House Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (104)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB519
Act 958
· 7 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB519 #1 J. Boyd Wardlaw TO AMEND THE STANDARD NONFORFEITURE LAW…”
|
TO AMEND THE STANDARD NONFORFEITURE LAW FOR LIFE INSURANCE; AND TO REGULATE THE PAYMENT OF … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB519 is now Act 958 |
|
HR1090
· 5 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “resolution 1090. House Resolution 1090 by Representative Crawford to recognize March 29, 2025 is V…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 29, 2025, AS VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY AND MARCH 2025 AS VIETNAM … | Crawford | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1104
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Madam clerk, please read. House resolution 1104. Representative Beatty would like to pass”
|
TO HONOR LARRY WALTHER FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO … | Beaty Jr. | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1072
Act 876
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…er, your Committee on Revenue and Taxation, who was a fired House Bill 1072 Bagley reporting the same consideration here for the same r…”
|
TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS, … | C. Cooper | Notification that HB1072 is now Act 876 |
|
HB1671
Act 1007
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “and Taxation who was referred House Bill 1671. Baley reports the same consideration here returns, same re…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX; AND TO CREATE A GENERAL SALES … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1671 is now Act 1007 |
|
HB1828
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…er, your committee on revenue. in taxation. Do was referred House Bill 1828, Senate Bill 369, Senate Bill 535, vaguely before and consi…”
|
TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR INSPIRATION POINT CENTER FOR THE ARTS, … | Breaux | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB369
Act 778
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…e on revenue. in taxation. Do was referred House Bill 1828, Senate Bill 369, Senate Bill 535, vaguely before and consideration here for…”
|
TO REPEAL THE COMPUTER AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECYCLING GRANTS; AND TO REPEAL THE COMPUTER AND … | Irvin | Notification that SB369 is now Act 778 |
|
SB535
Act 781
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…taxation. Do was referred House Bill 1828, Senate Bill 369, Senate Bill 535, vaguely before and consideration here for returning the sa…”
|
TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS … | Hester | Notification that SB535 is now Act 781 |
|
HB1105
Act 1004
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1105 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - SECRETARY'S O…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - SECRETARY'S OFFICE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1105 is now Act 1004 |
|
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 |
|
HB1202
Act 1006
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1202 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION - D…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION - DISBURSING OFFICER APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1202 is now Act 1006 |
|
HB1312
Act 909
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUB…”
|
TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. | Brooks | Notification that HB1312 is now Act 909 |
|
HB1332
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1332 Pilkington TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO EVAL…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO EVALUATE CLAIMS FOR DIAGNOSES FREQUENCY OF OBESITY-RELATED CONDITIONS … | Pilkington | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1333
Act 627
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1333 #1 Hudson TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR BREASTFEEDING AND LACTATI…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR BREASTFEEDING AND LACTATION CONSULTANT SERVICES. | Hudson | Notification that HB1333 is now Act 627 |
|
HB1424
Act 628
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1424 #1 L. Johnson TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR SEVERE OBESITY TREATM…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR SEVERE OBESITY TREATMENTS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1424 is now Act 628 |
|
HB1454
Act 674
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1454 #1 Bentley TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; TO … | Bentley | Notification that HB1454 is now Act 674 |
|
HB1525
Act 923
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ulture, Forestry and economic development to who was thered House Bill 1525, House Bill. 1681 vaguely reporting the same consideration…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING REAL PROPERTY; AND TO ADDRESS AGRICULTURAL IMPACT REMEDIATION AGREEMENTS. | Steimel | Notification that HB1525 is now Act 923 |
|
HB1531
Act 630
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1531 #1 Achor TO PROHIBIT PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS FROM REST…”
|
TO PROHIBIT PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS FROM RESTRICTING OR LIMITING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS TO A LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NETWORK … | Achor | Notification that HB1531 is now Act 630 |
|
HB1543
Act 631
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1543 #1 Underwood TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUN…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025. | Underwood | Notification that HB1543 is now Act 631 |
|
HB1602
Act 633
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1602 #1 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAG…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT; TO ESTABLISH FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1602 is now Act 633 |
|
HB1625
Act 974
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1625 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED HOME INSPECTORS. | Barnett | Notification that HB1625 is now Act 974 |
|
HB1666
Act 656
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1666 #1 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-F…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-FUNDED CYBER RESPONSE PROGRAM. | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1666 is now Act 656 |
|
HB1688
Act 710
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1688 #1 Cavenaugh TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF A…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF A DEALER'S EXTRA LICENSE PLATE. | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1688 is now Act 710 |
|
HB1700
Act 638
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1700 #1 Achor TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT;…”
|
TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS OF AN ADVERSE … | Achor | Notification that HB1700 is now Act 638 |
|
HB1762
Act 1009
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1762 Hall TO REQUIRE REVOCATION OF A PERMIT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF…”
|
TO REQUIRE REVOCATION OF A PERMIT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN AN AGRICULTURAL … | Hall | Notification that HB1762 is now Act 1009 |
|
HB1771
Act 651
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1771 #1 Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURES TO POLICYH…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURES TO POLICYHOLDERS; AND TO REQUIRE MONTHLY REPORTING BY INSURERS. | R. Murdock | Notification that HB1771 is now Act 651 |
|
HB1777
Act 683
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1777 #1 Gazaway TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF SEXUA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF SEXUALLY GROOMING A CHILD; AND TO INCLUDE … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1777 is now Act 683 |
|
HB1803
Act 657
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1803 #1 Joey Carr TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A MONUMENT ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1803 is now Act 657 |
|
HB1806
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1806 Vaught TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KI…”
|
TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW … | Vaught | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1808
Act 686
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1808 #1 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AND TO CREATE THE BILL OF RIGHTS … | A. Collins | Notification that HB1808 is now Act 686 |
|
HB1814
Act 712
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1814 #1 Gazaway TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OVER UTILITIES; AND TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1814 is now Act 712 |
|
HB1820
Act 652
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1820 #1 M. Brown TO REGULATE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL AND CONTINUOUS SE…”
|
TO REGULATE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL AND CONTINUOUS SERVICE OFFERS. | M. Brown | Notification that HB1820 is now Act 652 |
|
HB1834
Act 816
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Speaker, we on Public Transportation who referred House Bill 1834 Bely reporting the same consideration here for time with th…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES. | Holcomb | Notification that HB1834 is now Act 816 |
|
HB1874
Act 795
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1874 B. McKenzie AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT … | B. McKenzie | Notification that HB1874 is now Act 795 |
|
HB1897
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1897 Painter TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM A…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND … | Painter | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1914
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1914 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER ACT, 1955; AND TO REQUIRE AN … | Long | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1919
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1919 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPAREN…”
|
TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … | McAlindon | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1930
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1930 Wardlaw TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHC…”
|
TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES. | Wardlaw | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1933
Act 912
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1933 McCollum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A … | McCollum | Notification that HB1933 is now Act 912 |
|
HB1959
Act 986
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1959 M. Brown TO ABOLISH THE USE OF A WRIT OF SCIRE FACIAS AS TH…”
|
TO ABOLISH THE USE OF A WRIT OF SCIRE FACIAS AS THE MEANS OF REVIVING … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1959 is now Act 986 |
|
HB1967
Act 981
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1967 K. Brown TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF SEXUAL IMAGES OR RECORDINGS. | K. Brown | Notification that HB1967 is now Act 981 |
|
HB1974
Act 948
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1974 Long TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED…”
|
TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND … | Long | Notification that HB1974 is now Act 948 |
|
HB1975
Act 982
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1975 Gramlich TO CREATE THE CHILD CONTENT CREATION PROTECTION AC…”
|
TO CREATE THE CHILD CONTENT CREATION PROTECTION ACT. | Gramlich | Notification that HB1975 is now Act 982 |
|
HB1980
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1980 Gazaway TO CREATE THE TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE…”
|
TO CREATE THE TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS ACT (TESLA); AND TO ADD ELECTRIC … | Gazaway | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1988
Act 930
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1988 Tosh TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AUTO A…”
|
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 |
|
HB1991
Act 1020
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1991 Childress TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS RELATED TO A RE…”
|
TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS RELATED TO A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE ARKANSAS FIRE PREVENTION … | Childress | Notification that HB1991 is now Act 1020 |
|
HB1994
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1994 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES; AND TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION BY A SELF-SERVICE … | A. Collins | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1995
Act 985
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1995 Bentley TO SEPARATE THE OFFICES OF SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTO…”
|
TO SEPARATE THE OFFICES OF SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTOR IN PERRY COUNTY. | Bentley | Notification that HB1995 is now Act 985 |
|
HB2001
Act 932
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB2001 Painter TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM A…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND … | Painter | Notification that HB2001 is now Act 932 |
|
HR1022
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1022 Brooks TO WELCOME DR. BRENDAN KELLY AS PRESIDENT OF THE ARK…”
|
TO WELCOME DR. BRENDAN KELLY AS PRESIDENT OF THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. | Brooks | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1072
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1072 McGruder TO RECOGNIZE KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., FOR…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., FOR ITS POSITIVE IMPACT UPON ITS COMMUNITIES, THE … | McGruder | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1094
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1094 Duffield TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF FOOD INSECURITY…”
|
TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF FOOD INSECURITY; TO ACKNOWLEDGE SCHOOL BREAKFAST MONTH IN … | Duffield | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1097
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1097 Duke TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 4A STATE … | Duke | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1109
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1109 Beaty Jr. TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING A…”
|
TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNITED STATES … | Beaty Jr. | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1110
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1110 Rye TO RECOGNIZE WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND MEDAL OF HONOR RE…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT JAMES R. HENDRIX OF … | Rye | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1111
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1111 Rye TO RECOGNIZE APRIL 7, 2025, AS THE DAY OF LOVE IN THE S…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE APRIL 7, 2025, AS THE DAY OF LOVE IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. | Rye | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1112
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1112 A. Brown TO RECOGNIZE THE WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY HIGH SCHOO…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL LADY EAGLES BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE … | A. Brown | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
SB106
Act 898
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB106 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR…”
|
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
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB124 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DIVISION OF AGRICUL…”
|
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 |
|
SB168
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB168 Rice K. Brown TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSUR…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS. | Rice | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB290
Act 921
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ure, Forestry and Economic Development to whom was referred Senate Bill 290, vaguely reporting the same consideration”
|
TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB290 is now Act 921 |
|
SB313
Act 733
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB313 Irvin K. Moore CONCERNING FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION…”
|
CONCERNING FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS AND TREATMENT; AND TO PROMOTE AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES AND QUALITY … | Irvin | Notification that SB313 is now Act 733 |
|
SB32
Act 886
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB32 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF Y…”
|
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 chapter
Matched: “SB33 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF M…”
|
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 chapter
Matched: “SB34 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF D…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB34 is now Act 888 |
|
SB35
Act 889
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB35 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF C…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB35 is now Act 889 |
|
SB36
Act 890
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB36 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF A…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB36 is now Act 890 |
|
SB40
Act 891
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB40 AN ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGIS…”
|
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 |
|
SB406
Act 752
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB406 A. Clark Warren TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERT…”
|
TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL … | A. Clark | Notification that SB406 is now Act 752 |
|
SB41
Act 892
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB41 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE…”
|
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 |
|
SB420
Act 736
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB420 Hester Beaty, Jr. TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPME…”
|
TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT STATE PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE WATER AUTHORITY ACT; AND … | Hester | Notification that SB420 is now Act 736 |
|
SB439
Act 737
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB439 Irvin L. Johnson TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF TH…”
|
TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING; AND … | Irvin | Notification that SB439 is now Act 737 |
|
SB443
Act 949
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB443 J. Bryant Rose TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF AP…”
|
TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF APPRAISERS, ABSTRACTERS, AND HOME INSPECTORS; TO … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB443 is now Act 949 |
|
SB447
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB447 J. Petty Hawk TO REQUIRE PERMITTED COMMON CARRIERS TO SUBMI…”
|
TO REQUIRE PERMITTED COMMON CARRIERS TO SUBMIT REPORTS DETAILING SHIPMENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INTO THE … | J. Petty | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB475
Act 773
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB475 J. Dismang Eaves TO ESTABLISH THE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINIS…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION ACT; AND TO REGULATE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB475 is now Act 773 |
|
SB478
Act 738
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB478 G. Stubblefield Hall TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIESEL ENGINE F…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIESEL ENGINE FREEDOM ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE ENFORCEMENT … | G. Stubblefield | Notification that SB478 is now Act 738 |
|
SB480
Act 739
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB480 K. Hammer Wing TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INVESTMENT O…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INVESTMENT OF STATE FUNDS. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB480 is now Act 739 |
|
SB481
Act 779
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB481 Gilmore Wardlaw TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OF PROP…”
|
TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OF PROPERTY INSURANCE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF … | Gilmore | Notification that SB481 is now Act 779 |
|
SB500
Act 780
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB500 J. Petty Hall TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LEVEE DISTRICTS;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LEVEE DISTRICTS; AND TO ALLOW A LEVEE DISTRICT CREATED BY … | J. Petty | Notification that SB500 is now Act 780 |
|
SB508
Act 756
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB508 Irvin L. Johnson TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT OF A STI…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT OF A STIPEND FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC … | Irvin | Notification that SB508 is now Act 756 |
|
SB51
Act 893
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB51 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR COORDINATOR APPROPR…”
|
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 |
|
SB516
Act 761
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB516 Gilmore Ray TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE…”
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TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE … | Gilmore | Notification that SB516 is now Act 761 |
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SB52
Act 894
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB52 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED…”
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AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB52 is now Act 894 |
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SB520
Act 747
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB520 D. Sullivan A. Brown TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INC…”
|
TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. | D. Sullivan | Notification that SB520 is now Act 747 |
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SB521
Act 748
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB521 B. Davis Unger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT; AND TO EXTEND THE TIME PERIOD … | B. Davis | Notification that SB521 is now Act 748 |
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SB527
Act 774
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB527 Irvin L. Johnson TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNI…”
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TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021; AND TO INCREASE … | Irvin | Notification that SB527 is now Act 774 |
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SB533
Act 934
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB533 Dees Gazaway TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF CONSUMABLE HE…”
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TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS BY THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL BOARD; … | Dees | Notification that SB533 is now Act 934 |
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SB544
Act 775
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB544 M. Johnson Gazaway TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS…”
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TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT. | M. Johnson | Notification that SB544 is now Act 775 |
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SB546
Act 935
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB546 K. Hammer Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TRUST FUND…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTION FEE FOR WATER PERMITS RELATED TO … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB546 is now Act 935 |
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SB55
Act 895
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB55 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE…”
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AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB55 is now Act 895 |
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SB551
Act 764
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB551 K. Hammer Eubanks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FO…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETITION FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB551 is now Act 764 |
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SB563
Act 741
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB563 Irvin Cavenaugh TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POU…”
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TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY FOR CERTAIN … | Irvin | Notification that SB563 is now Act 741 |
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SB573
Act 783
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB573 J. Petty Jean TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION UNDER ARKANS…”
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TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5, BY DEFINING … | J. Petty | Notification that SB573 is now Act 783 |
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SB574
Act 742
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB574 J. Petty Puryear TO REQUIRE A MUNICIPALITY THAT OPERATES A…”
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TO REQUIRE A MUNICIPALITY THAT OPERATES A WATERWORKS SYSTEM OR SEWAGE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE SERVICE … | J. Petty | Notification that SB574 is now Act 742 |
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SB575
Act 989
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB575 C. Tucker Dalby TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSTALLMENT FEE…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSTALLMENT FEES COLLECTED IN CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS; TO AMEND … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB575 is now Act 989 |
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SB578
Act 766
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB578 Hester Wooldridge TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EARLY VOTING;…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EARLY VOTING; AND TO ALLOW A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION … | Hester | Notification that SB578 is now Act 766 |
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SB580
Act 767
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB580 K. Hammer Schulz TO EXTEND FINANCING FOR PURCHASES OF VEHIC…”
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TO EXTEND FINANCING FOR PURCHASES OF VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT FOR A RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB580 is now Act 767 |
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SB584
Act 768
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB584 K. Hammer Hawk TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB584 is now Act 768 |
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SB610
Act 745
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB610 J. Dismang Eaves TO AMEND THE GENERATING ARKANSAS JOBS ACT…”
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TO AMEND THE GENERATING ARKANSAS JOBS ACT OF 2025; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB610 is now Act 745 |
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SB71
Act 896
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB71 AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT…”
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AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT PERSONNEL APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB71 is now Act 896 |
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SB81
Act 897
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB81 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM -…”
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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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SB90
Act 902
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB90 J. English Brooks TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AF…”
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TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT … | J. English | Notification that SB90 is now Act 902 |
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SB93
Act 1010
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR TH…”
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AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB93 is now Act 1010 |
Machine transcript
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Speaker 86
8:53
I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be, be led in prayer by Pastor Lee Brown, the first Assembly of God Church in Hebrew Springs. Guested of his daughter today, Representative Alyssa Brown,
to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. To be led by Representative Bruce
Speaker 6
9:12
Cozart. Before I pray, I am not in mourning today, but I want to honor the legacy of the black robe regiment who helped set the flames of uh revolution from the 1700s. And so I'd ask you to
pray with me if you would today. So Father, today I'm reminded that Paul said, That we're to pray for a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness. And we begin to do so today by praying first and foremost for the men and women, the brave sailors and seamen, Father of the brave soldiers and coastguardsmen, the Marines, Father, the the guardsmen and the reserve who give us the freedoms that we possess today, and they fight the fight of freedom around the world and stand against tyranny, and I want to remember them in prayer
today. I thank God today for the security today and the policemen who protect these capital grounds. And the faithful men and women that serve within this Capitol building today. I remember today in prayer all the support staff and the things that they do that might not make the front page of the newspaper God, but to some might seem as menial tasks, but God, they, what they do uh helps these legislators to accomplish what is so very important, that is civil government. Today, certainly, we remember in prayer all of our elected officials, God.
And all of the branches of the government, Father, from our governor, God unto our senate and certainly our judiciary, but today my heart rests upon this House of Representatives, knowing that we're nearing the end of session, God and the many hours that they have sacrificed, the time that they have given away from their families and their jobs. Lord, and I know God that in front of them, God, it would be easy to lose sight. God here at the very end, but we're gonna pray today that you're gonna strengthen them. We're gonna pray that you lift their countenances today and they're gonna be a
sharp at the end as it was at the beginning today, God, I ask that in Jesus' name. Now remind myself today that I may stand here today and this would not necessarily be called a sacred assembly because we may, Father, not all share a same common faith. But today there is one thing I will say, they all hold to a sacred task because we recognize that government has been instituted by God and is ordained of God. And I pray a threefold brief prayer over each member of this house today. Number one, I pray for
sincerity. I pray God today that they will be sincere in all that they do in their heart before you and in the relationship one with the other. I pray number 2 today, God, that You would give them wisdom. Father, I'm reminded that the prayer that Father Solomon offered long ago still echoes in this chamber today, how we need the wisdom of God to rule amongst men, God, we must have the divine wisdom that comes only from you. And lastly, I pray this today, God, in a nation that's so divided in our time. I'm reminded what Jesus Jesus said, he said, if a house
is divided, it shall not stand. So I pray today, God, that there'll be agreement in this hall today that a father to the men and women that sometimes even may disagree, God in certain areas. Let somehow, some way, supernatural agreement come upon them so that they can accomplish much good for the cause of good government here in the great state of Arkansas. Today, Father, with all those that have put their faith in agreement, I ask this humbly in
Speaker 86
12:47
Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
Everyone indicated their presence. Cast up the
ballot. With 99 members present, chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Steven Meeks, for what purpose? Lee for Representative Milligan. I leave granted for Representative
John Milligan. So ordered Representative Matthew Shepherd moves that we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal. No objection, so ordered. Madam Clark, do you have reports
from select committees, you are recognized. Mr. Speaker, on
Chair
Unverified
13:58
Joints and who was referred House 1163 beg leave reporting the same consideration here for term with the same recommendation that it do pass effectively submit it. Representative Johnson,
Speaker 86
14:08
Vice Chair. Madam Clark, do you have any reports from standing committees, you're recognized. Mr.
Chair
Unverified
14:12
Speaker, we on Public Transportation who referred House Bill 1834 Bely reporting the same consideration here for time with the same recommendation that it do pass to concurringnce and Amendment number 1, respectfully submitted. Representative Whittaker, Chair. Mr. Speaker, your committee on agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development to whom was referred Senate Bill 290, vaguely reporting the same consideration
here time the same recommendation that we passed amendment number one, respectfully submitted. Representative Lynch, chair. Mr. Speaker, we your committee on agriculture, Forestry and economic development to who was thered House Bill 1525, House Bill. 1681 vaguely reporting the same consideration here time the same recommendation that do pass to concurrence Senate amendment number 1, respectfully submitted. Representative Lynch, chair. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Revenue and Taxation, who was a fired House Bill 1072 Bagley reporting the same consideration here for the same recommendation that do pass as the amended concur in Senate Amendment number 1, respectfully submitted. Representative Kavanaugh, chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your Committee on Revenue
and Taxation who was referred House Bill 1671. Baley reports the same consideration here returns, same renation that do passes amendment number 2, respectfully submitted. Representative Kavanaugh, Chair, Mr. Speaker, your committee on revenue. in taxation. Do was referred House Bill 1828, Senate Bill 369, Senate Bill 535, vaguely before and consideration here for returning the same recommendation that do passly submitted Representative Kavanaugh, chair. Thank you, Madam Clark.
Speaker 86
15:18
Is there any unfinished business? Do you have any
executive communications. Thank you, Madam Clark. Members at this time, I would ask you to rise and join me.
Chair
Unverified
15:29
Direct your attention to the back of the chamber. We have with us today, Corporal Donnie Crow of the aircraft section and Corporal Trey Keller of the Highway Patrol
Speaker 86
15:38
Administration, both of Little Rock, Arkansas state troopers today. Gentlemen, thank you for your service to Arkansas and the House of
Representatives. Also in the back of the chamber today, we have
Speaker 86
15:56
our doctor of the day, Doctor Sujit Kodapati. Dr. Dakota Patti is a physician
of family medicine from Little Rock, guest of Representative Tipy McCullough today. Doctor, thank you for being here today. Serving alongside
our doctor of the day is our nurse, Ms. Lee Fazio. Ms. Lee, thank you for being here and the service you've provided so far this
session. Members up in the, uh, West Gallery over to your left, uh,
we had with us Pastor Lee Brown, uh, father of representative Alissa Brown here to give the opening prayer, but we also have Miss Sherry Brown and Aaron Brown, mother and brother of
Representative Brown, and they're accompanied here today by family friend Caleb, if they would stand. There they are. Over in
Speaker 86
16:55
the East Gallery to your right with us today, we have, uh, the University of Arkansas Future Teachers Group. They're
Speaker 33
17:03
both students and faculty. They're here. If they would rise, they are guests of
Speaker 86
17:14
Representative Bruce Cozart. Also up in the East gallery, guests today, uh, friends of Representative Les Eaves. We have JP Graham all the way from Knoxville, Tennessee, and
Jared Adams from BB if they would stand. Gentlemen, thank you for being here.
So up in the East gallery today we have with us a student from the Mountain Home Christian Academy. We have Cheyenne Dewey, guest of Representative Stetson Painter. Members, you also see down at the front of the chamber today, we have a great group of students here. We appreciate so much their interest in being here and their engagement with the house. They are here serving today as pages. I know we've got a lot of work for them to do, keep them busy while they're
here with us. Would you please give them a hand just of appreciation
for being here. Members of Representative Jeffrey Wardlaw moves that we play Senate Bill 519 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without
objection, so ordered, Madam clerk, please read amendment number 1. Amendment number 1 to Senate Bill 519.
Representative Ward Law, you're recognized to explain amendment number
one. My bill, my amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Wardlaw has Explain the amendment. Would anyone like to speak
Speaker 86
18:52
against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Ward Law is closed for
the amendment. Question before the house is the passage of Amendment number one, the Senate Bill 519. All in favor say aye. Pose nay
The eyes have it. The amendment is adopted. Please send the bill as amended to
Speaker 44
19:20
engrossing. Representative Ra. For what purpose? Personal privilege. You're welcome to come to the well.
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
19:39
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Got this one in just a little late, but I wanna be able to recognize Steve Jernigan. And uh Clay Bradford from Opana, Arkansas. All right, gentlemen, thank
Speaker 51
19:51
you for joining us here today and being guests of Representative Rye.
Madam clerk, please read. House resolution 1104. Representative Beatty would like to pass
Speaker 33
20:39
over that today. Madam Clark, please read House
Chair
Unverified
21:03
resolution 1090. House Resolution 1090 by Representative Crawford to recognize March 29, 2025 is Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 2025 is Vietnam era Veterans Month in Arkansas in appreciation of the sacrifices and contributions made by the
war veterans. Representative Crawford, you're recognized to present your resolution.
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
21:42
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hello, friends. today, um, could I have Marcus Richmond join me in
Speaker 44
21:49
the well, Mr. Speaker. Richmond, if you would. Join Representative Crawford in
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
22:00
the well. Colleagues, would you help me welcome our Vietnam veterans up in the East
gallery on the 50th anniversary of them coming home.
Thank you. We had 99 co-sponsors. For this resolution.
To honor you. I just want to let you know that.
You want to speak first, or? Today We pay tribute to a remarkable group of individuals. Our Vietnam War veterans. March 29th was a Vietnam War veterans recognition Day.
We were not in session that day. So today we pause to express our deepest gratitude. To honor your service and to remember the sacrifices made by you and your families. There were 58,281 Americans, including 592 Arkansans. Who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Countless others returned home
forever changed, carrying physical wounds. an invisible scars. Yet through it all, You demonstrated courage. Resilience, An unwavering commitment to your brothers and your sisters in arms and this nation. To those who served on the front lines. In the dense jungles on the rivers and in the skies.
You answered the call with bravery and dedication. To the medics and nurses who treated the wounded under fire. Your compassion saved lives. To the families who waited with hope and prayer. You're sacrifice did not go unnoticed. We recognize too that when many of you return home. You were met with indifference. Or worse.
It is a painful chapter in our history that we cannot erase. But today, We stand united to say clearly and unequivocally welcome home. We honor you. We thank you. Your service did not end when you returned. You became community leaders, public servants, mentors, and tireless advocates for your for your fellow veterans.
You inspired future generations with their strength. And your dedication to the values that you've fought to defend. As we reflect on your service, let us also commit to supporting all veterans, ensuring they receive the care, respect, and recognition they deserve. The legacy of your generation must be one of dignity and honor. And it's our responsibility to uphold.
On behalf of a grateful nation, we salute you. May we never forget the sacrifices you made and the values you defended. Today and always, we thank you for your service, your bravery and your enduring spirit. 50 years later, we say, welcome home. God bless you. God bless Arkansas. and the United States of America.
Representative Marcus E. Richmond
Unverified
26:19
Thank you. Veterans, just let me say that You know, I'm glad that, that this country and, and especially this body. are thanking you.
For what you did and your sacrifice. And you've heard a lot of thanks. I mean, every time you go out, I'm sure you hear, thank you for your service. I support the troops, you know, whether it's election cycle or some other event that's going on, you get to hear that. But you probably haven't heard the one thing that this country has owed you for a long time. So, I'm gonna say it. And that is, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you decided to go over there and do your duty, and that you served.
The only return home And be treated like you were the enemy. And this happened while those who chose to go to Canada, went to Canada. And then they returned home. As if they were conquering heroes. I'm sorry that the lessons that you taught us in every single firefight. That you spent in those jungles. That there is no such thing as color. There's no such thing as race. There's only good guys and bad guys.
And we continue to forget that lesson that you taught us, and I'm sorry for that. I'm especially sorry. That we continue to forget the number one lesson, that is, it doesn't matter how much blood you shed. How much treasure this country spends. You cannot build a nation for a people who do not care if they have a nation. We continue to repeat that particular
Mistake over and over and over again, and you taught us a very good lesson when you serve, that we should not do that. And then finally, to my uncle Jim, if you're watching. I'm sorry that after your 3 tours in Vietnam. As a marine infantryman. That when you come home and you got sick, That the VA said it was not service related, that after those three tours of tromping around in Agent Orange. That that illness that you got,
Well, there wasn't anything that they needed to do for you. I'm sorry that you never got to see your grandchildren. Matter of fact, you never got to see your kids get married. I'm sorry On behalf of this country, That we didn't treat you right. And I hope from this day forward, that we never make that mistake again. So thank you for coming. Thank you for being here. I'm sorry it took this long. Thank you.
Representative Cindy Crawford
Unverified
29:39
And Mr. Speaker, I know we have a long day ahead of us. But our service Men and women have waited a long time, so would you have
the clerk read the resolution in its entirety, please. Madam Clark,
please read the resolution in entirety. Whereas the Vietnam
Chair
Unverified
29:59
War was fight and the rep fought in the Republic of Vietnam from 1955 to 1975 and involved regular forces from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and Viet Cong.
Guerrilla forces in armed conflicts with the United States Armed Forces, the Armed Forces of allies in the United States and the Armed Forces of Republic in Vietnam, and whereas the United States Armed Forces became involved in Vietnam because the United States government wanted to provide direct military support to the government of the Republic of Vietnam to defend against the growing threat of Communism from the Democratic Republic in Vietnam, and whereas citizens of Arkansas answered their country's call, as they have in every armed conflict in which the United States has been a participant and whereas some
Arkansans served in or off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam, while others served in critical roles such as training and logistics and whereas more than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in the Vietnam War, including 592 Arkansans, and whereas in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated to Washington DC to commemorate the members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were declared missing in action in Vietnam. And whereas the Arkansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial is inscribed with the names of Arkansas who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, and the memorial was
dedicated on the grounds of the state Capitol in Little Rock on March 7th, 1987, by retired United States Army General William Westmoreland, and whereas the Vietnam War was extremely decisive issue among the people of the United States in conflict that caused a generation of veterans to have to wait too long for the public of the United States to acknowledge and honor their efforts and services, and whereas members of the United States Armed Forces who barely and faithfully served the United States during the Vietnam War, we're often wrongly criticized for the decisions of policymakers that were beyond the control of their
servicemen and servicewomen, and whereas recognizing March 29, 202,000. 25 as Vietnam War Veterans Day in March 2025 as Vietnam era Veterans Month in Arkansas is an appropriate way to honor the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Vietnam. And whereas this is important for all our Kansans to express appreciation for the veterans of Vietnam War to discriminate this demonstrate a resolve that the people of the state of Arkansas shall never forget to sacrifice and service of generation of veterans who served in the Vietnam War and to
promote awareness of the faithful service and contributions of the veterans of the. War era. Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 95th General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that the House of Representatives recognized March 29, 2025 as Vietnam War Veterans Day in March 2025 is veteran era Veterans Month of Arkansas in appreciation of the sacrifices and contributions made by the Vietnam War. Representative Crawford has explained the resolution. Would
Speaker 86
32:47
anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative Crawford is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the adoption of House resolution 1090. All those in favor say aye. Osna, the ayes have it.
Congratulations, Representative Crawford, your resolution is adopted.
Speaker 86
33:26
Madam Clerk, please read House Memorial resolution 1012. House
Chair
Unverified
33:34
Memorial resolution 1012 by Representative Bentley to remember Hetty Lou Brooks
as an Arkansas legend who positively impacted the lives of thousands of Arkansans as well as people all over the world. Representative Bentley, you're recognized to explain your
resolution. Speaker's OK. I have a representative Melissa Brown,
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
33:56
Representative Richard McGrew, Representative Les Warren, and Representative Bruce Cozart to
Speaker 368
34:00
join me. Members, would you please join Representative Bentley in
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
34:11
the well. A week ago yesterday, an Arkansas legend. Ran her race. She finished and she went to get her great prize in glory. Y'all might not have
Speaker 99
34:20
known Hetty Lou Brooks, but I can tell you, she prayed for you every day.
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
34:27
She walked these halls for years playing for Arkansas. She was a good friend of Governor Mike Huckabee, talked with him often and from that day, she would walk these halls and pray. I have two very distinct memories of her right up there. But I was presenting a bill on um school choice, and she was cheering me on and praying and I will forever see Hetty right there. Another great memory I have is up here in the North gallery. And if her granddaughter, Linley and her husband Miketand they're sitting right where Hetty was and we passed the unborn Child Protection Act to stop the, the murder of babies in Arkansas and
Hetty was right there. She was, we were had lunch in the cafeteria and I said, Hey, it's 4 flights. Do you want to do the 4 flights? or do you want to take the elevator? She said, Mary, let's Just do the steps. So, in her 90, she and I walked the 4 flights of stairs up there to present that bill. Hetty, uh, was a a young mom on a dirt road in Arkansas. She lived her whole life in Hot Springs, and from that dirt road in Arkansas, she affected the lives of tens of thousands of people. She's an inspiration to us all. She started the Brook
Hill Ranch Camp, and my kids are blessed to go there, like thousands of other kids and their favorite part was get to hear Hetty's stories. They would come home and share those stories with me every summer. Hetty and her husband Don started the Brook Hill uh Ranch camp and also the Christian Ministries Church and Christian Ministries Academy, right there on that same dirt road where she lived as a young mom. My kids are blessed to go to the school for a while, we're blessed so much from the ministry of like thousands of other kids were. I also got to make Alyssa at one of Hetty's many women's conferences. She
inspired me. She's one of the reasons that I'm here today, and we promise that we're gonna leave her legacy. We will not stop what Hetty started. I'll let
Speaker 101
36:09
everybody else share a little bit about how awesome Hetty was. Thank you, Representative Bentley. I'll just echo
Speaker 103
36:13
all of her words at Hetty Lou Brooks left a legacy, not just in the state of Arkansas, but throughout America and the best way that we could honor her today is to continue that to fight for the state that she loved, and we know that she is in, uh, glory with uh, our Lord
right now watching us and so just want to honor Hetty Lou
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
36:38
on the house floor here today. I'd just like to add to all that that we do a lot of resolutions, but this is one of the most worthy ones. This was an absolutely great lady. The labs that she touched is Tens of thousands if not more. She took from started from a small ranch and built a great organization that just served the community. She's responsible for me being elected here.
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
37:04
He responsible for so many great lady. Colleagues, you never meet a person. God-fearing woman. Fired up woman. She prayed for every one of you in this chamber. You may not know
that, but you've felt it somewhere because she prayed for me all the time and she always told me, I pray for every one of you, every day. And I told her, I said, I appreciate your prayers. We all need it. And I'll tell you what,
we're gonna miss her, we're gonna miss those prayers, but she is in a place that's a whole lot better than it is here. So I'm,
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
37:44
I'm glad for. I will just end with saying that Hetty Lou Brooks was a force in Hot Springs, Arkansas. in
Speaker 110
37:50
our community. Speaker, would you please have the clerk read the resolution and
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
37:58
title only. Madam Turk, please read the resolution by title.
Chair
Unverified
38:07
remember Hetty Lou Brooks as an Arkansas legend who positively impacted the lives of thousands of Arkansans as well as people all over
the world. Representative Bentley has explained the resolution. Would you like to speak for the resolution? Against the
resolution. Representative Bentley, you recognized clothes for the resolution. Thank you, Speaker. I will
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
38:26
just say that Hetty, not only did you serve here in Arkansas, but she served in Belize, uh, for 40 years with the school and a church down there. She has affected the lives of tens of thousands. I cannot imagine the
welcome home party that she received. She's probably still getting thank yous today, a week later. I have no doubts about that. I can't wait to see her in glory. So, um, just know that she's in heaven, but she's a little bit closer to Jesus, so her prayer, she's gonna not stop. She will they pray for us even there in heaven. I'm, I'm sure of it. So thank you all. I would like to have her, her family understand. I know we have folks that love her dearly that are here with us says everybody's here with Hetty, would y'all stand as we finish this resident. Representative Bentley is closed for the resolution.
All those in favor of the resolution say aye. Osna, the ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Bentley. Your resolution has been adopted. Madam Clark, please read House Memorial resolution 1008.
Chair
Unverified
39:50
How some warrior resolution 1008 by Representative Duffield to remember boxer Tommy Morrison of Grabvit for his legendary boxing skills that brought renown to him and the state
of Arkansas. Representative Duffield, you're recognized to explain your resolution.
Representative Matt Duffield
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, today we gather to
honor and remember a man whose fists carried thunder and whose heart carried the pride of his home. Tommy, the Duke Morrison. And if I would, Mr. Speaker, I forgot one thing and I forgot to invite Representative Hope Duke Down, who hails from Gravette, Arkansas, who had a special relationship with the family. So Representative Duke, would you like to join me in, in the well. I apologize for forgetting that. Representative Duke, if you would join Representative Duffield in the well.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Though his boxing career took him around the world. His story began right here in Arkansas, where he was born in the small town of Gravit on January 2nd, 1969. Tommy's journey from Arkansas to the heights of the boxing world was nothing short of remarkable. Encouraged by his father, he took up boxing as a young man and quickly discovered his natural talent. His hands move fast, his punches carried weight, and his spirit never wavered. After high school, Tommy not
only earned a football scholarship, but also showcased his talent in the ring, winning the Kansas City Golden Gloves and advancing to the National Golden Gloves in Omaha, Nebraska. His talent caught the eye of many, including Hollywood legends of Ester Stallone, who cast him in Rocky 5 as Tommy, the machine gun, gun. In 1993, he stood toe to toe with one of boxing greats, the late great George Foreman, and he emerged victorious, claiming
the World Boxing Organization heavyweight championship. His professional boxing record, 48 wins out of 5, 52 fights speaks for itself. His amateur record, 202 wins out of 222 bouts proves that his greatness wasn't a fluke. But a lifelong pursuit. His legacy lives on. Not just his victories, but in the inspiration he provided to aspiring fighters, the excitement he brought to the sport and the pride he carried for his roots.
Tommy Morrison may have left this world too soon, but Arkansas will always remember him as one of its own, a warrior, a champion, and a man who lived his life with a relentless spirit. Of a fighter. Duke, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Hope Duke
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Um, thank you, Representative Duffield for bringing this resolution. It was kind of cool to see that when it popped up, I didn't know Tommy, but I grew up with his, um,
cousin, and they're watching back home from Grabvi and what I do remember was that every day coming, not every day, but often coming into class, Richard would say, Tommy's fighting today, and I didn't know who Tommy was and I didn't know a whole lot about the fighting, but he was so proud of him. And then as Tommy's career grew, we were all really proud of him. When you're from a little town in Arkansas, and somebody makes it the way that Tommy did, it's just so inspiring and it was so much fun to watch Rich and the rest of the family just enjoy his success and watch the
journey and just kind of inspire other kids from small towns across Arkansas that, you know, work hard, do your best, and you can do just about anything. So thank you for bringing that. I know they're watching at home and it meant, it means so much to them to have
Representative Matt Duffield
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him recognized. Thank you. And ladies and gentlemen joining us in
the VIP gallery today is his son Kenzie Morrison, who's been a boxer now for 11 years and recently signed a contract to fight for bare knuckle fighting. So if you would at this time, uh, please read this
entitled only and give his son and the memory of the great Tommy Morrison, a round of applause. I'd appreciate it. Madam
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Clerk, please read the resolution by title. Tommy Morrison of Grabvi for his legendary boxing skills that brought renown
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to him and the state of Arkansas. Representative Duffield has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative Duffield is closed for the resolution. All those in favor
say aye. Rosna, the eyes have it. Congratulations, Representative Duffield, your resolution has
been adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1094. House Resolution 1094
Chair
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by Representative Duffield to raise awareness of the issue of food insecurity to acknowledge school breakfast month in Arkansas and to work toward a solution to the issue of food insecurity in
Representative Matt Duffield
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Arkansas. Representative Duffield, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, HR 1094 is about acknowledging and addressing the serious issue of food security in Arkansas. It formally recognizes school breakfast month and highlights the connection between student success and nutrition. Nearly 1 in 4 children in Arkansas face food insecurity. Arkansas as a whole was ranked
number one in food insecurity in 2023. Children affected by food insecurity are more likely to have lower test scores, miss more days of school, and experience higher stress levels. This resolution encourages representatives to visit one food pantry in their district and visit one public school during school breakfast month. By passing this resolution, the House can show Arkansas is serious about addressing hunger, starting with the most vulnerable, our children. It shows representatives are on the ground.
Seeing, seeking good policy that take effect in local communities and how they can continue to contribute to good policy with local hunger relief organizations, healthcare groups, and school nutrition directors. Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution in title only. Madam Clerk, read the resolution by title. To raise awareness of the issue
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of food insecurity to acknowledge school breakfast month
Speaker 140
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in Arkansas and to work toward a solution to the issue of food insecurity in Arkansas. Representative Duffield has explained the resolution. Would
Speaker 86
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anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative Duffield is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the adoption of House Resolution 1094.
All those in favor say aye. nay, ya's have it. Congratulations, Representative Duffield, resolution has been adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
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resolution 11:10 1110 by Representative Ryan. To recognize World War II veteran and Medal of
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Honor recipient James R. Hendricks of Arkansas. Representative Rye, you're
recognized to explain your resolution. Yeah Thank you, Mr.
Representative Johnny Rye
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Speaker. I appreciate it. I appreciate being with you and I appreciate having the honor. To speak about a great man.
recognized World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, Jim R. Hendricks of Arkansas. Whereas Jim, Richard Hendrick, a native of Lepanto, Arkansas, was a World War II veteran, recipient of the Medal of Honor, the high, the highest military decoration given by the United States Armed Forces for his actions during that war. And whereas Jim Hendrix was born on August 20th.
1925 and as a son of a sharecropper. He left school at an early age to work alongside his parents on the family farm, whereas in, in 1943 at age 18, Jimi Hendrix was drafted into the United States Army and was sent to Europe assigned to the fifty-third Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division. After the initial invasion of Normandy by the Allied forces, Jim Hendrix and his unit began
began the march across France to Belgium as part of general George S. Patton's 3rd Army. Jim Hendrix was 19 years old on December
the 26th and the 1944. In Belgium when he showed inc
incredibly bravery. And helping To evacuate wounded comrades. According to his Medal of Honor citation. Jim Hendrix again left
his vehicle, voluntarily to aid two wounded soldiers, helpless and exposed to intense machine gun fire. Effectively silencing two hostile machine guns, he held off the enemy by his own fire until the wounded men were evacuated. Private Hendrix again distinguished himself when he hastened. To come to the aid of still another soldier who was trapped in a burning half-track, braving enemy sniper fire and exploding
mines and ammunition in the vehicle. He extricated the wounded man and extinguished his flaming clothing, thereby saving the life of his fellow soldier. For what he termed, what was termed superb courage and heroism. Jim Hendrix was awarded the Medal of Honor from then President of the United States, Harry S. Truman, at the White House in Washington DC on August the 2 23rd, 1945. Jim Hendrix joined the
paratroopers following World War 2 and also served in the Korean War, retiring in 1965 at the rank of Master Sergeant. Jim Hendrix died on November 4th, 2002 at his home in Florida and was survived by his wife, Helen, with 4 daughters. And two sisters. Whereas the actions of young Arkansas farmer. James Hendrix brought honor and renown to himself and his family and to the state of Arkansas. Just wanna say how much I
appreciate getting the honor to come down and thank y'all
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for letting me do this. Representative Rye has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution.
For the resolution. Representative Ry is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the adoption of House resolution 1110. All those in favor say aye.
Po, eyes have it. Congratulations, Representative Rye, resolution has been adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House resolution.
Chair
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Please read House Resolution 1111. House Resolution 11/11 by Representative Rice to recognize April 7th,
2025 as the day of love in
Representative Johnny Rye
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the state of Arkansas. Representative Duffield.
Representative Shepherd, Matt Shepard. And also Tarra Shepherd. And make bu and Nick Burks. Members you join Representative Rye and Noel.
Y'all, we can say things from day to day. We love one, but boy, love is a big thing. It goes way, way, way around. And we're in very deep. I want to, uh, read this. I think, I think that you'll agree. Working together in a spirit of love. Bridges gaps created by
differing beliefs. And improves daily life and work, schools and politics, and families and communities, highlighting our similarities. Rather than our differences, such as the common desire for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as outlined in our nation's declaration of independence leads to a feeling of connection and love among citizens regardless of their ages, races, beliefs, and backgrounds working together. Cooperatively and in person in the performance of acts of
service to achieve common goals, also helps reinforce feelings of love and acceptance in the communities of Arkansas more closely bonding our citizens. There's nothing. There's nothing that we cannot accomplish as citizens of this state, when all come together in a spirit of love. That the House of Representatives recognize this today and I've got something that I'd like to Reading I, I think that this will cut you to the heart. I know it did me.
If I could speak all the languages of Earth, Of angels, but I didn't love others. I would only be a noisy gong or a clinging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but I didn't love others. I would be nothing if I gave everything I have to the poor, and even sacrifice my body. I could boast about it. But if I didn't love others,
I would have gained nothing. Love is patient, love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wrong. It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance, prophecy and speaking in unknown
tongues and special knowledge will become useless, but love will last forever. Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals that only part of the whole picture. But when the time of perfection comes, These partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, and I reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like
puzzling reflections in a mirror, but we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but when I know everything completely, just as God knows me completely. Three things will last forever. hope and
love, and the greatest is love. Representative Rye has explained the
resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution?
I want to speak for the resolution, Representative McIlroy, you're recognized to come to
Representative Mark D. McElroy
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the well and speak for the resolution. In honor of this resolution, I would ask that the house would stand And hug the memory to your
right, and if you don't love that one, hug the one to your left. And, and if you meet a senator, give him a big old kiss on the lips. Thank you.
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Members, I would think at this point that
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there would be no one that would want to
speak against that resolution. Representative Rye, thank you for bringing that resolution. Question before the house is the adoption of house resolution 1111. All those in favor say aye. nay, guys have it. Congratulations, Representative Rye, your resolution is adopted.
Madam Curk, please read House Memorial resolution 1011. House Memorial
Chair
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resolution 1011 by Representative Ry to remember University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and
National Basketball Association star Oliver Big O Miller for his achievements and for his contributions to the state of Arkansas. Representative Rye, you're recognized to explain House
Representative Johnny Rye
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memorial resolution 1011. Can't think of a a better friend to have up here for this one because this was a very special person. To remember, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and National Basketball Association star Big Ole Miller and his achievements for his contributions to the state of Arkansas. Oliver Miller, formerly of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on March 12th, 2025, whereas Oliver Miller was a legendary sinner and a four-year
letterman in basketball for the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Razorback basketball team from 1988 to 1992. Oliver Miller was nicknamed Big O. because of the size and incredible skills throughout his basketball career, which began at Southwest High School in Fort Smith, Texas, where he was a star athlete. While big old Miller played for the Razorbacks. The team recorded 25 wins, 7 losses, in 20, uh, in 25
and 7 during the 1988, 1989 year, 30 wins during the 1989, 190 season, and 34 wins, and 1990 and 1991, with a 34 and 4 record. Uh, he's meant so much to us and uh Tracy, if you don't mind, would you read the rest of this one for us, sir? Thank you, Representative Ryan. Well,
there's a lot of great information on here, and I just want you, uh, members to know
that, uh, Representative Rye has been working on this for a while. He actually started working on this, uh, when Oliver Miller was, was alive, but he was sick. Uh, and the family really appreciate all of your efforts, all of our efforts to try and do this, but at that period in time, they would not leave his side, um, Oliver Miller was a young man who I knew personally, uh, every time I saw him, uh, he always had a big smile on his
face. Uh, most of you are maybe old enough to remember the times that he played at the University of Arkansas, uh, big old. Back in what we refer to as the glory days. University of Arkansas always went deep into the tournament, and, uh, finally won a national championship. Uh, I, I want to say, but because of Representative Ryan Effort, uh, who asked me to help on this. Uh, I reached out to a very dear friend of mine, Ali Freeman, uh,
some of you may remember him, former Arkansas Razorback guard, Ali Friedman, who I played against, uh, several on several occasions, uh, reached out to him and, and Allie Freeman reached out to Coach Nolan Richardson. So, uh, uh, representative arrive because of your work and and memories after your approval, uh, Coach Nolan Richardson will assure that this memorial resolution be placed in Bud
Walton Arena next to Big O's jersey. Thank you. Representative Rye has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative Ry is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the adoption of House Memorial resolution 10-11. All those
in favor say aye. Osna, Ya have it. Congratulations, Representative Rye. Resolution has been adopted.
Representative Childers, for what purpose? Point of personal privilege. You recognize to come to
Representative Paul Childress
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1:02:12
well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, will you help me recognize today our state Collectors Association that have joined us today in the chamber. They're sitting in both galleries and we appreciate all the hard work they do for our constituents and for their counties in the state of Arkansas. So
Madam Clark, please read House resolution 1112. House
Chair
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1:02:49
Resolution 1112 by Representative Brown to recognize the West Side Gris
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Ferry High School ladies Eagles basketball team as a 2025 class 1A state champions. Representative Brown, you're
recognized to present your resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Matt Brown
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1:03:03
Members, this was the basketball team I had here yesterday, the Gooseberry lady eagles. We got to honor them and to ask the clerk to read the title only.
Speaker 42
1:03:14
Madam Clerk, read the resolution by title. To recognize the West Side Grizzerry High School Lady Eagles basketball team
Speaker 86
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as the 2025 Class 1A state champions. Representative Brown has explained the resolution and when I speak against the resolution. For
the resolution, Representative Brown closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House resolution 1112. All those in favor say aye. Osna, guys have it. Congratulations, Representative Brown, your resolution is adopted.
Speaker 86
1:03:54
Members of the morning hour has ended. Representative Nazarenko, for what purpose?
Representative Jason Nazarenko
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1:04:04
Request I'll hear your request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to House rules 38T. I respectfully request a fiscal impact for Senate Bill 168.
Speaker 86
1:04:13
That's a proper request pursuant to Rule 308T. I direct fiscal Impact be prepared. Placed on the desk of each
member within the next 5 days. Representative
Fran Kavanaugh recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1688. Madam clerk, please read Senate Amendment
Speaker 40
1:04:40
number one Amendment Bill 1688. Representative
Chair
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1:04:44
Kavanaugh, recognized to explain your amendment. Thank you,
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
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1:04:50
Mr. Speaker. This is a very simple bill. It does a technical fix, no known
opposition, and the bill has been sanitized, and I would appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 86
1:05:02
Representative Kavanaugh has explained the amendment when I speak against the amendment. For the amendment, Representative Kavanaugh is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment number one, the House Bill 1688. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk.
So everyone voted, so everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 92, 0, nay, and 0 present. You concurred in Senate Amendment number one to House Bill 1688. Representative Joey Carr recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1803. Madam Clerk. Please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment 1, 1803. Representative Carr, you're recognized to explain your amendment. Thank you Mr. Speaker. This is the, uh,
Representative John P. Carr
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1:06:02
The monument for Fucy Britt, the Great of the greatest generation simply added Senator Mark Johnson as a co-sponsor, that there was no context in the change. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative
Speaker 86
1:06:12
Carrs explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment. Representative Carr is
closed with the amendment question before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1, the House Bill 1803, prepare the machine, Madam clerk.
Speaker 51
1:06:37
So everyone voted, so everyone voted. Cast
up the ballot. With 94 0 nay, and 1 present. You concurred in Senate amendment number 1 to House Bill 1803. Representative Jimmy Gazaway recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1814. Madam Clark, please read Senate Amendment
Speaker 40
1:06:57
number 1. Amendment 1814. Represented Gazaway,
you're recognized to explain Amendment One. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's a
very simple bill. No known opposition, simply adds Senator Blake Johnson is a co-sponsor. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Represent Gazaway has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the
Speaker 86
1:07:21
amendment Represent Gaway is closed for the amendment. Question before the House. This concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1
to House Bill 1814. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted.
Because everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 95 yeah, 0 nay, and 1 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number one to House Bill 1814. Representative Andrew Collins recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1, the House Bill 1808. Madam Clark, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment number 1 the House Bill 1808 to explain your amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Andrew Collins
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1:08:07
This just adds a co-sponsor, uh, Wade Andrews.
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1:08:12
Representative Collins has explained The amendment will end when I speak against the amendment. For the amendment Represent Collins is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1 to
House Bill 1808. Madam Clerk, prepare the machine. So everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
by a vote of 94, 0, nay, and 2 present, you've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1808. Representative Ashley Hudson recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1333. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Senate Amendment 1333. Representative Hudson, you're
Chair
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1:09:00
recognized. Thank you, colleagues as usual, the Senate
Representative Ashley Hudson
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1:09:04
had to meddle in one of our good bills. Um, I would consider this mostly a technical amendment. I had to, they came in and saw a
couple of grammatical changes that they wanted to fix, but I do really appreciate the help and wanted to give a special shout out to my Senate
co-sponsor Brianne Davis. Representative Hudson has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment
Speaker 86
1:09:29
Representative Hudson is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is concurrence in Senate Amendment number one, the House Bill 1333.
Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 82 ya, 5 nay, and 4 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1333. Representative Lee Johnson recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1424. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number one. Amendment Bill
Chair
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1:10:09
1424. Johnson, you're recognized. My bill, my amendment.
Speaker 86
1:10:14
Appreciate your invite. Representative Johnson has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Johnson is closed for the amendment. Question before the house's concurrence with Senate Amendment
number 1 to House Bill 1424, prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone
Speaker 51
1:10:40
voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 78, yeah, 9 nay, and 7 present. You concurred in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1424. Representative Lee Johnson recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 1602. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment 1. Amendment number 1, the House Bill 1602. Representative
Chair
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1:11:03
Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members,
Representative Lee Johnson
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1:11:08
this amendment, uh, added some protection language to the end of the bill around some of the transparency things we were doing in the bill. Happy to take any questions. Appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 86
1:11:20
Representative Johnson has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment.
Representative Johnson is closed for the amendment. Question before the house
is concurrence with Senate Amendment 1. The House Bill 1602, prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Casting up the ballot.
Vote of 92, 0, nay, and 6 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1602. Representative Brandon Aker, uh, recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number one to House Bill 1531. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment 1, the House
Chair
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1:12:06
Bill 1531. Representative Aker, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Aker
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1:12:11
Speaker, colleagues, this amendment simply just clarifies some of the reporting mechanisms that the uh stakeholders requested. And with that, I'll welcome any questions. See no I appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 86
1:12:23
Representative Acer has explained the amendment. Would anyone
like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment, Representative Baker is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is concurrence and Senate Amendment
number 1 to House Bill 1531. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted.
Speaker 188
1:12:45
Everyone voted Cast up the ballot. The vote
of 98 ya, 0, nay, and 0
present. You've concurred in amendment number 1 to House Bill 1531. Representative Brandon Aker recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1700. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number
Speaker 140
1:13:07
1. Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill
Representative Aker
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1:13:13
1700 Representer, you'd. English speaker colleagues, uh, similar logic here. This just clarifies some of the reporting mechanisms requested by the innocents. Thank you. I appreciate a good vote. Representative Aaker has
Speaker 86
1:13:25
explained the amendment. They would like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment Representative Acer is closed for the amendment. The question before the House,
its concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1700. Prepare the machine,
Speaker 51
1:13:43
Madam clerk. So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote
of 97 ya, 1 nay, and zero present. You've concurred
in Senate. Amendment number one, the House Bill 1700. Representative Matthew Brown recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1820. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number one. Amendment number 1, the 1820.
Speaker 40
1:14:07
Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain your amendment. Thank
you, Mr. Colleagues. This is a Senate amendment
Speaker 217
1:14:13
to add another regulated industry to the exceptions to the Act. We already had several that were already accepted because they are regulated and this just added one we missed. Representative Brown
Speaker 86
1:14:23
has explained to the amendment. Would anyone like to speak
against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Brown is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is concurrence in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1820. Prepare the
Speaker 51
1:14:45
machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With
a vote of 96, 1 nay, and 0 present. You've concurred in
Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1820. Representative Mark Perry recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1771. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment number
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1:15:13
Speaker. This amendment's changed the number of employees from 25 to 50. Appreciate a vote. Representative Perry has explained the
Speaker 86
1:15:22
amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment
Representative Perry is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is concurrence with Senate Amendment number one, the House Bill 1771. prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 83 y, 2 nay, and 10 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1, the House Bill 1771.
Representative Mary Bentley recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1. The House Bill 1454, Representative Bentley, or Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Senate Amendment, the House Bill 1454 Thank you,
Chair
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1:16:15
Speaker. My bill, my amendment. I appreciate a good vote. Thanks. Representative
Bentley has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Bailey
Speaker 86
1:16:27
is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is
concurrence in Senate Amendment number 1, the House Bill 1454. Prepare the machine, Madam Clark. Everyone voted
The vote of 90 nay, and 0 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number one. The House Bill 1454. Representative Kendon Underwood recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number one, the
House Bill 1543. Madam Clark, please read Senate Amendment number one
Chair
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1:17:07
Amendment 1 to House Bill 1543. Representative Underwood, you're
to explain your amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Kendon Underwood
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1:17:12
All this amendment does is add Senator Ervin as my Senate sponsor. Appreciate a good
vote. Representative Underwood has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Underwood is closed for the amendment. Question before the house his concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1, the House
Speaker 51
1:17:33
Bill 1543, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Everyone
voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 84 y, 9 nays, and 0 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1543. Representative Steven Meeks recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to
House Bill 1666, Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1.
Speaker 40
1:18:06
Amendment number 1, the House Bill 1666. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. Colleagues, same song, different dance, uh, we somehow convinced Senator Hammer to join me on the 666 bill, so that's all it does. Representative Meeks has
explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Meeks close
Speaker 86
1:18:26
for the amendment. Question before the house is concurrence with Senate
Amendment number 1, to House Bill
Speaker 63
1:18:37
1666. I prepare the machine, Madam Clark. So
Speaker 51
1:18:47
everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the
ballot. With a vote of 96, 1 nay, and 0 present. You've concurred in Senate amendment number 1 to House Bill 1666. Representative Jimmy Gazaway recommends that we concur and
Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1777. Madam Clark, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment
Speaker 40
1:19:12
number 1 to House Bill 1777. Representative Gazaway, you're
recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Technical fix, simply add Senator Gilmore as the Senate sponsor. Thank you. Representative Gazaway has explained the
Speaker 86
1:19:25
amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Gazaway is closed for the amendment. Question before the House's concurrence
with Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1777, prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So
Speaker 51
1:19:48
everyone voted, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote
of 96, 0, nay, and zero present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1777.
Speaker 51
1:20:14
Members at the request of Representative Wayne Long, we will pass over House Bill 1914
today. At the request of Representative Stetson Painter, we will pass over House Bill 1897. Madam Burke, please read House Bill 1930. 1930 by Representative
Chair
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1:20:29
for Law to mandate minimum reimbursement levels for healthcare services. Law, you're recognized to
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. me
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
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1:20:38
walk down here with a folder, it's gonna be bad.
I think we are all aware of the fact that our health care
system is the way. And the way we pay for healthcare in America isn't working. We can all agree that it's too expensive for Americans to obtain quality health care. And it's often too complicated to navigate our system. But the reality is we aren't going to solve that problem here today. The reality is here in Arkansas, we have an emergency situation going on. Arkansas healthcare providers
received some of the lowest reimbursement rates in the country. Medicare, Medicaid, and private healthcare insurance. Pay less for healthcare services in Arkansas. Did they do anywhere else in the nation. We are ranked 50. In the payment system. This is a trifecta that has put many of our rural hospitals and providers and unsustainable financial position. Without adequate reimbursement, our health care system cannot recruit, maintain a strong healthcare workforce are update and maintain their facilities.
In many of our rural hospitals are at risk of closure. We also rank 50. In the closure list or the risk for closure in the United States. In 2022, the legislature set aside $60 million in American rescue Plan funding for Arkansas hospitals. In 2024, Governor Sanders awarded 15 million. To rural hospitals. This type of hospital recovery from the pandemic and high staffing costs and supply costs that we saw during that time. But one time
funding isn't gonna solve the problem. You really got to think this through. The first hospital that came here, that we gave money to was Camden, Arkansas. We gave them $7 million that day. Camden, Arkansas suffered last weekend in ER without a doctor for a few hours. They were able to grab a doctor in the community to come fill in for the weekend, the folks, Camden, Arkansas is coming back to knock on the door and let me tell you what each and every one of you gonna do when they get
here. You're gonna vote yes because you have to. Because of defense, defense contracts have all of their employment sitting in Camden, Arkansas, and they cannot make those missiles and they cannot make those bombs without a hospital and an ER. So you're going to vote yes. We had a very Not, not talking about this bill, by the way, I'm talking about paying for Camden Hospital. We had a very in-depth conversation about this issue in committee this week. We had payers, we had hospital CEOs
engaged in the conversation. Committee members had very thoughtful questions, and I'd like to address some of those today. 3 Recent reports highlight Arkansas healthcare challenges. In February 2025, 2025 rule hell state of the state report ranks Arkansas number one in the country for the highest percentage of hospitals on the closure list. I already told you that. December 2024, the RAND
pricing paid by hospitals, the private healthcare plans report found that Arkansas had the lowest commercial reimbursement rate in the country. Only 5 states in the country saw hospital reimbursement rate below 200%. Medicare. Arkansas was the lowest at 170%. The average of the country gets 254%. November 2024, the Northwest Arkansas. Counsel Northwest Arkansas Healthcare
Vision 2030 report found that the payment rates for healthcare services remained the lowest in the United States. Providers in Arkansas are in a competitive disadvantage compared to neighboring states in terms of amount of money they receive per patient for an example, hospital in nearby Oklahoma treating the same patient with the same medical condition would make $5,725 more than a hospital in Arkansas. Average reimbursement for a patient in Arkansas versus neighboring states. Arkansas's
average reimbursement is $8800. Oklahoma is $14,500. Texas is $1,700,350. Louisiana is $11,988 so almost $12,000. Mississippi is $12,500. Hospital transparency pricing shows the disparency and reimbursement rates between Arkansas hospitals and hospitals and adjoining states. For example, one of the nation's largest payers, United, pays
$119 for an Arkansas-based health care system for a mammogram, compared to $330 in Springfield, Missouri, $301 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. $402 in Durant, Oklahoma. There's no reason that Arkansas payers. are $200 less than anybody else for a mammogram. A mammogram here is the same quality as a mammogram there. Another clear example from the same pair, emergency room reimbursement at Ashley County
Medical Center in Crossett, Arkansas is $628 compared to $1000 in Shreveport to $825 and I couldches, Louisiana. One of the biggest issues I see in this with employers who have employees that live near Arkansas border are in states near Arkansas, where their employment plans are paying the higher rates for the healthcare that is provided out of state, then what is provided in Arkansas, if we continue to do this, our Arkansas employers and
employees are going to subsidize these other states because the premiums you pay in Arkansas, when you go have service in the state, it pays those higher prices. So, so the insurance companies outside those doors, standing there telling you that this is going to raise premiums. Our premiums are already paying these rates I've quoted you. Cause Arkansas employers like Walmart have most of their employees outside the state of Arkansas. I've already showed you where the average of those. Or anywhere from 12 to $17,000
for the same hospital stay that's 88. So how does this bill help Arkansas providers. This bill requires a health benefit plan to pay a minimum reimbursement level on the average percentage being paid in adjoining states, which is Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Adjoining states, current reimbursement average percentage of Medicare is Arkansas's 162, Oklahoma's 255. Texas is 251. Louisiana's 232, Mississippi is
184 and Missouri is 247. You can see the majority of those states are already above the national average of the percentage above Medicare. Think about that for a minute. Arkansas commercial plans are currently paying 162% of Medicare, while they are paying 255% of that same Medicare rate in Oklahoma and 232% of it in Louisiana. In this bill, there are 5-year phase in. It's gonna start out at 45% of that of that adjoining state average.
Every insurance payer that I know of is already paying above 45%. The 2nd year, it'll go to 55%, the 3rd year, 65%. The fourth year, 75%. The original bill we filed started in '85, 95, and 100. It was a 3-year phase in. So what we did with this amendment that was asked about, asked for us to put in by one of the biggest employers in the state. Was we allowed you guys some breathing room before any payments would, would go up,
that breathing room is all the way out to almost year 4. Now we did have a hospital administrator and committee testify that he thought that he would see some in here too, but he knew he would in year 3, but for the most part, you shouldn't see any premium increase until year 4. Truthfully That's unlikely. to mean a reimbursement increase in year one. I think I already explained that paragraph. In the case, so if I lose my page, I'll come back. In case
it's unclear in my intent, this bill had no payer with lower reimbursement and 45% in the minimum reimbursement level. In a provider currently being reimbursed at higher rate than, than that. But I do want to ensure that we do not have any rural hospitals that are getting less than 45% of that average. One of the things we talked about at length during the committee is the potential for premium increases. Payers argued that raising commercial rates will result in increased premiums for Arkansas
employers and Arkansas employees, and Arkansas Private plans. However, the Kaufman Family Foundation data shows that the average annual premium for enrolled employee or employer-based health insurance in surrounding states is not significantly higher than ours. That's what's so funny about this, folks. Is they're paying almost the same premiums at us in these other states, but yet we've got the insurance company standing committee telling us that we're gonna pay these exorbitant amount of high premiums to pay the same rates they're already paying in these other states.
Arkansas's average yearly premium is $7,362. Write that down so you can compare these other numbers. Oklahoma, where I've already told you they pay $14,000 for an average day, 8000 in Arkansas is only 7420. It's not even $100 difference. That's $100 a year for the record, not $100 a month. Texas premiums, 8100. 8 $700 difference than us, and they pay more than double the
average hospital stay in Texas versus Arkansas. Mississippi is $100 less than us on premium, but yet they reimbursement level is almost $4000 more than us on. Premiums are not gonna go up. A few years ago, Representative Lee Johnson had a case of bills that he ran to help providers fight the commercial insurance world, and they told us that it was going to cost 300 and something million dollars and we're gonna see these huge premium increases. We passed all
those bills, we sent them out, we've never seen a dime of that. The only thing I can even account for that in remotely count to it is Blue Cross put out in the 1st quarter, they lost 220 million. But then you find out no premiums were raised, they're passed through company and they're moving their company out of state, moving in with Anthem. We also know that in the previous sessions, To address a couple of the questions for committee. This is
not setting a specific price for healthcare services. This bill sets a minimum reimbursement level, which we have done for pharmacists, which we have done for multiple other providers in, in health. And it allows the payers in private to handle regional differences in a similar manner. So the bill still allows contract negotiation. It just sets a minimum. So it still allows for Northwest Arkansas to get a higher reimbursement rate because of labor levels or labor prices is still allows Little Rock to do
that versus a Delta. So it's still allows negotiation to take place between the companies and the hospitals. I was asked if it had been done in any other state. To my knowledge, this has not been done anywhere else, but we're having to consider this because we are dead last in reimbursement in the country. Other states have set minimums. Reimbursement rates for other healthcare services such as pharmacy reimbursement. In fact, Arkansas has already done that as well, as I mentioned. In this bill going to solve the problem.
Honestly, it's not gonna solve the problem. But it's a great big step in the right direction. We do need our Medicare rates increased. And I want to take a second to explain that to you guys because this is kind of hard to understand. Because Washington DC doesn't do many things right. Medicare to change your rate in Medicare for your state. It takes an act of Congress. They literally have to have a bill, and they have to pass the chambers just like here and the president has to sign it. But in
order to even do that. The bill has to hold budget neutrality of current Medicare. So for our rate to go up somewhere else in the US has to go down. So you ask yourself, why couldn't we have Bozeman or Senator Cotton introduced that bill. Because it's really hard to take away from somewhere else. And everybody in the US is fighting the same battles right now. And the difference is, is they're fighting it from a different playing field.
Now that this bill has been filed and debated. Payers have offered to help and provide solutions rather than implement this bill. The problem with that is these payers have had decades to address this issue and are in fact the very entities that have suppressed the reimbursement rates for so long. If they had increased the rates at a comparable rate to our neighboring states, we wouldn't be talking about this today. We would all I want the market to drive the prices, but when you have the industry with a one-sided
negotiation, sometimes we step in. I look around this room and most of you guys are in business. I'm looking at representative McGrew right here who's an electrician. Whatever that pipe cost for that conduit, whatever that wire cost, he's able to recoup that price. Through, through his bid or through his price for that job and get his money back. That mammogram machine and that MRI machine costs X. We're not able to take 20 patients that we can run through there a day and divide that cost out and charge
it. We have to eat whatever Medicare sets that price at and wherever private insurance sets the price above Medicare. And that's where we're at. And those machines cost a whole lot more than that reimbursement is today. Lastly, I want to point out That the reason for some of these potential premium increases are coming back in, in such high rates is because they are very companies that are underpaying our providers now, and if they had kept up with the
market, they wouldn't be making up so much ground today and members. This is not an easy bill. It's not a bill I wanted to stand down here and run this year. But we're elected for reasons. And we're elected for reasons to take care of our people. Health, safety, and well-being. And in order to do that, our communities have to have hospitals. And these hospitals aren't growing on trees the same way our parents tell us money don't grow on trees.
And sometimes we gotta make tough decisions. And today is the day
we're going to make a tough decision. With that, Mr. Speaker, I'll allow members to debate. Representative Wardlaw
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Ray You're recognized speak against
Representative David Ray
Unverified
1:36:10
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I think we are at the point in the legislative session where
The bills we are considering things faster than all of us and truly grasp the consequences of some of these things that we're passing. And I want to just bring to your attention that this bill is going to result. In a very substantial increase on insurance premiums for people who have private insurance. Employer sponsored insurance and self-funded health insurance plans. The testimony in committee and the numbers that I've seen
estimate that we're looking at premium increases of anywhere in the range of $4800 to $6000 for a family of 4 per year. I don't have a lot of families in my district that can absorb that sort of a hit. The state chamber has referred to this bill as a quote, thinly veiled tax increase. I agree with that assessment. Our businesses are staring down a lot of uncertainty right now.
They don't know whether they're going to have to pay tariffs from the federal level. They don't know if they're not gonna have to pay tariffs. They don't know if the Trump tax cuts are going to get extended or if the Trump tax cuts are going to expire. They don't know whether we're about to go into a recession. Or whether we're going to pull out of it. The last thing that we need to do is to saddle them with higher insurance rates. And saddle their employees, our constituents. With higher insurance rates.
One of the things that was mentioned in committee. You know, when insurance becomes too expensive beyond what people can afford to pay. They drop it, and they become uninsured. And it was testified in committee that in the last year, just with one carrier, we had 125 small businesses in this state, drop insurance for their employees. That trend is only going to continue. If we pass this bill. One of the things that I think is problematic about this bill is that
It exempts state government and it exempts higher ed. Why is that? I think it's worth asking that question. It's almost certainly because of the cost increases I just mentioned. You know, a lot of times we say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. But that's not how this bill works. The private sector is going to have to shoulder the burden of the cost shift that's going to occur. And the government sector is going to get off scot-free.
I think every session that I've been here, we passed bills in the last Week of session That we soon come to regret. Because we realized that it did things we didn't fully comprehend we're going to happen. And I believe that if we pass this bill, That will become one of those bills. The filing period for bills opened in the middle of November. November of last year. This bill was filed 2 weeks ago.
And I do not think that we need to rush through a change this significant, this Monumental, this drastic. In the 11th hour of session. Because the law of unintended consequences is a very real thing. So I would just ask you, unless you know exactly how this bill is going to impact the employers in your district. Unless you have read it. Thoroughly and thoroughly understand the impact that it's
going to have on the premiums of the people you represent in your districts. I would ask you to not vote for this bill, and I am not going to vote for it
for those reasons. Representative Ray has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like speak for the bill, Representative Acer, you're recognized to speak for the. Thank
Representative Aker
Unverified
1:40:24
you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, and I appreciate the sentiments from Representative Ray.
Um, I would like to say that um the comparisons in my line of work and, and the efforts we've made, uh, to regulate how that happens, centers around showing your work. To vote against this bill is the unintended consequence of believing insurance companies at their face value. This bill does require them to show their work before a premium is increased, just like in the pharmacy business that they've had the same arguments in the healthcare business, they make those same arguments that it's going to cost too much, that premiums are going to be this
much, this much and this much. It does require them to show their work. And rather than voting no out of prospective fear, I ask that you vote yes. In favor of having them show their work because when they show their work, what they're showing you is care that was rendered. There are names behind those dollar spent. There are heart attacks behind those dollars spent. There are cancer patients behind those dollars spent. And before we take them at their face value that they're going to increase premiums. Let's have them show their work.
We talk about the increase in costs. There is also a cost of doing nothing. While doing nothing is at hospitals close. Cost of nothing would be that pharmacies close. The cost of doing nothing is a lack of access. And today, we ask you to vote in favor of this bill to have insurance companies show their work rather than on a flyer, they're gonna do it in claims administered and adjudicated. And with that, I'd appreciate a Representative Aker has spoke
for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Representative Ladyman, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
1:42:17
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, I, I was not going to come down here and speak against this bill. But Had to get that in there. Uh, no, seriously.
Uh, I respect Representative Wardlaw what he's trying to do. And I, I, I believe I could support this bill. In a different form. Here's the reason I can't support the bill, uh, it adds on to what Representative Ray said, and I talked about this in committee. And, and let me try to explain this to you. There was a lot of discussion in committee, a lot of emails coming from different people. Now Representative Wardlaw said that the, the, uh, premiums wouldn't increase. Well, maybe they won't.
But maybe they will. What I'm gonna say it doesn't matter. Uh If you've got different groups, if it doesn't increase, it affects all groups. If it increases, it affects all groups. And what representative Ray said, If there is an increase, it's on the back of the private People, private industry, private small businesses because government is exempt. So, originally, Hare was in this bill.
And I got the same email, many of you got. Uh, ASU was, they told me it was gonna cost them $90 million. This bill would cost them $90 million. You said it would cost them. $74 million. Well, we started talking about that. So the next day, went in the meeting. Harriet was exempt. And I thought, well, why are they exempt? So
And then I was told, well, It doesn't really matter. But there's not gonna be a cost. if the premiums aren't going to go up. Then why are they exempt? Why is EBD exempt? And let me just give you an example. I gave this in the, in the, uh, committee. You know, I worked in private business, private industry until I got elected to office. And we used to always talk about how unfair it was that many things were passed on the back of private.
Business and industry and small business and government was not included. There will be costs added. To the private sector. But government was not included. So let me just try to give you an example of what this bill would do if rates went up. If premiums went up. Now, as I said, ASU, which is in my district, was exempt. So if we pass this bill, Premiums go up,
An electrician in the factory I worked in, in Jonesboro. would see an increase in his premium. An electrician working at ASU doing the same work would see no increase. So that guy working in the factory, would be paying for that guy working at ASU doing the same work. That is not fair. And that's why I can't vote for this bill. Representative layman who
spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill?
Representative Meeks, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I was not planning on coming down here at all because this is not my wheelhouse, as you all know, um, uh, I'm happy to leave this portion of law to, uh, other folks like Representative Wardlaw, and I appreciate all the work he's, he's done on this over the years, but, um, you know, as I'm sitting here trying to process all of this. I know in the past in my community, we ran into problems where water systems and sewer systems, they didn't want to raise their rates and the way they did that was by
neglecting maintenance. And when you neglect maintenance. system wears out, the system wears out, the system wears out. And instead of raising those premiums slowly over time to take care of the issue. What they did is they kept putting it off, putting it off, putting it off, and y'all know what happens. The bill came due. and when the bill came due, we had these humongous jumps in, in premiums. So two thoughts related to this. And again, you know, y'all vote how you deem best. If we do not do this, I see one of 3 things happening. Either one, we do this. Number
2, we don't do this in either the hospital's close or number 3, what has happened in the past, they come to the state and the taxpayers end up footing the bill. The people still end up footing the bill. It's just through taxes and not through premiums. The concern about state employees being exempt from this and government being exempt for that. That, that kind of troubled me too, and I was over there trying to process all of that, but I get to thinking, if we include state government in it, Doesn't that mean our costs are
going to go up. And if our cost is gonna go up, who's going to bear the cost of that? The taxpayers. So, if we include all these government entities in this. The taxpayers would pay the premium increase and tax increases. If we don't include state government in this, then it's just gonna be the premium increases. I have no idea if that helps the cause or not or helps settle the issue, but I just thought I'd
throw it out there for food for thought. Thanks.
Representative Meeks has spoke for the bill. Representative Gonzalez, for what purpose?
Speaker 51
1:47:57
I'll hear your motion, immediate consideration. That's a proper motion. It's non-debatable. All those in favor of a immediate consideration say aye. Pona. Motion fails.
Representative Eaves, recognized to speak against the bill.
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
1:48:24
our colleagues, I know this is a tough issue, and I want to give Representative Wardlaw props. He
has run probably as much heavy lifting, uh, legislatively speaking than anybody in this building, and I respect his opinion. I respect his thoughts, and he, I think he knows that. Uh, and I understand this bill intends to address low reimbursement rates to hospitals. But the language in this bill is problematic. It will cause a significant increase in healthcare costs for employers, employees, and self-funded health care plans. Including those operated by
private businesses and nonprofit businesses. It will have broad and costly The consequences across the state. And I'm not not going to belabor the point you've heard before about $1200 or more per covered individual per year, $4800 to $6000 per family of four is what we're looking at, according to two different insurance companies. And I think these increased costs could result in discontinuing self-funded health plans and even maybe even benefit cuts. Private businesses.
And nonprofits are going to be forced to absorb these higher costs. There's no way around it. And I want to say something to my hospital friends. I understand the situation you're in, and I want to fully support improving healthcare, but I don't think it's fair or equitable to do it on the backs of private businesses and private individuals. Every person that uses the health care system should be a part of the solution. You shouldn't be exempting out different groups and why did we exempt out healthcare or, or higher education.
If rates aren't going to go up, Why did we exempt All state employees and higher ed, because we can't afford it. Because rates are gonna go up. This will be the largest tax on business and Insurance premium payers ever. Everything representative of Wardlaw said is accurate. We do have a problem. I'm not sure it's a problem we can fix on our own. It is a problem that I think we need help with from our federal government.
And I do agree that insurance companies need to do a better job of negotiating with our hospitals. But again, as I said before, every person that uses the healthcare system should be a part of fixing it. Walmart on its own is looking at a $32 million cost just for their associates. I, I don't see how we can pass this bill with the folks
we've exempted out of it. And for that, I'd ask for a no vote. Representative Shepherd, for what purpose?
You're reckon for a question? Representative Eaves, and I believe you're on insurance and commerce, correct? So I was in there for part of the debate. I didn't hear all of it, and you said that what Representative Wardlaw has said is correct. Was there any explanation given for why reimbursement rates are so drastically different here in Arkansas compared to the surrounding states, while premiums are apparently not much that much different. And
it seems to me, uh, that that's a very relevant question. I
didn't, I didn't, I don't know if that was addressed.
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
1:51:30
I, I think I didn't mean to cut you
off. I think Representative Wardlaw, um, described that in his presentation to the bill, and he will likely probably address that in his closing, I hope, but, um, I, I'm not a healthcare expert at all, and I know that Representative Wardlaw has been in healthcare, um, and Other members that have spoke for the bill, by the way, are in healthcare. I don't. That's not a problem. I understand the situation they're in, and I do want to do what we can to fix it. I just think that
exempting the groups that are exempted makes it harder to fix the problem. And I think that leaving it only on the backs of
private businesses and individuals. Um, it's just egregious and unfair. So With that, I appreciate a no vote. Representative Meeks who
spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill, Representative Lee Johnson, you're recognized speak for the bill.
Chair
Unverified
1:52:29
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, you know,
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:52:33
I'm, I'm hearing a lot about the cost of this initiative, and I want to say a few words about that because I think there's something that's being left out of that equation. This idea that if we pay more to the hospitals, The, the premiums go up and then it's the individuals paying the premiums that have to carry that cost burden. I think there's an opportunity for the health insurers to carry some of the cost burden. I mean, the reason health
insurers say they're going to raise premiums. Is it because they're not making enough money? Is it because they don't have enough money to be solvent? I don't know that we have to say that because we raise pay rates, the premiums have to go up and the, and the individuals who pay the premiums have to carry that burden alone. part of the bill that we have here, part of this bill is designed to take a peek under the hood and look closer. At the solvency of our insurance companies across state lines. The question that Representative Shepherd asked about how can we
have lower subsidies around other states with low pay rates here. Well, for these insurance companies that are operating across state lines. By charging us higher premiums, we're subsidizing. The higher cost across the state line. We heard a lot of talk this fall about fair and reasonable. In the pharmacy space. What's fair and reasonable. All of you in here have some sort of income. And, and I wanna, I wanna, I want you to think for a minute.
About what you get paid, however that is, however that works. And I want you to understand the desperate situation that hospitals are in, to come and ask for what they're asking for in this bill. Because if you think about how you get paid, And let's say what I did was, whatever your profession, I went to the surrounding states. And I said, I'll tell you what, guys, so what we're gonna do is we're gonna take an average whatever profession you're in, and we're gonna figure out the average pay for all the states around us. And we're just gonna pay you the average. Well, that, that seems fair.
You're making the average for everyone else, right? Average is fair. What if I said, well, we're not going to pay you the average, we're gonna pay you 85% of the average. So less than average, but I, does that sound fair? What if I said, we're not gonna pay you the average. We're not going to pay you 85% of the average. We're not even going to pay you 50% of the average. We're going to pay you 45% of the average reimbursement that everybody else is getting around you. Would that feel fair? Or would that feel like, gosh, I can't believe you're going to
cut me down to half, less than half of what other people around us were getting paid. The hospitals are asking for. of what other people around us are getting paid. This is not an unreasonable ask. This is a very different bill than when it started. Many of the the numbers that I saw on the flowers that I saw came out before the bill was amended at committee. They were based on the original bill at 85, 95, and 100%. This is a bill that's asking for 45%.
Of the average for the first year, 55% of the average for the second year. When we asked the hospital CEOs and the hospital association, if that would make a difference, if that would help. They said it would. And none of the insurance companies had any of these numbers when they sit at the table to give us a fair idea of the premium increase. So I think this is both fair and reasonable. And we've made this, uh, statement in other places in healthcare, and I think it's fair and reasonable to make this here for the hospitals. Be happy to take your question. Representative McCollum, for
what purpose? Question, you're recognized for a question? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for taking the question, and I'm you know I'm coming from a place because I know you have a lot of the knowledge in the background in this and as was described, there's a lot of people who have spent a lot of time trying to be solution-oriented on this issue. I don't have a solution to that. So my question
Comes from the place, you know, Walmart Associates 50 may not have made things better maybe but the question is, What else What are the other solutions that have been talked about before? Does it make that happen? That solves for the issue we're trying to solve for where the the effect is not, you
know, these premiums going up for these employers. What else can be done? You know it's hard to speak to that
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:57:08
without getting off the topic of the bill, but I, I mean, I could make some speculations on things that could be done. What I'd like to
see is what I would like to see approach where we have a better understanding through the Arkansas insurance department of when rates are justified to go up and when they aren't. I think that's fair for employers. I think that's fair for individuals in Arkansas. it's fair for the providers, some sort of process like we have in home and casualty insurance where we can say to Arkansas Insurance Department, hey, these insurers, this is how much money they have in surplus. This is how much money they have available to them. This is how much they paid out in claims. Is it a fair thing based on these things to raise rates. I don't know that we have enough clarity
in that. I would like to see us have more clarity in that, but again, that's not addressed specifically in
this bill. I hear what you're saying. It's not addressed specifically in the bill, but I guess if that's something that would help with the issue that this bill is trying to solve
for, is that something that has been discussed to your knowledge that
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:58:04
what you just said, they're, there, there are other pieces of legislation out there, but again, to speak to this bill, I'm here to speak for this bill. Thank you, members. Appreciate a good vote. in
a groove for what purpose? You're recognized in a groove for what purpose?
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
1:58:19
You're recognizedent Johnson, I respect you. I respect Ward Law. I know that he's worked hard on this bills. I've talked to my hospitals. I know they need the money. The one thing I haven't heard, I was in the committee and the question was asked there, and I haven't heard it here. Mainstitute, the book of Mackin are not government employees, and they're not higher ed employees. In fact, most of those employees make more than the employees in my district make. For my daughter, for instance, her health care on her and her husband and the two children, is almost $24,000 a year.
So how do we explain to her that you need to pay for the increase, but the higher ed and the state employees don't need to. I haven't heard the answer to that question. Why? Did we not include them. I'm for this if we make it even across the board to everybody. I think we need it. But just looking at what's right and what's
Speaker 220
1:59:12
fair. That's not fair. Can you talk on
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
1:59:15
that? No, I understand what you're saying. And again, uh, we have had multiple mandates come through this legislative body.
And many of these mandates, many of these mandates have carved out both EBD and DHS because of the effect that it has on the budget. My, my answer back to you on your family, like, I'm sure they're in a fragile economic state. Lots of people are. Hospitals are in fragile economic state are the health insurance companies, the commercial payers in Arkansas, are they in a fragile state, or do they have to pass this on to your constituents. I don't think they have to pass this on to your constituents. I think they could shrink and contract, and we could keep writes the same and have reimbursements better in
Speaker 51
1:59:55
Arkansas. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Johnson has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to
speak against the bill? Robin L speak against the bill. Robin Representative Lindstrom, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
2:00:16
I think we need to mark the time and date. That was an educational and well-done presentation. And he's exactly right. It looks like it solves the
problem, but it does not solve a problem. What it does is it passes the buck. We excluded EBD, our own employees, because it would break our bank. It would cost us the, the, the budget in Arkansas would send it through the roof. We can't afford it, neither can our taxpayers. It exempts higher education. Wow. That's because they have a good lobbyist. That was a bad decision. You know who the lobbyist is for us? For the citizens of this state, we are.
We're the ones making this decision. Representative
Wardlaw gave you the key. He studied this enough. He actually said, entities suppressed the rates. I hope you were listening because I was. He's exactly right. Entities suppress the rates. So they suppressed the rates, yet we pass the buck on to our citizens. And that's wrong. And with that, would ask for a no vote, please. Representative Lundstrom has spoke against
the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
2:01:31
bill? Representative Pilkington, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know we're all very tired, so I'll make this quick. But I'm also tired. I'm tired of bailing out hospitals. I'm tired of healthcare providers when they need help. They come to us and ask us to raise Medicaid rates over and over again because they know they can't get the rate increases on the commercial plans. So they put it on the taxpayers this way. No, I've read the RAND report. Who else here has ran the the RAND report. Who has seen the delta. Word law.
Who has seen the delta between what we're paying in our premiums and what we're getting reimbursed. If you look at that, it should actually be very small. And here's the reality, the players in Arkansas right now don't want to do it because it is a Cus deal to be a healthcare plan in Arkansas, and they know that if they have to shrink the gap to be competitive with these other states. It also means other insurance will come in and competition will come in and it'll drive the price down and will lower premiums because someone can offer the premium. That the same rate that they're paying in other states and reimbursed at a higher level. That's how it's working in these
other states and they know they can offer that. That's why they're losing their mind. That's why they're running Facebook ads and doing all these other things, you know, and it's, it's, we've seen this over and again and again. Anytime we try to do anything to improve the healthcare of our Of our citizens, we get told we better stop it because it's gonna increase premiums and the next thing you know, the insurance companies call the chambers and they call their members and they call us and they say it's gonna be doomsday here in Arkansas. But that's not true. It's a lie. And I'm tired. I'm tired of the lie. I'm tired of us not fixing
the issue. Our healthcare system is broken in the United States, but it's especially broken here in Arkansas. And if you want to keep bailing out hospitals, if you keep on increasing how much money we're spending on Medicaid, which I know a lot of us don't want to do. Then vote no on this bill if you want to increase Medicaid, and if you want if you want to keep on bailing out hospitals. But you want to stop doing that, I'd say vote yes. I won't be taking questions, but I appreciate it. We're Oh Representative Pilon spoke for
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:03:40
Representative Wardlaw, you recognize to close for your bill. They give a speaker. I think it's the first time I've ever closed for Bill and my career. Folks, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if y'all all misunderstood me when I started this. I never said this was gonna be free. I never said that it didn't cost any
money. And I never said anybody wasn't gonna get an increase. What I said was very clear. We shouldn't see an increase to year. The largest employer in the
state asked for the five-year ramp up. I really think there's probably 20 hospitals that are closed. That's the sad part. That's not
gonna be on my back though, because I'm gonna turn out. It's gonna be on y'all's back. To what you do to keep those 20 open
until year 4. You're being told this bill's a tax on employers. It's a tax for hospitals. If anything, This so-called tax is already
happening. And the money is sitting in the insurance company's bank
accounts are going out of state to providers to make those reimbursement rates equal on the other side of the state lines. I'm here today because I'm gonna vote for my community hospital. You can decide whether you want to support your community. Your hospital Or if you want to support Blue Cross Blue Shield's bottom line. It's gonna be up to you, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Wardlaw is closed
for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1930. Prepare the machine, madam
Speaker 86
2:05:32
clerk. So everyone voted Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 44, 45 nays, and 4 present bill has failed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
2:05:42
1874 by Representative McKenzie, an act to amend the use
of professional development funding that exceeds the maximum amount awarded to public schools for public school teachers under the public school Funding Act of 2003.
Speaker 86
2:05:53
Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
2:05:56
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um. Love being up after that one. This one should be pretty good. Uh, this is a, a, a good piece of legislation. It's a companion bill to what we're going to see from Chairman Brooks here in a moment where we pass through our adequacy funding. Um, so what
this bill does is it takes out some previously used languages, for professional learning community. Um, that's been a a a topic of discussion in Little Rock for about the last 18 months. Um, and what has happened in the last 18 months is that we've seen the vendor who's who, uh, the vendor who participated in that supplemental program for professional development. Fall out of the RFP process. Our, our code is very specific that that supplemental moneys has to go to professional development for the purposes of professional learning communities.
Because that, that vendor, who is ostensibly the only vendor. As we've written into code that can do that work has fallen out of the RFP. Arkansas Department of Education has had to Uh, in my, my words, not theirs, somewhat contravene the law. Um, they are specific in the charge for that sum of money is supposed to go to those purposes. But in, but what they've had to do is draw it back down and give out block grants for professional development to specific districts. I want to be clear what what what will happen when we pass
this bill. We are not affecting a single dollar a professional development in our funding matrix. I'll say that again. We're not affecting $1 for professional development in our funding matrix. We still fund that at a 41 per pupil rate for every student in the state of Arkansas going to a public school. What this does is it basically helps codify what the Department of Education has had to do over the last 18 months, which is move this money to help supplement. Our districts for the purposes of learns, uh, implementation.
That, that takes a lot of different forms. It is in part professional development, but it is also in part the literacy and numeracy requirements and hopeful interventions and remediations that we needed a district level to drag us up from being forty-ninth in the country in those two perspective categories. So, um, it's a very good bill. It is a companion bill to adequacy. Uh, I'd be happy to take any questions. See no I look for a good vote.
Speaker 86
2:08:16
Representative McKenzie has explained the bill. Would anyone like to
speak against the bill? For the bill Representative McKenzie is
closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1874, repair the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
vote of 61a, 25 nays, and 10 present. The bill is passed. Members without objection. I want to flip the page and go to House Bill 1312. Saying no objection, Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1312. House 1312 by Representative Brooks to
Chair
Unverified
2:09:14
amend public school funding amounts under the Public School Funding Act of 2003.
Representative Brooks, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
colleagues, uh, as a follow up to Representative McKenzie. This is the adequacy bill. You hear about the funding matrix of public school funding matrix and the adequacy process, uh, some of you may have sat through the 10 months of adequacy meetings, which looks at every single, uh, part of our public school funding, uh, from transportation to teachers, to, uh, professional development, everything in between, looks at what do we need to do to appropriately fund our
public schools. So, at the end of October, we presented the Joint Education Committee presented the recommendations. The base recommendation is a per pupil funding amount. So as we got through the process, we presented that as a joint recommendation, file the bill, uh, one change to the recommendations and the bill that you have in front of you has to do with health insurance, uh, discussion has been had for a number of years to move health insurance outside of the matrix. The reason is because it's a tremendous, uh, administrative burdens on schools and And frankly, it's a more
efficient system to be able to pay that directly to EBD. So just a couple of highlights of what this bill is, uh, the, the primary concern that everyone has is what is the per-pupil funding. So year one, the per-pupil funding goes up to $8,162. That's reflective of about a 5% increase. That increase does include health insurance. And so it's included within the Matrix in the first year. The reason that we decided to leave it in there, even though it's going to be phased out in the long term. The reason we left it in there is because we know schools are in the budgetary
process already, and we will make sure we had consistency there. Year 2, the per-pupil funding goes to $8,037. Let me hear you, or please hear me say this very clearly. We are not decreasing funding for public schools in any way. The only difference that we have is that the healthcare costs are being pulled out of it to be paid directly. Again, schools are very aware of this. We had an extensive conversations with, uh, schools, both urban, rural, big, small, uh, and there was widespread, um, Acceptance that this is the right way to do it because it's
a more efficient way to do it. And again, they are glad to have the administrative challenges off of that. So, year one reflects $8,162 which includes the healthcare costs, year two is $8,037 which has the healthcare costs removed, but are paid directly by the department to EBD for the healthcare, uh, needs of, um, of the employees of the school system. Beyond that, uh, this continues to keep our commitment for public schools to continue to fund the average increase per pupil increase is 2.48% year
over year, uh, when we look back at the history of the Matrix, and then the last 20 years, our average increase is about 1.84%. So this represents, uh, one of, if not the strongest commitment to our public schools to continue to fund them and keep our commitment of
Speaker 368
2:12:12
taking care of students. With that, I'd be happy to answer
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
2:12:16
any questions. Representative Rose, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Good question, uh,
Representative Brooks, thanks, great presentation. Uh, the educational freedom accounts are indexed off of. That number of the pupil funding.
How is that gonna work from year 1 to year 2? Is it, is, is year
one going to be indexed? So you, you're, you're one, it'll be indexed just like the law says, which is 90% of foundation funding. So year one is gonna be 90%, so that would be the next school year. Um, so right, you know, this is this upcoming school year, the 25, 26th school year, the EFAs are indexed off of $7,771 which is what the current pupable funding is. Next year will be indexed off of $8,162. And then the year after that, yes, 8000 8,037 will be the index. So pretty minimal
change, but enough time to look at it, but there's a larger increase here in year one. than normally would be. Uh, I will also qualify that, you know, as we look forward to, uh, how we continue to improve what our funding approach is, uh, Representative Cozar has worked very, very hard the last several years, uh, on a, a new funding model that's something being worked with the departments, uh, they were not there, but something we're having
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
2:13:23
consistent discussions on. Yeah, and just for clarity and consistency, 90% of the per-pupil funding year one, same
thing, it's a 90% off of 90% does not change because that's what's in the the EFA law.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Steele, for what purpose? Question, you're
Speaker 318
2:13:38
recognized. Representative, what is the change as it relates to children and students would, would, uh. Severe needs. special needs. Let me look at the specific number. Bear with me. I didn't highlight that representative.
It's one thing just certainly look through a bunch of pages of legislation while you're standing in front of everybody. So you're talking about ESA funding? Specifically, OK. Uh, so ESA funding is going up to $1,103 in
2627 $1130 the following year. 1103, year 1, 1130 year two. With that, I appreciate a good vote.
Representative Brooks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? But when I speak for the bill. Representative Brooks is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1312. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted, is everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot with a vote of 93, 3 nay, and
Speaker 86
2:15:39
0 present. Bill is passed. Representative Jimmy Gazaway recommends that we refer House Bill 1980
back to committee for the purpose of amendment. That's a proper motion. It is debatable. Representative Gazaway.
You recognize to explain your motion to refer back. Thank you Mr. Speaker, in the course of looking at this bill more thoroughly, I realized that had an issue or two that needs to be amended, so this probably caused it not to make it out this session, but that's just too sad, so I would, uh, I ask that you join me in sending this bill back to committee. Thank you very
much. Representative Gazaway has explained the motion. anybody like to speak against the motion. For the motion
Represent Gasway is closed for the motion. All those in favor of sending House Bill 18 or 1980 back Committee for the purpose of amendment, say aye. Po nay Your eyes have it, send the
Chair
Unverified
2:16:38
bill back to committee. Madam Clark, please read House
Bill 1974. House 1974 by Representative Long to prohibit state entities from employing unauthorized
Speaker 140
2:16:49
aliens to establish the E-Verify Requirement Act and required state entities to use E-Verify
Chair
Unverified
2:16:55
to confirm employment eligibility explain your
bill. Thank Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh I'll bring before you HB 7 1974. It's a
very simple bill. Bingo. certain Oh, this bill is
to uh be certain that uh when the
government hires employees that they're eligible. Uh, every new employee in America is required to fill out an I-9 form within the first day of being hired. This form is, uh, to provide, um, This form is to pride that proved that the US, the person is a US citizen or a legal alien. I known must be submitted with documentation to prove that your citizenship or legal status. We have a couple of problems. Most employers are not experts at identifying
counterfeit documents and the other is. Once the I-9 is completed, it's not sent to anyone else for verification. It's simply filed away in the HR department's filing cabinets. The solution to these problems is to use the E-Verify system. Is a free federal government web-based program. That employers can use electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees. You verify compares information on the employee's I-9 form to records available in the
database of the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. It only takes about 15 minutes to set up the account. In a couple of minutes to enter the information for the new employee in off the I-9 form. You then simply print out the verification. And confirm that you've made a good hire and followed away with the I-9 form. Our surrounding states currently require e-erfi to be used before hiring new employees. Texas,
Oklahoma, and Missouri require it to be used when hiring all government employees. Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana require e-verified for both private private sector and government employees. I spoke with the chief legal counsel for the Office of Personnel Management or or TSS. To confirm that uh the requirement was not already in place. It was not, but they said they welcomed the standardization across all departments. Baiji's office helped craft the language of this bill, so we should be not have any legal questions.
Remember, this bill is only applies to newly hired employees, uh, newly hired government employees. I'd be
happy to answer a couple of questions. prescription to garner
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
2:19:42
for what purpose? Question. Reg for a question. Yes, I've got a couple of questions from constituents and I'm sorry. Um, you mentioned the paperwork already. No undocumented. We, we don't
know for sure because the Anans have not been verified.
Unless there's a, um, Uh, federal government audit of our I-9 files.
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
2:20:10
We just basically take the information and file it away. The federal government already Requires uh e-verify for employers. No, no, ma'am. It's, it's
a voluntary program right now and
um in the state, you know, is not currently using it in all departments, so that's why they suggested that we go ahead
and place it in law, and it would, um, then be mandated for all government employees and all political subdivisions. And
Representative Denise Garner
Unverified
2:20:46
Not sure that's right, but, but anyway, the uh fiscal no ma'am, they're uh agencies. Uh, it, like I
said, it takes about 15 minutes to set it up,
the initial deal takes about 2 minutes to enter the information into the system. I don't see how that really could cost us
anything. Ignore the questions. I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Long has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak
against the bill? For the bill Representative Long is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1974. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
Speaker 188
2:21:36
So everyone voted As everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 76, 20 nay, and zero present.
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill
Speaker 140
2:22:19
1332. High school 1332 by Representative Pilkington to require the Arkansas Medicaid program to evaluate claims for diagnosis, frequency of obesity-related conditions and pre present present the cost. Representative Pilkington, you
are recognized to explain your bill. Here's old
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
2:22:37
Pil talking about Medicaid again, so, um. So this is a pretty
simple bill. Uh, essentially, as you know, we
use Ozempic, we use other GPL ones to uh manage weight loss. Uh, there's been a few other states that have implemented policies around it. We just want to be able to track it and we want to understand the cost data related to some of these diseases that are around weight loss, like hypertension, type one diabet or type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and things like that. So essentially we're requiring DHS to to To track the cost of these diseases and how much it's costing the state, uh, it
doesn't require coverage of GPL ones by Medicaid or anything like that, so it does not cost Medicaid a single dime. Um, now there's another, there's an option, there's a part in it relating to um health plans in Arkansas saying that, and I'll pull up as, but basically they have to give the option if someone wants to purchase this drug, the ability to do it, uh, but yet the health benefit plan is able to set the parameters around how they want to do it, which is pretty. Standard. So, that I appreciate a good vote. Representative Pilkington has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill? For the bill. Representative Pilkington is closed for his bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1332. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has
Speaker 352
2:24:05
everyone voted? Has everyone voted. Cast up the
ballot, Madame Clerk. With a vote of 79 yeah, 2 nay,
and 8 present. The bill is
passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1919. 1919 by
Speaker 42
2:24:26
Representative Michael Lindon to create the public
Speaker 140
2:24:28
school access and Transparency Act and to require public access to learning
materials. name in Berks, you are recognized to
Representative Rebecca Burkes
Unverified
2:24:38
explain the bill. House Bill 1919 is just the companion bill to SB 572, which we passed yesterday with 78 yes votes. There's no fiscal impact.
The bill requires no action. It simply protects schools from violating copyright laws by granting access to learning materials. With that,
I asked for a good vote. Representative Burks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to
speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Burkes is closed for her bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1919. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted?
Everyone voted Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. With a vote of 83 yay, 8 nay, and 0 present the bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
Speaker 140
2:25:37
Bill 1806. 1806 by Representative Vaut to provide curriculum transparency for parents of kindergarten through grade 12
Chair
Unverified
2:25:42
students and allow a parent to review and opt out of selected library media materials for his or her child. Representative Vau, you are
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, House Bill 1806, if funding is available, the curriculum trans transparency Act, the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary education would establish and maintain a statewide portal of K through 12 instructional and library material for public school facilities, parents, and guardians. Parents would be able to access and review instructional materials based on their child's
grade and their classroom, instructional materials would be available to parents based on the licensed use of textbook companies granted to school districts when the district purchases the materials. The library portal would allow parents to opt out of of allowing their children to check out specific books from the library. The portal would also provide school ad administrators and teachers with uniform access to the Arkansas school standards in one single
repository, which would be automatically updated to comply with changing rules and the requirements. And with that, I'd appreciate a good
vote. Representative Vaut has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, Representative
McKenzie, you are recognized to speak against the bill. Thank
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
2:27:13
you, Madam Speaker. Um, I want to be very clear. I, I have spoken with Representative Vaut about this at length. She has been The ideal sponsor of a bill that you are vehemently opposed to.
She's listened to my concerns and she's gone back to the table, but I have to speak against the bill. So I, I appreciate everything you've done Representative Vaugh. I just came down here about 5 minutes ago and passed a bill off this floor that did something that we have tried to do in education over the last two years, which is specifically take vendors out of code. This bill, I agree with everything it does. I want DESE to have information on all the curricula, all the supplementals, all the books, every book in every library. But
what this bill does is creates a, a very, very narrow parameter for one vendor. To get a contract with Desi when money's become available. This is bad practice. This is not what we should be doing and this is, again, it writes that specific vendor to into code. This is also a duplication of requirements at the district level. So, for all of us, and we've had a lot of conversations about education in this chamber this year. This is to the detriment
of local control because they are already required by law within certain elements, whether it be the, the textbooks or the curricula or the supplementals to provide that information upon request of parents. Now we're going to burden superintendents with yet another requirement to send information back up to Little Rock. So, Ladies and gentlemen, As well intentioned as the as the sponsor is, and I really appreciate her for it. This is going to set us back. It's going to be one more thing that DESE
and AD ADE has to do in one more vendor that we are conscripted
to hire. With that, I would appreciate a no vote. Representative McKenzie has spoken against the bill. Would anyone like to
speak for the bill? Against the bill Representative Vought. Uh, representative McKenzie, um, there are multiple vendors that do this, um, Um
It's not just one vendor that does this type of work, uh, so with that, I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Von has closed
for her bill the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1806. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Cast up the the ballot, Madam clerk. With a vote of 55 yeah, 25 nay, and 10 present, the bill
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:30:07
has passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1967. 1967 by
Chair
Unverified
2:30:16
Representative Brown to amend the law concerning the unlawful distribution of sexual images or recordings. Representative Carolyn
Brown, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:30:36
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to present this important bill, House Bill 1967, concerning the unlawful distribution of intimate images. As our laws currently stand under Arkansas code 526314, the crime of distributing sexual images without consent is limited in scope. It only applies when the offender is a current or former dating relationship with the
victim. is in a current or former dating relationship. But the reality is image-based abuse in today's digital world is far broader, more sophisticated, and more harmful than our current statute accounts for. This amendment does 3 things. First, it removes the requirement that the perpetrator be a current or former sexual partner or family member of the victim. Second, it expands the
definition of intent to harm. Under this amendment, the, if the offender distributes an image with the purpose to cause physical, mental, economic, or reputational harm or in exchange for something of value, it will be classified as a felony. Third, it preserves the distinction between the malicious conduct in other cases that while still harmful may lack the clear intent to harm. In those instances, the offense remains a misdemeanor.
This is a carefully balanced survivor informed update to our law that responds to the growing and deeply damaging crisis of nonconsensual image sharing. The Attorney General's office has reviewed HB 1967 and is in support of it. Also, this bill is narrowly focused so that it does not conflict with Representative Meeks's HB 1529 concerning deep fake images. I respectfully ask for your support.
Ask for For this bill. Thank you. Representative Brown has explained the bill,
would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Brown, his clothes for her bill. The question before the House
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:32:56
is the passage of House Bill 1967. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Speaker 352
2:33:12
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk.
With a vote of 97, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1975.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:33:26
High in 1975 by Representative Gramley
Speaker 140
2:33:29
to create the child content creation Protection Act. Representative Graham, like, you are recognized
to explain the bill. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Speaker 368
2:33:42
The bill does with the title says, um, but I'm gonna explain what that means in more depth now. Um, all of the nation children are, are children are being filmed by their parents, uh, to post content online for social media. Uh, many of us in this room included have posted a cute image of our child first steps or something, etc. Some adults, however, take it to the next level. Some parents have turned their children or other children into the equivalent of child actor, and they make money off their child's work. For adults who choose to monetize a
child's a children's actions, they will have to be ready to pay and follow some regulations. This is what the bill does. First, it creates a system that lays out how a child who appears in content online will be compensated, and how that compensation will be triggered. It clarifies that minors who produce their own content, um, are under different things. In adult, adult content creators to engage with minors for content creation, will have to maintain a variety of records until the child turns 21. If content creator uses children and fails to maintain data, it gives a path, it gives a path for a
child to file a civil suit. Content creators must also compensate a minor who engages in this work by placing their money and how it is calculated, which is outlined in the bill and a trust that the child can access when they turn 18 or emancipated and allows for a civil suit if it the content creator does not do this. Social media companies will have to be notified of a, we'll have to notify a content creator of a request to remove content upon a minor or adult as a minor and the obligations of the content creator to delete said content and allows a pathway for a civil suit upon the refusal of the
inaction of a content creator. It's unlawful to benefit financially from, oh, this is, this is a little bit different, but it's still here. It's unlawful to benefit financially from reducing or distributing content that features a minor with the intent to sexually gratify or elicit a sexual response. To explain that in more detail, that's if you were to take an image of a minor, use AI to uh create a new image. That is used to uh sexually gratify or elicit a sexual response. If that happens, That child can have access to a civil suit. Um,
And then finally, it requires a social media platform to develop and implement strategies to reduce the monetization of the intentional sexualization of no minors that occur in the context of known minor's engagement in work. Representative Graham Lick has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Grahamlich is closed for his bill. The question before the House is the
passage of House Bill 1975, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the bell. With a vote of 89 yeah, 1 nay, and 0 present. The
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:36:40
bill has passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1959 1959 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
2:36:47
Brown to abolish the use of a writ of skyer fascius as a means of reviving an outstanding judgment to allow a judgment to be reviewed by notice and to amend the law concerning the fees to be charged by clerks of the circuit courts. Representative Brown, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Um, Colleagues,
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:37:06
if you ever sue someone in a civil case and get a judgment against them under the law, your judgment's only good for 10 years. At the end of that 10-year period, if you haven't been paid, you have to go down and renew it. And under the current process, we have to
Speaker 217
2:37:20
use the writ of ski Rafacius. Thank you, Representative Clowney. Or as a dirt lawyer or street level
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
2:37:25
lawyers call it Sireacci. To renew your judgment. It's a very convoluted process. You have to file a petition, you have to get it served, you have to schedule a hearing, you have to not have the hearings and never respond. You have to then cancel the hearing, get an order. It's just stupid. So this bill if passed would abolish that process and make it far simpler to renew a civil judgment while you would simply just file a notice, hey, my judgment's not been paid, this is how much is owed. Serve a copy of it on your judgment debtor and you're done, just like how you renew a mortgage. This rate is something that came
over from England on the Mayflower. A lot of states have gotten rid of it, and I'd like us to join, you know,
the 19. century and get rid of it as well. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Brown has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Brown is closed for his bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1959 prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted?
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 96, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bill has passed.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
2:38:29
Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1988. 1988 by Representatives to amend the
Chair
Unverified
2:38:34
law concerning the distribution of auto auction fees for salvage
title or parts only title vehicles and to amend the purpose for which auto auction fees may be used. Representative Tosh, you are
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Madam
Representative Dwight Tosh
Unverified
2:38:48
Speaker. Colleagues, this bill was brought to me by the Arkansas
State Police, several, several years ago, this legislative body, uh, they put a, um, Under the state police for them to oversight over the auto auctions in that bill, they also attached a fee for salvage titles that went into a special fund. However, that special fund, uh, this is now accumulated to a million dollars and the state police is simply asking with this legislation that that may, that that fund be moved to general operations so they can use it, uh, for
equipment or whatever they need to for the troopers around the state. And with that, I'd take any questions. Seeing none, I appreciate
a good vote. Representative Tosh has explained his bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Tosh is closed for his bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1988, prepared the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With a vote of 97, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1762.
Speaker 140
2:40:10
That's 1762 by Representative Hall to require verification of a permit for the disposal of industrial waste in an agricultural or pastoral application for a certain number of violations. Representative Hall,
you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Brad Hall
Unverified
2:40:24
Thank you, Madam Speaker, colleagues, what, what this bill
does, it calls for someone spreading industrial waste who breaks their permits 3 times within a 45 day period that their permit is revoked. It's that simple. Rob, what brought about this bill is the smell that affects over 70,000 people in the river valley. Uh, they were shipping 278 semi loads of waste every 8 days. This is unsustainable for my district. Currently, they're just paying a fine and going on about their business. The company that's involved in
this has promised that they're going to clean it up. But I've also been told that the check is in the mail before. I appreciate
a good vote. Representative Hall has explained the bill. Would anyone wish to speak against the bill? Before the bill, Representative Rose, you are recognized to speak for
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
2:41:20
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Appreciate Representative Hall and our co-sponsors for bringing this bill. Uh, this is a problem for sure in the river valley
could just as easily be a problem, uh, for many of you in your districts, uh, we're fighting an entity and an issue that has been forbidden and outlawed in other states. And so all that has done is increase, uh, the challenges that we are facing, and I spoke to somebody in Crawford County yesterday, who lives in the general vicinity of where this problem is emanating. And he said, I really appreciate you guys doing this. It smells awful at our house today. Thank
you for trying our house is miserable. People have had home sales fall through because of this. Uh, there are times where people, uh, in their neighborhoods or in the schools, don't even want to go outside to have challenges breathing is literally an assault on the river valley and, uh, hopefully this will help hold those people's feet to the fire. We appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Rose has spoken
for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill
Representative Hall is closed for his bill. The question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1762. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted casts up the the ballot.
Speaker 86
2:43:14
Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1933. 3
Chair
Unverified
2:43:16
McCollum to amend the law concerning a school district board of directors and to create a recall election and petition for
removal of a member of a school district board
of directors, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. So this is, uh, a bill that I'd say the spirit of the bill is just to create more consistency with these positions within the law. If you think about mayor, city council members, they already have.
Um, in place a recall process and so now with this bill, if passed, we would intend to create that same process with school board members, um, it's not intended to be punitive in any way. I Probably, uh I don't foresee this even being utilized that that often. Um, I'd say it's more of a safety process. So in that regard, we're really just elevating these, these positions, the school board members to, um, To the level of his song with that. I'll take any questions.
Representative Dobby, for what purpose? Question you're
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
2:44:23
recognized. Representative McCullough, I understand what you're trying to do, but my question is, uh, for one of the, the reason
that you've listed is that someone could be removed for a moral failing pending a criminal charge. So are we doing away with the standard of your innocent until proven guilty, because it appears that that's what this is doing, that someone
can be removed even if they've not been found guilty
for a that we are not doing a light away with innocent until proven guilty. I see the line page 2, line 1, right above that. Um, including without limitation. For me, goes on to give, as you pointed out, one of the examples moral family lead independent criminal charges, the loss of public and so on. So those are
more of giving guidance of what could be the reasons. It doesn't necessarily
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
2:45:28
have to be those reasons. Follow up. recognized and I'm looking at that section. And there are only 2 things listed. One, a moral failing leading to pending criminal charges in two loss of public trust, and you
said so on and so on, can you point to me the other things that someone could be removed for. Yes, thank
you for the question. The fact that it says right before that,
including without limitation, I guess I would say is permissive in that there could be Other reasons for the, this is just for the petition and gathering the signatures, um, I guess when I say so on and so forth, that's me outlining the full petition process besides just those lines. Appreciate a good vote. Representative McCollum has
Speaker 86
2:46:17
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:46:31
Representing Beatty, you're recognized speak for the bills. Um, I just want to point out other, other
elected positions have recall, um, uh, petitions, this, this bill requires a high threshold. I think 35% of the voters to sign the petition for recall, um, and they're limited to one per election cycle, uh, and it kind of aligns with the next school board election. So, uh, our other offices are subject to recall, and I, I think school board.
Representative Beatty has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
Chair
Unverified
2:47:08
the bill, Representative McCollum, you're recognized close for
your bill. Thank you. I'll be brief. I think it's important
to uh point out in the context of some of the other pieces of legislation that we passed this session, I believe it was representative, uh, McKenzie's bill that moved the school board elections, um, Both gives the flexibility of the timing, but puts, puts them at the same time of our other elections. Excuse me,
flexibility in the terms 4 or 6 years but puts it on the same timing. So in the same spirit of true of treating these um other local officials. Again, coming back to, you know, the, the way that the language reads. That's more in line with boilerplate language on um Some of the reasons that is not exclusively. One would have to be under, I guess, the process. I would appreciate a good vote.
Thank you all. Representative McCollum is closed
for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1933. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted. As
Speaker 86
2:48:28
everyone voted, cast up the ballot. The vote of 74, 18 nay, and 4 present. The bill is passed.
Speaker 140
2:48:39
Madam clerk, please read House Bill 2001. Possible 2001 by Representative Painter to create the Arkansas Towing and recovery Reform and Efficiency Acts of 2025, to
Chair
Unverified
2:48:49
amend the law concerning the Arkansas To Recovery Board and to declare
an emergency. Representative Painter, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is the towing bill that you've been waiting for. And I apologize for your emails getting blown up, uh, over the last couple of weeks. Um, I do
want to explain the reason why there is a bill 1897 that I have passed over a couple of days. That was the original towing bill that we were going to work on. After hearing the concerns from uh folks in that industry. We have spent several days compromising and working together and that's how we got HB 2001. HB 2001 does three things and three things only. No more, no less. First, it reconstruct reconstructs the board. The towing board that we have right
now is from members of the industry is not working. And the governor is asked to reconstruct that. Part 2, members of the industry ask for caps, so there's a 20% cap on cargo for truck trailers. There's a 5% cap on personal vehicles. Part 3. It's gonna have on the invoice, how to file a complaint. This is the step, this is the first block in the path moving forward. To get a good and better Um,
omnibus towing bill for next session. We passed this bill. We'll get a new towing board. We sit down with the trucking association, towers, big haulers, and low and small ones and get a good bill. I'll be glad to take any questions. So you know questions, I would appreciate
a good vote. Thank you. Representative Painter has explained the bill. Would anyone
like to speak against the bill. Anyone like speak for the bill.
Representative painter, he recognized clothes for your bill. After this
bill is passed, uh, I will be starting a painter's towing service.
Thank you. Representative Painter is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 2001. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
Members, your one vote is for the bill
Speaker 51
2:51:25
in the emergency clause. So everyone voted. Does everyone voted. Cast up the
ballot. The vote of 78, yeah, 9 nay, and 6 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1994
Speaker 140
2:51:37
by Representative Collins to amend the law concerning self-service storage facilities and to require notification by self-service storage facilities to an occupant when the occupant's leased space is compromised. Representative Collins, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
2:51:51
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, so this bill arose out of a couple of incidents I was made aware of, um, they recovered the local news. I also got some emails about break-ins to self storage units in which the contents were strewn about, the units were left wide open, but for months, the people who rented the units were not notified about it. And so, when I had one of this constituent reach out to me and say, what can we do about this? Uh, I talked with the Cell Storage Association and those conversations led to
this bill. So this is language that they are good with. Uh, it just says that within 5 days that the operator of the self storage learns about its actual knowledge about one of these incidents, whether it's a break-in or property is taken or it's been damaged to the extent that it's essentially wide open, you can access the unit, they will notify the tenant. There's already notice procedures in code, so we just bring those in by reference and uh as far as I know, everyone is all right with the bill. I'm happy to take any questions. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 86
2:52:54
Representative Collins has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative
Collins is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1994. Prepair the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 74 yeah, 13 nay, and 10 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read
Chair
Unverified
2:53:32
House Bill 1625. 25 by Representative Barnett to amend the law concerning insurance requirements for licensed
home inspectors. Representative Barnett, you're recognized to explain
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:53:43
your bill. Thank you Speaker. Good afternoon members. I'm before you today to present House Bill 1627, which is a consumer protection bill for homeowners. In the course of speaking with constituents who live and work in my district, I was made aware
of issues that exist with existing code, in particular, ACA 17-52-318 section A. Which requires that home inspectors carry general liability insurance. The issue with requiring home inspectors to carry general liability insurance is the fact that the general liability policies that are currently required by law, do not provide coverage for the actual home inspections. The general assembly when passing this provision, aimed to
protect consumers. However, the mere requirement of a general liability insurance policy misses the mark in protecting consumers. House Bill 1625 removes the requirement for general liability insurance and replaces it with professional liability insurance, which is also known as errors and omissions insurance. These types of policies will ensure that the home inspector's inspections are covered and in the unfortunate event that errors are made by
the inspector, their policy will provide the coverage that is needed to protect consumers. There are 2 cases in my district that I'm familiar with that our laws has left consumers without protections. The General Assembly aimed to provide them one married couple purchased a home for $250,000 after having the home inspected only to find out shortly after purchase, that there were electrical problems that cost them nearly $100,000 to fix. Those were pairs.
were found to um despite the evidence presented in court, the general liability insurance did not provide coverage. There was another case in which a couple purchased a home and after having it inspected, um, the home inspector was found to have only stuck his head under a crawl space and taking a photo at Happy Home Inspector Donna thorough inspection, he would have noticed that there were some major foundation issues and the supports were rotten. The new homeowners.
Again, took this court the case and in both took this case to court and in both cases, the home inspectors had insurance and were found to be negligent in their home inspections. However, their insurance carriers would not provide coverage for the home inspector errors under the general liability insurance policies. As stewards of the state, we must always give attention to the fiscal impact of laws that we create. There are zero fiscal impact to the state of Arkansas, and the insurance policy changed. what on average costs home
inspectors anywhere between $600 to $1000 annually, which is roughly a monthly average cost of $50 to $83 a month. Additionally, these professional liability policies can include a general liability endorsement. House Bill 1627, 1625 in its current form would address the existing loopholes and write an unintended wrong, providing our constituents in this state with the intended consumer protections. So I'm
before you today to ask for your support and strengthening consumer protection in Arkansas, and
Speaker 403
2:57:15
I would ask for a good vote. Represented Beatty
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:57:19
for what purpose? You're recognized for a question in this session, we had a bill, a salt to increase the, the term of, of, uh, liability. We got quite a bit of uh calls on. Uh, have you had anyone
reach out to you regarding, uh, the change in insurance. He says it's going to be another
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:57:44
$600 a year on the home inspectors. Is that correct? I had a, uh, so that general average for range between $600 to $1000. a year. And I did have contact from a representative from the Arkansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors and their primary concern was the original language of my bill, which had been has been amended through members own said a general
liability insurance policy that covered errors and there are question there and their concern was that the general liability policies do not cover their errors, and so they wanted to make sure that it was either general liability or professional liability, which is also errors and omissions. Representative Barnett has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill, Representative
Beatty speaking against the bill,
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:58:46
you're recognized. I really do hate Phil. But I understand that
good intentions, Representative Barnett. But I think by our own admission and, and, and understanding the situation, an additional insurance policy is not going to stop bad actors in this, in this profession. You're still gonna have the bad actors
in this profession. So, an additional requirement of, of, and cost to home inspectors throughout the state of $600 it's not going to stop this problem. So for that reason, I'll be voting no, and I would encourage you to do the same. Representative Beatty has
spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill Representative Barnett, you're recognized to close for your bill.
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:59:34
I will just say in response to Representative Beatty's concerned.
You know, many of the bills we passed will not stop bad actors. That's why we are enacting laws and if laws are broken, there are consequences. Um, but if we pass this bill today, we strengthen consumer protection in the state of Arkansas, so that when those bad actors do act, that our consumers will be protected when they go to court. So I just asked for
a good vote. Thank you. Representative Barnett is closed for the bill. question before the house is the
passage of House Bill 1625. Prepare the
Speaker 188
3:00:23
machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. As
everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 608, 25 nay, and 13 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1995. 19
Chair
Unverified
3:00:43
95 by Representative Bentley to separate the offices of sheriff and tax collector and Perry
County. Representative Bentley, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
3:00:53
you, Speaker. This is not a sin bill, but definitely it's local control, and it does exactly what this bill says. So, my sheriff and tax collector would like to be separate. And my son who's a JP just texted me to make sure we've got this bill done. So, please help me with a good vote. Thank you. Representative Bentley
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill Representative Bentley is closed for
the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
Speaker 204
3:01:21
House Bill 1995, repair the machine, Madam clerk. So
Speaker 51
3:01:30
everyone voted. everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. A vote of
95 yeah, 0, nay, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read House
Speaker 140
3:01:46
Bill 1991 1991 representative Childress to provide for certain expectations related to a residential development under the Arkansas Fire Prevention
Code. Representative Childers, you're recognized to explain
Representative Paul Childress
Unverified
3:01:59
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, House Bill 1991 adds an exemption to the state fire code that deals with subdivisions and developments. Current law says if you have one entrance. To your land, then you have to, if you decide to develop it, then you have to, and you're
gonna put 30 houses on your development, you have to have a second entrance, or you have to put sprinklers in every house. This bill only applies to land outside the city limits, and the lots have to be at least 1 acre in size. This is a bill to protect property owners' rights, the county Judges Association supports this bill, and thank you and I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative
Speaker 51
3:02:38
Childers has spoke against the Explain the bill Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Childress is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1991. Prepair the machine, Madam clerk. So
Speaker 188
3:03:04
everyone voted, so everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The
boat of 76, 8 nay, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Members, I'm gonna go to the yellow budget calendar.
Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1105 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, so ordered represented, uh, Madam Clerk, please read amendment number 2. Amendment number
2 to House Bill 1105. Representative
Junior recognized to explain the amendment. Thank Mr. Speaker, colleagues,
Amendment 2 to House Bill 1105. I come from, uh, Representative Beatty. What this does is, uh, requires review of DHS.
And that's what the amendment does. Representative War Law for what purpose? You're
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:04:01
recognized. Who's going to perform this, Herbie? You want Mr. Baty to get up here and speak to us I mean if he's not I think this is his amendment. I didn't work on it. I more qualified to talk about it I'd like to hear the explanation, I appreciate a good vote on the amendment when they get through Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone likes to speak
against the amendment. For the amendment, Representative Beatty, you recognize I speak for the amendment.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:04:34
Members, uh, the reason we placed this amendment in, in the, in the bill is simple. Uh,
DHS is the largest, um, Um, part of, of state government, we all have issues. They touch all of our constituents to most of our constituents, it is state government.
And all we're asking for in this is to take an in-depth look. At at DHS. It's not a witch hunt. It's to look at, at what's working, what's not working at the agency. We all have meetings with, with high level of DHS and we sit down and we talk and we try to work out problems and issues and concerns. And at some point, the mental management sometimes cir circumvents and comes back around, and they misrepresent the agreed-upon language that we vested time and energy in. So, with, with this review, we'll know what works,
what doesn't work, and this would go to. LC to the subcommittee, um, of ALC. Representative Ward Law, for
Speaker 179
3:05:30
what purpose? You're recognized. Same question. Who's gonna conduct this review?
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:05:34
I mean, we've, we've done this. I don't know, 15 years of me being here, I know of 3 or 4 times. So I'm just wondering who's, who, who do you have in mind to do the review? Uh, the, um,
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:05:47
I've just drawn a blank on the subcommittee representative War Law as chair of AOC. It would be the, um,
Hospital and Medicaid subcommittee. Yes, sir. Thank you.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:06:01
So, you're not looking for a contractor for the review, you're going to
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:06:06
do it through the bureau. I, I, I think,
I think the Bureau and the committee could do that. OK. description of wooden
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
3:06:18
for what purpose? You're recognized for a question contract review. Well, I
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:06:22
think if, if you'd listened to Representative Wardlaw's question, he asked if
we were going to use a contractor, if we were gonna do it through the bureau and the committee. And I said it would be through the bureau and the committee. So I, I don't see us hiring
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
3:06:38
an outside contractor to do this. There was a performance review, generally. No, it, it's a go ahead. Generally, I have found we're looking for.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:07:02
A performance review of the agent. It is a comprehensive review of the entire agency, not, not focused just on personnel, but the entire agency, all areas. Yes, sir. Thank you members. I'd appreciate a good
Speaker 86
3:07:27
vote. Representative Beta you spoke for the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment.
For the amendment, Representative Jean. is closed for the amendment. Question before
the house is the passage of Amendment number 2 to House Bill 1105. All in favor say aye. Po nay The eyes have it. The amendment is adopted, please send the bill as amended to engrossing. Representative Genan moves that we
Speaker 86
3:07:54
place a House Bill 1202 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. That objection So ordered, Madam clerk, please
Chair
Unverified
3:08:04
read amendment number 3 to House Bill 1202. Amendment
number 3 to House Bill 1202. Representative Junior recognized to explain Amendment 3. Speaker, Amendment 3 to House Bill
1202, Department of Finance. This creates, uh, a, uh, drug task force fund that all drug task force can draw from, and the source of revenue is public and private grants. Any question about the amendment? Appreciate a
good vote on the amendment. Representative Jean has
Speaker 86
3:08:35
explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is the passage of Amendment number 3 to House Bill 1202. All
in favor say aye. Osna, guys have it. Youendment is adopted, please
send the bill as amended to engrossing. Representative Juni, you recognized to present the budget calendar. Thank
you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we have 2 house bills, House Bill 1106, the Office of the treasurer of the
state, and also, uh, House Bill 1126, Department of Education. This is the early childhood. Uh, appropriation, uh, these are basically flat except the pay raises that we voted earlier, and the matching funds. We're going to batch these two. Do you have any objection to batching these two? Any questions on these two? Your one vote It's for House Bill 1108 and
1126, and the emergency clause,
Chair
Unverified
3:09:37
Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam clerk, read the bills
for the 3rd time. 1106 and 1126. Madam clerk. Members who won votes for the bill in the emergency clause.
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 96 e, 1 nay, and zero present. You've adopted the bill and the emergency clause of each bill in the batch, Representative Jean.
Give you all a chance to look at these bills. We're gonna do all the Senate bills. I'm gonna try to batch them, and there are 4 bills that have some changes in them. Three of them are inside the governor's balanced budget and the RSA. We're going to start at Senate Bill 32, Division of Youth Services. It does have $4.3 million. For child welfare. And it is also in our RSA and the governor's budget. Senate Bill 33.
Changs on it, it has $13 additional dollars for maternal health. It's also in the RSA. And the governor's balanced budget. Senate bill. 34, has no changes other than the pay plan, Senate Bill 35. Uh, it does have an increase of $1 million for foster care. It's in the governor's balanced budget and the RSA. pick up a Senate bill 36.
And go all the way down to 81. I the first page, all these only have, uh, pay plan increases it and, uh, Uh Insurance and stuff like that. Senate bill 93, we will pass over till Monday. They're still working on it. Senate Bill 106. Uh, the Department of Agriculture. We do have an increase in its $2000.
per county fair. So every county fair that
we have, additional $2000. is in there and then the last one is Senate Bill 124. It's a division of Ag with no increases. So You look at them, if we need to pull any of
these out for a separate vote. Representative Rose, for what purpose?
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
3:12:15
Question. Recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Budget Chair, uh, two quick questions, uh, for the benefit
of several members of this body when you reference the increases, and you say that they're in the RSA. Could you give us a little more context to what that
means for everybody here. Revenue stabilization Act, which is what we passed on the, uh, Last day, we'll, we'll start, we'll start voting it out of committee on, uh, Monday, uh, and it's the, what the governor gave us in November and is a balanced budget, her balanced budget, and it is identical to
what we had in November. So it's the general revenue, uh, appropriation that we pass every year. And it's also the money that we get tax cuts out of, it's general revenue, it's not special
Speaker 438
3:13:04
revenue. Follow it, you recognized. Thank you. Uh, we, we've had several bills that had
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
3:13:10
some challenges getting their appropriation votes. And, uh, we were told a couple of different times if we didn't do this, we're going to be forced into a special session. Uh, is there any reason why we just
can't vote on all of these or do those bills that we're going to pass over, not put us
in danger of a special session. Well, the one that we're passing over that I think, There's several members working over with the Department of Education. I'm sure you're aware of it. I'm not. Well, I'm, I'm not a part of it, but it's other members. It is a Senate bill, so it's already gone through the Senate. So all we've got to do is pass it here. If we had a house built, it's got to go back down to the Senate. So, we could pass this bill Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday, and it's law. So
we still have time on Senate bills, House bills, they've got to go back down to the Senate. We don't
Speaker 438
3:14:00
have any of that right now. The Senate bill that we're passing over. That, that makes sense? Well, it
Speaker 440
3:14:09
sounds a little different than it did two
Speaker 368
3:14:14
weeks ago. Well, I was just trying to encourage you. I understand that now.
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
3:14:19
Representative Ladyman, for what purpose? question, you're recognized. uh, Representative Jean, I just have
a question on SB 106. You talked about $2000 for the district fairs, do you know the county fairs are the district fairs getting that money
too, do you know? Fran, is that your bill? District fires are not getting it, just
the county fairs. Thank you. Representative McCollum, for what purpose? Question, you're
recognized. Um I think I heard you represent or go through those as batching them. Is that correct? So I just have one.
Uh, bill that I would like to be pulled from that's SB 3333, pull it out for a separate vote. Yes, sir. OK. We do that follow up, OK. Uh This question isn't actually about Separate votes, more about what you had said earlier about some of the numbers, uh, for SB 33 is the number you gave, uh, 13 on 13 million for maternal health. OK. And then in your, uh, kind of summary as you walk through today. Did you mention that
One of the changes. Well, the uh county fair that we just talked
Speaker 215
3:15:43
about, that came from a member that did not come from the
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
3:15:47
governor. Representative Rye, for what purpose? Question Mr. Speaker. You're recognized Representative Lane on Senate Bill 32, there's quite a bit of
increase there. Well, that's, that's the general revenue part, 4.3 million. Yes, there could be federal matching money. That, that's outside the, uh,
RSA, so I don't know, but 4.3 million is the dollars's increase. On the general revenue. Thank
you, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker 51
3:16:14
Representative Paul, for what purpose? Question you're recognized. Representative Jean, just to be clear, um, you're talking about the RSA. Money
Speaker 448
3:16:20
for PBS comes out of the RSA correct? Sit down.
Speaker 415
3:16:38
All right, we're gonna, any other questions?
Speaker 449
3:16:42
All right, we're going to pull. Representative Wardlaw, for what purpose? Question, recognized. Are there
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:16:47
any technical fixes in these. Now what? Are there any technical fixes in these bills. I'm sure there is,
Speaker 417
3:17:01
Representative McCollum, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Um, sorry,
I know I just said one. If we could. In addition,
SB 32 and SB 106, please. For separate art. If you want a Senate Bill 33.
Speaker 416
3:17:16
Senate Bill 32, and Senate bill. 106. 106 for separate votes. Yes, sir. All right. Any
others? Better get on for the batch gets down. All right. Our batch will be Senate Bill
34, Senate Bill 35, Senate Bill 36, Senate Bill 40, Senate Bill 41, Senate Bill 51, Senate Bill 52, Senate Bill 55, Senate Bill 71, Senate Bill 81. Passing over the next two in Senate Bill 124. Your one vote is for the bills and the mercy clause. Mr. Speaker, the clerk read
Speaker 432
3:18:03
the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the
Speaker 117
3:18:06
bills for the 3rd time. 3, 35, Senate 36,
Chair
Unverified
3:18:13
Senate Bill 40, Senate Bill 41, Senate Bill 51, Senate Bill 52, Senate Bill 55, Senate Bill 71, Senate Bill 81, Senate Bill 124. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Members,
your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause of each bill in the batch. Everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 97, 0 nay, and 0 present. You've passed the bill and the emergency clause of each bill in the batch. Representative
Jean. Or we're gonna take these up one at a time. Senate Bill 32, Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services. Any questions? See know your one vote is for the bill, the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker
Speaker 432
3:19:09
had the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for
the 3rd time 32. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill? for the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 32, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Remember your
one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Everyone voted Cast up the ballot
Speaker 380
3:19:49
With a vote of 93, 0, nay, and 5 present. You passed the bill in the emergency clause, Senate Bill 32, Representative Jean. Thank you,
Mr. Speaker. The Senate Bill 33, Department of Human Services Division of Medical Services. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk with the bell of the 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the
Speaker 51
3:20:28
bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 33. Prepair the machine, Madam clerk. Members,
your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause. Everyone voted. So everyone voted, casts up the ballot.
The vote of 87 yeah, 2 nay, and 7 present. You've passed the bill in the emergency clause. Representative Jean.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last bill on the calendar today is Senate Bill 106, Department of Agriculture. Any questions? Seeing on your one vote is for the
bill and the emergency clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the
bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 106, Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Remember your one
vote is for the bill in the emergency clause.
Speaker 51
3:21:41
So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of
91 0 nay, and 4 present. You've passed the bill in the emergency clause.
Speaker 86
3:21:58
Members We need to take a recess. It is 450. We're going to
stay in the house, we'll stand in recess until 5:15. I need to meet with each standing and each select committee chair in the 4th floor conference
room here on the 4th floor. So if you are a standing committee chair or a select committee chair if you'd meet me in the 4th floor conference room. House will stand in recess until 5:15.
Speaker 86
3:48:49
House will come in session. Madam clerk, do you have reports from standing committees? You're
Chair
Unverified
3:48:55
recognized on Judiciary, to whom Senate Bill 457, Senate Bill 459, 6:12, 6:10.valy reporting the same consideration here for time with the same recognition that do pass as Amendment number one, respectfully submitted Representative Doby, chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your Committee on Judiciary,
Speaker 140
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to whom Bill 431, Senate Bill 342, Senate Bill 364, Senate Bill 458, Senate 599, Senate Bill 600, Senate Bill 511, Senate Bill 512, Senate Bill
513, Senate Bill 514, Senate Bill 597, 539, 590, 325, Cinel 3 67537 7 435487, Cal 490, Senate Bill 488, Senate Bill 555, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for time with the same
Chair
Unverified
3:49:30
recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted. Representative Darby, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we your committee on Public Health Welfare and Labor to who was referred House Bill 1079, House Bill 1255. House 1429. House Bill 1734, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for terms the same recommendation that do pass due concurrence in amendment number one, respectfully submitted.
Representative Wardlaw, Chair, Mr. Speaker, we're your committee on Public Health, welfare, and Labor, to whom was referred to hospital. 1679. Beg leave reporting the same consideration here for the same recommendation that do pass the comparison and Amendment
Speaker 140
3:49:59
number 1 in Senate amendment number 2, respectfully submitted Representative Wardlaw chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to who the first Senate Bill 560, Senate bill 632, Senate Bill 534, Senate Bill 627, Senate Bill 598, Sent311, vaguely report the same consideration here, return the same recommendation that do pass correctly submitted Representative Wardlaw, chair. Mr. Speaker, your committee on Education, who was referred to
Senate Bill 547. Senate Bill 183, Senate Bill 618, Senate Bill 504, Senator 48. in about 6:24, about 402 425, 149, 604, 450, 451, 352, 559, beg leave your partner the same consideration here for the same recommendation that do respectfully submit it. Representative McKenzie, vice chair. Mr. Speaker, we your Committee on Education homes the first Senate Bill 619 vaguely reporting the same consideration here with the same recommendation. I do pass amendment number one respectfully submitted. Representative McKenzie, vice chair.
Speaker 185
3:51:01
Represent Cozart, for what purpose? Motion. I'll hear your
Representative Bruce Cozart
Unverified
3:51:04
motion 33, a move we adjourned to 1:30 p.m. Monday. That's a proper motion. It's
Speaker 86
3:51:11
non-debatable. Members, you've done really good work this week, uh, put in a lot of long hours. Um, we've got a lot of work yet to
do. So just be prepared that Monday, uh, will be a long day and a long evening, uh, but we're getting close to Wrapping this session up, landing this plane.
Uh, really proud of the job that you've done, and just bear with us on Monday, we'll get this all knocked out, uh, finish up our business on Tuesday. Of any committee
announcements. Representative Jean, you're recognized. Or announcement I got, uh, joint budget will meet Monday morning. At 9 a.m. Big Mackay. And at sometime Monday after the, uh, RSA comes out a joint
budget, if we have time, uh, Monday afternoon or Monday evening. One of the, uh, committee rooms, 151
or something like that, members had the, uh, the RSA we'll have our sales and, uh, Lee Johnson in the room and the
speaker and discuss anything you want to on the RSA and the one-time funding. Yes, members is, uh,
Speaker 86
3:52:24
RSA will be out tomorrow. Uh, it will go on your desk tomorrow for the purpose of being there for 3 days, so we can take that up next week. You will also
sometime tomorrow, Saturday, uh, depending on when, uh, they can get it out. You will get a copy of that in your email inbox as well. So please take some time over the weekend, look through that is Representative Jean said, it is the same
as the governor's balanced budget that came out in November, uh, make a list of. questions if you need to and we'll be available sometime on Monday, uh, to be sure and get with you and answer your
Speaker 124
3:53:00
questions. Representative Lynch, what purpose? NASA, you're recognized committee will meet
12:30 Monday. We have at this 0.2 bills to discuss. Room 138 38 for 12:30 on Monday. Representative Kavanaugh, what purpose
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
3:53:18
you're recognized at 9:30 a.m. Monday morning, room 151. Representative Barker,
Speaker 51
3:53:23
what purpose? You're recognized will meet Monday at
Speaker 506
3:53:27
10:30 in room 130. Representative Gonzalez, for what purpose? Announcement you're
Speaker 51
3:53:32
recognized City County will meet at one o'clock Monday.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:53:39
Representative Wardlaw, for what purpose? You're recognized public health will meet at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Come with your lunch packed. We have a
lot of work to do. Representative as a way for what purpose? Announcement, you're recognized State agencies will meet Monday
morning at 10:00 a.m. or immediately upon the adjournment of Reverend tax in room 151. We'll also be meeting Monday afternoon, 15 minutes after adjournment of the house. Representative Dalby, for what
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
3:54:10
purpose? Announcement you're recognized Judiciary will meet Tuesday morning at 9:30 to take up Senate
concurrences, and we understand we'll have maybe 7 or 8 Senate bills that are being pushed to us. So make that note,
members. Thank you. Representative Brooks, what purpose? Announcement you're recognized will meet immediately upon adjournment today simply for the purposes of adjourning what we recessed earlier. Representative Vault, for what purpose? You're recognized management will have one last
meeting, and it will be Monday, 10 minutes upon adjournment of House Ag.
Chair
Unverified
3:54:47
Representative Maddox for what purpose you're recognized Insurance and commerce
Representative John Maddox
Unverified
3:54:50
will meet Monday morning at 10 a.m. to finish up the Senate bills. miss anyone. Any additional
Speaker 51
3:54:57
committee announcements. The desks will remain open as needed
Speaker 86
3:55:03
for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourned resolution.
Agenda
Call to order
Prayer
Pledge
Roll Call
Morning Hour
MOTION TO AMEND
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB519 #1 J. Boyd Wardlaw TO AMEND THE STANDARD NONFORFEITURE LAW FOR LIFE INSURANCE; AND TO REGULATE THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON DEFERRED PAYMENT OF ANY CASH SURRENDER VALUE ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE POLICY.
RESOLUTIONS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HR1104 Beaty Jr. TO HONOR LARRY WALTHER FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
HR1097 Duke TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS.
HR1072 McGruder TO RECOGNIZE KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., FOR ITS POSITIVE IMPACT UPON ITS COMMUNITIES, THE STATE OF ARKANSAS, THE NATION, AND THE WORLD.
HMR1010 Gazaway TO REMEMBER ATTORNEY ROGER COLBERT FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF PARAGOULD AND GREENE COUNTY, THE GREENE-CLAY BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE ARKANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, AND THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
HR1022 Brooks TO WELCOME DR. BRENDAN KELLY AS PRESIDENT OF THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.
HMR1008 Duffield TO REMEMBER BOXER TOMMY MORRISON OF GRAVETTE FOR HIS LEGENDARY BOXING SKILLS THAT BROUGHT RENOWN TO HIM AND TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
HR1094 Duffield TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF FOOD INSECURITY; TO ACKNOWLEDGE SCHOOL BREAKFAST MONTH IN ARKANSAS; AND TO WORK TOWARD A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE OF FOOD INSECURITY IN ARKANSAS.
HR1090 Crawford TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 29, 2025, AS VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY AND MARCH 2025 AS VIETNAM ERA VETERANS MONTH IN ARKANSAS IN APPRECIATION OF THE SACRIFICES AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY VIETNAM WAR VETERANS.
HR1110 Rye TO RECOGNIZE WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT JAMES R. HENDRIX OF ARKANSAS.
HR1111 Rye TO RECOGNIZE APRIL 7, 2025, AS THE DAY OF LOVE IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
HMR1011 Rye TO REMEMBER UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE AND NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION STAR OLIVER "BIG O" MILLER FOR HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
HR1109 Beaty Jr. TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS.
HR1112 A. Brown TO RECOGNIZE THE WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL LADY EAGLES BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONS.
HMR1012 Bentley TO REMEMBER HETTIE LUE BROOKS AS AN ARKANSAS LEGEND WHO POSITIVELY IMPACTED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF ARKANSANS AS WELL AS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
End of Morning Hour
CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1688 #1 Cavenaugh TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF A DEALER'S EXTRA LICENSE PLATE.
HB1803 #1 Joey Carr TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A MONUMENT ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS IN RECOGNITION AND HONOR OF MAURICE LEE “FOOTSIE” BRITT.
HB1814 #1 Gazaway TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY OVER UTILITIES; AND TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC UTILITY" UNDER TITLE 14, CHAPTER 200.
HB1808 #1 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AND TO CREATE THE BILL OF RIGHTS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
HB1333 #1 Hudson TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR BREASTFEEDING AND LACTATION CONSULTANT SERVICES.
HB1424 #1 L. Johnson TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR SEVERE OBESITY TREATMENTS.
HB1602 #1 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT; TO ESTABLISH FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT; AND TO REQUIRE
REPORTING OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER.
HB1531 #1 Achor TO PROHIBIT PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS FROM RESTRICTING OR LIMITING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS TO A LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF OUT-OF-STATE PHARMACIES.
HB1700 #1 Achor TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS OF AN ADVERSE DETERMINATION NOTICE UNDER THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT.
HB1820 #1 M. Brown TO REGULATE AUTOMATIC RENEWAL AND CONTINUOUS SERVICE OFFERS.
HB1771 #1 Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURES TO POLICYHOLDERS; AND TO REQUIRE MONTHLY REPORTING BY INSURERS.
HB1454 #1 Bentley TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; TO ALLOW THIRD-PARTY EMPLOYEE EVALUATION SERVICES TO PERFORM CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS; AND TO INCLUDE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.
HB1543 #1 Underwood TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.
HB1666 #1 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-FUNDED CYBER RESPONSE PROGRAM.
HB1777 #1 Gazaway TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF SEXUALLY GROOMING A CHILD; AND TO INCLUDE BRIBING OR ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE A CHILD IN THE OFFENSE OF SEXUALLY GROOMING A CHILD.
REGULAR BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1914 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER ACT, 1955; AND TO REQUIRE AN OPERATOR OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.
HB1897 Painter TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY BOARD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1930 Wardlaw TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
HB1874 B. McKenzie AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AWARDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.
HB1980 Gazaway TO CREATE THE TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS ACT (TESLA); AND TO ADD ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS TO THE DEFINITION OF "CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE".
HB1974 Long TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E- VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE ENTITIES TO USE E-VERIFY TO CONFIRM EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.
HB1332 Pilkington TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO EVALUATE CLAIMS FOR DIAGNOSES FREQUENCY OF OBESITY-RELATED CONDITIONS AND PRESENT THE COSTS.
HB1919 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS.
HB1806 Vaught TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW A PARENT TO REVIEW AND OPT OUT OF SELECTED LIBRARY MEDIA MATERIALS FOR HIS OR HER CHILD.
HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.
HB1967 K. Brown TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF SEXUAL IMAGES OR RECORDINGS.b
HB1975 Gramlich TO CREATE THE CHILD CONTENT CREATION PROTECTION ACT.
HB1959 M. Brown TO ABOLISH THE USE OF A WRIT OF SCIRE FACIAS AS THE MEANS OF REVIVING AN OUTSTANDING JUDGMENT; TO ALLOW A JUDGMENT TO BE REVIVED BY NOTICE; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FEES TO BE CHARGED BY CLERKS OF THE CIRCUIT COURTS.
HB1988 Tosh TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AUTO AUCTION FEES FOR SALVAGE-TITLED OR PARTS-ONLY TITLED VEHICLES; AND TO AMEND THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH AUTO AUCTION FEES MAY BE USED.t
HB1762 Hall TO REQUIRE REVOCATION OF A PERMIT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE IN AN AGRICULTURAL OR PASTORAL APPLICATION FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS.
HB1933 McCollum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A RECALL ELECTION AND PETITION FOR REMOVAL FOR A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
HB2001 Painter TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY BOARD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1994 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES; AND TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION BY A SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY TO AN OCCUPANT WHEN THE OCCUPANT'S LEASED SPACE IS COMPROMISED.
HB1625 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSED HOME INSPECTORS.
HB1995 Bentley TO SEPARATE THE OFFICES OF SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTOR IN PERRY COUNTY.
HB1991 Childress TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS RELATED TO A RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE ARKANSAS FIRE PREVENTION CODE.
REGULAR SENATE BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB90 J. English Brooks TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT AT EACH MEETING OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
SB546 K. Hammer Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTION FEE FOR WATER PERMITS RELATED TO NONMUNICIPAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
SB168 Rice K. Brown TO ESTABLISH A STATE EXAMINATION FOR LICENSURE OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS.
SB313 Irvin K. Moore CONCERNING FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS AND TREATMENT; AND TO PROMOTE AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES AND QUALITY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
SB575 C. Tucker Dalby TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSTALLMENT FEES COLLECTED IN CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DRIVER'S LICENSE REINSTATEMENT FEES; AND TO CREATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TASK FORCE.
SB500 J. Petty Hall TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LEVEE DISTRICTS; AND TO ALLOW A LEVEE DISTRICT CREATED BY AN ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ADOPT PROCEDURE CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS.
SB563 Irvin Cavenaugh TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS AGAINST AN EQUINE; AND TO ALLOW A BODY CONDITION SCORE TO BE USED FOR AN EQUINE UNDER THE OFFENSE OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
SB573 J. Petty Jean TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5, BY DEFINING THE TERMS USED IN THE ESTABLISHED METHODS OF VALUATION FOR PURPOSES OF PROPERTY TAX.
SB478 G. Stubblefield Hall TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIESEL ENGINE FREEDOM ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL REGULATION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF DIESEL ENGINES.
SB443 J. Bryant Rose TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF APPRAISERS, ABSTRACTERS, AND HOME INSPECTORS; TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING LICENSURE OF ABSTRACTERS; TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING LICENSURE OF HOME INSPECTORS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB516 Gilmore Ray TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS AN APPOINTEE IN THAT POSITION TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX WHEN FILING AS A CANDIDATE.
SB578 Hester Wooldridge TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EARLY VOTING; AND TO ALLOW A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO CLOSE CERTAIN EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.
SB584 K. Hammer Hawk TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.
SB439 Irvin L. Johnson TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF ARKANSAS CODE WHICH RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1914.
SB521 B. Davis Unger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT; AND TO EXTEND THE TIME PERIOD AFTER COMPLETION OF TRAINING FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT IS REQUIRED.
SB551 K. Hammer Eubanks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETITION FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION.
SB508 Irvin L. Johnson TO AMEND THE FREQUENCY OF PAYMENT OF A STIPEND FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT ADVISORY COMMISSION AND THE STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT ADVISORY COMMISSION.
SB480 K. Hammer Wing TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INVESTMENT OF STATE FUNDS.
SB481 Gilmore Wardlaw TO CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM OF PROPERTY INSURANCE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND STATE-OWNED PROPERTY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB420 Hester Beaty, Jr. TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT STATE PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE WATER AUTHORITY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE USES OF THE CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
SB544 M. Johnson Gazaway TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT.
SB475 J. Dismang Eaves TO ESTABLISH THE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION ACT; AND TO REGULATE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS.
SB610 J. Dismang Eaves TO AMEND THE GENERATING ARKANSAS JOBS ACT OF 2025; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB527 Irvin L. Johnson TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021; AND TO INCREASE THE MEDICAL-LOSS RATIO IN THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME PROGRAM.
SB520 D. Sullivan A. Brown TO PROHIBIT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICES, OFFICERS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
SB574 J. Petty Puryear TO REQUIRE A MUNICIPALITY THAT OPERATES A WATERWORKS SYSTEM OR SEWAGE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO COUNTY PROPERTY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.
SB580 K. Hammer Schulz TO EXTEND FINANCING FOR PURCHASES OF VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT FOR A RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
SB406 A. Clark Warren TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL ESTATE.
SB533 Dees Gazaway TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS BY THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL BOARD; AND TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS LAW TO ALLOW REGULATION AND PURCHASE OF CONSUMABLE HEMP PRODUCTS.
SB447 J. Petty Hawk TO REQUIRE PERMITTED COMMON CARRIERS TO SUBMIT REPORTS DETAILING SHIPMENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INTO THE STATE.
Bills to Be Amended
HB1105 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - SECRETARY'S OFFICE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025- 2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1202 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION - DISBURSING OFFICER APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
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.
SB32 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB33 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB34 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB35 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB36 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB40 AN ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB41 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB51 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR COORDINATOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB52 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB55 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB71 AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT PERSONNEL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB81 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM DIVISIONS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB106 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB124 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025- 2026 FISCAL YEAR.
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Speakers
Speaker 86
Representative Austin McCollum Chair
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Speaker 6
Chair
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Speaker 33
Speaker 44
Representative Johnny Rye
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Speaker 51
Representative Cindy Crawford
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Representative Marcus E. Richmond
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Representative Tracy Steele Chair
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Representative Mary Bentley
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Speaker 368
Speaker 99
Speaker 101
Speaker 103
Representative Richard McGrew
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Representative Bruce Cozart
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Representative Les Warren
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Speaker 110
Representative Matt Duffield
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Representative Hope Duke
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Speaker 140
Representative Mark D. McElroy
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Speaker 162
Representative Zack Gramlich Chair
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Representative Paul Childress
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Speaker 177
Representative Matt Brown
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Speaker 42
Representative Jason Nazarenko
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Speaker 40
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
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Representative John P. Carr
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Representative Jimmy Gazaway Chair
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Representative Andrew Collins
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Representative Ashley Hudson
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Representative Lee Johnson
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Representative Aker
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Speaker 188
Speaker 217
Speaker 220
Representative Kendon Underwood
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Representative Stephen Meeks Chair
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Speaker 63
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
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Representative David Ray
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Representative Jack Ladyman
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Representative Les D. Eaves
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Representative Matthew J. Shepherd Chair
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Representative Robin Lundstrum
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Representative Aaron Pilkington
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Representative Brit McKenzie
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair
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Representative Ryan A. Rose
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Speaker 318
Representative Wayne Long Chair
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Representative Denise Garner
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair
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Speaker 352
Representative Rebecca Burkes
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Senator Missy Irvin
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Representative Dwight Tosh
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Representative Brad Hall
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Representative Carol Dalby
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
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Representative Stetson Painter Chair
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Representative Lincoln Barnett
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Speaker 403
Speaker 204
Representative Lane Jean Chair
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Speaker 179
Representative Jim Wooten
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Speaker 438
Speaker 440
Speaker 215
Speaker 448
Speaker 415
Speaker 449
Speaker 443
Speaker 417
Speaker 416
Speaker 432
Speaker 117
Speaker 380
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Speaker 124
Speaker 506
Representative John Maddox
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