears like any objection to rolling the vote, please roll the vote.
Members, if you'd check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Anyone else? Please cast up the ballot by vote of 33A 08, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, House Bill 1964,
and its corresponding emergency clause is passed. Please return to the House. Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:14:47
Hammer, you're going to be recognized for House Bill 1965.
Chair
Unverified
4:14:52
House Bill 1965 by Senator Hammer to create the Arkansas Healthy Food Retail Act of 2025 and
to provide financial incentives for healthy food retailers and underserved communities. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you. There's a handout on
your desk that was distributed earlier that summarizes the bill and the intent of the bill. This will be overseen by AEDC. However, I do want to also point out that when it's all said and done at the end of the day, there will be a rulemaking process and also that there will be a report that will be given annually to ALC or to joint budget.
And because it will have rules applied to it, we as legislators will be able to maintain control over this program. And this program strictly exists if funding is provided. It is made available through grants in order to provide healthy foods to our desert areas where food is scarce. Be glad to answer any questions. Any questions of Senator Hammer? Senator Payton, you're recognized, sir. Thank you,
Mr. President. So does this actually provide food, or is it just like subsidies to a business that decides to market certain types of food?
It would actually provide food into areas that are recognized as food deserts, specifically with emphasis on healthy foods, you know, such as fruits, vegetables, and other things. And it is outlined in the bill as far as what the funding could be used for once the rules are established. Notice also that restaurants would not be available for this. This would be for either fixed structures or to expand. And one of the ideas that was promoted like a mobile fruit market where they could go into areas where there may not be a grocery store
and be able to make it available to the residents of the area, that's just kind of an illustration of how. But it would actually be food that would, you know, have to be attached to it
for the, you know, to provide. Yeah, I mean, just for my own decision on how I'm going to vote here, Are we talking about providing food or just access to food because we're going to provide incentives to business to provide the
food? It would be, I'm sorry, it would be for actually providing food. Of course, there
would be incentives for industry to go into those areas.
And there is a list of things that, you know, it could be used for. But, yes, delivery of food, not just brick and mortar, for
example. Okay, thank you. You're welcome. Any other
Speaker 728
4:17:16
questions to Senator Hammer? Anyone want to speak against the bill?
Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator Hammer, do you want to close? I do. And the one
thing I want to emphasize, this is structured around available grants, okay? So if the grants aren't there, it doesn't happen. But if grants are there, this provides a structure for it to happen with accountability.
Ultimately, remember, report back to ALC or to budget, but
also rulemaking process means that it's going to have to come back before ALC so we will be able to stay involved in the process so we're not relinquishing control. Thank you. Yes,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:17:50
sir. Okay, Senator Hammer is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, check the board and see if you want to change the vote. I got Senator McKee as a no. I got Senator Bryant as a no.
I got Senator Dees as a no. I got
Senator Dodson as a present? Senator Clark, you didn't just say anything, did you? Senator Clark said no, I apologize. Senator Penzo is no. Senator Payton is no. Senator Flippo is no. Senator Rice is present. Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:18:33
Hill is no. Senator Stubblefield is
no. Anyone else? Everybody checking the board? Check the board one last time. Anything else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. With 22 yays, 10 nays, 2 present, House Bill 1965 is passed. Please return to the House. Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:18:58
at this time, members, we're going to back up and we're going to go back to House
Chair
Unverified
4:19:05
Bill 1954 by Senator Irvin. House Bill 1954 by Senator Irvin and Representative Andrews to create the Arkansas Behavior Analyst Registration Act
and to include qualified behavior analysts under the Arkansas Behavior Analyst Registration
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
4:19:21
Act. Senator Irvin, you're recognized? Correct. Thank you,
Mr. President. What this bill does is that it ensures that those behavior analysts that are certified by this other group, Behavior Analyst Certification Board Incorporated, are also able to be recognized and licensed in the state as behavior analysts. So at the time when we were discussing
this, we decided collectively instead of attaching them to that prior bill, we would run a second bill to accommodate that level of certification. So it's all agreed to. Thank you. Any questions to Senator Irvin? Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:19:55
Sullivan, you're recognized. So tell me how
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
4:20:03
the two bills are different, please. So all this does is that it includes this one other national certification board. So there's two of them. So this includes them now. So anybody that's certified under this
way or this board can now be recognized by the state of
Arkansas. So we're not giving the national association any more authority in this bill. Okay. Correct. Thank you. Any other questions
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:20:27
of Senator Irvin. Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Irvin is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, please look at the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. I got Senator McKee as present. I got Senator Bryant as present. Anyone else? Senator Dotson is present. Anyone else? Everybody
check the board one last time. Okay, please cast up the ballot. With 31 yeas, 0 nays, 3 present, House Bill 1954 is passed. Please return to the House. And at this point, we're going to recognize Senator Dismayne for SJR 15.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:21:08
That was the motion you all made. Senator Dismayne,
Speaker 69
4:21:12
you'll be recognized. Senate Joint Resolution
Chair
Unverified
4:21:15
15 by Senator Dismayne and Representative Beatty. A constitutional amendment concerning economic development in the state of Arkansas.
and authorizing the General Assembly to provide for the creation of economic development districts to promote economic development. Senator Dismain, you're
recognized to present. Thank you. Members, we've had a pretty broad discussion about this constitutional amendment. Again, I just want to repeat, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, every one of our surrounding states has this vehicle in place. And in fact, if you were to go from here to Dallas and pull over anywhere on the interstate, you're going to go through the communities that are completely utilizing this
to transform their downtowns and improve the quality of lives for their citizens. Oklahoma is also being very successful in utilizing these programs. One thing I'd like to say is this has no impact on general revenue. This is not a risk for the state of Arkansas. We're simply allowing cities and counties to make decisions about economic interests, just like we do in the legislature for the state of Arkansas back home. I think we should trust them to do that. And it does allow a couple of things. One thing it's going to do is actually allow them to abate taxes. Right now, they don't have the authority to do that.
But whoever the tax authority is will set up what is called an economic development district. That economic development district is going to be created by either the quorum court or the city council or both, depending on what the taxation is that they'd be looking to utilize. And the parameters of that are going to be provided for in the bylaws of that economic development district. Essentially, we're letting those localities create the parameters all the way from what is going to be exempt or what can be collected and bonded or the limit of how long the Economic Development District may exist.
With that, I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions to Senator Dismang? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:23:05
want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Dismang is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Senator Dodson objects, so
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:23:14
please call the roll. Boyd? Hold on. I think there's a pair at the desk, or is there not? I don't have a pair. I don't have a pair. Oh, yes.
Speaker 489
4:23:30
It's hidden. There is, I believe. There is a pair at the desk. Senator Dismang, yes. Senator Flowers,
Chair
Unverified
4:23:47
no. Let me get it up. No, no, that was a different one. Senator
Flowers, yes. Senator Dotson, no. Okay, now.
Speaker 107
4:24:18
Crowell? Yes. Davis? Davis Dees Dismang Dotson Dotson's no English Flippo Flowers yes
Speaker 540
4:24:32
Gilmore Hammer Hester Hickey Hill Hill Irvin Blake Johnson aye. Mark Johnson,
Speaker 107
4:24:41
aye. King, no. Letting, aye. Love, aye. McKee, aye.
Speaker 112
4:24:51
Murdoch, aye. Payton, no. Henzo, no. Petty, no. Petty, no.
Rice Rice Scott Stone Stubbeville Sullivan Tucker Wallace Okay, does any member wish to
Speaker 706
4:25:22
change their vote? Petty is aye Senator Davis is
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:25:30
aye Senator Allen Clark is I anyone else
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:25:36
Hickey is I anyone else okay please cast
up the ballot. Okay with 28 yeas, 6 nays, 1 non-voting, SJR 15 is passed. A transmit to the house. Okay with this members we're going to be at the top of page 7. House bills for third reading and passage. Is that yours?
Speaker 812
4:26:16
Which one? 1865, didn't we have that at the bottom of the
Speaker 813
4:26:25
6th? Yeah, we have it at the page 8. Into
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:26:29
page 8. We should have told you that. I'm sorry. Okay. Alright, members, we're at the top of page 7. We're going to go to House Bill
Speaker 418
4:26:41
1063 by Senator Crowe. House Bill 1063 by Senator Crowe and Representative Mayberry to amend the Achieving a Better
Chair
Unverified
4:26:47
Life Experience Program Act and to amend the definitions of disability certification and eligible individual to change disability onset age from 26 to 46. Senator Crowe, you're recognized.
Thank you, Senator. This is to align with federal code and this is for the
ABLE Act for the disabled onset, disability onset from 26 to 46. It raises that age. Any questions with Senator Kroll
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:27:13
on this? Anyone want to speak against it?
Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Kroll is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:27:26
the vote. Give us a minute. Okay, members check the board and tell me if
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:27:31
you want to change your vote. i got senator bryan is present anyone else over here i got senator dodson is present i got senator mckee as no anyone else over here okay over on this side i've got senator peyton is present i got senator penzo as present anyone else over here anyone across the whole chamber anybody else want
to change their vote please cast up the ballot
with 29 yeas one nay four present house bill 1063 is passed. Please return to the House. Next is going to be House Bill 1085
Chair
Unverified
4:28:05
by Senator English. House Bill 1085 by Senator English and Representative Brown to adopt federal law concerning tax-deferred tuition savings programs and to amend the income tax liability for rollover contributions from an Arkansas Brighter Future Fund plan to a Roth individual
Senator Jane English
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4:28:21
retirement account. Senator English, you're recognized, ma'am. Thank you very much. Basically, This does exactly what it says here, and it puts us in line and adopts the federal tax law that concerns tax-deferred tuition programs, and it also amends the tax liability for the Brighter Futures Plan, the 529 plan. Any questions to Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:28:46
English? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it?
Senator English is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:29:01
check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. Over on the right, is there anyone? My right?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:29:09
Seeing no one on the left. Anyone here? Anyone else?
Okay, Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Okay, cast up the ballot with the 33 yays, 0 nays, As one
non-voting House Bill 1085 is passed, please return to the House.
Next one is going to be House Bill 1290 by
Chair
Unverified
4:29:30
Senator Boyd. House Bill 1290 by Senator Boyd and Representative Johnson to mandate coverage for mental health wellness examinations and to establish
the Arkansas Support of Mental Health Wellness Examinations Act. Senator Boyd, you recognize. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Justin Boyd
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4:29:45
This bill creates parity for having a mental health wellness exam with a physical health exam. The bill allows cost-sharing, so it will have a minimal fiscal impact. Question to Senator Boyd?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:29:57
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Boyd is closed. Any objection to rolling the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:30:04
vote? Please roll the vote. Members, check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. I got Senator Dodson as no. I got Senator McKee as no. I got Senator Dees as present. I got Senator Bryant as no. I got Senator Sullivan as no. I got Senator Payton as no.
I got Senator Flippo as a no. I got Senator Rice as a present. Senator Sullivan as a no. I got Senator Penzo as present. I got Senator Dismayne as present. I got Senator Hill as no. i got senator clark as uh present i got senator crowe as present i got senator king as non-voting
we already got you as a no senator stubblefield so you're good i got well let's let's wait just a second senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:31:18
hester is a no Anyone else? Anyone
else want to change their vote? Okay, cast up the ballot with 18 yeas, 9 nays, 1 non-voting, 6 present.
House Bill 1290 is passed. Please return to the House as amended. Okay, members, we're going to go to House Bill 1941
Chair
Unverified
4:31:48
by Senator Dismang. 1491. House Bill 1491 by Senator Dismang and Representative Wardlaw concerning the excise tax on certain beer and
sake to create an excise tax credit for certain beer and sake produced using Arkansas rice.
Senator Dismang, you're recognized. All right, thank you, members. This creates an excise tax credit for
distributors and wholesalers that are utilizing Arkansas rice for beer or sake in the state. All the dollars stay in the state of Arkansas. They don't leave the state of Arkansas for manufacturers. This has helped promote the purchasing of rice in our product. It's broadly supported by various entities across the state, including Ducks Unlimited, because of the felt relationship between supporting the rice industry and duck habitat in Arkansas.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:32:36
Any questions of Senator Dismang? Anyone want to speak against it? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized to
speak against it. senator johnson you're recognized thank you mr president
this bill really doesn't have any support from our wholesalers this is a bad bill that will
give a million dollar tax break to a foreign company and that's what you used to call anheuser Bush is now called InBev, which is a Belgian company that went in partnership with a Brazilian company. In 2024, their revenue, that company's revenue topped $60 billion. So if you think you're helping local companies, you're not. But I would really appreciate a no vote on
Chair
Unverified
4:33:39
this bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Mark Johnson has spoken against the bill. Does
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:33:47
anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator Dismang, are you closed? Senator Dismang is closed. Any objection to roll the vote? Please roll
Speaker 489
4:33:53
the vote. We have a pair at the desk. Senator Davis, yes. Senator Flowers, no. Okay.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:34:02
I guess roll the vote. All right. Does any member wish to change their
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:34:08
vote? All right. We're going to go over on the right for Senator Dotson.
is a no. Senator Dees is a no. Senator Bryant is a no. Senator Love is a no. Senator Gilmore is a no. Over here, we have Senator Sullivan as a no. We have Senator Penzo as a no. We got Senator Mark Johnson as a no. We got Senator Sullivan as a no. Okay, Senator English
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:34:44
is a no. Senator Stubblefield is a no. Senator Payton is a no.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:34:59
Anyone else? Everybody check the board, make sure we did that right. Everybody okay? Okay, please cast up a ballot. With 23 yays, 12 nays, House
Bill 1491 is passed. Please return to the House, and we're going to go to House Bill 1562. Well, we're going to pass on that.
So we're going to pass over that one, and then we're going to go to
Chair
Unverified
4:35:23
Senator Hester, which is House Bill 1685. House Bill 1685 by Senator Hester and
Representative Underwood to create the Grocery Tax Relief Act to amend the law concerning the sales and use taxes levied on food and food ingredients as affirmed by Referred Act 19 of 1958 and to exempt groceries from sales tax and use taxes.
Senator Hester, you're recognized, sir. If appropriate, I would like to make a motion to remove Senator Flowers from leave. Is
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:36:00
that appropriate at this time? Can I? Well, we
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:36:03
have a motion, so we have a motion on the floor. We'll vote it. We have a motion to remove Senator Flowers from leave. All in favor of
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:36:10
that motion indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Aye. Okay, that motion carries, so Senator Flowers is not on leave. Okay, now you're recognized, Senator Hester.
Members, this is a grocery tax cut that we've had a lot of debate on, and it is the one-eighth cent sales tax on groceries. We know that there are three current taxes. There's a sales tax, there's a city and county tax, and this 1-8th-cent state tax. We're removing this 1-8th-cent state tax. There will still be a tax on cities and counties, on groceries from the cities and counties, but this removes the 1-8th. Happy to
answer any questions. Anybody have any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:36:49
questions with Senator Hester on this bill?
Senator King, you're recognized. So basically, the impact is only like $5 to $8 per person per year, something like that? That's correct. Anyone else?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:37:11
Okay, anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Hester is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, everybody check
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:37:22
the screen and tell me if you want to change your vote.
Does anybody want to change their vote on this? Okay, please cast up the ballot. With 35 yea, 0 nay, House Bill 1685
is passed. Along with this corresponding emergency clause, please return House Bill 1685
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:37:46
as amended to the House. Okay, members, we're going to go to House Bill.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:37:56
Okay, I've got a motion to allow Senator Flowers back on leave. All in favor say
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:38:03
aye. Aye. Okay, any opposed? Okay, Senator Flowers is back on leave. So at
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:38:08
this time, we're going to go to House Bill 1706, Senator Hester. House Bill
Chair
Unverified
4:38:14
1706 by Senator Hester and Representative McCollum. To amend the law concerning elections. and to prohibit ranked choice voting. Senator Hester, you're
recognized, sir. Members, we don't have any current elections that are using ranked choice voting on cities, counties, local, or state level.
This just prohibits it. It's preemptive on that. I'm happy to answer
any questions. Any questions of Senator Hester, Senator King, you're recognized. So, I mean,
to get ranked choice voting, hey, listen, I've seen ranked choice voting in Alaska and stuff that's skewered. I mean, I get that. But so to get ranked choice voting, they'd have to get something on the ballot to change the Constitution, which is almost so. I mean, what's the point of this bill? I'm not for
these ranked choice votings that are skewered. I get that.
What's the point of this bill? I think the important of it right now is to make sure that we don't do that. I think cities and counties, there are certain
elections where they have more control of that. This is not
allowing ranked choice voting at any level in the state of Arkansas. And, you know, military and Unacava voting can rank choice their voting for. I didn't know that. Yeah. And then, you know, Representative Greenberg and I believe in, a long time ago, former Representative Greenberg, about, like, instant runoff voting for primaries,
which is not, it's kind of rank choice that would save taxpayers money on these runoffs. I mean, in some cases could be a million or two million dollars when you have runoffs out of the primary. So this would actually eliminate that, too. I'm not familiar with what you're talking about. This bill is just about rank choice. Yeah, instant runoff voting out of a primary, this would knock it out, too. But it's like, that's not going to happen either. So I just want to let you know.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:40:03
Any other questions of Senator Hester? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Any objection to rolling the vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:40:13
Please roll the vote. Members, check the board and tell me if you want to change
your votes. Senator Tucker is no. Senator Love is no. Senator Scott is no.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:40:26
You said what? Present. I'm sorry, I misunderstood the hand sign. You mad at me?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:40:35
My mistake. Okay. Senator Letting is no. Senator King is non-voting. Senator Murdoch is no. Anyone else? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:40:45
else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. With 28 yeas, 4 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present. House Bill 1706 is passed. Please return to the House. And we're going to go
to House Bill 1732 by Senator Letting.
Speaker 418
4:41:06
House Bill 1732 by Senator Letting and Representative Vaughn.
Chair
Unverified
4:41:09
Vaught, to increase the amount of the income tax deduction allowed for a teacher's classroom investment. Senator Leading, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, back in
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
4:41:17
2017, we established the first teacher's classroom investment deduction. I was honored to pass that bill. It set it at $250. We've upped it over the years. Representative Vaught wanted to bump it up to $1,000. And because of my involvement in the legislation in the past, asked me to sponsor it. Honestly, kind of forgot about it once it got to revenue and tax here in the Senate.
But I'm glad that it made it out and would ask for
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:41:40
a good vote. any questions center letting on this anyone will speak against
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:41:46
it anyone will speak for it any objection to rolling the vote please roll the
vote members check the board tell me if you want to change your vote anyone want to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:42:02
change your vote on this okay okay please cast up the ballot with 34 yeas zero nays house bill 1732 is passed please
return to the house. We're going to go to House Bill 1739 by
Chair
Unverified
4:42:14
Senator Dees. House Bill 1739 by Senator Dees and Representative Brown to adopt the Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
4:42:21
Senator Dees, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1739 has been worked on with the Bar Association and many other individuals. It's an act to adopt the Uniform Electric Legal Materials Act. You'll see the updates inside the bill and look for a good vote.
Anyone have any questions of Senator Dees?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:42:41
Anyone want to speak against the bill, for the bill? Senator Dees is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:42:50
check the board. Tell me if you want to change your vote. Senator King is non-voting.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:43:02
Anyone else? Okay. Cast up the ballot with 33 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting. House Bill 1739 is passed. Please return to the House, and we'll go to House Bill 1807 by Senator Payton.
Chair
Unverified
4:43:15
and Representative Eaves to amend the sales tax exemption for aircraft held for resale and used for rental or charter, and to clarify the persons eligible for the sales tax
exemption for aircraft held for resale and used for retail or charter.
Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. This exemption already
exists. It's just clarifying what situations it should apply to. When an aircraft is held for resale, most of the time, that's a long time it's held.
And so they want to be able to lease these aircraft out while they're being held for resale. And so it has a higher, the lease has a 7.5% sales tax on the lease. But this is just clarifying. It really doesn't change much about what we're doing. Any questions for Senator Payton? Anyone want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:44:04
to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator Payton is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote.
Senator Tucker is no. Anyone else? Anyone else want to change their vote? Okay, cast up the ballot. With
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:44:30
33 yeas, 1 nay. House Bill 1807 is passed. Please return to the House. And we're going to now
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:44:37
go to House Bill 1837 by Senator Hammer. This
Chair
Unverified
4:44:41
will require 24 votes. House Bill 1837 by Senator Hammer and Representative
McClendon to amend the law concerning disclosure for matters referred to voters
and to ban foreign funding for ballot measures and to amend portions of the Arkansas Code that resulted from initiated Act 1 of 1996.
Senator Hammer, you're recognized, sir. Thank you. This bill seeks to amend existing law concerning disclosure
for matters referred to voters and, most importantly, bans foreign funding for ballot measures. This process is vulnerable to manipulation when foreign entities are allowed to fund campaigns aimed at influencing our votes. With regards to transparency, this bill strengthens disclosure requirements,
makes it easier for voters to understand who is behind campaigns for or against ballot measures. Some may argue that this bill could limit funding sources from legitimate campaigns. However, House Bill 1837 does not restrict contribution from Arkansas or domestic entities. It only targets foreign funding. This distinction ensures that local voices remain strong while eliminating external interference. And I'll be
glad to take any questions. Questions of Senator Hammer? Anyone want to speak against the bill?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:45:51
Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator King, you want to
speak for the bill? Senator King, you want to speak on the bill? You're recognized, Senator King. I'm not going
to say much. I know where we're at. But basically, you know, we passed these bills, and I'm going to support this bill. I like the concept. But every member here needs to remember these dark money groups that are allowed to take all kinds of money and not disclose donors. This does not touch them. So you need to be mindful of if you really want to stop this stuff, that we've got to do something about these dark money groups that they can spend it.
It doesn't matter what entity it is. They can give millions of dollars out here, say whatever they want to, hide behind these dark money groups. So this will do something, but it won't do a lot more. But I ain't voting for it. Senator King has spoken
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:46:36
on the bill. Anyone else want to speak for or against it? Okay, Senator Hammer,
do you want to close? Thank you for the comments. This is a bite, actually two or three bites of the apple, so I appreciate a good vote. Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:46:50
Senator Hammer is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please
roll the vote. Members, check the board and tell
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:47:05
me if you want to change your vote? Anyone want to
change their vote? Okay, please cast up the ballot. Sorry, missed you. Senator, so with 34 yeas, zero nays, House Bill 1837 is passed. As amended, please return to the House. Okay, the next one's going to be House Bill 1853. Senator Penzo.
Chair
Unverified
4:47:29
House Bill 1853 by Senator Penzo and Representative Moore to amend the law concerning agency relationship and duties
related to real estate license and to clarify the obligations of dual agency. Senator Penzo, you're recognized, sir. Thank you,
Mr. President. This is just some clarifying language around dual agency. Real Estate Association supports it, and I'd appreciate You had a good vote. Any questions of Senator Penzo? Anyone want to speak
against the bill, for the bill? Any objection to rolling the vote?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:48:02
Please roll the vote. Members, let me know if you want to change your vote. Is everybody looking at the screen? Let me know if you want to change your vote. Okay, Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Okay, cast up the ballot. Okay, with 33 yays, 0 nays, 1
non-voting, House Bill 1853 is passed. Please return to the House, and then we're going to go to House Bill 1894, Senator Gilmore.
Chair
Unverified
4:48:32
House Bill 1894 by Senator Gilmore and Representative Beatty. To establish a method of valuation for real property used for affordable housing, and to establish a method of valuation for certain real property under our Constitution Article 16, Section 5. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized, sir.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
4:48:50
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is a bill, no, no, no opposition, but what it basically does is ask the Assessment Coordination Division to promulgate rules on evaluating properties, mostly affordable housing properties that have deed restrictions, so it's just asking them to promulgate rules. It's a very complicated assessment area, so that's what it does. No, no, no opposition. Happy to take questions.
any questions senator gilmore anyone want to speak against
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:49:18
it anyone want to speak for it
any objection to rolling the vote please roll
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:49:29
the vote everybody checking the board senator dodson is no anyone else
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:49:36
anyone else senator king is non-voting anyone want to change their vote Okay, cast up the ballot.
With 32 yeas, 1 nay, 1 non-voting, House Bill 1894 is passed. Please send to the House, and we're going to go to the top of page 8. It's the last page, members. There's one or two at
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:49:58
the end, but it's been added. House Bill 1917, Senator Hester,
Chair
Unverified
4:50:03
you're recognized. Members, this is— I'm sorry, my fault. House Bill 1917 by Senator Hester and Representative Shepard to amend the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act and to amend the law related to
athletic program funding. Senator Hester, you're recognized.
Thank you, Senator Keefe. Members, this is a bill we all know
as the NIL bill. You know, there was an agreement between the NCAA and student-athletes. This will allow the state of Arkansas ultimately to do profit-sharing with our student-athletes to keep us competitive. I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions, Senator Hester? Okay. First, I
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:50:38
think I had Senator Hill, and then I'll go to you, Senator English. Senator Hill, you're first.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
4:50:48
Senator Hester, what's the purpose behind this to make student
athletes tax-exempt from state? No other citizen is tax-exempt like that. Why are they special? Well, that's a great
question. We are treating them differently on this, but this is only on the money that the universities pay the students. We're not going to charge taxes, and that's just to keep us competitive with Tennessee and Texas and other states that do not have a state income tax. But should those student athletes receive money from an outside, you know, business of some sort, that will be taxable.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:51:22
Okay, Senator English, you're recognized for a question. So as I read the bill, when I read the bill, it basically says these students are not going to pay any state income tax. I have a problem with that. I'm thinking here are kids that are making $200,000, $300,000, and they're not paying any state. And the rest of our kids are all paying. So can you explain that to me? I understand competitive, but can you explain that to me?
So the one thing I will say, it's only on the money that the university pays them directly,
and we're not going to charge them income taxes on. But all the other, where you're seeing these huge amounts of money come, those are from outside businesses. But you're right, we assume that this will be a state impact
of about $300,000 a year. So how are we
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:52:12
going to discern between what's coming in and are there going to be filings, taxes? No,
it's a very transparent and clear process. There's a clearinghouse that works through each of the universities. It will be a very transparent process.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:52:26
I just think it's kind of hard for all of our young people who are going to school, paying
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:52:34
their bills. Thank you. Any other questions? Senator Hester. I believe
Senator Payton. You're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm confused. I thought under NIL, they weren't being paid by the university. They were being paid from outside sources. So what portion of the NIL money is allowed to be paid from the university? Well, it's up to each university, but there's
profit-sharing plan agreed on with the NCAA in the settlement of that lawsuit. So our universities do not have to participate, but if they choose to, I can tell you, and this number may not be exactly right,
but I believe from the University of Arkansas, they estimate paying out about $20 million a year. Well,
Speaker 304
4:53:19
I'd sure like to have a break on my income taxes. Thank you. All you have to do
Chair
Unverified
4:53:24
is be elite at what you do in athletics. Okay, Senator Murdoch, you're recognized, sir.
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
4:53:30
Thank you, sir. Thank you, Senator Hester. I support this bill, but I did not know or I missed about the state income tax piece. What's the purpose of that, of why they're not paying state income tax? Look, it's all about
competitiveness. And if we're competing with a student that's looking at Texas or Tennessee where they don't have any income tax, then it means our universities have to pay ultimately more just to be even. Okay, thank you. Senator Mark Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Excuse me, Senator. Senator Hester, this revenue that's being shared, that's the revenue the university or the athletic department gets. For example, you go to a bowl game, you get a million dollars. It's probably a lot more than that now, but you go get a million dollars.
That's the revenue we're sharing, correct? There is that revenue. There's, you know,
TV revenue. Same kind of thing, yes, sir. But it's the earned revenue that's paid to the athletic department for sports?
That's correct. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker 770
4:54:39
President. Senator Hill, and then Senator Keene. Senator Hester, you said
it was about $20 million being paid out by the university? There will be. It's estimated, depending on what their revenues are next year. So that should be more than $300,000 tax. Well, you've got to assume
that we don't know what each tax rate is because, you know, it would be a lot of these students that have zero income, they may get $10,000, but that won't be taxable because they don't make enough money to be taxed. So this money is shared amongst all athletes or a vast majority of them,
not just a few that are going to be making huge amounts of money. Thank you. Senator
King, you're recognized, sir. And I may have missed it. So the ones making huge
amounts of money will pay no income tax? No, only on the portion that they receive from the university. So if they have a bigger deal with a local Ford dealership,
that will be taxable. So if a student's working
in another area to come up with some medical device or something, then... Then they would pay taxes on that, absolutely. Okay.
Senator Payton, you recognize, sir? Thank you, Mr. President. So we recently advanced a bill to make sure that kids, teenagers, students, when they work on a regular job, have to make sure they get a pay stub, which is going to force all the withholdings and regular employment taxes on those kids that are just working a 10 or 15 hour a week job, making, you know, a little lunch money.
But we're going to let the student-athletes go without income tax here? That's right, and
I appreciate your, you know, caring about all the students. We want to continue to make our income tax rate down
to zero so that no one has to pay it. Right now, we're doing something that brings a significant amount of revenue to the state of Arkansas. People choose to turn on their TVs on Saturday afternoon and watch that, and buy the jerseys, and that's why people are buying ads to watch it on TV. They're contributing to a significant amount of revenue.
The settlement is they should share in it. Look, if it was up to me, we wouldn't have NIL at all. But we do. We want to be competitive. We want to help our universities be
competitive, you know, at an elite level. Thank you. Any other
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:56:56
questions, Senator Hester? Anyone want to speak against the bill? For the bill, Senator Hester is closed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:57:04
Is there an objection to rolling the vote? We have an objection on this one, so please call the roll.
Speaker 106
4:57:14
Boyd? Yes. Bryant? No. Caldwell? Caldwell. Clark? No. Crowell? Crowell.
Speaker 107
4:57:26
Davis? Davis. Dees? Aye. Dismang? Dismang. Dotson? Dotson? English? Flippo? Yes. Flowers? On
Speaker 8
4:57:38
leave. Gilmore? Gilmore. Hammer? Hammer. Hester? Yes. Hickey? Hickey? Hill? No. Irvin? Irvin?
Speaker 107
4:58:00
Blake Johnson, aye. Mark Johnson, aye.
Speaker 112
4:58:05
King, aye. Letting, aye. Love, aye. McKee, McKee. Murdoch, aye. Payton, no.
Speaker 8
4:58:23
Penzo, no. Petty, petty. Rice? Scott? Stone? Stubbafil? Sullivan? Tucker? Wallace? Wallace?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:58:42
Okay, do any members wish to vote or change their vote? I got Senator Hammer
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:58:49
as present. I got Senator Gilmore as no. I got Senator Wallace
as yes. Senator Gilmore, did you? Senator Dismaine is yes. I got Senator McKee as no. Anyone else? I got Senator Kroll as present. I got Senator Dodson as yes.
I got Senator Irvin as no.
Anyone else? I want to get everybody right, so I don't want to miss one again. Anyone else? Okay, Senator Rice
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:59:32
is yes. Okay, cast up the ballot. Okay, with a vote of 16 yeas, 11 nays, 4 non-voting, 3 present, 1 on leave, House Bill 19-17 fails. Motion. Okay, Senator Hester is recognized for a motion.
Members, I'd like to expunge the vote by which House Bill 1917 failed. Okay, all in favor
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:59:54
of the expungement, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
No. That motion carries. So that vote is expunged. And now we're going to
Chair
Unverified
5:00:06
go to House Bill 1918. Senator Dodson. House Bill 1918 by Senator Dodson and McClendon. to
amend the law concerning species or legal tender to authorize the use of a bullion dispository
and to allow for a precious metals-backed electronic system. Senator Dodson, you're
Speaker 29
5:00:24
right now, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, House Bill 1918, the primary objective
of it is to provide Arkansans with a secure and efficient means to store and use precious metals as a form of payment. To do this, the bill does two things. First, it authorized the option for a state-run depository in the future. It does not mandate it. It's only an option. Texas established the first state-run gold depository in the U.S. in 2015,
allowing individuals, businesses, and even government entities to store gold and silver. Tennessee has adopted similar provisions, and Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Florida are considering comparable legislation this session. Secondly, gold and silver are already recognized as legal tender in Arkansas, but there's no mechanism to allow people to use it as legal tender. Therefore, the next logical step is a payment system that enables its practical use. By implementing a precious metals-backed electronic transaction system,
we can modernize commerce, allowing for seamless asset-backed exchanges for those who wish to use gold or silver. This initiative positions Arkansas as a leader in financial innovation, giving residents an alternative, stable, and reliable means of conducting transactions as they choose. We worked closely with the Treasurer's Office to develop this bill. Happy
to try to answer any questions. Any questions of Senator Dodson on this?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:01:48
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Dodson is closed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:01:55
Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. All
right, members, look at the board and let me know if you want to change your vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:02:15
King is present. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, cast up the ballot. 33 a, 0 nays, 1 present. House Bill 1918 is passed. Please return to the House. We're going to go to House Bill 1925 by Senator Gilmore.
Chair
Unverified
5:02:26
House Bill 1925 by Senator Gilmore and Representative Beatty to amend the law concerning absentee ballots and require an oath for an absentee ballot. Senator
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:02:37
Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is pretty simple. It just updates our absentee ballot law to include having someone witness the signature on the absentee ballot. There are many states that do this, Rhode Island being one, Alaska being another. Many states do it. I think it's just a good way to continue to secure our elections. With that, happy to take questions.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:02:57
Any questions to Senator Gilmore? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Gilmore is closed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:03:09
Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, please
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:03:14
check the board again. Senator Scott is no. Let me know if you want to change your vote. Senator Love is no. Senator Tucker is no. Senator Murdoch is no. Senator Letting is no.
Anyone else? Okay, okay. Please cast up the ballot. With 29 yeas, 5
nays, House Bill 1925 is passed. Please return to the House, and we're going to go to House Bill 1935 by Senator Gilmore.
Speaker 418
5:03:46
House Bill 1935 by Senator Gilmore and Representative Eves, to create a modernization and automation tax credit
Chair
Unverified
5:03:51
to encourage investment by existing businesses within the state. Senator Gilmore, you recognize, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:03:56
Members, we have a lot of things that we do for trying to recruit business from out of state and in state,
but this is one of those where we're trying to make sure we're helping businesses that are currently in the state and keep them here. So this bill is a tax credit incentive for businesses staying here that seek to modernize or keep a presence. It has things, as was heard in the Revantax testimony, there are clawbacks so that we protect the state. And then there's also cost-benefit analysis to make sure that it's revenue-neutral in that sense. Happy to take questions. Any questions, Senator Gilmore?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:04:35
Senator Alan Clark, you're recognized, sir. What
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:04:40
qualifies as modernization and automation? It could be
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:04:44
a lot of things. It could be, you know, increasing a production line. It could be robotics. It could be a lot of things that will be determined by AEDC. But they'll have to sign an agreement, and they'll have to uphold that agreement to provide the jobs, to provide that incentive, and the cost-benefit analysis has to bear out.
Chair
Unverified
5:05:06
All right. Thank you. Any other questions? Senator Gilmore. Anyone? Senator Payton, you got a question? Senator Payton's recognized. Thank
you. What's the threshold that they have to meet to qualify?
Chair
Unverified
5:05:17
$25 million. Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:05:24
want to speak for it? Senator Gilmore is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Everyone check the board and see if you want to change your vote.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:05:36
Anybody want to change their vote? Senator Payton is present. Senator King is non-voting. Anyone
else? Senator Dodson is no. Anyone else? Senator Penzo is present. Everybody
checking the board one last time? Okay, please cast up the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:06:00
ballot. With 30 a's, 1 nay, 1 non-voting, 2 present, House Bill 1935 is passed.
Please return to the House, and we're going to go
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:06:13
to House Bill... All right, we're going to skip over House Bill 1942, and we're going to go to
Chair
Unverified
5:06:21
Senator Stone for House Bill 1960. House Bill 1960 by Senator Stone, Representative Wardlock. to provide that the leasing of
a leased motor vehicle is the owner for purposes of the assessment and payment of property taxes and to amend
the law concerning local sales and use taxes on certain tangible personal property. Senator Stone, you're recognized, sir.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
5:06:42
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, currently Arkansas is not competitive for leasing vehicles. Ford dealers are especially uncompetitive because Ford had the 25% markup to each monthly lease payment for the purpose of remitting personal property taxes. This markup amount is way above the actual tax it is owed. This bill will authorize and let leasees pay directly to the county assessor or to their county of residence what needs to be paid. And just like on the sale of a new vehicle where the tax is capped at the max of $2,500,
that's what will happen on the lease vehicles. I don't know of any opposition to this bill, and all 35 Ford dealers in the state of Arkansas is in favor of this bill, especially on the ones that border states because leasees are going across the state line to save a significant amount of money on their payment every month, and it's putting our dealers at a competitive disadvantage in the state. And with that, I'm open to any questions.
Any questions of Senator Stone? Senator Payton, you're recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. good bill, but how's it going to affect the open leases that are currently under contract? I mean, for 36, 48 months that was already worked out in the beginning on those specific leases that are already out there. How's it, how we, how's this bill handle that? Well, I
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
5:08:08
believe it'll be like any other law that's passed. It'll only move, affect what's moving forward. I
don't know of anything in here that you can pass a law to retroactively undo a contract that's already been done.
Well, I figured that had already came up in discussion,
not, not that I'm aware of anyway. Well, obviously we assess personal property on an annual basis. Correct. We're shifting the ownership of this asset, this personal property, to the leasee instead of the lessor. So it seems to me that those lease payments that already include the lessor pay in this property tax,
we'd have to make some sort of provision for that because starting next year, the vehicle is going to be the personal property of the leasee. I
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
5:09:02
think I understand the argument that you're trying to make, but honestly, I don't have
an answer for it. I'm not against this. I think it's a great move for the same reason those Ford dealers do. But it could be devastating to those people that currently have leases
to find out that now they're going to owe property tax on the vehicle when they're already paying it in the lease payments. Because it's not separated out in that contract and in those lease payments. The company doing the lease already, as you said, with a margin, built it into those payments. I don't see how it's coming out. I don't know how you deal with that. Thanks. All right. Thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:09:53
Any other questions to Senator Stone? Okay. Anyone
want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Okay. Is there
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:10:07
any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. okay members does anyone want to change their vote all right senator hill is no senator payton what were you senator payton's no senator sullivan is no
senator rice is present senator king is non-voting Senator Clark is no. Senator Irvin is no. Senator Kroll is present. Okay, over on
this side, does anyone want anything? Okay, Hickey's going to present. Anyone else?
Okay, cast up the ballot. With 25 yeas, 5 nays, 1 non-voting,
3 present. House Bill 1960 is passed. Please return to the House as amended. Okay, the next
one we're going to go to is House Bill 1976 by Senator
Chair
Unverified
5:11:15
Dodson. House Bill 1976 by Senator Dodson concerning virtual reports and to create the Open Access to
Public Use Virtual Reports Act. Senator Dodson, you're recognized, sir.
Thank you Mr. President. Members, House Bill 1976, the Open Access to
Public Use Vertiports Act, this is kind of a cool new concept that we don't have currently in the state of Arkansas. So this is the best time to ensure that we have a free market solution for these things as they begin to come out. So a vertiport would be kind of like a bus stop for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
So we're talking about basically a meet George Jetson type taxi that you can take off at a public use point. More than likely when these start, they will be started at airports or helipads, that type of thing. But the idea and the concept behind it is that these vehicles will be able to transport cargo or humans in fixed routes. So say that you're in Momel and you need to get to downtown Little Rock and there's a connection for hopefully the price of like an Uber, you could skip the traffic and have these vehicles, vertical takeoff landing vehicles that go up, go over to the next destination place.
This sets up the framework to make sure that there's open competition in the state of Arkansas when we begin to see these things. The future is coming and it will be here soon. I think that kind of describes what the bill does. I'm more than happy to try to answer any questions. Okay, any questions of Senator Dodson? Okay, Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:13:06
Mr. President. Why do we have to prohibit zoning on this?
Well, this is not prohibiting zoning, but making
sure that any zoning that is done doesn't exclude, isn't monopolistic. And so cities, municipalities, various ones don't sign long-term leases that are exclusive to one or more companies that it would allow for these to develop naturally in a free market type style. So they can do all the zoning they want
as long as it's not anti-competitive? Correct. Okay, thank you. Yep. Senator Clark, you're recognized
Chair
Unverified
5:13:48
for a question? Senator, when you
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:13:52
molecular transport like on Star Trek is that vertical do you know a little different
than meet George Jetson but I'm looking forward to that day too I'll let you test it out first though but is it vertical I don't know if it'd be vertical or horizontal actually it might be a little bit of both thank appreciate a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:14:16
good vote okay anyone will speak against this bill anyone want to speak for this
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:14:24
bill okay senator dodson's closed any objection
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:14:26
rolling the vote please roll the vote all
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:14:31
right members anyone want to change their vote senator king is non-voting anyone else senator gilmore's no anyone else everybody check the board one more time Okay cast up
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:14:47
the ballot With 32 yeas 1 nay 1 non-voting House Bill 1976 is passed Please return to the House I think we're going to skip over
House Bill 1983 And then we're going to go to Senator Gilmore for House Bill 1865 House Bill 1865
Chair
Unverified
5:15:06
By Senator Gilmore and Representative Vought to create an enhanced Penalty for certain offenses against the tribe You're ready now, Senator Gilmore. Thank
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:15:16
you, Mr. President. Members, just to give you a little backstory on this bill and how it came about. Representative Vought brought this bill to myself and Senator Tucker and asked for some help.
There was a couple amendments on it to get it better, but I just want to point out this bill came as a result. In a span of about six weeks, there were several children that were brutally beaten, abused, sexually assaulted within her district. And so in an effort to try to address some of those things, this bill came about. So what this bill does, and I would point out that those children were abused by people who were in positions of trust, be it a parent, a step-parent, or someone else.
So with that, this bill basically has an enhanced penalty, a mandatory minimum, for those who are 18 years or older who commit a felony offense described in the section. And those offenses are homicide, kidnapping, sexual offenses, voyeurism, human trafficking, and then other crimes as listed there. And it's further qualified with the criteria that the offense is committed against a child and the person that is in a position of trust or authority. And so with that, it basically sets a mandatory minimum on class Y felonies, 30 years, class A, 15, class B, 10.
and you can continue to read there happy to take questions okay any questions
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:16:47
of senator gilmore anyone want to speak against this bill for this bill senator gilmore is closed any objection rolling the vote please roll the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:16:56
vote hey members if you look at the board and say if you want to change your vote
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:17:03
anyone want to change this vote anyone want to change their vote okay please cast up the the ballot. 34 yays, 0 nays. House Bill
1865 is passed. Please return to the House. Senator
Davis, you want to be recognized for a motion.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:17:18
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules to add Senate Bill 622 to the end of the calendar.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:17:25
Okay, y'all heard the motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, we're at the end of the calendar, I do believe. Other than we're waiting
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:17:33
on those two bills that Senator hester asked to be recalled from the house so well and i mean all right there's there may be
three bills so right now we're going to listen to senate bill 622 by senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:17:50
davis senator davis are you are you ready to present okay let's read it and then you'll be recognized
Chair
Unverified
5:17:56
senate bill 622 by senator davis to remove the prohibition on a tower retailer from charging other fees to a person who purchases the service of removal of a tire from a rim. Okay, Senator Davis, you're recognized, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. President. Members,
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:18:11
I don't have the bill in front of me, but we'll get it if
you've got additional questions, but it simply
strikes two pieces of language in different parts of code. We've had a lot of debate around waste tires this session, and I think we've worked out what you know we're going to do moving forward. This bill does not really specifically have to do with any of the tire bills you've seen. It's more about a local issue that I'm having and by local I mean from Moralton all the way on up to Fort Smith. So what it strikes is language saying that
a tire district or excuse me a tire retailer cannot charge a fee if they've already remitted a commercial generator fee or tire generator fee back to the state. This is a problem when your tire district is not picking up tires for your tire retailers and they're spending tens of thousands of dollars having a company come in from out of state to haul off the tires. So this issue is simply to fix that for some of those retailers that are in that situation and hopefully we come back with a good something that we can do next session
to really handle the waste tire issue. Happy to answer any
questions. Any questions of Senator Davis on this bill? Senator Dodson, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator, I just stepped back in and saw this bill for the first time. Is there, it says fees. Are there any increased fees? Are we eliminating fees, or is it
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:19:46
revenue neutral? Yeah, this, revenue neutral, I mean, this
doesn't have anything to, this is with tire retailers, essentially tire shops.
So this doesn't have anything to do with any type of state fees or anything like that. We just, all of our tire retailers across the state remit $3 for a removal fee back to the state, and the state then pays our waste tire districts once they pick up and process those tires. However, there are parts of these tire districts that are not ever picking up and processing tires from our tire retailers. So they're having to hire companies to come in and get rid of these tires. They're getting written up by the city, all kinds of other violations because of a problem I'd say government created that we haven't quite yet resolved.
So this isn't across the board, but this is just to allow that
for tire retailers who need it. So it's
removing some sections of code, as I scroll through
it real quick. But then it allows the retailer to charge their own fees in addition to that they're not able to do right now because of the
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:20:53
code? Yeah, it strikes the language saying they cannot. If they have remitted a commercial generator or tire generator fee, right now it says they cannot charge any additional fees.
And this just allows them to do so if
needed for the hauling and disposal of tires. So basically the retailer would be the one that would be generating a charge. As far
Speaker 29
5:21:15
as, so the free market would actually be making the decision then? Correct. Okay, thank you. Okay, any other questions? Senator Payton, you're
recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. So, there's a discrepancy over who, some people say that they already can do this, and some people say they can't.
This is just a clarification. If they want to recoup money that they expend outside the program, that they can. That's correct. Okay, thank you. Yeah, just simply a clarification. Senator
Chair
Unverified
5:21:49
King, you're recognized for a question. Do you know who put this into law and when? Well, I guess
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:21:55
back in 2017 when they created waste tire districts is my assumption. So happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on that. But that was all part of creating tire districts. So it was part of a bigger bill?
Oh, excuse me. It was pre-existing before waste tire districts?
Oh, I see. Oh, I see what you're saying. Yes. Around
2017. You have people removing these tires that think they can't charge to remove the tire. Yes. You
Speaker 841
5:22:23
have people in your district that have said
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:22:25
this? Yes. And so that's why, I mean, I would agree with Senator Payton that it's a clarification because some people are just putting it within the price of their tire. However, I have
a tire retailer who tried to do that but showed it on the invoice
case and got slapped by DF&A and had to pay thousands and thousands of dollars back because they said they weren't allowed to do so. So this is clarification to let them know they can build it in however they want. But for those that want to be transparent with the customer and say what they're doing, then it's just clear that they have the ability to do so.
Chair
Unverified
5:23:04
Any other questions? Senator Mark Johnson, you're first. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Davis, I've always seen this language, and it kind of bothered me about you charge a fee to remove the tire from the rim. And I thought, well, if someone is going to patch the inside of my tire instead of a plug, they're removing it from the rim. And I didn't think they ought to get charged for that, but is the language supposed to be something of the order of removing the tire from the rim, probably like to recycle it? Was that kind of, I never understood why it said that.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:23:40
No, the striking of this language doesn't have anything to do with that.
The tire retailers will still remit their $3
fee to the state. Everything stays exactly as it is in terms of how they remit and how then the state remits to waste tire districts. This is just simply striking some language to clarify what some tire retailers are already doing and what some think they don't have permission to do. So is it your
understanding if I have a flat and I go to my local tire shop and they take my tire off and they say, yeah, here's where the hole is.
We're going to patch it on the inside and we're going to put it back on. Did they have to pay the $3 fee to
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:24:21
the state? I don't have the answer to
that. I do not know that. Well, I just, I know it's about the recycling and it's a fee to do this, but I just, the whole language seemed a little weird to me. I guess you and I probably know about
Chair
Unverified
5:24:33
the same amount of that. Thank you for taking my question. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:24:37
Yes, sir. Any other questions? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off, Senator Davis. No, well,
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:24:42
I was just going to say Senator Payton, I believe, can answer that question more clearly for Senator Johnson.
Maybe if he'll want to come down and speak
Chair
Unverified
5:24:49
on it and clarify. Okay, Senator Hill, you're recognized for a question. Senator Davis,
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
5:24:55
I know this is a problem in your area, but could it not create a problem in other areas where they're actually picking the tires up? and they not put a line item on there as well and charge file dollars and just put that straight to their bottom line because they're not having a problem with this issue?
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:25:12
I mean, I would think that that would be a competition situation. This is for, you know, that people would see that and go somewhere else.
This is for legally hauling and disposing of tires. That's what this is intended to be pointed at. But that would still be legal
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
5:25:26
for them to do. Am I correct? I
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:25:30
think they could already do something like that anyways. If they wanted to put a line item right now and say we're charging a maintenance fee, they can already do that. So this isn't allowing something that tire retailers can already do. This is simply clarifying what some retailers think they can do and what some currently think they can't
Chair
Unverified
5:25:50
and just making it consistent and clear. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Senator Clark, you're recognized. Yes,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:25:59
this is a technical question. How is this bill going to be heard in the House? House Public Health meets tomorrow.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:26:10
And there have been no amendments to it. And they're meeting in the morning and in the afternoon. Without suspending rules, they'll hear it. Yes, because they're meeting in the afternoon. Thank you. Any other questions?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:26:23
Okay, does anyone want to speak against the bill? You want to speak for the bill? Senator Payton is going
to be recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. And colleagues, I argued that this bill was not necessary. But it probably is advantageous for us to clarify it. I appreciate y'all helping me pass the bill earlier this session. But the House didn't like it. The second floor's got their idea. We didn't like it. We still haven't reached an agreement on exactly how to fix this problem,
but this bill does clarify, if I'm right, they can already do it. If Breanne's tire dealer's right, then they can't do it without getting fined. This clarifies what everybody believes, and that is that they should be able to do it, okay? I don't want them to put a line on their invoice and blame it on the government raising a fee, But the bottom line is we've been up against the fact that processing and transporting these tires costs more than the $3 that's being remitted.
So the transporters and processors have tried to pass some of that on to the retailer by saying you're going to have to pay for this trailer. You're going to pay to have a trailer sitting out there to put tires on. So the retailers want to be able to collect some of their expenses, which some of them are actually pulling the tires out of the program, sending them to a party that's not in the Arkansas program and paying them to haul them off. This clarifies that they can charge whatever they want to charge for a tire and it can include fees other than the $3.
And as Senator Hill said, we would argue that they already can do that. It's just a matter of how they describe it. I would hope that they don't describe it as a new government fee because we have not raised that. Appreciate a good vote. Anybody
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:28:20
else want to speak for or against? Anyone else want to speak for or against the bill? Senator Davis, are you closed or
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:28:28
do you want to close? Okay, Senator Davis is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Okay, members, if you would, check the board and see if you want to change your vote. Does anyone want to change their vote? Senator Hill is present. anyone else anyone else want to change your vote senator king
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:29:02
is non-voting anyone else okay if you would please cast up the ballot 32 yeas zero nays one non-voting one present
senate bill 622 is passed please transmit to the house we're going to read something
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:29:15
across the desk we're still waiting on some recalls from the house but right now we're going to read something
Chair
Unverified
5:29:21
across will your committee on state agencies to whom is third house bill 1683 by by Representative McClendon. Recommend due, pass.
Calendar. Senator Hester. Senator Hester is recognized.
Members, I would like to re-vote House Bill 1917, the NIL bill. It's 1917, correct? It
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:29:49
is. Okay, we've already expunged the vote, so we're going to re-vote House Bill 1917. Just give us a minute to get it.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:30:23
Okay, House Bill 1917. House Bill 1917
Speaker 114
5:30:28
by Senator Hester and Representative Shepard to amend the Arkansas Student Athlete Publicity Rights Act and to amend
Chair
Unverified
5:30:35
the law related to athletic program funding. Okay, Senator Hester, you're recognized. Thank you, members. We just
had this debate lost by a few votes. I've heard from several of you that are happy to reconsider at this time. I would appreciate a good vote. Okay, does anyone want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:30:54
to ask Senator Hester any questions?
Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:31:00
want to speak for it? Any objection to rolling the vote? I
Speaker 224
5:31:11
see objections again, so please call
Speaker 106
5:31:15
the roll. Boyd? Yes. Bryant? Bryant? Yes.
Speaker 8
5:31:19
Caldwell? Caldwell? Clark? No. Crowell. Aye. Davis. Aye. Dees. Aye.
Dispain. Aye. Dotson. Aye. Dotson. No. English. No. Flippo. Aye. Flowers. Leave. Gilmore. Gilmore. Hammer.
Speaker 111
5:31:45
Aye. Hester. Aye. Hickey. Hickey. Hill? No. Irvin?
Speaker 107
5:31:51
No. Blake Johnson? No. Mark Johnson? Aye.
Speaker 8
5:31:59
King? No. Letting? Aye. Love? No. McKee? McKee?
Speaker 112
5:32:09
No. Murdoch? Yes. Payton? No. Penzo? No. Petty? No.
Speaker 8
5:32:22
Rice? Aye. Scott? Yes. Stone? Aye. Stabafill? Stabafill? Sullivan? No. Tucker? We'll do it.
Speaker 112
5:32:40
Tacker? Yes. Tucker's aye. Wallace? Wallace.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:32:48
Wallace's aye. Okay, do any members wish to vote or change their vote? Senator McKee is no.
Anyone else? Senator Gilmore is no. Anyone else want to change their vote? Last
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:33:06
time, cast up the ballot. Okay, with 19 nays, excuse me, with 19 yeas, 12 nays, three non-voting,
House Bill 1917 is passed. Please return to the House. okay we're gonna we have
Speaker 920
5:33:23
something else to read across civil 645 of Center
Chair
Unverified
5:33:30
Crowell to conduct a study related to critical minerals Senate bill 645 Okay, we're just, we're kind of
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:33:49
in pause right here, waiting to see if we get some stuff back from the house.
Okay, members, the house, I think, is taking a, I don't know if it's a short
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:34:11
recess. Why don't we take a 10-minute recess? everybody stay around quick we'll hit the uh hit the buzzer whenever we need you back thank you again we're in recess for about 10 minutes senator murdoch do you have a question sir turn your mic on i can't hear well there's
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:34:35
been a motion to recall i believe three bills from the house
we're seeing if we can get those recalled and that's and
that's going to be it So we're going to work on that
and see what we can get done. These are the three, if the members want to know. They're number 347, 596, and House
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:35:03
Bill 1847. Again, we're in a recess. Everybody listen for the buzzer, but we're going to say 10 minutes approximately.
Unknown speaker
5:35:13
2 before 12, 4, 13.
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*phone rings*
Speaker 706
6:16:13
Okay, members, we're back from recess.
Chair
Unverified
6:16:41
Notice of return of Senate Bill 347 as requested.
Notice of return of House Bill 1847 as requested.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:16:53
Okay. Senator Hester, are you going to do one of those? I know Senator Payton's
got one. Senator Penzo's got one. Who's first? Which one are we going to do? We're going to do Senate Bill 347 first. 4-4-0,
sir. All right. Let's recognize Senator Wallace. senator wallace has a motion so senator wallace you're recognized for a motion members i would
like to make a motion to pull senate bill 440 back from the governor's office for the purpose of putting that into uh interim studies okay you all have heard the motion all in favor say aye any opposed okay so
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:17:31
we're going to recall senate bill 440 correct 440 yes sir from the governor's
office yes sir okay and then next we got it done i'm sorry that's good that motion passed uh senator ben pinzo you're gonna have some motions on it
thank you mr president bill 347 um motion to uh send senate bill 347 and expunge the vote by which senate bill 347 uh passed okay members you all have heard the motion what this is the the dental bill correct
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:18:13
yes all right so we're going to expunge the sponge vote by which senate bill 347 passed so all in favor say aye any opposed okay
and then motion to send senate
bill 347 and amendment one to committee no you want
Speaker 936
6:18:39
do the amendment whatever motion you want to
do We'll go the difficult route. Motion to send Senate Bill 347 and Amendment 1 to Public Health for purposes of amendment.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:19:02
Okay, you all have heard the motion. All in favor say
aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion to hear the bill on the Senate floor upon passage in committee. Senator Hesker, are you okay with us staying in session? Yes.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:19:23
Okay. So we will stay in session at that. So we'll let y'all go to committee after we get done, and then we'll just leave everything open. We'll go into a recess. I guess we can go into a recess. Y'all can meet in committee, and then we'll come back.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:19:39
Okay. As long as Senator Hester is okay with it, we're good. Okay. Senator Payton, you're going to be recognized for House
Bill 1847 that we recalled. Thank you, Mr. President. So, members, House Bill 1847 is the one that allows the Racing Commission to set up help for people with gambling addiction. I would move that we expunge the vote by which it passed. Okay, members,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:20:03
you all have heard the thing. We're going to expunge the vote by which House Bill 1847 passed. All in favor, say aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion passes. I'd like
to make a motion to suspend the rules and remove Senate Amendment No. 1 from House Bill 1847. Okay. What
Speaker 939
6:20:22
they tell me is the appropriate term is recede. So the motion is to
rescind Amendment No. 1. Recede. Take it off. Right.
Speaker 940
6:20:33
Okay. That's the motion. Okay, members,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:20:37
so the motion is that we're going to recede or take the amendment off of this bill?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:20:44
So all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion will carry, and then we're going to send it to engrossing, or back to the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:20:50
unengrossing, because we're going to take that amendment off, correct? Okay, so do I need to make a motion to put it on a calendar
or anything? Okay, thank you. Does he need to put it on the bottom of the day's
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:21:11
calendar? We'll do that after it comes back from engrossing.
Senator Hester, do you want to? Members, I just want to make sure everybody understands
what's going on. So we had the dental Medicaid increase for pediatrics and adults with disabilities. We understood the fiscal impact was about $4 million. We passed that off our floor almost unanimously. went down to the House, there was a revised fiscal impact once it got to the House from about $4 million to $24 million. So that caused a problem, as you would expect.
So what we've done now is we asked the House to send it back to us, because our understanding, which I feel pretty good, that it was not going to
pass out of House committee and off their floor with that type of fiscal impact. We've withdrawn it back to here, sent it to committee to
add an amendment for about a $6.9 million. dollar fiscal impact, which is still significant. I'm not going to advocate for the bill, but it's been since 2008 since there's been a Medicaid increase for dentists for pediatrics. Like this
isn't for me and you, this is for pediatrics and those with disabilities. So when it comes back from committee, we will decide if we're going to allow it to be engrossed and heard today. The argument ends today because if we don't get it to house, they got to hear it in their committee tomorrow off their floor Wednesday. So that's why we're all kind of waiting around here. I feel like this was important to most of us and most of our districts. But we'll take that vote. We will have to agree to engross it and hear it on our floor today.
Okay. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And this was a conversation in the hallway, so I wanted to
get out in the opening and just ask you, how is or is this going to have an impact on an RSA or how is that going to be addressed or do you want to wait until it gets on the floor
to talk about that? I will be prepared for that question when it gets on the floor. Okay, thank you.
Speaker 944
6:23:20
Thanks. Okay, do we have anything else before we go into recess
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:23:23
because public health is going to meet? Nothing. Senator Davis,
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
6:23:32
you're recognized, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. President. We're going to recess, go into committee, and then
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:23:39
come back? Yes. Okay, thank you. So it's 4.51. I heard Senator Hester say he expects that committee meeting to last no more than 10 minutes. I think we need to give people time to get there and get
back. So if it's okay, Senator Hester, 5.15 to come back in?
More soon. Yep. give people time to get 5.15 to come back in so we'll have a time specific. So with that, we're in recess until 5.15. Judiciary is going to meet now also. Okay, and Judiciary is also meeting. Any other committee meetings
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:24:09
going to Is there any other committee meetings that are going to meet so we can announce it? Alright, so we have public health and Judiciary and then we're coming back in at 5.15.
Unknown speaker
6:24:28
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:47:28
Well, all right, it's 5:15, just like we said, so we're back in session from recess. We've got some things to read across the
Speaker 111
6:47:38
desk. Okay. Notice the return of Senate Bill 440 from the governor's office
Chair
Unverified
6:47:47
as requested. Will your Committee on Public Health, to whom was referred to Senate Bill 347 by Senator Penzo, recommend due pass
as amended number one. Okay, Senator Penzo, you're recognized.
Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to send Senate Bill 347 to engrossing. We've got to adopt
Chair
Unverified
6:48:12
the amendment. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 347. Move for adoption.
Motion to adopt amendment 1 to Senate Bill 347. All in favor say aye. Aye.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:48:21
Any opposed, that motion will carry. Send to engrossing. Send to engrossing. Will your Committee
Chair
Unverified
6:48:28
on Public Health to whom is 4th House Will 1762 by Representative Hall recommend to pass as amended number 1?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:48:38
Let me ask y'all this, the judiciary's not still meeting, are
Speaker 671
6:48:44
they? Okay, let's just hold for just a moment
Chair
Unverified
6:49:04
right here. Okay, Senate Judiciary adjourned, but I think
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:49:08
they probably adjourned at like 5.14,
so let's give them a couple of minutes to walk up. So we're just going
Speaker 313
6:49:40
to stay sitting here. We're still active. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
6:50:52
Senator Petty is going to be recognized.
We're just going to take these one at a time. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members, I'm asking that we suspend the rules to adopt the amendment. It's a Senate amendment number one for HB 1762 so we can send it to engrossing and then get it to the end of the calendar today. Since it's a Senate amendment, it needs to get down to the House tomorrow for it to be engrossed or concurred in, I mean. So I would make a motion that we suspend the rules to adopt the amendment
so we could then send it to engrossing, and then I'll present the bill once it shows back up on the calendar today. Okay. All right, so the motion
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:52:05
is we're going to suspend the rules, adopt the amendment, send it to engrossing. We're going to have to get with Senator Hester to make sure he's okay to stay open, which I'm sure he will be. We need to figure out with staff how long it's going to take to get all this stuff back. That's right. Okay.
That is the motion. Everyone understands the motion.
Senator King, did I see you have
a question on the motion? Okay. It's the agricultural and industrial waste bill, and I'll explain it
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:52:36
when it comes back. Okay. All in favor of the motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Send that to engrossing.
Speaker 114
6:52:49
No. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1762. Now
you move. I move for adoption of Amendment 1 on House Bill 1762.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:53:00
Okay. All in favor of the amendment, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Now send that
to engrossing. Amendment's adopted, of course. Send it to engrossing. Were you
Chair
Unverified
6:53:32
committee on engrossed bills to his third house bill 1847
by Representative McClendon and Senator Payton compare the
engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed Calendar Will
your committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 644 by Senator McKee recommend do pass? Calendar. Will your committee on Judiciary to whom was first House Bill 1959 by Representative Brown recommend do pass? Calendar.
Committee on Judiciary to whom was first House Bill 1967 by Representative Brown recommend do pass? Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for House Bill 1884 by Representative Hudson, 1984 by Representative Hudson. Recommended to pass. Calendar. Okay. Okay. Now we're going to do the first and the second. Okay. Do you have something else? House Bill 1105 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Human Services, Secretary's Office of Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, House Bill 1105.
Calendar. Calendar. House Bill 1163 by Joint Budget, an act for the Department of Labor and Licensing, Boards and Commissions, Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1163. Calendar. House Bill 1202 by Joint Budget, an act for the Department of Finance Administration, Dispersing Officer Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1202. Calendar. House Bill 1828 by Senator Bryant and Representative Boe to create a sales and use tax exemption for Inspiration Point Center for the Arts Incorporated, House Bill 1828.
Revin Tax. House Bill 1955 by Representative Meeks and Senator Irving to repeal the Shielded Outdoor Lighting Act, House Bill 1955. Insurance and Commerce. House Bill 1956 by Representative Meeks and Senator Irving to create the Arkansas Nighttime Environment Protection Act, House Bill 1956. Insurance and Commerce. Dear Mr. President, this is to inform you that on April 14, 2025, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the regular session of the 95th General Assembly.
Senate Bill 123 Act 553, Senate Bill 237 Act 554, Senate Bill 405 Act 555, Senate Bill 167 Act 563, Senate Bill 545 Act 564, Senate Bill 348 Act 567, Senate Bill 357 Act 572, Senate Bill 433 Act 573, Senate Bill 361 Act 576, Senate Bill 407 Act 577, Senate Bill 421 Act 578,
Senate Bill 448 Act 579, Senate Bill 463 Act 580, Senate Bill 498 Act 581, Senate Bill 148, Act 587, Senate Bill 153, Act 588, Senate Bill 160, Act 589, Senate Bill 252, Act 590, Senate Bill 322, Act 591, Senate Bill 351, Act 592, Senate Bill 479, Act 593,
Senate Bill 510, Act 594, Senate Bill 505, Act 595, Senate Bill 564, Act 596, Senate Bill 25, Act 607, Senate Bill 37, Act 608, Senate Bill 39, Act 609, Senate Bill 88, Act 610, Senate Bill 125, Act 611, Senate Bill 127, Act 612, Senate Bill 359, Act 613, Senate Bill 412, Act 614,
Senate Bill 422, Act 615, Senate Bill 508, Act 616, Senate Bill 528, Act 617. Sincerely, Sarah Sanders, Governor. Violet. This is that bill that he quits the back. I've
Speaker 835
6:57:45
already read it. okay y'all listen up senator key's got a couple of
Speaker 971
6:58:08
motions he'll do them one at a time of course
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
6:58:12
members i move that we recall senate bill 596 for purposes of
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:58:23
amendment recall it from the House. Okay, y'all heard the motion. All
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
6:58:29
in favor say aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion carries. And I also move that we suspend the rules and place Senate Bill 644, which received a due pass out of Judiciary this evening to the end of today's calendar.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:58:43
Okay, does everybody understand that? Okay, so y'all heard
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:58:48
the motion to put the bill that passed out of Senate Judiciary. What we're going to do is put
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:58:55
it at the bottom of today's calendar. We may have two or three bills when it's over. We're trying to figure
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:59:00
that out. So all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion carries.
Hold on just a second. Senator McKee, do you mind coming back? We may have an issue. Just give me a minute to look at this.
okay members Senator McKee is going to make a motion and we'll explain it if we need to okay
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
7:00:07
we need to put 644 on tomorrow's calendar because we can't do all the readings and everything in one day so I'd make a motion we put it on the end of tomorrow or on tomorrow's calendar right it can't
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:00:17
be read in all in one day so all in favor all in favor of the motion say aye
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:00:22
any opposed that motion carries so it'll be on tomorrow's calendar Thank you.
Unknown speaker
7:01:46
Thank you.
I'd like to thank you for being here. I'd like to thank you. I'm just going to thank you. I'm just going to thank you. I don't know. I'm just going to thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:03:16
okay members this is the thing we've got it looks like we've got three bills we're gonna have
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:03:24
Senate bill 347 by Senator Penzo and House bill 1847 I don't remember who that who's that was that was Senator Payton's and then the motion that Senator Petty made we've got one in engrossing and whenever that gets back he'll make a motion to either put it on the calendar and if you all agree to that then we'll also hear that one. So right now we're going to hear from Senator Penzo, hold on a second, we need to read some reports.
Chair
Unverified
7:03:54
Will you committee on engrossed bills to whom is furred Senate Bill 347 by Senator Penzo, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is furred House Bill 1847 by Representative McClendon and Senator Payton, compare the engrossed copy
of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. You already have it.
Speaker 507
7:04:42
So I'll tell you what, though, when we come back, we come back for a Saturday night. That's over.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:05:12
Okay, Senator Penzo, you're recognized to present Senate Bill 347. Senate
Chair
Unverified
7:05:35
Bill 347 by Senator Penzo and Representative Mayberry. Hold on
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:05:39
just a moment. We need the screen.
Hold on just a moment. That was my fault. I should have recognized that
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:05:56
we weren't ready to go. Okay. Senate Bill
Chair
Unverified
7:05:59
347. To require the Arkansas Medicaid program to increase reimbursement rates for certain dental services and to set an annual reimbursement cap for adult dental services. Senator
Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. This amendment takes off. We had a three-year stair step on this to where the first year was the 60th percentile,
the second year was 80th of the 50th percentile, and then the third year was 100% of the 50th percentile. What we did was get rid of the second and third year stair steps and just left it at the 60th percentile of, or 60% of the 50th percentile. So in an attempt to lower the fiscal impact on the bill, it also adjusts from $500 to $1,000 for adults with special needs.
And I appreciate y'all allowing us to bring this back to try to lower the fiscal impact on it.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:07:08
Is there any questions in regards to this bill? Senator Hickey. Okay. I've got Senator Hammer first, then
Senator Hester. So the question I asked, and maybe Senator Hickey is about to weigh in on this, is the impact going from $24 million down to $7 million now, or what's the numbers?
So, the fiscal impact for the first year on their fiscal impact was 6.9, and then the third year was 24.9. So, we were getting rid of the second and the third year in an attempt to get it back to the 6.9. Okay, and I mean, for the bill, I just didn't want any surprises with regard to RSA
or how those numbers are going to play into it. And I'll yield it maybe Senator Hickey or Senator Pessler is going to handle it. Thank you.
Senator Hester, you're recognized. So, Senator Penzo, this is a, wouldn't you agree that we had a bill that we understood the fiscal impact
to be one thing. It was significantly more when it went to the House. We recalled it with an attempt to decrease the fiscal impact, which would make it more tenable to pass in the Senate and House. Doesn't look like we were able to do that. We had an amendment, DHS is saying the fiscal impact has not changed and it's still close to $23 million. This body can decide to send it to the House or not. That's where we're at. That's where we're at.
So, let's kind of back up. The initial fiscal impact on this bill was $2.4 million. The dentist said that doesn't cover it. It's more than that. Then the fiscal impact came in at almost $24 million. Then they're saying that's too high. So, I strip off the second and the third years to get it back down to the $6.9 and DHS says it's higher than $6.9. And they said it's still, even amending it, it's still at the 23.9.
But we don't have a formal fiscal impact from this time. So it doesn't make sense to me that by removing the second and third year stair step, it's still 24 million. But that's what they're saying. It had no impact on it by removing the 80% and the 100% increases. And moving it from $500 to $1,500. And all we did was move it from $500 to $1,000. So I'm confused on how the fiscal impact has not moved with the amendment.
But that's what Senator Hester said is kind of where it's at right now. So I think, you know,
like I said, the amendment was to put it
back to the 6.9. but DHS disagrees right now so I don't know if we let them get a formal fiscal impact on it for the House committee or that's what I'm asking
because kind of a shotgun you trim up the bill and cut a lot out of it and they're saying the fiscal impact wasn't addressed any so I don't see the logic in that appreciate a good vote unless there's
any other questions okay are there any other questions to Senator Penzo any
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:10:31
member want to speak against the bill any member want to speak for the bill Senator Penzo are you closed okay any objection to rolling the vote
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:10:40
roll the vote okay Senator Dismang is present
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:10:52
Anyone else? Senator Irvin is present. Are you going to be non-voting? Non-voting. Senator Irvin, is that
okay? senator hill is present senator sullivan did you indicate present senator english is present
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:11:15
anyone else on this side okay on this side over here i'm senator hill is
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:11:27
what senator hill is a yes over on this side is there anybody Okay, Hickey's a no. Okay, anybody
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:11:36
else? Okay, cast up the ballot. Okay, by vote of
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:11:51
29 yeas, 1 nay, 1 non-voting, 3 present, Senate Bill 347 is passed. Please transmit to the House. Did you have something
else on there, Senator Penzo? Okay, the
Speaker 993
7:12:16
next one that we're going to hear is House
Chair
Unverified
7:12:19
Bill 1847. House Bill 1847 by Senator Payton and Representative
Mechlendon to authorize the Arkansas Racing Commission to maintain a statewide self-exclusion list. You recognize Senator Payton. Thank you, Mr. President
and colleagues. Appreciate your indulgence. This has been hog-tied, banded, branded, and tagged. It's time to turn it loose, slap it on
Chair
Unverified
7:12:40
the butt, and let it run. Anybody have a question of that? Are you
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:12:49
sure? Okay. Anybody have any questions of Senator Payton?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:12:54
Okay. Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, cast up the ballot by vote of 33 yay, 0 nay. One non-voting. House Bill 1847 is passed. Please return. There wasn't an amendment on that one, was there?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:13:25
Alright, that's right. Please return to the House. Okay, give us
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:13:29
just a minute and let's see where Senator Petty's is at. Senator Petty, you can come down. We have yours back. I think you're going to have to make a motion to see if you can get a motion to put it on the bottom
Chair
Unverified
7:13:44
of the calendar and then we'll hear it, I think. We are committee on engrossed bills to
move forward house bill 1762 by representative Holland. Senator Petty compared their gross copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Senator Petty, you're recognized for the motion. Thank you, Mr. President.
Members, I would make a motion that we suspend the rules to put this, now that it's been engrossed, at the bottom of the calendar.
Speaker 995
7:14:05
Y'all heard the motion? For today. Literally right
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:14:11
now. All in favor of this motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion carries, and we'll have it. Let our secretary read it across,
Chair
Unverified
7:14:20
and then you can present it. Okay. House bill 1762
by Representative Paul and Senator Petty to require revocation of a permit for the disposal of industrial waste and an agricultural
or pastoral application for a certain number of violations.
Senator Petty, sir, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I don't have to tell you guys anything here. Agriculture is the leading industry in Arkansas. It's easily the backbone of our economy. It's supporting industries like transportation, food processing, and retail. they create that multiplier effect. It's about a $16 billion direct impact. And unfortunately, with all the good that it contributes, we obviously have some byproducts like waste that come with it.
This bill is attempting to address an issue that we have there, and that's industrial waste. And along with that industrial waste, in some situations, comes with a very unpleasant smell. But I'm not here to blame our people, the division departments. I'm not here to blame the contractor. I'm not even here to blame the industry that produces it. But I do want us to all understand that I believe our people can do better.
I believe that the contractors can do better. And I believe that the industry that contributes this, without the industry that contributes to the economy, We wouldn't have permits for our divisions and departments to be issuing. We wouldn't have waste to be hauled. It would not be a problem. But our economy generates a lot of money, but it also generates a lot of these issues. And so this bill is attempting to address, which is all we could hear, address two areas,
which is in the areas of contractors and what our divisions, specifically DEQ, can do in terms of issuing these permits for land application of this waste. With that, I'll stop and ask if you have any questions. Senator Petty, excuse me, Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you. I
was reading the definition. It talks about agricultural pastoral application. I looked up the definition. One is used for, related to keeping or grazing of sheep and cattle.
The second one is, in the Christian church, concerning appropriate giving the spiritual guidance. When you say giving off a bad smell, you're not talking
about pastors, are you? I am not talking about pastors
in this instance. But I think that bill may be one of the ones that we kind of mended out today. So we took the pastors completely out of the smell. I appreciate that. Thank you. Any
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:17:05
other questions? Okay, anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill?
Are you closed? I am closed and I would appreciate a good vote. Okay, any objection to rolling
the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, members, look at the screen and see if you want to change your vote. Senator Dees is non-voting. Anyone else? How about over on the left? Anybody over here
want to change their vote? Everybody good? Cast up the ballot. Okay, by a vote of 33 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, House Bill 1762 is passed.
Please return to the House as amended. I'm sorry, Senator Hester is recognized. Well, members, we've got one left,
Senate Bill 596. The problem is we've recalled it from the House, but we didn't get it. So they're going to come back in at 630. I know that, well, that's what I'm about to ask.
If we're going to wait, they'll come in at 630. They'll vote to send it back. We'll get it
at roughly 7 o'clock, and we can take action on it. That's where we're at. It will take 24, Senator McKee's energy bill, Senate Bill
596. So if you, you know, if the chair would give us a few minutes to talk
Speaker 999
7:18:46
amongst ourselves. We'll just, let's say that we're going to go into recess for five minutes.
Speaker 891
7:18:53
Okay. All right, so we're in recess for five minutes. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
7:19:32
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:23:02
If y'all don't mind, if you'll listen to Senator Hester, he's going to make a motion. It's very important here because of what we're
going to do. So we're going to recognize Senator Hester for a motion.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:23:19
Y'all, you're right. My mistake again. That's the third time today.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:23:26
Okay, we're back. We're back from recess. I'm going to recognize Senator Hester.
Okay, this time of session, so members, here's what's going to be the ask. I'm going to ask to recess until 7.15 for the purposes of addressing one bill, amending it, engrossing it, and passing
it out. So that'd be Senate Bill 596, which is an energy-related bill for Senator McKee. So that's my motion. The body will decide if we're going to, you know, judiciary can go back into committee, finish work they've got to have.
But look, that's the ask, and the body can decide what we want to do. So my motion is that we recess until 7-15 for the purposes
of addressing one bill, Senate Bill 596, whatever it takes with 596 to get it back to the House. Okay. All
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:24:27
right. I'm going to recognize Senator Hammer first for a question.
The necessity to do it tonight is for the purpose of timing in order to be able to get it back to the House and then be able to take care of it. I just want to clarify that. That's
it. If we don't pass tonight and send it down to the committee because they haven't suspended their rules, the bill's dead. You know, it's a member that's, I mean, they've diligently worked on this bill the entire session. It wasn't like they dropped it last week. the entire session has been working on it. Right. Okay. Thank you. Senator
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
7:25:02
Hill, you're recognized. Senator Hester, can we go ahead and suspend the rules now?
I think we could suspend the rules now, but we can't actually take a vote on the bill. But if we want to go ahead and suspend the rules. You can go ahead and suspend the rules now, because it takes 24. Okay. Well, do I get a head
nod yes or no okay so so i'm gonna i'm gonna withdraw my original motion i'm going to make a motion to
go ahead and suspend the rules to be able to hear senate bill 596 uh so it can be amended and then put on our calendar today so any members that don't want to come back you know, it would just take, we'll either roll it or it'll take 18 to pass it when we come back at 715. So my motion is right now to suspend the rules to hear
Senate Bill 596 on our floor for purposes of amendment, getting it engrossed, and then hearing it on our floor on our calendar today.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:26:14
Okay, and I want to make sure that
I'm doing this right. So the motion is, he does this, I've got to hear 24 votes. If I don't hear 24 votes, then that don't pass. So, everybody be clear of this. So, going to Senator Hester's motion, all in favor
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:26:33
say aye. Aye. Any opposed? I heard 24. Sound like I heard 35.
Maybe 36. I don't know. Okay. Thank you. Senator Hester, you're recognizing. Now, my
motion would be that we recess until 7-15 to take up Senate Bill 596,
assuming it is recalled by the House at
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:26:53
that time. You all heard Senator Hester's motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion carries. So anything else before we go into recess? And. Is the mic on?
Speaker 999
7:27:25
Okay, everyone, we're not in recess yet. Senator? Judiciary's meeting now. All right. Judiciary members, Judiciary's meeting. What room are
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:27:38
you meeting in? 171. Judiciary's meeting in room 171. Any other announcements? Okay, we're
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:27:46
in recess to 7.15 this evening.
Unknown speaker
7:28:15
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Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 930
8:52:15
Okay, we're back into session from a recess. Is there things to be read across
Chair
Unverified
8:52:28
the desk? Will your Committee on Judiciary to whom is for House Bill 1916 by Representative Bentley recommend do pass? Calendar. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to
Speaker 386
8:52:38
whom is for House Bill 1975 by Representative Graham, recommend do pass? Calendar.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:52:56
back for. It's kind of a
long list of motions and things to do, so we're just going to kind of go through it.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:53:05
If anybody has any questions, we'll stop and explain it. So, Senator McKee, I believe you're here because we withdrew Senate Bill 596 from the House.
and I believe your first motion that you've indicated to me is that you want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:53:19
to expunge the passage of 596, correct? Yes. Okay, so that's the motion to expunge the passage of 596. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, hearing none, that motion carries. Now, there's not going to be a vote on this, but you want to withdraw your
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:53:36
Amendment 2, correct? So if you don't mind stating that. Please withdraw Amendment 2. Okay, switch. That is done. Okay. And then what we're going to do is we need
to make a motion to put on second reading for purpose of amendment number three.
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
8:53:51
I make a motion that we put this on
Speaker 1011
8:53:55
second reading for purpose of amendment number three. Number three. Amendment three
Speaker 800
8:53:59
to Senate Bill 596. Okay, I guess I need you
Speaker 1013
8:54:03
to explain it. You're recognized to explain your amendment. So this amendment simply took care
Speaker 971
8:54:09
of some concerns that some utilities had. Okay, are there any questions of Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:54:15
McKee on that? Okay. All in favor of the amendment, say aye. Aye. Okay.
So now it's passed, so we're going to send it to engrossing, and it probably should take five to ten minutes. We're just going to stay
Speaker 1014
8:54:31
active, and if there's anybody else that needs
Speaker 1015
8:54:38
doing business, then you can come down. Okay. notice the
Chair
Unverified
8:54:42
passage of Senate bill 313 by the house as amended calendar calendar notice a passage
of Senate bill 443 from the house as amended calendar notice a
Speaker 849
8:54:57
passage of Senate bill 546 from the house as amended calendar Senate Bill 72,
Chair
Unverified
8:55:10
return from the House as passed. Enroll it. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 92 by the House as passed. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 420 from the House as passed. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 439 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 475 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage from the House of Senate Bill 508. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 516 by the House. Enroll it.
Notice of passage of Senate Bill 520 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 521 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 527 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 544 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 551 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 563 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 573 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 578 from the House. Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 584 from the House.
Enroll it. Notice of passage of Senate Bill 610 from the House. Enroll it. Okay. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
8:57:07
Thank you.
Thank you.
Life, no time, promise, no time.
Unknown speaker
9:00:07
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
9:03:37
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 902
9:10:37
okay members there's something to read across the desk we don't need to go before we're still
Chair
Unverified
9:10:47
alive will your committee on engrossed bills whom is first symbol 596 by senator mckee compare the gross copy of the original find same correctly engrossed calendar senator mckee
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:11:07
What am I doing now? Motion to adopt?
Speaker 971
9:11:26
Is that what I'm doing now? I don't know what I'm doing. Okay. What's my motion?
Chair
Unverified
9:11:35
Oh, motion to consider 596. Okay, all in favor of the motion say aye. Any opposed? Senate Bill 596 by Senator McKee to amend the law
regarding energy to establish a state energy policy to regulate retirement of dispatchable electric generation facilities and declare an emergency.
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:11:49
Senator McKee, you're recognized. Members, I want to thank you for sticking this out with me. And, you know, to commemorate that, I have a very long story I'd like to tell you. No. Members, we handled some of the utilities' concerns and made it a better bill. Appreciate a good vote. Okay, anybody
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:12:06
have any questions of Senator McKee, Senator Hill? You're recognized. Senator McKee, what do we do to make this bill better?
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:12:19
Kind of give us, elaborate on this for us. Well, number one, we directly stated in the bill that this only applies to dispatchable plants that are located in the state of Arkansas. And number two, we said that the language in the last section that dealt with the retirement of dispatchable assets doesn't include assets that are currently covered by existing consent decrees or judicial orders. Any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:12:45
other questions of Senator McKee? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator McKee, has the President issued any executive orders on this subject matter at all? He has. He's
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:12:58
issued three or four of them, and I think that they will be very helpful in ensuring that Arkansas has dispatchable, reliable power. Not just Arkansas, but states around the country. But there's
nothing contradictory about your bill and the president's executive orders. They're complimentary, aren't they? They are definitely
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:13:14
complimentary. We are flying on the same horse. Okay. Thank you,
Speaker 856
9:13:17
Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, sir.
Any other questions of Senator McKee? Anyone want to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:13:24
speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator McKee, are you closed? Senator McKee is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Okay, members, anyone want to change their vote on this? She's on leave. Okay, anyone want to change their vote?
Okay, cast up the ballot with a vote of 34 yeas, 0 nays, Senate Bill 596 with its corresponding emergency clause is passed. Please transmit to the House. And Senator Hester is telling me that we're going to come
in at 1 o'clock p.m. tomorrow. So with that, we're going to be adjourned subject to clearing of the desk.
Unknown speaker
9:14:28
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Call
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions of Senate Pages
Announcements
Senator Bart Hester. Motion to suspend the rule for any Senate bill amended to go immediately to the Senate floor
Doctor of the Day
Announcements
Items to be Read Across the Desk
RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SR46 C. Tucker TO RECOGNIZE THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS ROCKETS GOLF TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONS.
SR47 C. Tucker TO RECOGNIZE THE MOUNT ST. MARY ACADEMY BELLES GOLF TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONS.
SR60 Dees TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS.
SR65 C. Tucker TO SUPPORT ARKANSAS'S ENGAGING THE JUSTICE COUNTS METRICS AND TO URGE POLICYMAKERS THROUGHOUT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO IMPLEMENT AND UTILIZE THE JUSTICE COUNTS METRICS.
SR71 J. Dismang REQUESTING THAT SENATOR DISMANG BE AUTHORIZED TO PURSUE THE CONSIDERATION OF SJR 15 AS A THIRD PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
SR73 B. King REQUESTING THAT SENATOR KING BE AUTHORIZED TO PURSUE THE CONSIDERATION OF SJR 6 AS A THIRD PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
HJR1018 Ray Payton THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT.
SB343 #1 Irvin Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC PROPERTY; AND TO AMEND THE AUTOMOBILE AND PICKUP TRUCK ACQUISITION ACT FOR THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
SB367 #1 Irvin Irvin TO REPEAL THE SMALL BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR POLLUTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES ACT; AND TO REPEAL THE SMALL BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
SB374 #1 B. Davis Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.
SB523 #1 Irvin Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PRIVATE CLUB BE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
HB1865 - TO CREATE AN ENHANCED PENALTY FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES AGAINST A CHILD. moved to second reading for purpose of amendment
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB569 M. Johnson AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING BALLOT TITLES OF PROPOSED MEASURES; AND AMENDING THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 1.
HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
HB1003 House Management Hammer AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - STAFF APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1142 A. Brown Dotson TO CREATE THE REPRODUCTIVE EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGH OPTIMAL RESTORATION (RESTORE) ACT.
HB1185 L. Johnson Penzo TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.
HB1187 Vaught Payton TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.
HB1285 L. Johnson Boyd TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
SENATE BILLS TO CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS
HB1428 Steimel Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR MOBILITY ACCESSIBLE ROOMS.
HB1433 K. Moore Irvin TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS EXECUTING OR SERVING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION TO SERVE ANY OUTSTANDING CRIMINAL WARRANTS RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR OFFENSES INVOLVING THE PETITIONER AS THE VICTIM.
HB1439 Ladyman Flippo TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A PRIVATE CARE AGENCY.
HB1456 Rose Hill TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
HB1458 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORMATION" WHEN THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD IS PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1529 S. Meeks Penzo TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL; AND TO ESTABLISH A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR UNLAWFUL CREATION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL.
HB1537 Ladyman Dees TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
HB1580 Gramlich Petty TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.
Motion to suspend the rules to adopt HB1762
HB1585 L. Johnson Hammer TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICE TO AN ENTITY THAT SOLELY PROVIDES THERAPY SERVICES THAT ARE NOT REIMBURSED BY MEDICARE PART A.
HB1627 Barnett Murdock TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS CONCERNING CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF OFFERED UNDER ARKANSAS LAW.
HB1646 McGrew McKee TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED COMPARTMENTS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA.
HB1662 B. McKenzie B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY.
Motion to expunge the vote HB1662
HB1672 McCollum Boyd TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION IN ARKANSAS.
HB1680 Vaught B. Johnson TO PREVENT A FOREIGN-PARTY-CONTROLLED BUSINESS FROM LEASING LAND; AND TO PROHIBIT A PROHIBITED FOREIGN PARTY FROM HOLDING AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY OR AGRICULTURAL LAND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1730 M. Brown Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER OF WHOLESALE PERMITS.
HB1764 Underwood Bryant AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION.
HB1767 L. Johnson Irvin TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO CREATE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
HB1768 Lundstrum Irvin TO REQUIRE A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL CONTRACT RELATING TO A HOST FEE TO BE VOTED ON AT A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF A HOST COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE LANDFILL IS LOCATED.
HB1783 Clowney Petty TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REDUCTION OF A CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS TO A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS.
HB1786 Brooks Bryant TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY FOR A TUITION BENEFIT TO SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD ATTENDING CERTAIN PRIVATE TWO-YEAR AND FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
HB1793 Duke Dees TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
HB1805 Childress Hammer TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND TO CREATE A PROCESS WHEREBY A PUBLIC SCHOOL MAY CONDUCT MULTIPLE, SIMULTANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SAME ALLEGATION OF BULLYING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1809 Warren McKee TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO QUALIFY AS A HOMESTEAD FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1817 L. Johnson Boyd TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE ANAPHYLAXIS POLICY FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
recess
reconevene
HB1826 Bentley Wallace TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR DELIVERY OF A NEWBORN IN A LICENSED BIRTHING CENTER.
HB1833 M. Shepherd Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMISSIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.
HB1850 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICES; TO CLARIFY THE MINIMUM ALLOWABLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR GROUND AMBULANCE SERVICES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1855 Ennett Hammer TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION; AND TO AMEND THE LAWS RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
HB1863 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT MANAGER ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1869 L. Johnson Irvin TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCES.
HB1870 Wing McKee CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE A VOTER REGISTRATION LIST TO FEDERAL COURTS.
HB1875 Tosh Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE MANDATORY PERIOD FOR THE USE OF AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE.
HB1893 M. Brown Hammer TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER TO BAN AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL FROM THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OR THE BUSINESS PREMISES; AND TO REGULATE LIABILITY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RELATED TO EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.
HB1895 Dalby Tucker TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION TO EMPLOY IN-HOUSE ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT AFFILIATES OF THE CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION.
HB1898 Painter Crowell TO CREATE THE REGULATORY DIVISION AND THE REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION; AND TO ALLOW PERSONNEL OF THE REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT DIVISION TO BE DESIGNATED AS AGENTS
.HB1901 Milligan TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PASSPORT FEES COLLECTED BY COUNTY PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITIES.
HB1902 Milligan Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE AND BOND; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A LOST, BURNED, OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
HB1921 Torres Dees TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO AMEND THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR FOSTER PARENTS; AND TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS OF TRAINING AND CERTIFYING RELATIVES AS FOSTER PARENTS.
HB1922 Maddox Dismang TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR RELOCATING CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO THIS STATE; AND TO ENCOURAGE CORPORATIONS TO RELOCATE TO ARKANSAS.
HB1923 Maddox Hester TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACT; Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PASSPORT FEES COLLECTED BY COUNTY PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE FACILITIES. AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NATURAL STATE INITIATIVE OPPORTUNITY ZONES.
HB1928 M. Brown Crowell TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOIL NUTRIENT APPLICATION AND POULTRY LITTER UTILIZATION ACT.
HB1929 McAlindon Dotson TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING THE TERM "WEST BANK" IN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MATERIALS.
HB1937 Jean Caldwell TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL RIGHTS UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5; AND TO CLARIFY THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR OIL AND GAS WELL PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT.
Hester Motion to recall SB347 from House for amendment
Hester Motion to recall HB1847 from House
HB1938 Joey Carr English TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE CREATION OF DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
Senator Dismang moves to suspend rules to move SJR 15 move to end of page 6
Senator Dismang moves to move SJR 15 move to end of page 6
HB1939 Joey Carr English TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIVE AND MERIT PAY; TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE EVALUATIONS; AND TO AMEND SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE MERIT TEACHER INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM.
HB1941 Joey Carr English CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; AND TO PROTECT ARKANSAS STUDENTS BY ENSURING THE EFFICIENT DISPOSITION OF ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST TEACHERS.
HB1943 L. Johnson Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS IN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION.
HB1954 Andrews Irvin TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.
HB1964 Brooks Clark TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE JUVENILE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1965 McCullough Hammer TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR HEALTHY FOOD RETAILERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
SJR15 Dismang A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE II
HB1063 J. Mayberry Crowell TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF "DISABILITY CERTIFICATION" AND "ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL" TO CHANGE DISABILITY ONSET AGE FROM TWENTY-SIX TO FORTY-SIX.
HB1085 K. Brown English TO ADOPT FEDERAL LAW CONCERNING TAX-DEFERRED TUITION SAVINGS PROGRAMS; AND TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX LIABILITY FOR ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AN ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN TO A ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT.
HB1290 L. Johnson Boyd TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS; AND TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS EXAMINATIONS ACT.
HB1491 Wardlaw Dismang CONCERNING THE EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE; TO CREATE AN EXCISE TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE PRODUCED USING ARKANSAS RICE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HB1562 Gazaway Caldwell CONCERNING THE TERMINATION OF AN ORAL LEASE OF FARMLANDS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NOTICE OF TERMINATION.
HB1685 Underwood Hester TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES LEVIED ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 19 OF 1958; AND TO EXEMPT GROCERIES FROM STATE SALES AND USE TAXES.
Sentor Hester Motion to Remove Sen. Flowers from Leave
HB1706 McCollum Hester TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
HB1732 Vaught Leding TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION ALLOWED FOR A TEACHER'S CLASSROOM INVESTMENT.
HB1739 M. Brown Dees TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIALS ACT.
HB1807 Eaves Payton TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL OR CHARTER; AND TO CLARIFY THE PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL OR CHARTER.
HB1837 McAlindon Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTERS REFERRED TO VOTERS; AND TO BAN FOREIGN FUNDING FOR BALLOT MEASURES; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.
HB1853 J. Moore Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING AGENCY RELATIONSHIP AND DUTIES RELATED TO REAL ESTATE LICENSES; AND TO CLARIFY THE OBLIGATIONS OF DUAL AGENCY.
HB1894 Beaty Jr. Gilmore TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR REAL PROPERTY USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5.
HB1917 M. Shepherd Hester TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM FUNDING.
Hester Motion to Expunge vote by which HB1917 failed
Revote HB1917 - Sen. Hester
HB1918 McAlindon Dotson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGAL TENDER; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF A BULLION DEPOSITORY; AND TO ALLOW FOR A PRECIOUS METALS-BACKED ELECTRONIC SYSTEM.
HB1925 Beaty Jr. Gilmore AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; TO AMEND THE ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTER STATEMENT; AND TO REQUIRE A WITNESS FOR THE SIGNATURE OF AN ABSENTEE VOTER STATEMENT.
HB1935 Eaves Gilmore TO CREATE A MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT BY EXISTING BUSINESSES WITHIN THE STATE.
HB1942 L. Johnson Davis TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WITHIN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1960 Wardlaw Stone TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES OF THE ASSESSMENT AND PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES ON CERTAIN TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.
HB1976 Nazarenko Dotson CONCERNING VERTIPORTS; AND TO CREATE THE OPEN ACCESS TO PUBLIC-USE VERTIPORTS ACT.
HB1983 Eubanks Stubblefield TO AMEND ACTS 1973, NO. 167, § 4, CONCERNING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO THE WESTARK AREA COUNCIL, INC., BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.
HB1865 Gilmore TO CREATE AN ENHANCED PENALTY FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES AGAINST A CHILD.
Davis Motion to suspend rules to add SB622 to calendar
SB622 Davis TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON A TIRE RETAILER FROM CHARGING OTHER FEES TO A PERSON WHO PURCHASES THE SERVICE OF REMOVAL OF A TIRE FROM A RIM.
RECESS
RECONVENE
SB347 Mayberry Penzo TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR CERTAIN DENTAL SERVICES AND TO SET AN ANNUAL REIMBURSEMENT CAP FOR ADULT DENTAL SERVICES.
Senator Clint Penzo - Motion to Expunge vote by which SB347 passed
Senator Clint Penzo: Motion to send SB347 & amendment #1 to Public Health Committee
Senator Clint Penzo: Motion to consider bill on Floor following Committee meeting
HB1847 McAlindon Payton TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE SELF-EXCLUSION LIST.
Senator John Payton Motion to expunge vote by which HB1847 passed
Motion to suspend rules to rescind amendment # 1, and send to engrossing
Motion to recall HB
Motion to place SB644 on tomorrow's calendar
Motion to
Motion to suspend the rule for HB1762 to hear at the bottom of the calendar
RECESS
RECONVENE
RECESS
RECONVENE
SB596 - Sen. McKee: Motion to Expunge vote by which SB596 passed
SB596 - Sen. McKee: Motion to put on second reading for purpose of amendment
SB596 - Sen. McKee: Motion to place on today's calendar for consideration
SB596 TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ENERGY; TO ESTABLISH A STATE ENERGY POLICY; TO REGULATE RETIREMENT OF DISPATCHABLE ELECTRIC GENERATION FACILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Budget Bills to be Amended
SB54 #2 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB67 #2 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Budget Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
HB1106 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1126 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Budget Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Senators
SB362 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION YOUTH ORGANIZATION GRANTS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Items to be read across the desk
Announcements - Sen. Hester: Convene at 1:00 2/15/2025
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
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Senator Clarke Tucker Chair
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Senator Jamie Scott
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Senator Jim Dotson Chair
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Senator Bart Hester Chair
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Senator Jonathan Dismang Chair
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Senator Bryan King Chair
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Senator Dave Wallace Chair
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Senator Tyler Dees
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Senator Ricky Hill
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Senator Justin Boyd
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Senator Kim Hammer Chair
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Senator Mark Johnson Chair
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Senator Missy Irvin
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Senator Gary Stubblefield
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Senator Breanne Davis
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Senator John Payton Chair
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Senator Clint Penzo Chair
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Senator Scott Flippo
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Senator Fredrick J. Love
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Senator Jim Petty Chair
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Senator Reginald Murdock
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Senator Matt McKee
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Senator Dan Sullivan Chair
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Senator Terry Rice
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Senator Alan Clark
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Senator Joshua Bryant
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Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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Senator Steve Crowell Chair
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Senator Matt Stone
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Senator Jane English
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Senator Greg Leding
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