House Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (110)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HR1106
· 7 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…een adopted. Gentlemen, thank you. Madam Clark, please read House resolution 1106.”
|
TO RECOGNIZE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION GAME WARDEN BRADY SMITH AS THE NATIONAL … | Pearce | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1105
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…opriate time. And so Madam Clerk, I would ask that you read House Resolution 1105.”
|
TO PROCLAIM APRIL 9, 2025, AS ARKANSAS LINEWORKER APPRECIATION DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND … | Pearce | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1023
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “…your resolution has been adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House resolution 1023.”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE SALEM FOOTBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONS. | Steimel | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1104
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1104 Beaty Jr. TO HONOR LARRY WALTHER FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVIC…”
|
TO HONOR LARRY WALTHER FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO … | Beaty Jr. | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1829
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ommunications to The Senate All those in favor of recalling House Bill 1829, say aye. Nate, I had it. Direct chief clerk to recall that…”
|
TO AMEND THE DOMESTIC ABUSE ACT OF 1991; TO PROVIDE FOR REMOTE TESTIMONY IN CERTAIN … | Dalby | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HR1099
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1099 R. Scott Richardson TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSI…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS CLUB FOR WINNING THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION AND INNOVATE … | R. Scott Richardson | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HB1105
Act 1004
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…Mr. Speaker, we your committee on joint budget, to whom the House Bill 1105, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for”
|
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 |
|
HB1126
Act 873
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…Mr. Speaker, your committee on Joint Budget and Homes fired House Bill 1126. Vaguely”
|
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
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1202 vaguely the same consideration here for return the same rec…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION - DISBURSING OFFICER APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1202 is now Act 1006 |
|
HB1561
Act 473
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “ninety-fifth General Assembly. House Bill 1561 Act 473, House Bill 1598 Act 474, House Bill 1633 Act 475.…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. | Painter | Notification that HB1561 is now Act 473 |
|
HR1079
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1079 Brooks TO HONOR D.J. DANIEL FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CAN…”
|
TO HONOR D.J. DANIEL FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER AND SUPPORT NAMING HIM AN … | Brooks | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1109
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…Mr. Speaker. We're your committee on management to whom the House resolution 1109, House Resolution 1110. House resolution 1111. House resolu…”
|
TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNITED STATES … | Beaty Jr. | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1110
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…committee on management to whom the House resolution 1109, House Resolution 1110. House resolution 1111. House resolution 1112. House Memori…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT JAMES R. HENDRIX OF … | Rye | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1111
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…t to whom the House resolution 1109, House Resolution 1110. House resolution 1111. House resolution 1112. House Memorial resolution 1011. Hou…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE APRIL 7, 2025, AS THE DAY OF LOVE IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. | Rye | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1112
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1109, House Resolution 1110. House resolution 1111. House resolution 1112. House Memorial resolution 1011. House Memorial Resolution…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY HIGH SCHOOL LADY EAGLES BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE … | A. Brown | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
SB442
Act 667
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB442 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO PROVIDE FO…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUMAN TRAFFICKING; TO PROVIDE FOR FORFEITURE OF ASSETS USED TO … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB442 is now Act 667 |
|
SB478
Act 738
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…your Committee on Public Transportation to House Bill 2001 Senate Bill 478 vaguely report to some consideration here for return the sa…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIESEL ENGINE FREEDOM ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE ENFORCEMENT … | G. Stubblefield | Notification that SB478 is now Act 738 |
|
SB500
Act 780
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ure, Forestry and Economic Developments and who were fired. Senate Bill 500, Senate Bill 563, Senate Bill 573. be leave reporting the s…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LEVEE DISTRICTS; AND TO ALLOW A LEVEE DISTRICT CREATED BY … | J. Petty | Notification that SB500 is now Act 780 |
|
SB563
Act 741
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…Economic Developments and who were fired. Senate Bill 500, Senate Bill 563, Senate Bill 573. be leave reporting the same”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY FOR CERTAIN … | Irvin | Notification that SB563 is now Act 741 |
|
SB573
Act 783
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ments and who were fired. Senate Bill 500, Senate Bill 563, Senate Bill 573. be leave reporting the same”
|
TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5, BY DEFINING … | J. Petty | Notification that SB573 is now Act 783 |
|
SB629
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…t objection, the Senate respectfully requests the return of Senate Bill 629. Saying”
|
TO ALLOW AN OFFICER OF A CLOSELY HELD CORPORATION TO REPRESENT THE CORPORATION IN COURT … | Caldwell | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1017
Act 904
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE … | A. Collins | Notification that HB1017 is now Act 904 |
|
HB1084
Act 884
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1084 AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JO…”
|
AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1084 is now Act 884 |
|
HB1086
Act 784
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1086 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1086 is now Act 784 |
|
HB1092
Act 785
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1092 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF P…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF PROVIDER SERVICES AND QUALITY … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1092 is now Act 785 |
|
HB1096
Act 786
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1096 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - MEDICAID TOBA…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - MEDICAID TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1096 is now Act 786 |
|
HB1101
Act 787
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1101 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION COMMISSION APPRO…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1101 is now Act 787 |
|
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 |
|
HB1107
Act 788
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1107 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF C…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF COUNTY OPERATIONS APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1107 is now Act 788 |
|
HB1112
Act 789
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1112 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE - CITY-COUN…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE - CITY-COUNTY TOURIST MEETING AND … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1112 is now Act 789 |
|
HB1174
Act 790
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1174 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1174 is now Act 790 |
|
HB1178
Act 993
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1178 R. Scott Richardson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CONTRAC…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY; TO AMEND THE LAW … | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1178 is now Act 993 |
|
HB1200
Act 791
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1200 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - DIVIS…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATION … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1200 is now Act 791 |
|
HB1206
Act 792
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1206 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMEN…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION - … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1206 is now Act 792 |
|
HB1242
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES A…”
|
TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED. | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1468
Act 558
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1468 #1 Cozart TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST H…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS, AND SUPPLIERS. | Cozart | Notification that HB1468 is now Act 558 |
|
HB1632
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1632 Wardlaw TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME…”
|
TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTED … | Wardlaw | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1649
Act 793
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1649 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - ARKANSAS NATURAL…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Vaught | Notification that HB1649 is now Act 793 |
|
HB1691
Act 497
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Act 494 Hospital 1125, at 495. Hos1232 A 496. House Bill 1691, Act 497, House Bill 1716 Act 498. Sincerely, Sarah Huckabe…”
|
TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY TO BE EXEMPT FROM TAXATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN … | Torres | Notification that HB1691 is now Act 497 |
|
HB1705
Act 478
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…, House Bill 1633 Act 475. High school 1640 at 476 1697477, House Bill 1705 Act 478. High 1271 at 479. House 1557 Act 480. House 1382 A…”
|
TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED … | Duke | Notification that HB1705 is now Act 478 |
|
HB1719
Act 905
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1719 Vaught TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MA…”
|
TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS APPROVED BY … | Vaught | Notification that HB1719 is now Act 905 |
|
HB1745
Act 604
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1745 #1 Hawk TO REQUIRE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE HOLDER…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE HOLDERS TO POSSESS A UNITED STATES WORK AUTHORIZATION; TO … | Hawk | Notification that HB1745 is now Act 604 |
|
HB1832
Act 975
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1832 M. Shepherd TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COU…”
|
TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1832 is now Act 975 |
|
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 |
|
HB1894
Act 842
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1894 Beaty Jr. TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR REAL PROPE…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR REAL PROPERTY USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND TO … | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1894 is now Act 842 |
|
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 … |
|
HB1903
Act 911
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1903 Walker TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE … | Walker | Notification that HB1903 is now Act 911 |
|
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. |
|
HB1915
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1915 Eubanks TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUE…”
|
TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A BROAD-BASED CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY WAIVER FOR … | Eubanks | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1916
Act 979
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1916 Bentley TO AMEND THE PROTECTING MINORS FROM MEDICAL MALPRAC…”
|
TO AMEND THE PROTECTING MINORS FROM MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACT OF 2023; AND TO INCLUDE GENDER-AFFIRMING … | Bentley | Notification that HB1916 is now Act 979 |
|
HB1917
Act 839
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1917 M. Shepherd TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1917 is now Act 839 |
|
HB1926
Act 980
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1926 Unger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION, REVOCATIO…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR NONRENEWAL OF A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE … | Unger | Notification that HB1926 is now Act 980 |
|
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. |
|
HB1935
Act 882
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1935 Eaves TO CREATE A MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT T…”
|
TO CREATE A MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT BY EXISTING BUSINESSES WITHIN … | Eaves | Notification that HB1935 is now Act 882 |
|
HB1945
Act 913
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1945 McCollum TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CH…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE … | McCollum | Notification that HB1945 is now Act 913 |
|
HB1960
Act 1013
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1960 Wardlaw TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICL…”
|
TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES … | Stone | Notification that HB1960 is now Act 1013 |
|
HB1961
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1961 Achor TO ALLOW MEDICAL PROVIDERS TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FROM…”
|
TO ALLOW MEDICAL PROVIDERS TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FROM FEDERAL INFORMATION-BLOCKING REGULATIONS TO SAFEGUARD PATIENTS DURING INFORMATION … | Achor | Delivered to the Secretary of State |
|
HB1966
Act 914
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1966 Barnett TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE … | Barnett | Notification that HB1966 is now Act 914 |
|
HB1979
Act 983
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1979 Gazaway AN ACT TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW TO ALLOW WARRANTLESS S…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW TO ALLOW WARRANTLESS SEARCHES BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1979 is now Act 983 |
|
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. |
|
HB1982
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1982 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABIL…”
|
TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE THE TIRE MANAGEMENT AND … | Wooldridge | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1984
Act 984
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1984 Hudson TO CREATE A DESIGNATION FOR A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDE…”
|
TO CREATE A DESIGNATION FOR A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION … | Hudson | Notification that HB1984 is now Act 984 |
|
HB1986
Act 794
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1986 Nazarenko CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLE…”
|
CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS. | Nazarenko | Notification that HB1986 is now Act 794 |
|
HB1987
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1987 Ennett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE BOARD OF EMBAL…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE BOARD OF EMBALMERS, FUNERAL DIRECTORS, CEMETERIES, AND BURIAL … | Ennett | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB2001
Act 932
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ir, Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Public Transportation to House Bill 2001 Senate Bill 478 vaguely report to some consideration here f…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND … | Painter | Notification that HB2001 is now Act 932 |
|
HCR1005
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HCR1005 T. Shephard TO HONOR THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH COMMISSIO…”
|
TO HONOR THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH COMMISSION DURING AMERICAN HEART MONTH IN FEBRUARY FOR ITS … | T. Shephard | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
HR1107
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1107 Torres TO PROCLAIM APRIL 24, 2025, AS TEACH CHILDREN TO SAV…”
|
TO PROCLAIM APRIL 24, 2025, AS TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY IN ARKANSAS. | Torres | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
SB290
Act 921
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB290 B. Johnson Vaught TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB290 is now Act 921 |
|
SB302
Act 659
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB302 Gilmore Beaty, Jr. TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF GIFT C…”
|
TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF GIFT CARD FRAUD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | Gilmore | Notification that SB302 is now Act 659 |
|
SB303
Act 644
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB303 Dees Torres TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A…”
|
TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN … | Dees | Notification that SB303 is now Act 644 |
|
SB314
Act 661
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB314 Irvin Duke TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SEXUAL SOLICITATION;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SEXUAL SOLICITATION; AND TO AMEND THE PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENSE … | Irvin | Notification that SB314 is now Act 661 |
|
SB375
Act 662
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB375 Stone J. Moore TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF CAPITAL RAPE; AND T…”
|
TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF CAPITAL RAPE; AND TO AMEND A PORTION OF ARKANSAS CODE … | Stone | Notification that SB375 is now Act 662 |
|
SB390
Act 695
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB390 J. English Lundstrum TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY ACT. | J. English | Notification that SB390 is now Act 695 |
|
SB397
Act 931
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB397 D. Wallace Rye TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION…”
|
TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION OF RAIL EMPLOYEES IN REPORTS INVOLVING RAILROAD FATALITIES. | D. Wallace | Notification that SB397 is now Act 931 |
|
SB408
Act 696
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB408 B. Johnson Eaves TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CER…”
|
TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PAYMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB408 is now Act 696 |
|
SB426
Act 654
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB426 Hester Cavenaugh TO CREATE THE DEFENSE AGAINST CRIMINAL ILL…”
|
TO CREATE THE DEFENSE AGAINST CRIMINAL ILLEGALS ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL … | Hester | Notification that SB426 is now Act 654 |
|
SB427
Act 663
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB427 J. Bryant McAlindon TO AMEND PROMOTING PROSTITUTION OFFENSE…”
|
TO AMEND PROMOTING PROSTITUTION OFFENSES; TO ENHANCE THE PENALTIES FOR PROMOTING PROSTITUTION IN THE FIRST, … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB427 is now Act 663 |
|
SB428
Act 664
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB428 J. Bryant Rose CONCERNING A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR VICTI…”
|
CONCERNING A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND TO PROVIDE A … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB428 is now Act 664 |
|
SB429
Act 665
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB429 J. Bryant Joey Carr TO EXPAND THE SEALING OF CRIMINAL RECOR…”
|
TO EXPAND THE SEALING OF CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; TO PROVIDE THAT … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB429 is now Act 665 |
|
SB430
Act 666
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB430 J. Bryant Rose AN ACT TO REQUIRE MANDATORY RESTITUTION TO B…”
|
AN ACT TO REQUIRE MANDATORY RESTITUTION TO BE AWARDED TO A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB430 is now Act 666 |
|
SB431
Act 987
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB431 J. Bryant R. Scott Richardson TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKIN…”
|
TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013; TO ELIMINATE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB431 is now Act 987 |
|
SB446
Act 668
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB446 Gilmore Gazaway TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER…”
|
TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEM ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE … | Gilmore | Notification that SB446 is now Act 668 |
|
SB449
Act 669
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB449 Dees Beaty, Jr. TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR CONFISCATION…”
|
TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR CONFISCATION OF ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS, VAPOR PRODUCTS, E-LIQUID PRODUCTS, TOBACCO … | Dees | Notification that SB449 is now Act 669 |
|
SB464
Act 698
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB464 A. Clark C. Cooper TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW MILK; TO ALLOW SALES OF RAW MILK … | A. Clark | Notification that SB464 is now Act 698 |
|
SB467
Act 645
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB467 C. Penzo Gramlich TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE P…”
|
TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB467 is now Act 645 |
|
SB470
Act 646
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB470 J. Dotson Brooks TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE TH…”
|
TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB470 is now Act 646 |
|
SB485
Act 670
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB485 C. Tucker Gazaway TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM; AND TO AMEND THE LA…”
|
TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF A SENTENCE, … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB485 is now Act 670 |
|
SB492
Act 699
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB492 J. Bryant Lundstrum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RELOCAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF UTILITY FACILITIES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB492 is now Act 699 |
|
SB494
Act 717
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB494 J. Bryant Eaton TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERMITS I…”
|
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERMITS ISSUED BY ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL; AND TO … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB494 is now Act 717 |
|
SB495
Act 718
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB495 J. Bryant Eaton TO AMEND DEFINITIONS USED UNDER THE ARKANSA…”
|
TO AMEND DEFINITIONS USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977; AND TO … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB495 is now Act 718 |
|
SB496
Act 700
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB496 Caldwell Hollowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITS FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CARGOES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | Caldwell | Notification that SB496 is now Act 700 |
|
SB497
Act 655
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB497 D. Wallace Nazarenko TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A POSTER RE…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A POSTER REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS AND SERVICES; AND TO REQUIRE … | D. Wallace | Notification that SB497 is now Act 655 |
|
SB515
Act 647
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB515 J. Petty Nazarenko TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKA…”
|
TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN … | J. Petty | Notification that SB515 is now Act 647 |
|
SB522
Act 648
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB522 M. McKee M. Brown TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS S…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND … | M. McKee | Notification that SB522 is now Act 648 |
|
SB530
Act 701
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB530 B. Davis Beck TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT. | B. Davis | Notification that SB530 is now Act 701 |
|
SB540
Act 702
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB540 M. Johnson Ennett TO LIMIT THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF…”
|
TO LIMIT THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON … | M. Johnson | Notification that SB540 is now Act 702 |
|
SB550
Act 703
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB550 Hill Painter TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK A…”
|
TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO THE ARKANSAS BOARD … | Hill | Notification that SB550 is now Act 703 |
|
SB552
Act 650
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB552 K. Hammer Eaves TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "PRINCIPAL OFF…”
|
TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "PRINCIPAL OFFICE" USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT OF … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB552 is now Act 650 |
|
SB553
Act 671
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB553 K. Hammer Milligan TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTI…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW; TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF A MUNICIPAL TREASURER; … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB553 is now Act 671 |
|
SB562
Act 704
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB562 Hill Holcomb TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF INTE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT; AND TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT … | Hill | Notification that SB562 is now Act 704 |
|
SB567
Act 719
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB567 Crowell R. Burkes TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING…”
|
TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING THE APPORTIONMENT OF INCOME DERIVED FROM MULTISTATE OPERATIONS; … | Crowell | Notification that SB567 is now Act 719 |
|
SB572
Act 649
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB572 J. Dotson McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND…”
|
TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB572 is now Act 649 |
|
SB576
Act 623
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB576 B. Davis Pilkington TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLU…”
|
TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. | B. Davis | Notification that SB576 is now Act 623 |
|
SB577
Act 720
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB577 J. Petty Hall TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND U…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT … | J. Petty | Notification that SB577 is now Act 720 |
|
SB594
Act 705
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB594 M. McKee Milligan TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FO…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR NEW … | M. McKee | Notification that SB594 is now Act 705 |
|
SB9
Act 622
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB9 B. Davis Pilkington TO CREATE THE MAKE ARKANSAS HEALTHY AGA…”
|
TO CREATE THE MAKE ARKANSAS HEALTHY AGAIN ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT MANUFACTURING, SELLING, DELIVERING, DISTRIBUTING, … | B. Davis | Notification that SB9 is now Act 622 |
|
SB93
Act 1010
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR TH…”
|
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
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
- Source
- Whisper
- Model
- ggml-large-v3-turbo.bin
- Processing date
- October 6, 2026
Unknown speaker
0:00
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
7:00
I invite the members, staff, press, and
Chair
Unverified
7:25
guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor George Shears, the New Hope Baptist Church of North Little Rock,
guest today of Representative Tracy Steele, and to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be led by Representative
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
7:42
Lane Jean. May we bow for a word of prayer. Gracious and eternal God, we pause in this sacred moment not to be partisan, but to be prayerful. We acknowledge you as the source of all wisdom, the giver of every good gift, and the sustainer of this great state. Thank you for these representatives who have answered the call to serve.
They are not just lawmakers. They are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, neighbors and friends. Today, I lift them to you one by one, row by row, soul by soul. Give them clarity when the issues are complex. Give them courage when the choices are costly. Give them compassion when the people are hurting. And give them calm in the chaos of long days and weightier decisions.
May this chamber not just echo with debate, but resonate with discernment. May their hearts not grow weary in well-doing, but rise with renewed purpose. May they remember that behind every policy is a person, behind every name or number is a name. Protect their minds from burnout. Guard their homes from strain. Shield their families with peace that surpasses all understanding.
let this day's work not just make laws but make a difference not just move legislation but move lives i pray not just for what happens in this house but for the hearts in this house and lord i trust that when we seek you first everything else will fall into the rightful place in the In the strong name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Chair
Unverified
10:34
As everyone indicated their presence, cast up the ballot. With 99 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Any request for leave? Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Leave for Representative Milligan. Is leave granted for Representative John Milligan? so ordered represented Matthew Shepherd moves that we dispense of the
reading of the previous day's journal with no objection so ordered madam clerk do you have reports from select committees you're recognized mr. speaker we're your
committee on house management to whom's referred house resolution 1109 house resolution 1110 house resolution 1111 house resolution 1112 house memorial resolution 1011 house memorial resolution 1012 vaguely reporting the same consideration here for terms
of the same recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted representative vault chair mr speaker will your committee on joint budget to whom's referred house bill 1105 begly reporting the same consideration here for terms
the same recognition that do passes amendment number two respectfully submitted representative jean co-chair mr speaker will your committee on joint budget to whom was required house bill 1202 begly reporting the same consideration here for terms the same recommendation that do passes amendment number three respectfully submitted representative jean co-chair mr speaker your committee on joint budget to whom's referred house bill 1126 begly reporting the same
Speaker 27
11:56
consideration and here for terms of the same recommendation that do perfectly submitted representative jean co-chair thank you madam clerk do you have
Chair
Unverified
12:04
reports from standing committees you're recognized mr speaker we your committee on agricultural forestry economic
development to homes were fired senate bill 500 senate bill 563 senate bill 573 beg
leave reporting the same consideration here for terms of the same recommendation at due pass respectfully submitted representative lynch chair mr speaker your committee on public transportation to homes will fire hospital 2001 senate bill 478 begly report the same consideration here for terms of the same recognition that do pass respectfully submitted. Representative Holcomb, Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Any
unfinished business? Do you have any executive communications? Please read the letter from the Governor. April 9th, 2025,
to the Speaker of the House. Dear Mr.
Speaker, this is informed me that on April 8th, 2025, I reviewed and
approved the following measures from the regular session of the 95th General Assembly. House Bill 1561, Act 473, House Bill 1598, Act 474, House Bill 1633, Act 475, House Bill 1640, Act 476, House Bill 1693, 1897, Act 477, House Bill 1705, Act 478, House Bill 1271, Act 479, House Bill 1557, Act 480, House Bill 1382, Act 481, House Bill 1474, Act 484, House Bill 1551, Act 485, House Bill 1760, Act 486, House Bill 1549, Act 489, House Bill 1654, Act 490, House Bill 1094, Act 494, House Bill 1125, Act 495, House Bill 1232, Act 496, House Bill 1691, Act 497, House Bill 1760, Act 498.
Sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas. Thank you,
Speaker 36
13:29
Madam Clerk. Members I would ask you to rise at this time
Chair
Unverified
13:37
just to give some special recognition to a couple of folks. We have with us today Sergeant Austin Lay of the Regulatory Services Division and Corporal Trey Keller of the Highway Patrol Administration. Gentlemen thank you for
your service to Arkansas and to the House of Representatives, members your Arkansas State Troopers of the Day.
Also in the back of the chamber, we have with us today our Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tim
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
14:08
Payton, family medicine physician, guest of Representative Stetson Painter from Mountain Home. Doctor, welcome. Alongside the good doctor
today, we have our nurse, Ms. Lee Fazio. Ms. Lee, thank you very much for your service to the House of Representatives.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
14:34
Also, you may recognize a face, if you've been around here for very long, in the
back of the chamber. Representative Eubanks running block and tackle back there. A friend to many of us, a good leader
in state government. former member Bill Gosage. Would you please make him welcome and get you
to turn around this way down in the front along the benches in the front we have a
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
15:05
great group of pages here to help us today. We appreciate very much their willingness to come and work on behalf of the House of Representatives and give us good experience with their efforts. One particular one we want to point out today. Over to my right, on the very end, we have Ms. Rebecca Meeks. She
is the daughter of Ranking Member Stephen Meeks. Please make Rebecca welcome. Members, we
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
15:40
have a letter from the Senate. Without objection, the Senate respectfully
request the return of Senate Bill 629. Seeing no
Speaker 47
15:47
objection, I ask the chief clerk to send the bill back to
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
16:06
the Senate. Members also, we have a request to recall back from the Senate, House Bill 1829.
Any objection? Seeing none, please send the
communications to the Senate. All those in favor of recalling House Bill 1829 say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Direct the chief clerk to recall that bill. Members, we have a lot of guests here with us. You'll see our galleries are full. We are so grateful for them being here today and giving us the opportunity to honor them. We have also have some groups out in the hallway still that we're going to welcome in at
the appropriate time and so without objection as we move into resolutions without objection I want to I need to bounce around just so I can kind of coordinate the logistics of honoring guests that are seated and then getting some others in at the
Chair
Unverified
17:04
appropriate time and so madam clerk I would ask that you We read House Resolution 1105.
House Resolution 1105 by Representative Pierce to proclaim April 9, 2025 as Arkansas Line Worker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol and to commend the men and women who serve Arkansas as utility line
workers. Representative Pierce, you're recognized to explain your resolution.
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
17:43
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. And at this time, could I ask Representative Schultz to join
Chair
Unverified
17:49
me in the well, please? Representative Schultz, if you
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
17:55
would join Representative Pierce in the well. Colleagues in Arkansas, approximately 2,140 line workers share a common attribute
that transcends their knowledge of technical jargon like knuckle buster, lobster claw, or booger wire. What truly unites them is their unwavering commitment to their driving and driving them to exceed heights of 40, 60, and even 120 feet amidst challenging conditions such as heavy rain, sleep, or extreme heat. Burdened with over 40 pounds of gear, they tirelessly repair and restore electrical systems,
transmitting voltage ranging from 13,800 volts to 765,000 volts, often dedicating up to 16 hours a day to their craft. Amazing, and your grid has not went unnoticed
with us. The dedication of these professionals
Representative Bart Schulz
Unverified
18:54
shines on holidays like Christmas or Memorial Day during significant life events such as their child's first t-ball game.
Despite the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones and the physical demands that can inflict lasting strain, it is their grit that motivates these line workers to persevere. Their resilience endures that we continue to enjoy the vital modern convenience of electricity, underscoring the silent sacrifices made by those who serve in this critical role. Now, I want to add a personal note to this. As most of y'all know, on March 14th, my district, District 28, was hit hard by a significant tornado incident.
All four counties in District 28 were hit the same night. The next morning as the sun came up in my hometown of Cave City, we didn't know where to start. Poles down, wires, you just can't imagine the devastation. By that afternoon, Main Street in Cave City looked like a Transformers movie. Somewhere I have a picture on my phone, there were so many booms in the air working, it was just unbelievable.
In coordinated madness, it was quite a thing to see. My point is, these people are miracle workers. Within a couple days, our residents were back up and going, and it's due to the dedication of these people. We appreciate y'all very, very much. Would you all please stand? Thank you.
Great, but title only. Madam Clerk, please
Speaker 68
21:02
read the resolution by title. To proclaim April 9, 2025 as Arkansas Line Worker Appreciation Day at the State Capitol
who serve Arkansas as utility line workers. Representative Pierce has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution, Representative Pierce, you're closed for the resolution.
Chair
Unverified
21:22
The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1105. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed nay. The ayes
have it. Congratulations, Representative Pierce. Your resolution has been adopted. Gentlemen, thank
you. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1106.
Chair
Unverified
21:53
House Resolution 1106 by Representative Pierce to recognize Arkansas State Game and
Fish Commission Game Warden Brady Smith as the National Wild Turkey Federation Wildlife Officer of the
Year. Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain Resolution 1106. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
22:13
Members, this is the resolution that we honored Officer Brady Smith from Cleburne County the other day, and so I'd ask the clerk to read the resolution in title only.
Madam Clerk, please read the resolution by title.
Chair
Unverified
22:28
To recognize Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission Game Warden Brady Smith as the National Wild Turkey Federation's Wildlife Officer of the Year.
Representative Brown has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the
Chair
Unverified
22:43
resolution for the resolution? Representative Brown is closed for the resolution. Representative Brown is closed for the resolution. Question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1106. All those in favor say aye.
Aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Pierce and Brown. Your resolution has been adopted.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
23:19
Representative Brown, for what purpose? Point of personal privilege. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I am so honored today to recognize the Westside Gross Ferry High School Lady Eagles basketball team.
They are in the North Gallery, and they are the 2025 Class 1A state championship team. They won in their final game in the championship with 63-49, and even more, this team had multiple players and athletes who were recognized throughout the state. They were coached by Coach Keith Cornett. We are proud to have them as state champions. We're also proud to have them as women leaders growing up in my district, so would you join me in honoring them?
The resolution will be run tomorrow, but we want to honor them while they're here in
Speaker 87
24:22
the chamber. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Brown. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1104.
Chair
Unverified
24:33
House resolution 1104 by Representative Beatty to honor Larry Walther for his exceptional service to the state of Arkansas and to the United
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
24:45
States of America. Members, Representative Beatty would like to
pass over that today. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution
Chair
Unverified
25:02
1099. resolution 1099 by Representative Richardson to recognize the Arkansas
Tech University Robotics Club for winning the
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
25:08
Tournament Champion and Innovate Awards at the 2025 Texas State VEX
Chair
Unverified
25:14
U Tournament. Representative Richardson, you're recognized to explain
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
25:20
your resolution. Thank You Mr. Speaker and with your permission I'd like to invite Representative Duffield as well as any representatives that happen to represent either in whole or in part the towns of Bentonville, Conway, Greenwood, Hope, Russellville, and Sheridan. Y'all please
join Representative Richardson in the well. Colleagues, while they make their way down, I want to get started and talk to you just a little bit about House Resolution 1099. This resolution is designed to recognize an outstanding STEM performance and by in obviously a biased opinion of the best STEM university in our state for its recent
and ongoing accomplishments in VEX Robotics competition. And if you don't know VEX Robotics is a global robotics program designed to inspire students to engage with STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on collaborative learning. In this chamber, we regularly recognize our various sports teams for great accomplishments, requiring physical challenges, teamwork, and skill in a particular sport. Yet it is rare that we have the opportunity to celebrate the success
of those same requirements, coupled with the engineering, programming, and thought leadership required to accomplish what these students have done in representing each of their hometowns, Arkansas Tech, and of course our great state. On February 21st and 22nd, the robotics team from Arkansas Tech University, better known as ATUM, which is spelled A-T-U-M, won the Texas State VEX-U Robotics Tournament to earn a berth into its third consecutive VEX-U World Championships
to be held next month. This great honor is only provided to a select few who have proven great expertise in design, manufacture, and programming of these robotic devices. Each round, their creators must maneuver these devices under extreme competition pressures to complete increasingly complex engineering challenges. If you haven't seen these competitions, you're truly missing out on something great. Along the way, Adam had to defeat teams from prestigious STEM schools like Texas A&M and, of course, everyone's favorite team to beat from the state of Arkansas, the University of Texas at Austin.
This great accomplishment was orchestrated by the following team members, and if you would, please rise when I call your name. Brody Peterson from Bentonville, Cody Stober from Bentonville, Kevin Canagara, I'm sorry about that, from Bentonville as well. Bo Huey from Conway, Everett Otis from Conway, Preston Diehl from Conway, Brady Bray from Greenwood, Brandon Galalas from Hope, I probably missed that one, Hunter Mathis from Hope, Jason Easterling, Juan Leon, who is the club vice president, I miss that Hunter is actually the club president from Hope, Juan from Hope as well,
Judith Morales-Mora from Russellville, Ryan Mathen-Lansky, and I'm sorry about that one, from Sheridan. Also with them is faculty members. I know it was bad. Faculty members and club sponsors, Mr. Woodfeller, Mr. Ward, Dr. Crone, Dean John Jackson, and Provolosz Dr. Adolph Santos. So would you guys help me
welcome these folks to the House chamber today?
Speaker 102
29:27
And with that, Mr. Speaker, could you have the clerk read the resolution by title
only? Madam Clerk, please read the resolution
Chair
Unverified
29:35
by title. To recognize the Arkansas Tech University Robotics Club for winning the Tournament Champion and Innovate Awards at the 2025 Texas State VEXU tournament. Representative Richardson
has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the
Chair
Unverified
29:48
resolution? For the resolution? Representative Richardson is closed for the resolution. Question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1099. All those in favor say
aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Congratulations your resolution has been adopted
madam clerk please read house resolution 1023 House resolution 1023
Chair
Unverified
30:31
by Representative Steimel to recognize the Salem football team as a class 3A state champions. Representative Steimel, you're
Speaker 95
30:39
recognized to explain your resolution. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Representative Steiner
Unverified
30:42
We had the 3A Salem football team out here earlier this year. We recognize them. This is gonna be the resolution that confirms that and you know really proud of these
folks back home and with that if you would please Mr. Speaker have the clerk read it by
Speaker 113
31:00
title. Madam Clerk, please read the resolution
Speaker 32
31:03
by title. To recognize the Salem football team as the Class
Chair
Unverified
31:07
3A state champions. Representative Steimel has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution for the resolution? Representative Steimel is closed for the resolution. Question before the House is the adoption of House Resolution 1023. All those in
favor say aye opposed nay the ayes have it congratulations representative steimel your resolution has been
Chair
Unverified
31:40
adopted madam clerk please read house resolution 1079 that's resolution
1079 by representative Brooks to honor DJ Daniel for his fight against brain cancer and support naming
him an honorary state capitol police officer and to proclaim
March 17th, 2025 as DJ Daniel Day
in the state of Arkansas. Representative Brooks, you're recognized to
explain your resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We honored DJ Daniel several weeks ago when he was here in Arkansas. We just didn't have the resolution passed out of committee in time to present and
Chair
Unverified
32:15
so this is the formality of that and I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Brooks has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? Representative Brooks is closed for the resolution. Question before the House is the adoption of House Resolution 1079.
All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes have it. Congratulations Representative Brooks,
your resolution has been adopted. Representative in it, for what purpose? Point of privilege. You're recognized
to come to the well. Good afternoon colleagues, how are you doing?
I have in the West Gallery, I have Mills High, if you could stand up real quick. I'd like to congratulate you all for winning, this is your fifth title, right? And so I don't have a resolution in front of me, but I just want to recognize them for winning a fifth basketball tournament
here in Arkansas. If everybody can give them a round of applause, please. Thank you.
Thank you, Representative Innett. - Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1107. - House Resolution 1107
Chair
Unverified
33:46
by Representative Torres to proclaim April 24, 25 as Teach Children to Save Day in Arkansas. - Representative
Torres, you're recognized to explain your resolution.
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
33:59
- Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, House members.
As a banker and as a legislator, I'm honored to stand here and represent the state of Arkansas banking community with this resolution. They couldn't be here, but they are watching live on our cameras here. So House Resolution 1107, this resolution is asking the Arkansas House of Representatives to officially recognize April 24th, 2025, as Teach Children to Save Day in the state of Arkansas.
The goal is to raise awareness about the importance teaching kids to how to save money and make smart financial choices from a young age. Financial skills are essential. Saving, budgeting, and managing money are life skills every child should learn early. It helps to avoid future struggles. Many adults face money problems simply because they were never taught how to handle finances. Teaching kids now builds a stronger economy later. On this day,
Today, school, parents, banks, and local businesses are encouraged to get involved in teaching children about saving money. And this resolution highlights the role of organizations like Arkansas Banks and the Financial Education Commission in supporting free financial education across the state. House Resolution 1107 makes an official statement that
Arkansas values financial education encourages everyone to support efforts that help kids become financially responsible adults.
And I think I want to start that right here in the House chamber, if I could, by sharing a quick money lesson I learned from my illiterate millionaire grandfather. He said, son, he says, every dollar you have in your hand that the good Lord places there, he says, it's real simple. He says, you only have two options. He said, you can take that dollar and you can spend it on an alligator or you can take that dollar and invest it into a milk cow.
He said, an alligator will eat and eat and eat and never give you anything in return. He said, in fact, it'll end up biting the hand that's feeding it. He says, but that milk cow, he said, not only will she milk for you while you sleep, but she'll reproduce herself as well. And he said, finally, never get an alligator until you have enough milk cows to pay for. And I've applied that principle to my personal, professional life,
and I'm trying to do that here as a policymaker as well. So with that, thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to introduce this. If we could have the clerk read
this in title only. Madam Clerk, please read
Speaker 68
36:53
the resolution by title. to proclaim April 24th, 2025 as Teach Children
to Save Day in Arkansas. - Representative Torres has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For
Chair
Unverified
37:06
the resolution, Representative Torres is closed for the resolution.
Question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1107. Prepare the machine, Madam
Chair
Unverified
37:16
Clerk. Oh, all those in favor say aye. - Aye. - Opposed, nay. The ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Torres.
Speaker 87
37:32
Your resolution has been adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House
Speaker 137
37:37
Memorial Resolution 1009. House Memorial Resolution 1009 by Representative Moore.
Chair
Unverified
37:41
To remember former Speaker of the House of Representative Benny Petras for his service to the community and to the state of
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
37:53
Arkansas. Representative Moore, you're recognized. - Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. I'll keep this brief as I made my remarks yesterday. Mr. Benny Petrus was former Speaker of the House and served in this chamber from 2002 until 2009. He was a great man and a dear friend of mine. And with that, I would appreciate a good vote.
Thank you. - Representative Moore has explained the resolution.
Would anyone like to speak against the
Chair
Unverified
38:14
resolution? For the resolution? Representative Moore is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Memorial Resolution 1009. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have
Speaker 106
38:28
it. Congratulations, Representative Moore. Resolution has been adopted.
The morning hour has ended. Representative Wray, for what purpose? Request. I hear your request. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Rule
38T, I'd like to request a fiscal impact statement on House Bill 1930. That's a proper request, let the record show
the request has been made for a fiscal impact
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
39:22
on that bill, that's the clerk prepare a fiscal impact, obtain that, and lay it upon the desk of the members within five days. Members
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
39:47
will now go to concurrence, Senate Amendments.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
39:53
Representative R.J. Hawke recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1745. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment No. 1. Senate
Chair
Unverified
40:05
Representative Hawke, you're recognized to explain Amendment 1. Thank
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
40:10
you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This amendment did two things. We added or work visa everywhere that work permit already appears in the bill. We needed to add the or work visa to capture all the scenarios in which a foreign CDL might
be legal and make sure that this law will be enforceable in those situations. Both work permits and work visas are issued by the United States government and provide assurances that these individuals are who they say they are and are in the country legally. The second part of the amendment was that we codified the English language proficiency requirement for commercial drivers exactly as it appears in federal law. The new language mirrors both the regulation and the associated penalties. This was the suggestion of the Arkansas Highway Police and the Arkansas State Police.
Currently the regulation is only enforceable by the Arkansas Highway Police. Putting it in state code will allow for law enforcement agencies like the state police and local departments to enforce this requirement. Just to reiterate, none of the language in this bill is allowing to expand licensing. This bill was done to make sure that we cut down on fraudulent CDLs from Mexico. The original bill passed with 93 votes out of this chamber and this amended version received 33 votes in the Senate.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
41:28
I would ask for a good vote. Representative Hawk has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment for the amendment? clock is closed for the amendment. Question
Chair
Unverified
41:41
before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1745. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 82 yea,
Zero nay and zero present you concurred in Senate amendment number one to House bill 1745 Representative Bruce Kozart recommends that we concur in Senate amendment number one to House bill 1468 Madam clerk, please read Senate amendment one to House bill 1468 Senate amendment number
one to House bill 1468 Representative
Chair
Unverified
42:30
Kozart, you're recognized to explain your amendment
Colleagues, this is an amendment that we put on for the Attorney General, and that we had forgot to put it on
when we ran it through the House, and it just excludes them from some of the information that we were putting out on that bill, because they will not be responsible for
it, so I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Cozart has explained the
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
42:58
amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment, for the amendment? Cozart is closed for the amendment. The
Chair
Unverified
43:07
question before the House is concurrence with Senate
Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1468. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
43:32
vote of 90 yea, 0 nay, and zero present you've concurred in senate amendment number one to house bill 1468.
Chair
Unverified
43:41
members at the request representative wayne long will pass over house bill 1914 today at the request of representative stetson painter we will pass over house bill 1897 madam clerk please read
Speaker 87
43:58
house bill 1832 house bill 1832 by representative shepherd
Chair
Unverified
44:05
to amend the rules of the supreme court and court of appeals of the state of arkansas
and to amend the rule of the supreme court and court of appeals
under the authority granted by the arkansas constitution
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
44:33
Representative Shepard, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, House Bill 1832, by myself and Senator Hester,
provides for an amendment to the rules of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals
and also amends the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals. This bill is really very simple. All it does is moves the original jurisdiction of a facial constitutional challenge to the Arkansas Court of Appeals. And I know that when you start talking about jurisdiction and facial challenges, that can be a little much for non-lawyers,
but I'll try to explain it as best I can. There's two ways that, there's generally two ways that actions of the General Assembly or rules and regulations can be challenged. One is, it's challenged constitutionally as applied. And what that means is that the plaintiff is saying, as to its application, as
to the law's application to me,
and only me, it is unconstitutional. And then the court
makes a decision based upon whether the act or the rule is unconstitutional as to that claimant. This bill does not affect those challenges. The other type of constitutional challenge is what's called a facial challenge. A facial challenge is when a claimant or a plaintiff is saying that the act, the law, the rule, is unconstitutional on its face.
In other words, there is no instance in which that law can be applied constitutionally. And so, in essence, what they are seeking to do is to strike or to enjoin the application of the law in all circumstances. So in essence, they're asking the court to strike down an act of the General Assembly. This bill only applies to those situations. It only applies to a facial challenge of an act of
the General Assembly or a rule or regulation.
And so I want you to remember that. That's a very narrow category of cases. And as I served as Speaker of the House for those number of years, I became more and more aware of the number of constitutional challenges. And those challenges can be filed sometimes in federal court, which obviously we have no control over that, or they can be filed in state court. And in state court, they're filed in circuit court, which you're probably familiar with, circuit court.
That's your local trial court of record. And so I became more and more aware of these facial challenges. You've probably been aware of them. There are cases in which the lawsuit is filed, and then immediately the judge may enjoin or hold up the application of law across the board while it makes its way through the court system. And so, you know, I would get questions from legislators, but also from constituencies. How is it that a circuit judge in some part of Arkansas can enjoin an action that has been voted on by both ends of the legislature and approved by the governor?
And, you know, so I've heard these questions, these complaints, and so I became more and more aware of this. And quite honestly, I'm trying to get out in front of this issue. And there's a number of ways that we could have approached this issue, and really this to me is the simplest way. But this bill simply says that if there's a facial challenge, that instead of it being the jurisdiction where it's filed in circuit court, is that it would be filed with the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
That's all it does. The Court of Appeals is elected from across the state of Arkansas. There's court of appeals districts, and so these judges are elected from across the state. And really, my desire in doing that is that if we're going to have lawsuits in which a judge, even for a short period of time, can hold up the implementation and the enforceability of an action in the General Assembly, to me, shouldn't they be elected from across the state of Arkansas, just at the very least?
And so that's what this bill does. And so it simply moves. It doesn't add an extra level. It simply moves from circuit court over into the Court of Appeals. Ultimately, those cases, many of them are going to make their way to the Arkansas Supreme Court for a final decision. And so it's really very simple. But I will say this. There's some things that we can't do. And as I looked at this issue, I recognize there are certain things that we can't do. Under Amendment 80, you've heard, if you've been here for any length of time, you've heard that we can't do things concerning process and procedure of the courts.
So I can't implement, we can't implement exactly what that process will look like. But under Amendment 80, Section 10, we do determine jurisdiction and venue. And so this bill is based on Amendment 80 section 10. We're providing for jurisdiction of this limited category of cases to be moved over to the Court of Appeals. Ultimately, the implementation of this and whether it is effective and efficient or whether it is poorly implemented is ultimately going to be dependent upon two things.
One is the court rules that are passed and adopted by the Supreme Court, and I've put an amendment on to delay implementation until November 1st, so they have about six months to implement rules. And then secondly, it's going to be dependent upon how the Court of Appeals handles it. But I'm confident that they will be able to handle it in an efficient way. I think that we're getting ahead of an issue. It just so happens, this has been an issue I've looked at for the past several years. It just so happens that about the time I filed this bill, if you've been paying attention to what's going on at the federal level,
there's a similar discussion going on about nationwide injunctions from federal district courts. It's a lot of the same types of issues, and so I believe we're being proactive with this. I'll be glad to
answer any questions. Again, very simple bill, and I'll be glad to answer any
Chair
Unverified
51:33
questions. Representative Springer, for what purpose? question you're recognized for a question
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
51:40
good afternoon how are you today I would just like a response to a question what is your legitimate non-discriminatory reason for proposing this
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
51:49
legislation so that more so that Arkansans a greater across section of Arkansans can elect judges that are going to decide these issues
as you know right now most of these cases that involved the state are filed in Pulaski County and the point of this is to provide for a greater cross-section of the state to have a voice and who those judges are that are deciding these cases. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Shepard has explained the bill. Would anyone
Chair
Unverified
52:25
like to speak against the bill. Representative Hudson, you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
52:41
and thank you Representative Shefford for bringing this and
to be clear he and I have talked about this a few times and this is just sort of lawyer stuff where we get wonky about it. However, I think that there are a couple of issues that you need to be aware of before this
bill ends up in front of the Pulaski County Circuit Court when someone files a lawsuit about it. So the first problem that I have with this bill is the issue of standing. In order for any litigant to bring a case in front of any court, they have to have standing to bring the claim. So I have to have some sort of harm that I can point to or some sort of interest in the case in order to bring standing. In this case, the appellate court doesn't typically decide standing. That is a factual issue, and appellate courts don't make decisions on the factual issues.
They look at the law once the appellate court receives the case. So generally, even if there's a dispute about standing at the appellate level, they will rely on the record that was created below in order to make that determination. The reason that's important is because it saves us from having frivolous lawsuits filed by people who have no interest in the case. So, for example, it saves us from having just anybody come in and file a lawsuit about a bill that you passed this session who doesn't have any interest, who may not even be from Arkansas, who's just filing it to try to gum up the system.
That's another problem. The Court of Appeals right now is taking about a year plus to decide cases. They have one of the heaviest caseloads in the state. And so if you're talking about trying to make things more efficient as faster, as Representative Shepard pointed out, and trying to not have to go through the trial court level before you get a decision, this ain't it. And the reason for that is because this will be thrown in on top of the other work that the judges are already doing. And they are going to cause additional delays
in getting these cases out on top of the criminal appeals and the civil appeals and the domestic appeals that the Court of Appeals already hears. The other problem that we have, though, is that this isn't a rule change. The Arkansas Constitution at Amendment 80, Section 5, says that the Court of Appeals shall have such appellate jurisdiction as the Supreme Court shall, by rule, determine. And so you say, well, OK. I mean, he said by rule, this says by rule, except that there is a distinct legal difference
between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction. By definition, original jurisdiction It means that it is a court that hears a case for the first time. If we pass this bill, that's what the Court of Appeals will be doing. On the other hand, appellate jurisdiction means the court's ability to review decisions made by lower courts, court's ability to review decisions made by lower courts.
If the Court of Appeals is hearing it for the first time, it is doing something that It is unconstitutional based on Amendment 80, Section 5. And y'all can look it up. That's exactly what it says. There is a difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction. There is a difference between what we're doing in this bill versus what the state constitution requires. And there is most certainly a constitutional issue with passing this bill. Happy to answer any
questions. Representative Steele, for what purpose? Question.
You're recognized for a question. So Representative Hudson, are you saying that the Court of Appeals can only hear cases that have been litigated in the lower court?
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
56:19
That's correct. I mean, by definition, the Court of Appeals, according to Amendment 80, Section 5, is an appellate court, and appellate courts are required to review cases that have already been heard in the trial court. Thank
Speaker 199
56:31
you. Representative Clowney, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Hudson, do you have any sense
of what the impact may be on the Court of appeals just kind of logistically for taking this on? Yeah so
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
56:42
you know there are a few issues with
this. One is that when there is a facial challenge to in the in the case in the course of litigation it's often not the only claim that's being made. So a facial challenge may be toted along with several other claims. So then the question becomes in a civil case what do we do with those other claims while we're waiting on the facial challenge to make it through the court of appeals. And as I said before, right now the Court of Appeals has got about a year-long delay on getting their cases out. So what do we do with that lower court case if you've got a facial constitutional
challenge, but you've also got a damages claim, and you've got maybe a personal injury claim? What do we do with those claims in the meantime? Because all of us know that claims get stale. Witnesses move away. They die. People lose documents. Videotapes get re-recorded over from security cameras. All those things happen that make a case stale and make it difficult for a litigant to continue their litigation. But where it really becomes a problem and where the rubber really hits the road is criminal cases. So if a criminal litigant
who is entitled to speedy trial under both the U.S. and Arkansas constitutions has their case delayed or can delay their case by taking it to the Court of Appeals, we're talking about justice delayed being justice denied. And that doesn't just appeal to the criminal litigant, or apply to the criminal litigant, rather. It also applies to the victim. who is going to have to wait that much longer for this case to be decided, this constitutional question to be decided, before they can see the defendant have a day in court.
So there are some really logistical issues. I know that when this was presented to us in committee, Representative Clowney, they said that there was no cost to this, there was no fiscal impact. But I find it hard to believe that the Court of Appeals, given the fact that it has already spread so thin, is not going to get into this during the course of rulemaking and have to say we need more staff we need we need more clerks in here we may need another position I think that there's going to be several different logistical issues with this I'll be a no on this and I encourage you to be a no as well
respectfully thank you representative Hudson has spoke against the bill would anyone like speak for the bill would
Chair
Unverified
58:59
anyone like speak against the bill Representative Shepard, you're recognized to close for your bill.
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
59:28
thank you mr. speaker so I'll try to respond to a few of the maybe the concerns that representative Hudson raised number one number
Speaker 171
59:42
one let's let's keep in mind this only
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
59:47
applies to facial challenges it's a very small subset of all cases that are filed. All right and as I explained earlier facial challenges
are not, they're not your run-of-the-mill lawsuits. That is where a litigant is trying to throw out an action of the General Assembly. They're trying to undo what a body of a hundred and thirty-five and the governor in most instances have signed into law. So it's a very small subset. This issue about standing and this this citation to amendment 80 section 5. Amendment 80 section 10 says
the General Assembly shall have the power to establish jurisdiction of all courts and venue of all actions therein unless otherwise provided in the Constitution and the power to establish judicial circuits and districts and number of judges for circuit courts and district courts provided such circuits or districts are comprised of contiguous territories. This bill is brought under Amendment 80, Section 10. It's true that the Court of Appeals has not had original jurisdiction in other cases, that it's true that it has been an appellate court,
but it's not unheard of for original jurisdiction to be held by another court. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over several categories of cases. And one of the questions that I've been asked is, why didn't you just allow them to be filed in the Supreme Court? Well, to the point of Representative Hudson about trying to weed out frivolous cases, I felt that it would be unduly burdensome to just immediately have those filed in the Supreme Court. And so that's why I chose the Court of Appeals as an intermediate court.
Just because they haven't had original jurisdiction in the past, I'm confident that they can figure this out. You know, if the Constitution didn't preclude us from making rulemaking, I'd be glad that we would bring detailed rules on that. But the fact of the matter is that they can figure that out. They have law clerks. They have staff attorneys. Right now, these challenges are being heard at the circuit court level. In Pulaski County, they have clerks. In many other counties, they don't have law clerks.
So I'm very confident that this is something that can be dealt with. court of appeals can work through. Now this question about efficiency and timing, that's something that can be dealt with in rulemaking, but what I could see is the court severing the other claims. The court could decide the facial challenge and then could send it to a circuit court. In the practice of law, there's all kinds of instances where courts, historically
at the trial level, they may have an interlocutory appeal to a court of appeals and then it's sent back to the circuit court. Again, that can be dealt with in rulemaking. And you know, one of the things about it, all that this bill tries to do is to say, if we're going to have a trial court judge that is deciding whether an act of the General Assembly will stay in place or not, shouldn't that judge potentially be elected from across the state of Arkansas? I think in the committee, I think all my questions, and I think today all the questions except for one, have come from legislators in Pulaski County.
Well, they don't have a problem because they get to elect the circuit judge that hears most of these things. I'm just simply saying, why can't we have it in a court where the judges are elected from across the state? And again, this is going to be dependent. This is going to be dependent on the Court of Appeals. It's going to be dependent on the Supreme Court. but I'm
confident that they can work this out, that it'll be efficient, and that it's doing a good service for the people of Arkansas, and I'd appreciate a good
Chair
Unverified
1:03:46
vote. Representative Shepard is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1832.
Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted cast up the ballot by a vote of 75
Speaker 87
1:04:15
yeas 19 nays and two present bill is passed madam clerk please read house
Chair
Unverified
1:04:21
bill 1917 possible 1917 by representative shepherd to amend the arkansas student athlete
publicity rights act and to amend the law related
to athletic program funding representative shepherd
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
1:04:41
you're recognized to explain your bill Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is another very important bill that concerns our institutions of higher education. House Bill 1917 is an update of our Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act.
For those that have been here in the past, four years ago we ran legislation that allowed for name, image, and likeness payments in the state of Arkansas. That was in response to what, really to litigation and what was happening across the nation. I know that there are a lot of different opinions about name, image, and likeness. Representative Wooten has expressed some of those in committee, and I just want to be clear, this is not something that we are running because we're necessarily trying to promote those things. It's in response to what's happening across the country.
And so if we want our institutions to be competitive, athletically, then we have to we have to stay up with the times. And so this bill is really pretty simple. There's litigation that's been ongoing. Right now it's out in California. It's in a district court in California. There is a settlement that has been proposed that would call for our institutions to make payments directly to student-athletes. And this has arisen out of, there's been a a lot of litigation across the country where student athletes are seeking a share of what
these institutions are bringing on or bringing in as a result of athletic competition. This settlement proposal that has been agreed to and is waiting court approval provides for some of those proceeds to be paid to student athletes. And as a result, in order for us to be able to comply with that, we need to provide the mechanism but be a state law. And so that's what this bill does. it provides for those payments to be made to the student-athletes as you can see we clarified some some additional items within this there are some
protections for the student-athletes four years ago when we passed this legislation we made sure to put protections in for student-athletes we bolstered those in this bill to require that their representation be licensed in the state of Arkansas and we've also again clarified some other things that this is that they're not to be considered employees we do provide in here that that that the revenue that is otherwise being paid to them or shared
with them from the institution is is exempt from income tax but all other payments related to name, image, and likeness would be subject to tax. And I think that's kind of the high point. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Again, this is really just to try to keep our institutions competitive. I understand athletics is not the most important thing, but it is high profile. There's all kinds of studies to show that when your athletic teams are competitive, it leads to greater admissions, it leads to greater enrollment, and not to mention the economic
impact that it makes across the state. So I would be glad to answer any questions. I'd appreciate
a good vote. Representative Mayberry, for what purpose? A question. You're recognized. Thank you. Can you explain to me a little
bit more what you mean of they're exempt from state income tax? So this only applies to money that's paid from the institution. No money has been paid from the institution to student-athletes, so there's no fiscal impact to this, but because of the settlement, because of where athletics is going, these
monies are going to be paid to student-athletes. Much of that will be in relatively small payments, but the fact of the matter is that other states, those monies that are paid out in other states are exempt, and so we're just simply saying at the state level they're likewise exempt. If they're paid by a third party, they're still going to be subject to taxation.
Representative Sheppard has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to
speak for the bill? Representative Wooten, you're recognized
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
1:08:56
to speak for the bill. Let me say, at the outset, that I have a grandson that is being courted by an SEC school. That's not why I'm up here speaking for it. Coach Pittman and Coach Jones and Representative Shepard made a very valid point in the Insurance Commerce Monday when they
stated that in order for us to be able to perform in the conference that we're in and to be competitive. Unfortunately, note the word unfortunately, we have to fund NIAR. We have to make payments to secure athletes to come in to the university. Same thing is true in Mississippi State. My grandson's being courted today.
Florida, Arkansas State, Murray State, so it's just an equality change from what we've all been used to to what we've got to benefit from to be a part of athletics as we know it today. And I still maintain that the transfer portal and the NIL are destroying football as we know it, but it's a fact of life. It's made it to the federal court. The federal
court has no rule and we're just trying, as I understand it, to get ahead of it. Thank you. Representative Gonzales, for
what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Wooten, do you
Speaker 226
1:10:52
know if private schools are able to pay athletes no representative Wooten has spoke for the bill
would anyone like to speak against the bill would anyone like speak for the bill
representative Shepard closed for the bill question before the
Chair
Unverified
1:11:16
house is the passage of House Bill 1917 prepare the machine madam clerk has everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot the vote of 92 yeas three nay and three present the bill is passed representative Eubanks what
purpose motion let's hear your
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
1:11:49
motion I move that we suspend for the duration of the regular session House Rule 41A and B. 41A requires bills to be on the desk for at least 24 hours before final passage and B prohibits bills from being placed on committee agendas no sooner than the second calendar day
Speaker 230
1:12:11
following filing. That's a proper motion it's non-debatable. Madam Clerk prepare the Pushing.
Chair
Unverified
1:12:45
has everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot the vote of 20 yeas 66 nays and 0 present motion
Speaker 87
1:13:06
has failed Madam Clerk please read House Bill 1632 House Bill
Chair
Unverified
1:13:13
1632 by representative ward law to require reimbursement to the arkansas state game and fish commission for
free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses representative
ward law you're recognized to explain your
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
1:13:28
bill thank you mr chair so members this bill is pretty simple it doesn't
actually do anything this session because the bill died but if you have a bill that gives away a free hunting and fishing license period the feds could pull all of our match money for arkansas game and Fish. They make it very clear in their writings that you have to have sold that license for a fee
and they have a formula how they figure that minimum fee. Game of Fish can't take any general revenue so in the bill you'll see we not paying back through general revenue is paying back through leftover funds or surplus funds. I always call it leftover and that's the only funds they and take. With that I'd appreciate a good vote. It has zero
Speaker 242
1:14:15
impact at the moment. Representative Wardlaw has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill?
Representative Wardlaw is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1632. Repair the machine, Madam Clerk. has everyone voted is everyone voted cast up the ballot
Chair
Unverified
1:14:49
with a vote of 83 yeas 8 nay and 3 present the bill is passed madam clerk please read house
bill 1935 also 1935 by representative ease to create a modernization and automation tax credit to encourage investment by existing business exiting businesses within the state. Representative
Eaves, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
1:15:13
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is an update on a program we currently have called Investark that was not super successful. So what this bill does, it adds to some of our incentive programs. So currently we have a lot of incentive programs, actually, for companies
that are seeking to move into and do business within the state. What we don't have are adequate incentives to help companies expand or modernize their plants and these are companies that are already in the state. So what this has the effect of doing is encouraging these businesses to look at expanding and putting those investments in other states. So what this bill will do real quick, it provides for a tax credit for businesses that have been here for two years or longer. They have to incur a minimum of 25 million dollars in eligible costs. They have to hold a direct pay sales and use tax permit. The project costs include construction of a
new plant or facility or expansion of a current facility or modernizing and automating a current facility. If allowed, the credit would be up to 5% of the eligible project cost. Let's see, the maximum credit that can be used in any fiscal year is $2 million. The unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years and the qualified project forming the basis of the credit application must be completed within five years. The business, and this is a real important one to me, the business must maintain the current yearly average
payroll and employment level during the course of the project and for 24 months after that. It also has to have a positive cost-benefit analysis to the state before it would be allowed. I'd be happy to take any questions. Seeing none, I appreciate a
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
1:16:50
good vote. Representative Eaves has explained the the bill. Would anyone like to
speak against the bill? For the bill. Representative Eaves is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1935. Prepare
the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted Is everyone voted cast up the ballot The vote of
Speaker 87
1:17:22
81 yay 13 nay and 5 present bill is passed Madam clerk, please read House bill 1894 House bill 1894 by
Chair
Unverified
1:17:29
Representative Beatty to establish a method evaluation for real property use for affordable housing and to establish a
Method evaluation for certain real property under Arkansas Constitution article 16 section 5
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
1:17:46
Representative Beatty you're recognized to explain your bill Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members here to present House Bill 1894. It is to establish a method of valuation for real property use for affordable housing. Overall, this bill just aims to establish guidelines for the assessment of fair value of real property use for affordable housing, ensuring that those properties are fairly valued and assessed according to the specific
criterias and restrictions on those type properties. And with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. there's no known opposition to this bill that's agreed upon language. Thank you. Representative Beatty has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Beatty is closed for the
Chair
Unverified
1:18:25
bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1894. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 92
yay, 3 nay, and 2 present. The bill is passed. Members House Bill 1930 will remain on the calendar pending the request of the fiscal impact statement.
Madam Clerk please read House Bill 1960. House Bill
Chair
Unverified
1:19:05
1960 by Representative Wardlaw to provide that the leasing of a leased motor vehicle is the owner for purposes of the assessment and payment of property taxes and amend the law
Speaker 260
1:19:15
concerning local sales and use tax on certain tangible personal property.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
1:19:19
Representative Wardlaw you're recognized. Thank you Mr. Speaker. So members in today's world, you'll see the commercials on TV, and they
run the car across the screen, they tell you how great it is, but they don't give you a price anymore like they used to. They tell you what the lease price is. Well, in Arkansas, we're not competitive with the rest of the U.S. because we require the leasee, the person leasing the vehicle, to pay a fee to the manufacturers to pay their taxes. And because of that, that fee comes in at roughly 24% of that lease payment per month. So you take a
$500 lease payment that's $125 a month they pay for their taxes we times out out over a three-year lease they just paid their property taxes are their sales taxes like six times it's unfair and it's wrong and it's a reason we have very few lease vehicles run the streets in our in Arkansas and with the prices of vehicles today it's one of the only affordable ways folks can get into a vehicle. So what this bill does is move that responsibility to match all the
states around us back to the leasee so they can go to the revenue office just like everybody else does if they purchase a car and they pay their taxes themselves. It applies the same cap that's on buying a car today that $2,500 cap and what we hope is to do is make new vehicles back affordable for people of Arkansas to have. With that I take any questions. See you none. I appreciate a a good vote. Representative Wardlaw has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative Kavanaugh, you're
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
1:20:58
recognized to speak for the bill. Thank You Mr. Speaker. And I'm just coming down to kind of let you know from
a perspective of the industry, Arkansas has the lowest leasing rates in the country. And the reason we have the lowest leasing rates in the country is because of the bill we're trying to correct. This will actually allow more people to be able to lease more vehicles in the
state of Arkansas. And with that, I appreciate a good vote. Representative
Chair
Unverified
1:21:35
Kavanaugh spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the
bill? Representative Wardlaw is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1960. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has
everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 99
Chair
Unverified
1:22:05
yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House bill 1982. House bill 1982
by Representative Woodridge to amend the Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act, to create the Tire Management and Recycling Act, to repeal the Used Tire Recycling Fund, and to create the Waste Tire Abatement Fund. Representative
Woodridge, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
1:22:26
you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, colleagues. The one thing that we all have in common, regardless if you're a freshman or if you're a member that is term limited, as a senior member, we have all been dealing with waste
tire issues for far too long. This bill is a collaborative effort to try to solve that problem. I've heard that Representative Gonzalez is supportive of it. I don't know that to be factual. I'm just kidding. He's not. But this is an attempt to solve that problem. So what we've done historically is we have tried to continue to put money into the waste tire programs. There's four tire districts in the state of Arkansas. And for whatever reason the state of Arkansas has continued to be in the tire business. I
think that when I looked at this issue a couple of years ago and I worked with Representative Wardlaw and some others trying to look at maybe an amendment like this, there were a couple of issues and the timing wasn't right maybe at that point. Things that have changed from now from then to now, the Judges Association supports this bill, the governor's office supports this bill, department was at the table to testify for this bill. What we have done is continued to put money into the tire districts we've raised fees and we've tried to make these districts solvent and it's just not worked there's no
innovation when the state is involved and these four districts continue to try to figure out ways to solve a problem that we have not been able to solve because there needs to be some additional innovation and other methods used to solve this tires are not the only usable part of a vehicle there's motor oil there's batteries there's all kinds of things that had to be used disposed of and replaced on your vehicle. The state of Arkansas is not in the battery business. We're not in the oil recycling business, but for whatever reason, we have continued to remain in the waste tire business.
This bill, in my opinion, solves that problem and it privatizes it and it allows the private market to do what the private market does, and that's be innovative, that's be competitive, make these a product for an end user. The other problem that has existed previously that doesn't exist anymore was there was no one that could take the tires if we made this a private market product. That problem's been resolved. Nucor has made a huge investment in the state of Arkansas.
They've invested over $3 billion into the state, and we are now the largest steel-producing state in the nation. District 1, the first congressional district, is the largest congressional steel-producing district. Nucor has retooled a lot of their equipment to offset their carbon, and they can utilize these tires to offset that burden in production. But they've got to have them processed and they've got to have them pelletized in a finer manner than can currently be done by our tire districts in the current process.
There are companies that they have met with, they were at the table to testify, that want to come to Arkansas, that want to invest in this to be able to make this a usable product. Currently, they're taking in the current size about 1.5 million tires. They can take over 3 million tires a year through this new process. We just have to create a system to where we allow competition to come in. These four tire districts currently, if one of these facilities wanted to come in, they have to approach the tire district, they have to petition them,
and then the tire district has to decide whether they want to allow competition in their district or not. They're probably not gonna do that. This bill allows the private market to do what it does. It reduces the RIM fees. They're currently $3. This takes the fee down to $1.50, so this bill reduces fees. This bill puts that fee into an abatement fund. That abatement fund can be used if someone is a bad actor and they're dumping tires inappropriately
or they're not picking those tires up like their contract suggests. There can be abatement grants. There's all kinds of ability to utilize these funds to clean up that in the event that that happens. This also allows tire retailers to contract with multiple vendors so they can get a reduced cost on hauling their tires off. Under the current system, I'll give you an example of what happens in my home county. The district that we're in brings a 53-foot trailer. They put it at the Solid Waste District.
Every tire retailer has to employ someone to come and load those tires at their facility, drive them out to the solid waste district, hand load them on a trailer, and then pay to have that trailer hauled off. This creates an opportunity to where they could be a competitive product that someone may want to utilize, again, because there is an end user. I've got a lot of other things that I could say about the bill. I want to hit the highlights. It does reduce fees. It does take into account abatement, and I think that it privatizes, allows for innovation,
and allows the private market and the free market to do what we all love so much, and that is to solve this problem. With that, I'm happy to
Speaker 280
1:27:39
take any questions. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to ask
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
1:27:45
a question. I think I really like where you're going with this. Is this something that you think will eventually lead to lower prices for consumers as they're trying to dispose of these
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
1:27:56
tires going forward? Absolutely, yes. This bill allows for that to be said, again, based on competition,
and we all believe that competition drives down prices. All right, thank you. Thank you, sir. Seeing no other questions,
I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Woldridge has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak
against the bill, for the bill? Representative Woldridge is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1982. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Chair
Unverified
1:28:31
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 91 yea, 3 nay, and 5
Speaker 87
1:28:45
present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please
Speaker 259
1:28:50
read House Bill 1915. House Bill 1915 by Representative Eubanks to direct the
Chair
Unverified
1:28:54
Department of Human Services to request a broad-based categorical eligibility waiver for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to amend the asset limits under the program.
Representative Eubanks, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
1:29:08
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suspect that a lot of members have heard a lot about this bill since the other day. Arkansas is one of 14 states that still has asset limits on the requirement for receiving SNAP benefits. I want to preface my remarks by saying that I believe in a work requirement for able-bodied people. I believe in self-sufficiency.
I believe in doing what we can to help people improve their situation and hopefully get off of public assistance. Representative Wardlaw likes to point out my age. Well, I happened to be in high school when the Great Society legislation was passed back in the 60s. So that was President Johnson. And to be quite honest, I think it's been an utter failure. I mean, we still have high levels of poverty. We've spent trillions of dollars.
And I think a lot of that has to do with issues that don't even have to do with public assistance. I think it has to do with education, and it has to do with providing jobs. And I firmly believe in doing what we can to help people improve their situation. This raises the asset limit to $6,000. I was at dinner last night, and Representative Kavanaugh brought up the fact, And she said, do you know how few people that even have good jobs have, you know, $6,000 of disposable liquid assets that they could use in case of an emergency?
I think right now what we have are people that are not using our banking system because they don't want to endanger the benefits that they have. So consequently, they're not developing credit. They're not working within the banking system. They're not doing the things that we would want them to do to be responsible individuals. I think this is a small step in trying to help people improve their situation to accumulate something.
Like I said yesterday, you know, when you've accumulated something, sometimes you can leverage that. And I've heard, you know, leverage used in this legislature a lot, how the state can leverage certain things. But it allows them, they could leverage that to improve their situation even more. Personally, I believe we need to be, a lot of the problems that we're in is because we have failed with our education system. And if we, and if we've got too many people that are uneducated or undereducated,
And even if we require them to get a job, I don't know that they would qualify for a job that's going to allow them to have a sustainable wage to the point that they can even afford the necessities of life. I also said in the committee that my daughter is a counselor in an elementary school. I know firsthand from her stories the food insecurity that our young people face. I don't like people to be on the dole.
I don't like people to game the system. I believe in self-sufficiency. But I think we need to do what we can to help people, give them something, give them a little hope that they can have a chance at doing something. And with that, I'll take
Chair
Unverified
1:32:47
any questions. Representative Cavanaugh, you're recognized for
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
1:32:49
a question. Thank you. Representative
Eubanks, do you agree that if they're able to have resources liquid,
that when they have an emergency in life, if they're able to draw that and use it, in the long run, it saves tax dollars because they're not coming to us for every little emergency through every little program that is available? Absolutely. Representative Bentley, for
Speaker 290
1:33:12
what purpose? You're recognized. Representative Eubanks, I'm sorry. I was there the first time
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
1:33:17
I presented, but not the second. I was in another committee. So when I was there the first time, I thought DHS was opposed to that. Are they still opposed to this bill?
That is correct. Okay, so I know that when I passed a work requirement for SNAP, which I did a couple years back to require work for SNAP, it took them over two years to get that implemented. And when I was in committee, they said that just this week, the bill that Senator Dismay put into effect last week, so it takes two years. So I just wonder why now they just put that emphasis over another two years. So to me, we're really wasting Arkansas tax credits, but it takes them a long time to open the system to update. Every county has to redo all their entire system to add extra assets.
So to me, it's a lot of duplicative work. So can you explain to me why we need to do that all over again to every county to go over for another two
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
1:34:09
years to get to where they can put this system into play? Well, personally, I
believe if the DHS had done their job, we would have heard the emergency rule before Thursday. last week and we would possibly have some data on how this is affecting our statewide system. I don't I don't want people to go without necessities of life
and I certainly believe that food is a necessity of life and so I will get out well at this point before a representative lunch from stands up representative Eubanks
Chair
Unverified
1:34:49
has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill representative Lundstrom you're recognized to speak against the
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
1:35:06
Bill. Recognized. Thank you, sir.
I get where Representative Eubank's heart is. It's big.
But here's the deal. We're increasing. We currently have 235,000 Arkansans already on food stamps. This increases that. This increases us big time. At what point do we have so many people in the cart that we're trying to help because our heart's in the right place, but what about the people that are pulling the cart, the taxpayers that are paying for all this? We need to stop and think about that as well. And when it comes to the issues where people are hungry, we need our churches to step up and our community organizations to
step up. It can't always be government stepping up with my money, your money, the taxpayers' money. At some point, we have to stop. With that, I'd appreciate
a no vote. Representative Lundstrom has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:36:11
the bill? Representative Vaught, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand what Representative Lundstrom is saying. I
live in a very rural, very poor district. I think there's like 180 backpacks
sent from one of my elementaries every Friday so they can have food when they get home to eat over the weekend. My churches have stepped up. All of my churches, Hispanic, Caucasian, They all do food drives, every one of them, every week. I actually have a man in my district.
He does a huge one. He lives in Ashdown, and he does this massive drive,
this school drive, right before school starts.
He gives out 500 pairs of shoes. My district is poor. These are not people who are driving up in fancy cars waiting to get a handout. These are people who when they drive up in their car, you know they're on their last leg. I know it's hard to understand because probably all of us have food in our pantries and we can open up and we can get pretty much anything we want out of our pantries. And we can cook or go out to eat pretty much any time we want to more than likely.
But there are a lot of people who are hurting. Another thing you have to think about is groceries are what? Five, six times higher than what they were. So, what little bit they are getting is really not putting much food on people's plates. I can remember growing up, my mom and dad had to have
help sometimes. I don't begrudge anyone who needs help. I do believe in a hand up and not a hand out.
So, if we can give somebody some extra food stamps and they can save money to maybe get the medicine their child needs, or maybe diapers, then I'm for that. I don't believe I'm like Representative U-Banks. I don't think they need to stay on the state's dime all the time. I think we need to do a better job of helping
people learn how to save money. But they can't do that right now.
hard times for a lot of people in our state. Just because you're not hurting doesn't mean that others aren't. And with
that, I would appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
1:38:44
Representative Vaught has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative McKenzie, you're
recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you,
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
1:38:56
Mr. Speaker. I don't come down here to speak against the sentimentality of the program, and I think we can all have our thoughts and personal backgrounds on what
leads us to believe that individuals need help. I'm here to talk about two facts, one that agrees with both what Representative Eubanks and Representative Bentley said. We have given DHS, we just increased this limit in the last session. We gave them two years. We haven't seen, we have not seen that tree bear fruit, but yet we're coming back here and we're saying we need to increase it again, based apropos of almost nothing. The other part is what Representative Eubank said relative to access to, and this is liquid assets, this isn't taking into account your car or your camper or your home, this is your liquid assets.
The Federal Reserve says that 37% of people do not have access to $400 for an emergency right now. But yet we're going to come here today and we're going to vote on a bill that doubles the limit from $3,000 to $6,000. So the lower third of our state, extrapolated across the United States, don't have access to $400, yet we need to create a higher exemption of $6,000 in order for people to draw down SNAP benefits. I think the program has validity.
I think the program needs to be sustainable, and I think it needs to be reserved for those who need it most. Voting yes for this bill does not accomplish that, and I would encourage no
Chair
Unverified
1:40:24
vote. Representative McKenzie has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Kavanaugh, you're recognized to speak for the bill.
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
1:40:44
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm coming here because of a real-life experience that happened in my district. We have a family living on SNAP, trying their best to get better. Very sick child. Child ends up, by the way, passing away from leukemia. During this battle, they had to have the hand up to help with SNAP because of all the expenses they are incurring.
They get money to fundraise to help pay expenses for this child. When they do that fundraising, puts them over the resource. Their SNAP gets taken away. These are the people that I'm fighting for. These are the people that I think that this helps. I don't believe it's going to put any more people on the rolls than we already have. These people will then still be able to pay for those diapers, that medicine, the necessities they need.
I myself represent a very poor area, and I also have an area that's got income. There's a distinct difference between the two. It's like two worlds. And for that, I want to understand that I'm not talking in theory. I'm talking in reality. And with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Kavanaugh has spoke for the
bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Anyone like
to speak for the bill? Representative Moore, you're recognized to speak for the bill.
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:42:30
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to tell you about a story that comes from my hometown of Clarendon. About 1,500 residents live there. There was a young high school kid. He wanted a summer job. He wanted to have enough money to go to the local dairy bar, hopefully save up enough money to buy a car to get him from point A to point B. And when he went and applied for a job, his mother, who was on SNAP, told him, you can't take that job
because you'll be making too much money and I'll lose my benefits. I think that's pretty screwed up. I think we've got a broken system. It's very complex. There's a lot of problems in it. This doesn't solve everything. But I think this solves just one small part of that. And because of that story, and because of that kid that was just looking to get a job and be a contributing member of his society and his town, I ask for a good vote on this. Thank you. Representative Morris spoke for the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against
the bill for the bill? Representative Buebanks, you're recognized at close
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
1:43:47
for your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I do understand both sides of this issue.
I've been on both sides of this issue. Representative Lundstrom talked about the churches stepping up. Well, I don't know about her area, but I know what the churches are doing in my area.
I've got a small community church, you know, less than two miles from my home that I'm not a member of. I've helped them with different projects because they're doing good work and they're trying to help kids and they prepare those backpack meals and help them during the summer and that sort of thing. I know of at least two food banks in Paris. This is a rural community. There are people stepping up and doing and trying to fill the void.
Members, I think this is a way to try to help people move in the right direction, and I'd appreciate a
good move. Representative Eubanks is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1915. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. is
everyone voted so everyone voted cast up the ballot the vote of 58 yeas 27 nays for
Speaker 87
1:45:18
president the bill is passed madam clerk please read house bill 1961 house
Chair
Unverified
1:45:24
bill 1961 by representative acres to allow medical providers temporary exemptions from federal information blocking regulations to safeguard patients during information disclosure and declare an emergency representative
Baker you're recognized to explain your bill
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:45:41
thank you mr. speaker colleagues it's pretty simple bill what it does is allows a ordering physician to select a specific test that
they feel if that information was released to the patient without proper context and counseling may result in some misinterpretation or undue anxiety I've sympathized with this as someone who has to partake in the usage of a patient portal there have been times where scans for myself come across with a lot of confusing jargon and I'm sympathetic to providers who want time to give patients the full context of what they are reading on their portal the
Attorney General's office has reviewed this and found no problems for us to implement this with that I welcome any questions representative Burks for what purpose I just
Speaker 337
1:46:30
want to be clear so a doctor can withhold my medical records for up to 30 days under this bill is that right your doctor would have
Speaker 338
1:46:36
to have just cause for a specific test not your entire medical record they can't borrow
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
1:46:40
from all of your medical records it would be a specific test that they ordered you also have the ability to reach directly to the lab who performed test and get them yourselves if you would prefer. Okay thank you. I appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
1:46:57
Representative Acre has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative
Speaker 15
1:47:04
Acre is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1961. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. members your one vote is
Speaker 223
1:47:20
for the bill in the emergency clause everyone voted is
everyone voted cast up the ballot the vote of
Speaker 87
1:47:32
75 yay 6 nay 14 present you'll pass the bill and the emergency clause madam clerk please read house bill 1017 hospital 1017 by representative
Chair
Unverified
1:47:41
collins to amend the law regarding paid maternity leave for public school employees and require the
division of elementary and secondary education to pay for incurred costs for approved paid maternity leave.
Representative Collins you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
1:47:57
Thank you Mr. Speaker. So one of the really great parts of the LEARNS Act was
paid maternity leave for school employees. This bill builds on that foundation and I want to first acknowledge both of the LEARNS sponsors Representative Brooks and Senator Davis for being sponsors of the sponsors of this bill as well. I also appreciate the governor's office and Department of Education for working with me on this. So if you remember, Lauren said that when a district they could offer up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for birth or adoption and the district would continue to pay the principal teacher but the
district could then apply to the department for reimbursement of half the cost of the sub while that teacher was on leave. So that 50/50 reimbursement has been helpful but it just hasn't been adopted very widely. Only 22 districts participated in 23-24 school year and 27 last year. So what this bill does is it would take that LEARN's 50-50 reimbursement and move it to a hundred percent reimbursement by ADE. It would expand it to all districts and it would include foster placements. As under current law, the district would handle
the cost of the regular teachers pay while on leave. The total cost of the The program here would be $3.4 million but the original program was $3 million budgeted and ADE said that they can do this from within their existing budget so this is no new GR. This is all going to be handled within the existing budget for ADE. And it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, that paid maternity leave has a lot of benefits. It helps kids in the classroom because their teacher isn't being stretched thin by being forced to stay in the classroom while also spending those first few weeks with their
newborn. It helps keep teachers in the profession. Obviously, we have a well-documented teacher shortage. Many teachers simply leave when they start a family, while paid leave lets teachers who want to keep working to do so manageably. Paid leave also improves maternal and infant health, which has been thoroughly researched and is one of our priorities this session I think for everybody and all of this ultimately strengthens public education. Happy to answer any questions and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Representative Collins has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill? For the bill? Representative Collins is closed for
Speaker 87
1:50:22
the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1017. Preparing the machine, Madam clerk everyone voted
everyone voted cast up the ballot the vote of 68 yeas 19 nays and
Speaker 87
1:50:46
four present bill is passed madam clerk please read
House bill 1986 house bill 1986
Chair
Unverified
1:50:52
by representative Nazarenko concerning excused abscesses for children of fallen service members and children of fallen first responders. Representative
Nazarenko, you are recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
1:51:07
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I bring to you today House Bill
1986, which addresses absences for children of fallen service members
and children of fallen first responders. This bill was brought to me by the Arkansas Veterans Coalition as well as the Hearts of Our Heroes organization, which focuses on individuals who have dealt with tragic loss. My good friend and Gold Star spouse, Sherry Briley, who joins us here today, mentioned this to me quite a while back, and it is an honor to be presenting this to you today. I smoked in committee the other day how I sat in a memorial service for my good friend and fellow pilot as his two young boys wept
at the loss of their father from a helicopter crash during training. The band I wear on my right wrist for another good friend and pilot I lost in a helicopter crash on my last tour there. The thought of Dave Stanley and Taylor Galvin's young children never being able to hug their father as he returns home is forever etched in my mind. The majority of us here have witnessed for ourselves the horrific images of the bodies of our service members being drugged through the streets of Mogadishu back in 1993.
The children that are left behind from these tragedies such as this is why I stand before you
here today for House Bill 1986. What this bill does is it makes excused absences for children
of fallen service members and first responders from school when they are attending events by sponsoring organizations such as Gary Sinise's Snowball Express and others that are geared towards bringing these kids together and helping them work through the grief process, Many times with others that share in that same experience and providing them with much-needed help that has been proven to make positive impacts in their life as they go forward.
As you can see in the language, there are a few minor areas of guidance, such as what the parent or guardian needs to submit, as well as a section about absences during standardized testing. Department of Education mentioned seeing the benefit that this could provide, and this has no fiscal impact at all. I ask you to
join me today to support the children of the fallen. Night Stalkers don't quit,
Speaker 269
1:53:21
and Night Stalkers don't forget. Representative
Nazarenko has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill? Representative Nazarenko is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1986. Prepare the machine, Madam
Clerk. is everyone voted is everyone voted cast up the ballot
Speaker 87
1:53:56
with a vote of 95 yay one nay and one present the bill is passed madam clerk please
Speaker 40
1:54:01
read house bill 1719 possible 1719 by representative
Speaker 259
1:54:05
bought to amend the days included in the total number of maternity leave days approved by
school that offers maternity leave represent about
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
1:54:14
you're recognized to explain your bill thank you mr. speaker I appreciate representative Collinsville I made sure that our two bills weren't going to conflict
with each other so right now there's kind of a loophole that if a teacher has a baby in a contract year that falls during spring break or Christmas breaks those are non-contract days and they don't get paid for them but they're counted against their
maternity leave. So if a teacher got four weeks of maternity leave and they had Christmas break in that, two weeks of that they don't get paid and it counts against them. So they were getting double whammied on
it. So I worked with Representative Barker and Representative McKenzie and Representative Meeks who also helped me figure out how we could do this and it be a better bill them what I had
to begin with. So what we'll do is that two weeks it's in that contract. If it's Christmas
they'll be paid for those days where they would not have been paid to begin with. Or if it falls during spring break that week would be paid for. It is contract day to the end of the contract so it does not encapsule summer. Those days are already off days. So it would not pick up those days. It is from day one contract to the last day of the contract. With that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative
Chair
Unverified
1:55:34
Vaught has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Vaught is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1719. Prepare
Speaker 157
1:55:55
the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone
Chair
Unverified
1:56:00
voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 82 yeas, 3 nays, and 4
Speaker 87
1:56:06
present. The bill is passed. Members, at the request of Representative McKenzie, we'll pass over 1874 today.
Speaker 259
1:56:15
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1945. House Bill 1945 by Representative McCullough. To
Chair
Unverified
1:56:24
amend the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act. To amend the Public School Choice Act of 2015 and allow a
student to transfer to another public school
within his or her resident district. representative McCollum you're recognized to explain your bill thank you mr. speaker thank you colleagues so today it's my honor to present house bill 1945
got a lot of questions about this and so the best way I want to talk about it is you know what problem are we trying to solve for so currently if you're a a student that's maybe in a bad environment, for whatever reason, you know, we hear a lot about these bad environments. Unfortunately, on the education committee, let's say it's something as egregious as bullying or very particular learning environments that just don't really fit the student's needs. You have a few options in terms of choice and
what you can do. Okay, what are your options? Well, I mean, if you can afford it, you can to private school if there's a charter school that you have access to assuming the charter school is good for your needs you go to the charter school or currently if you're an f school you might be able to go to a school outside of your district unfortunately um you know if your school's not an f school it's actually not an option to go to a school within your district so that's kind of the way we're looking at this we're saying it doesn't make much sense if you have a
difficult time learning in your current environment that you can go outside of your district if there's capacity but if there is capacity within another school in your district that you're not able to go to that one so that's kind of the summary of the change we want to make I can tell you an example of actually one your prior colleagues that just left the chamber he actually moved to a specific district Bentonville Centerton and the reason he wanted to move there of course
because he has young kids and he's getting ready to go put them in a public elementary school but when he moved there by the time his child got to the age to go to school the school district rezoned where he lived so you know know there's this community where these teachers that he does life are his wife does live life with and it's actually on his way you know where he commutes to he can no longer go to that school even though in this situation there very would could be capacity and opening in room for the student at that school so
that's what we want to do here I've gotten some questions this morning or this afternoon right before I came to the chamber that I said I would attempt to address representative and that's mostly around changes around capacity if you get a page three section four you'll see uh specifically we're only talking about right here arkansas opportunity public school choice act where it goes on to change it to 95 i went on had a few
conversations with the department um and actually i have the notes from um when secretary olivo spoke in the committee about the implementation of this and of the bill as it pertains to both implementation and capacity so just go through that and hopefully that clears up some of those concerns so you know first of all local school districts would have to adopt you know with this change the board policy of how they're going to handle these type of inter-district transfers the bill outlines capacity
which has been a challenge we've heard across multiple school districts because we hear our actually from a lot of our school districts what we're hearing is they want to accommodate more families they want to accommodate you know these different requests but they have to make room for a number of reasons because they want they don't want to be out of compliance with those with those standards they don't want to violate you know those different ratios that we talked about some of the teacher-student ratios or those configurations. So there's
a capacity definition that it says school district actually should not allow transfer if they're at 95% capacity or greater in that grade level because we have to make sure we are accommodating these future families that are going to move in so having a standard definition for what the capacity and really what we currently have in law is not helpful this would the idea of this is to unify that support districts that are developing that policy so that they can
Speaker 197
2:01:10
have more of a standardized across the board see representative Duke
for what purpose question you're recognized thank you mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative McCollum, for bringing this bill. I do have a question. I know we visited a little bit ahead of time. Sorry, I wasn't there yesterday to be able to ask this question in committee, but on the part on dealing with the capacity that's at 95%, can you speak to what it currently is now, and if that is also what part of school choice? I know
it's talking about opportunity. Is it all school choice, or does this just apply very specifically and narrowly to the
schools that are failing school choice yeah thank you for that question so currently there's inconsistency in our law um on defining that capacity issue so i guess if i want to like rewind how we got here these the inconsistencies what they stem from is
two different differing statutory regulation provisions so you have the the one i mentioned earlier um where is it numerous updates over here we go so the lack of capacity was previous defined at 90 90 percent okay so there it is for public school choice and i think this might be where the confusion is that was later removed in subsequent rural revisions this is actually at 100 currently there's only that 95 threshold for the lack of capacity under what i was trying
to allude to earlier the opportunity school choice so the goal of this and i think the reason that secretary oliva was excited i should say the agency itself and secretary the reason secretary oliva came to the table is he they wanted to ensure that uniformity so the goal here is codify that consistent definition um at 95 percent follow-up you're recognized for
a follow-up thank you so is it in code at 100 for capacity across
the board or is that a rule right now i'm sorry i'm
and i apologize i didn't this is all a little bit of news to me so i'm just
trying to understand before i vote exactly what's going on the current the current law is maximum 100 there's there's conflicts in the law so when the 100 was put into law for public school choice the 90 was not repealed so both still exist so what i asked specifically what you asked me the department says what
Speaker 370
2:03:55
they have to enforce currently is the 100 because opportunity
Speaker 199
2:03:59
school choice is clearly 100 percent representative cozard for what purpose uh question you're recognized for a question ripson
mccullum you do you did say it's at 100 right now is that what you just yes sir okay so that was from act 790 of 23 was when it was at 100 there was actually it's not said 100 but it's also it says in there that it goes to capacity
and the school has to take them until they reach capacity only the school board can change any of that is that correct do you know if that's correct or not i believe that is the note that i received
from the department is what they have to enforce is that that is correct i ran that bill in 23 that's what it says
Speaker 385
2:04:46
thank you i appreciate that appreciate a good vote representative
mccullum has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill and would like to
speak for the bill representative mccullum is closed for the bill question before the house is the passage of
of House Bill 1945. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Speaker 157
2:05:19
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast
Speaker 87
2:05:27
up the ballot. By a vote of 59 yeas, 30 nays, and three present, the bill is passed.
- Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1966. -
Speaker 259
2:05:39
House Bill 1966 by Representative Barnett, to authorize an
Chair
Unverified
2:05:42
incorporated town or city of the second class to petition the State Board of Education for the establishment
of a local public elementary school or satellite school under
Speaker 257
2:05:52
certain conditions. - Representative Barnett, you're recognized
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:06:00
to explain your bill. - Thank you, speaker,
and good afternoon, members. I am before you today to present House Bill 1966.
This bill intends to promote school choice, local control, community and civic engagement, and most importantly, local public education that is accessible. Many of our rural school districts are often limited in their options when it comes to school choice, and this is very true of communities that are part of a consolidated school district in which there are no local schools available for them to choose from, resulting in their children having to be bussed or transported anywhere to 45 to 50 plus miles round trip
for school each day. House Bill 1966 seeks to provide rural communities within a formerly consolidated school district a pathway to having a local school choice option. House Bill 1966 empowers rural municipalities with the ability to partner with local parents, community members, to appeal to their children's school district school board to either establish a local elementary school or a satellite campus of an existing elementary school within the city limits
of the rural municipality. Once the school board approves of the appeal and the joint partnership and plan is established, House Bill 1966 empowers the school board and municipality to jointly appeal to the Board of Education to establish the elementary school or satellite campus of an existing elementary school within that city limits of the rural small municipality. The newly formed school or satellite campus will remain a part of
the school district and the local school district will have all authority as it relates to how the school is staffed and operated within that context. House Bill 1966 requires that the rural small municipality has the ability to provide adequate facilities. It also provides that the school and the municipality can enter into a written agreement for the provision of in-kind contributions, which could include things such as utility costs, cost-sharing, free use of city
utilities, etc. Essentially things that would permit the operation of the campus at a feasible cost to the school district it requires that the city work in partnership with the school district house bill 1966 creates a means for school districts to expand choice within their districts and it would also help reduce school commute time for rural isolated elementary school students who live in isolated communities giving parents a voice in where their children are educated. Additionally, House Bill 1966 requires buy-in and
mutual commitment from both the small rural municipality and the school district school board, promoting community involvement while giving proper respect to local control. At its core, House Bill 1966 requires cross collaboration and community support which is essential to providing our children with a quality education that is accessible and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Wooden for what purpose? I'm kind of
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:09:24
confused which is not unusual I make that statement several times this week but are we taking authority away from the local school board it didn't sound like it but why are we involving the towns and city councils in the decision of where
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:09:49
to put well this bill empowers that City Council to approach the school
district about that they have to have the their partnership and approval of the school district they can't go around the school district at
all and if the school is established the school district has the authority on how that school operates this bill just permits the municipality to make that appeal to the school board and then they
jointly take it to the Arkansas Department of Education you're recognized for a follow-up why
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:10:23
do we involve the State Department of Education in the local decision just to get their final
Speaker 401
2:10:31
approval of it um and just checking all
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:10:35
balances making sure that nothing's being done that they would be opposed to representative mckenzie for what purpose question you're recognized represent
Speaker 402
2:10:44
barnett thank you for bringing this bill uh i'm
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
2:10:47
in support of it i do just want to make sure we clarify for the purposes of everyone's understanding here nothing about this bill is an end around from a town or municipality wanting a auxiliary school campus they
still would have to work in concert with that school district sign a joint partnership agreement and then go get the waiver from the state school board correct okay wouldn't you agree also that this would help cut down on already strained fuel costs from consolidated school districts specifically in the rural areas of our state I
Speaker 199
2:11:20
would agree okay thank you Representative Beatty, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Barnett, who is
Speaker 401
2:11:25
your Senate sponsor on this bill? Who is the Senate sponsor? Yes, sir. I currently do not
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
2:11:30
have one, but I have someone that has agreed to sponsor if this bill passed.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:11:35
You do have someone that's agreed? Yes, sir. Because I was just going to say this is a good bill, and I'd be glad to help you
secure a Senate's co-sponsor. Yes, sir. Thank you. Representative Barnett has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill? Before the bill, Representative Barnett is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House
Speaker 31
2:11:59
Bill 1966. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
2:12:09
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 92 yea, 0 nay, and 3 present. The bill is passed.
Chair
Unverified
2:12:27
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1916. House Bill 1916 by Representative Bentley. To amend the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023 and to include gender-affirming interventions as right of action for medical malpractice.
Representative Bentley, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:12:47
bill. Thank you, Speaker. Colleagues, recent polls have
shown that 80% of Americans oppose gender ideology and using gender-affirming care on our children. They understand that there are two sexes, male and female, and no amount of chemicals or surgery can change that. The purpose of House Bill 1916 is to help therapists and psychologists to return to the treatments that for decades helped the vast majority of our children
overcome gender confusion. House Bill 1916 is an amendment to Act 274 that Senators Stuboffel and I passed with your help in 2023. The purpose of Act 274 is to protect minors from medical malpractice. This act gives minors and their parents 15 years after the child turns 18 to file a civil lawsuit against a health care professional who performs a gender transition procedure or gender affirming intervention. Gender-affirming care is the affirmation of a minor's self-diagnosis of a gender confusion.
For decades, health care professionals practiced what was called watch and wait when a child had gender confusion. They did not affirm a minor's confusion. They rather acknowledged it and combined dissidence-oriented counseling with therapy until the minor got through puberty. This treatment resulted in a vast majority, up to 80 to 90 percent of the child patients, overcoming the gender confusion when they got through puberty. Gender-affirming care that's being practiced now, on the other hand, results in 92% of the child patients remaining in gender confusion when they get through puberty.
Since healthcare professionals began using gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, we have seen a 370% increase in trans-identifying youth. Let me repeat that. Since healthcare professionals began gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, we have seen a 370% increase in trans-identifying youth. Gender-affirming care, including mental interventions, carry a host of physical risks. For example, cross-sex hormones are associated with reduced bone density, stunted growth, blood clots, infertility, and cancer.
Many of the physical changes caused by these treatments are permanent. Ninety-eight percent of children prescribed puberty blockers subsequently proceed to cross-sex hormones. Puberty blockers cause brain swelling and vision loss. These drugs are also used to castrate sex offenders chemically. These medications have not undergone methodologically sound, peer-reviewed evaluations for safety and efficacy for pausing puberty. There is no evidentiary basis for asserting that the harms they cause are fully reversible.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of these minors who start with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones proceed with surgical interventions that scar their bodies forever. Transgender medical interventions should be understood for what they are: grotesque experiments that stunt and suppress a child's natural development and surgically mutilate their healthy bodies in the service of unscientific fantasies. While the long term effects of transgender medical interventions of children are unknown, no credible evidence supports the claim that they benefit child's mental health.
Indeed, research on adults has not shown these interventions to improve mental health or to reduce suicidality. Systematic reviews on the effects of puberty blockers do not support claims of improved mental health or reduced suicidality. An alternative and a far less risky approach has been termed "first, do no harm." First, do no harm recognizes the dangers of transgender medical interventions and it cautions providers to pursue exploratory psychotherapy instead and to help gender-confused children navigate puberty rather than to fear it. The
advantages of exploratory, explorative psychotherapy, our so-called affirmation are very strong. Gender-affirming care requires that therapists again confirm a minor self-diagnosis of transgender, transgenderism and facilitate their access to hormones and surgeries. Exploratory therapy affirms a young genders dysphoric person's feelings as real and valid but rather than self diagnosis rather than confirming their self diagnosis it questions and probes listen to for developmental factors that may contribute to the gender related
diagnosis. Like watchful waiting before it first do no harm represents a responsible and a humane alternative to transgender medical intervention. First do no harm is not rooted in fanciful post-modern ideological claims. Indeed, it does not rely on ideological claims. It rather carefully pursues the well-being of vulnerable children. The importance of adopting prudent evidence-based non-ideological approaches to caring for children suffering from gender confusion is increasingly apparent. I'm asking you to put the health and
well-being of our children first, to stop basing their care on gender ideology and gender-firm care. Let's return Arkansas to a place where our child's well-being is put first and adults are not making decisions whether they will ever be able to be parents because once they take these medications they will never be able to conceive children. Recall the absent gender ideology inspired gendering affirmations. Most gender confused children naturally desist and thereby avoid proceeding to transgender medical interventions including surgical mutilations.
A general concern for their well-being should incline us to want to understand and treat the sources of these children's distress. Ten years ago, we never heard of treating mental illness by mutilating minors with double mastectomies or removing genital organs. We are allowing adults to take away their ability to ever conceive a child. Gender-affirming care is a first step in that process. HP 1916 simply allows minors and parents a civil cause of action to sue for damages for gender-affirming care up to 15 years after a child turns 18.
Before I take questions, I want to let you all know that I am working with the Psychiatry Association on tightening up the definition just a bit with a couple of boards to make
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:18:52
sure that the children that need care, that need mental health treatment, will get it. And with that, I'll take questions. Representative Wardlaw, for what purpose?
you're recognized you lost me about 30 percent through there I mean I'm a dirt farmer and I'm slow and you talk really fast yes sir can you repeat the last
half of that I can tell you that what we're trying to do is make sure children get the care that really helped for decades children were
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:19:25
getting what we call watch and wait to where the counselor would not confirm a minor self-diagnosis but they would work with that child and find why what is going and what's causing the problem so we can get the mental health that child needs. And in the end, nearly 80
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:19:37
to 90% of the kids will go through puberty and come through fine. I want to return to what we did in the past that was working. If we
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:19:45
had a child that had anorexia, we would be appalled by a psychist who went to that child and said,
you know what, you are really overweight. Let's get you on some diet pills and let's get you a gastric bypass. Goodness sakes, you are
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:19:57
really fat. That's what we're doing to these kids, and these kids deserve better. So I hope, Representative Ward-Law, I hope that helps you understand what we're trying to do with this bill. Again, it just amends the Act
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:20:11
274 that we did two years ago. Do we have any
Representative Tippi McCullough
Unverified
2:20:15
other questions? Representative McCullough, what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Bentley, so you used the anorexia example.
Well, what if we just said, let's just watch and wait to that person? That's not
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:20:28
what I'm saying. I'm saying along with watching weight, we do counseling, we do mental health for those kids that say, why are you gender confused? What's going on in your life? We know that 45% of the kids that are suffering with gender confusion have been sexually assaulted and gone through post-traumatic things. There's a lot of trauma behind them. There's a reason. So I'm not
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:20:45
saying not do anything. I'm saying let's do counseling. I'm saying let's not tell that child, yep, I agree with you. You are fat and let's get you on some diet pills and get your gastric bypass. That's
affirming their self-diagnosis of a minor. I'm saying let's stop affirming the self-diagnosis of a minor. Let's find out why. What's the problem behind the issue? Why are you suffering with this? That's what we used to do. For decades we did that and the results were overwhelmingly good. If we had a cancer treatment for a child that was suffering from cancer and it was 90% effective and all of a sudden we stopped doing that, I would be horrified. I know you would be too. I just want to get back to a treatment where the kids were being effectively treated,
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:21:25
and at the end of the day, they were returned back to the gender they were born with, and they have a normal, healthy life, and be able to conceive
Speaker 199
2:21:35
children if they chose to. That's what I want us to
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
2:21:38
return to. Representative Springer, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Isn't it true that the testimony from the persons who are opposed to your bill, isn't it true that they told you that that's exactly what was taking place, that the children were receiving counseling services? Isn't that
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:21:52
the testimony? Unfortunately, the counseling services they were
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:21:55
getting were gender-affirming care that was affirming the minor's self-diagnosis and not getting to the root cause of the problem.
I did not understand that to be the case. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much.
Chair
Unverified
2:22:08
I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Bentley has explained the bill. Anyone would like to speak against the bill? Representative Clowney, you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank
you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I won't take up too much of your time, but I do ask for a little bit of it. I know that you may think that you can anticipate what it is I'm going to say, and it is true that every chance I have, I will come down to this well and
tell the LGBTQ kids in Arkansas that I love you, I value you, and I affirm you. But I want you to listen to the actual legal problems that I have with this bill because I am speaking right now as a lawyer as well. And I want y'all to know that yesterday we heard from a huge swath of folks who are opposed to this bill, but one of those witnesses was from the Arkansas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. And I wanted to share with you their concerns because it's
really real. So you just heard a whole bunch about puberty blocking drugs, pretty extreme examples of treatments for gender affirming care but if you look with me at the definition here in this bill this bill creates a cause of action a private cause of action so no statute of limitations for any gender affirming intervention which is defined as any intervention to support a patient's identification with the gender opposite of his or her biological sex including
puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy those things are covered but it is certainly not limited to those treatments the impact of that is that any care that at any point in the future again no statute of limitations so 40 50 years down the line a parent or a minor could say they were harmed by any intervention that supported the patient's identification with the gender opposite of his or her biological sex. This bill doesn't just discourage gender-affirming care,
and I want you to view it whether you agree with gender-affirming care or not. I want you to hear me when I say this will make doctors, this will make pediatricians. They said as much to this committee yesterday. This will make them afraid to treat children for things like the common cold, right? I mean, they didn't say that, but that is ultimately what this does. It makes them afraid to treat any child who may be experiencing any of these health problems or looking for any
mental health care in this space, it will make them hesitant to treat trans children because they know that at any point in the future, 40, 50 years down the line, they could be sued for something as simple as using the preferred name of the child in the course of that strep test for using the preferred pronoun that in this bill is a gender affirming intervention I think it goes way too far I would love to see that tightened up at the
very least we're not going to get that before the session is over but I did want y'all to be aware that that's what this bill does and I would appreciate a no
vote thank you Rep. Clowney has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to
speak for the bill? Anyone like to speak against the bill? Rep. Bentley, you're recognized to close for
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:25:47
your bill. Thank you, Speaker. Okay, so colleagues, this bill does not go on 40, 50 years. It
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:25:52
has a 15-year statute of limitations clearly in there. We have 15 years after the child becomes an adult to file it. So it's not 40 or 50 years, it's 15 years. And again, I said before I took questions that we're going to change the word there. At least, and I'll probably do more, so I'm working with them to get what they want and the definitions I met with them this morning. They want to be sure to be able to treat children. We don't want to stop mental health of children. The last thing we wanted, we want to encourage it. That's why I met with them this morning. So if we look at that line there in line 28, gender affirming intervention means an intervention, and we'll put affirm a patient's identification, not just support affirm. So that should clear up
their questions. And if a pediatrician should recommend a child and say they need to go see a cardiologist and that cardiologist does a crappy job and the child dies, they're not held liable for that cardiologist's actions. The pediatrician's not going to be held liable for anybody else's actions. They're only held liable
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
2:26:43
for their own. So if we put a firm in there, that should clear up their concerns. I will say that Arkansas was the first state to pass the Heartbeat Child Protection Act. Arkansas was the first state to pass the SAFE Act. Arkansas was one of the first states to save child women's to say women's sports act let's be the first
state to push back against this gender ideology that's really hurting the children in our state and let's put Arkansas on the first track to do the right things for our
Chair
Unverified
2:27:11
kids with that I take a good vote thank you representative Bentley is closed for the bill question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1916.
Prepare the machine, Madame Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Speaker 87
2:27:33
Cast up the ballot. The vote of 73 yay, 16 nay,
and one present. The bill is passed. Madame Clerk, please read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
2:27:47
1926. Hospital 1926 by Representative Unger to amend the law concerning the suspension, revocation or non-renewal of a person's driver's license for failure to
pay a court-ordered fine and to amend the law concerning a defendant's inability to pay a court-ordered fine. Representative Unger, you're recognized to
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, there's
Representative Steve Unger
Unverified
2:28:03
a lot of things that I could say about this bill, but I'm really going to try not to say them.
Let me give you a little background. this is basically a fines and fees bill as it pertains to driver's license let me give you a little background around 2017 I became a volunteer at a halfway house for felons on parole up in Springdale called returning home it was a great learning experience I was their Thursday night instructor that taught a class because they had to take classes part of their parole came away with lot of good stories that I can never repeat in mixed company but here's one
of the things I learned about incarceration or helping people get past incarceration and keep in mind Arkansas has got like one of the worst recidivism rates may be the worst we stink at this but here's what I learned if you really want to help people get past incarceration the easiest thing you can do is not take away their driver's license for fines and fees and so when I say fines and fees I'm not talking about alimony I'm not talking about child
support and I'm not talking about not punishing DUI's or bad drivers it is just some judges will suspend driver's license for unpaid fines and fees now I'm happy to say a lot of judges don't and frankly I had a lot of help crafting this bill, including from a judge up in northwest Arkansas. Oftentimes, a defendant will ask the judge to send him to jail by fining him because he knows the defendant, he can't pay that fine.
And so paying the fine would mean not paying the rent, losing his house, not feeding his family. And what a horrible position to put somebody in and to put it in plain language. And I saw this so many times. You have some bad boy who is now reformed and he is living, I'm going to Springdale-ize this, he's living in a trailer 20 miles away from the chicken factory in downtown Springdale where he makes roughly $25,000 a year hanging dead chickens on a hook and he's learning how to be
a man and how to be a husband and a father and the court puts it in position is if you pay this fine and you're going to leave your family hanging out to dry. And so what we're asking to do, that's wrong. We need to fix this. In the past, I have said, and you probably have too, that Judge Bean suspended Bubba's driver's license. Well, it turns out I was wrong to say that. The judge can't suspend a driver's license. He can only ask DF&A to do that.
Chapter 16 of the Arkansas Code, which deals with practice, procedures, and courts, There's two times in the code that concerns itself with the payment of a fine, which part of that is in my bill, 16-13-702. If the defendant claims an inability to pay a fine, the court shall inquire in the defendant's ability to pay the fine. Then it says it again in 16-13-708, where it says it even stronger, however, the court shall not make a request to the department, that is DF&A,
before the court has scheduled a hearing to address the person's non-payment of the court-ordered fine and the person has failed to appear. And put it in plain English, there's two different times in the code that the author said they need to consider the financial state of the defendant before they suspend the driver's license. Now, are the judges doing what the law requires? Well, some are, but a lot are not. And all this little old bill does is ask the judges to follow the law just like everybody else.
And I will take some questions as long as they're
Chair
Unverified
2:31:58
not too hard or tricky. Representative McGrew, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized for
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
2:32:02
a question. I very much support the bill. I think this is one of the bigger problems we have of rescindedism. We trap those people in a position where they can't get out by fining them for not being able to pay the fine and then taking the driver's license away. My question is more, your bill spells out that they have to look at this information, but it doesn't require the judge can still suspend the license. Is there anything that requires them
to really pay attention and to make the
Representative Steve Unger
Unverified
2:32:31
right decisions? - No sir, my overt intention with this is by putting this sample budget in here that the judges will look at that and say you're making it hard for me to do it, therefore I won't. We're not at a place that we can say not suspend. Now, someday, maybe, that's my best answer.
And I will close for my bill. Representative Unger has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill,
Speaker 15
2:33:13
Representative Unger is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1926. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the
Speaker 87
2:33:35
ballot. The vote of 97 yea, 0 nay, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1984.
Chair
Unverified
2:33:44
House Bill 1984 by Representative Hudson to create a designation for a registered sex offender on a driver's license or identification card.
Representative Hudson, you are recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
2:33:54
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I bring to you today House Bill 1984, and I wanted to appreciate or give some appreciation to the speaker for bringing this issue to my attention.
What this bill does is it creates a designation on your driver's license for levels three and four sex offenders so that law enforcement can immediately recognize that it is a sex offender that they're interacting with. This designation would be essentially like the letter or number that you have on your driver's license if, for example, you wear contacts or have some sort of restriction on your license. There are several other states that are already doing this, including Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Delaware, West Virginia, and a few others.
So it's not something that we've come up full of whole cloth, but this is something that should help law enforcement more readily identify these level three and four predators and give them another way to determine if they're somewhere they're not supposed to be. Just as a reminder, and this came up in committee, levels three and four sex offenders are the worst of the worst. Level three is someone who is violent and likely to reoffend. for someone
who is extremely violent and quite... Anyone would like to speak against the bill?
Before the bill? Representative Hudson is closed for the bill.
Speaker 87
2:35:10
Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1984. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Chair
Unverified
2:35:31
cast up the ballot the vote of 84 yay 6 nay and 2 present the bill is passed
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1979. House
Chair
Unverified
2:36:07
Bill 1979 by Representative Galloway, an act to amend Arkansas law to allow warrantless searches by a law enforcement officer or a person placed on suspended imposition of sentence and for other purposes. Representative
Galloway, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
2:36:21
you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This is a bill that, an issue I should say, that was pointed out to me by a local circuit judge that will conform with practices that are already happening in court.
Warrantless searches are allowed of people who are on parole, probation, or post-release supervision, but commonly occurring in courts is you have people placed on suspended imposition of sentence. Well, what is that? That is unsupervised probation, and just like someone who's placed on probation, they get a list of terms and conditions of good behavior that they have to abide by. It's a commonly used sentence in circuit court. And on those terms and conditions that a lot of folks receive, it says that they're subject to search. And law enforcement officers commonly do search people who are on suspended imposition of sentence, thinking that's allowed by law.
Circuit judge pointed out to me that if you actually look in the statute, it does not currently provide for suspended imposition of sentence. And this has been something that's been occurring all over the state without statutory authority. So he said, you might want to go in there and fix that. And I said, that's a good idea. and so that's why i brought this bill that's what it does and happy to answer any questions seeing
none appreciate a good vote thank you representative gasaway has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill for the bill representative gasaway is closed for the
bill the question before the house is the passage of house bill 1979 prepare the machine madam clerk has everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot madam clerk with 84 yeas three nays and two present the bill has passed at the request of representative gassaway we're going to pass over house bill 1980 madam clerk please read house bill 1987
Speaker 259
2:38:18
House Bill 1987 by Representative Ennett, to amend the law concerning the
Chair
Unverified
2:38:24
State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services, and to increase the
civil penalty for violations by a
licensee. Representative Ennett, you are recognized to explain the bill. Hello, colleagues. Today I
have House Bill H.B. 1987. A couple sessions ago, I ran House Bill 1543. it's a constituent-led bill we have perpetual care cemeteries here and some of the owners
are not doing what they're supposed to do so basically this bill is to increase the fine to one thousand dollars from 500 and ask for a good vote thank you representative ennett has explained
the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill Representative Ray,
you are recognized to speak against the bill. I didn't actually
want to speak against the bill. I think I'll probably vote for it. I was just going to ask, what is it that they're being fined for?
What are they not doing that they're supposed to be doing? And hopefully
the sponsor can address that. Representative Ray has spoken against the bill. Would
anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill? Representative Bennett,
would you like to close for your bill? You're recognized. Thank you for the
question representative Ray. From what I've been told, the owners are burying the dead deceased people and the plots that they did not buy. So when your, the loved ones are
coming to visit their lost, I mean, sorry. So when, when visitors come and look for their loved ones, they're not able to find them because they're not burying them in the right plots, the headstones are all cracked, the little vases on top, they mow over them, you have anthills, everything is sunken in, they're not taking care of the cemeteries, and a lot of people come from out of town to come
and visit their loved ones, they can't find them, and you can't get them on the phone they won't respond to your correspondence or anything so this bill is just to kind of strengthen the law to get them to pay attention and hopefully do better as for the vote representative and it is closed
for the bill the question before the house is the passage of House bill 1987 prepare the machine Madame Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Speaker 457
2:41:07
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madame
Clerk. With 88 yeas, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bill has passed. Madame Clerk, please read House Bill 1178. House Bill 1178
Chair
Unverified
2:41:27
by Representative Richardson to amend the law concerning the contracting with a municipal attorney to
amend the law concerning sums collected by district courts and to amend the law concerning cost-sharing for district court expenses. Representative
Richardson, you are recognized to explain your bill.
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
2:41:42
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1178 is a simple bill to take care of a specific problem. As most of you
know, I have a very good friend that's a mayor over in East Arkansas, Dice, Arkansas, home of Johnny Cash. He is a small town mayor, and apparently small town mayors would like to clean up their towns by enforcing the ordinances that they have on file. Unfortunately, there's no mechanism currently in law by which they can be repaid for the portion of the fine that should be theirs. This simply provides an avenue by which they can get, they can hire a prosecuting attorney to prosecute that in court and then be able to be returned some
the funds associated with that to remediate the situation and with that I'd appreciate a good
vote representative Richardson has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill for the bill
representative Richardson would you like to close for bill representative Richardson is closed for the bill the question before the house is the passage of house bill 1178 Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Speaker 457
2:42:57
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam
Clerk. With 89 yays, 2 nays, and 6 present, the bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1903. House Bill 1903 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
2:43:21
Walker to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code to provide school districts with flexibility regarding alternative learning environments.
Representative Walker, you are recognized to explain the
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
2:43:31
bill. This is a department bill that just changes shall to may. This will simply give our schools the option to provide ALE. Schools that choose to do or continue to do so to provide ALE will still continue to receive funding. So it does not touch any funding. It just gives schools the option to do it if it benefits our campus. This is all the bill does, and I appreciate a good vote.
Representative Walker has left the well. He has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Clowney, you are recognized to speak against the bill. Thank
you Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I'm not really speaking against that, I just had a question that hopefully you can answer. So I know that these alternative learning environments are often used for students, are only used for students who have challenges in a regular classroom. That's why we require districts to have them. Then they as ALEs have certain
state oversight. I guess my question is, if a district does choose not to have an ALE that's allowed if this passes what do the alternatives to ALE look like and will they receive the state same state oversight because I know that these are populations that we really want to make sure we're taking very good care of so thanks representative Clowney has spoken against the
bill would anyone like to speak for the bill against the bill
represent Walker would you like to close
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
2:45:03
for your bill you're recognized and that's why we're not wanting to try to I'm a big supporter of the ALE program I don't want to get rid of it by any means that's why we're trying that's why we want to still give them the option so if it supports their school district we put these the superintendents the principals and people in leadership positions to make these decisions so if If this program helps our kids, helps fill in that achievement gap,
then they need to continue to do the ALE. They're going to receive the full funding to do so. Hopefully that answers your question. But I'm closed, and I appreciate a good vote. Representative
Walker is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1903. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? as everyone voted cast up the ballot item clerk with 77 yays 5 nays and 10 present the bill has
passed madam clerk please read house bill 1242 hospital 1242
Speaker 27
2:46:15
by representative mayberry to amend the mechanism by height by which school nurses are compensated representative mayberry
you are recognized to explain the bill thank
you mr. speaker and I'm coming up here chuckling because as I walk up here my seatmate who is sat
next to me year after year session after session said you do this every year yes yes here I am
once again and I'll continue to be up here until we make
steps in helping our school nurses. First of all, I'm going to back up and I'm going to start to say what I intended to say when I got up here. Last session, we did a great thing by giving our teachers a pay raise. Yay. And just recently, we did a great thing by giving our state employees a pay raise. They needed it. Everything costs more. Everything costs more. So if you are an RN and you're working
for DHS, let's say, or our state health department, your salary, starting salary, is $75,000 a year up to $111,000 a year. $75,000 to $111,000 if you are a state nurse. If you are working for a school district, you're making between about $38,000 and $66,000.
Our school nurses need help. They have to pay their bills too. And because we've also raised the salary of our state nurses, we're going to have a harder time finding school nurses. This bill has no fiscal impact right now, none, because it does not go into effect until the 27-28 school year.
So we don't have to find the money right now at all. We have two years to do it. And that education committee, if you were a part of it, you know that we've got a group of people on that education committee who are willing to work with me to find this money. I also have heard from DHS and from ADE and they're going to be working together to bring Medicaid dollars to our state to compensate our
school nurses. We are one of very few states who do not make use of federal dollars to come to our state to pay for the services of our school nurses. That also would have a zero, zero fiscal impact because it is federal money coming here. Right now we are losing out on those federal dollars because we have not done the paperwork essentially and come up with
the plan. Other states are doing it. We have two years for the Department of Human Services and for ADE to work it all out. I had a bill in the health committee. I told them I wouldn't run it because they have told me they are going to do this in rules however they normally do it, and they did not need a
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
2:49:55
bill to do it. We have got to do something. This does put us on the whole
on on all of us it makes all of us legislators it makes ADE
makes DHS it makes our school districts all say we are going to do something before 27 to help our school nurses with more money with that I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Mayberry has explained the
Chair
Unverified
2:50:27
bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Beatty, you're recognized.
Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.)
Unverified
2:50:38
Well, I wasn't planning on speaking against the bill. I just had a question, and that question is, and maybe you can answer this in your closing if you come back to the will. Is there anything that we have right now that prevents our our local school districts from setting those salaries for school nurses based on the market and the requirement in their school districts to fulfill this position. I'm not aware of anything, but maybe you could answer and address that because I do believe in the ability of the school district to set those salaries and take care of students.
The other question I had for you as a follow-up is earlier on some issues, I've heard you worried about the spending that we're doing in this state, But here you are with a bill that from the fiscal impact said $5 to $7 million. So I'd like you to address how you can take one need and make it more important than the other needs that we have in the state. So I'd like if you'll address that, that'll make me happy. Representative Beatty has
spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Meeks, you're recognized to speak for the bill.
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
2:51:50
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So colleagues, goes without saying, I've been on the education committee longer than anybody else in this chamber, except for Representative Cozart. I think we're tied in that regard. But Representative Mayberry has been working on this bill year after year after year. What happens is every year we get to this point and we say, well, we're not sure we're going to put it into inner study. And you all know what that means. That's the death of it. And then we come back and we do the same thing. And then we come back and we do the same thing, right?
Last session, we spent $300 million for our teachers, and rightfully so. That's a very easy political thing to do. You can score a lot of good brownie points for doing that. School nurses, not so much, right? In this response, so to Representative Beatty's question, yes, districts can set the salary levels for their school nurses. The problem, like a lot of other things, is making the money available. And we could actually send more money in the matrix down to the schools,
but the problem is it doesn't necessarily mean the school, the nurses, are going to get it. The sources that she's talking about, about trying to bring more Medicaid funds in that can help pay for this, again, there's no guarantee that it'll actually go to the nurses to help them. So what this bill does is to make sure that as these funds become available, actually goes to to help these nurses and the concern is if we don't do this we're gonna start losing our nurses at our schools and which means the health
of our students and of course if they're not healthy then that's going to create learning problems and so I wish we would do it this year the way her bills stagger set up is we'll phase it in over the next two years I
Speaker 280
2:53:41
think that's a reasonable request and happy to try to answer any questions representative Beatty for what
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:53:47
purpose question you're recognized representative Meeks so my question to you are are you saying that again
Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.)
Unverified
2:53:52
we should mandate to the school districts how how they spend and take this money and spend it on
nurses because if we gave them extra money they would spend it on whatever they wanted to and it wouldn't go to the nurses and and they couldn't prioritize what's the important things for their school district so is that what you were telling this body when when you were speaking in
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:54:15
favor of this bill yeah and in this case yes and that's not unusual we
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
2:54:20
do that we do that with teachers and we do that with all other things yes we do send money to the schools that are unrestricted so they can make decisions for local i'm all supportive of that when that's the right time but in this case if it's the will of
this body to make sure we're taking care of our school nurses then we need to make sure
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:54:40
we're taking care of our school nurses. - Representative Nazarenko, for what
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
2:54:44
purpose? - Question. - You're recognized. - First of all, thank you, Representative Meeks, for being up there for questions. Just
for clarification, I had to ask it last night at the committee, because it's my understanding for an APRN to charge for Medicaid, they've gotta have a PCP referral, so a referral from their primary care provider. That's my understanding for them in that position, so that kinda concerns me with the Medicaid recoverables, so.
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
2:55:07
Right, and I agree, and I don't know all the specifics on that, and maybe Representative Mayberry can maybe fill in some of those details. If we can bring that Medicaid money in, that's great. In my opinion, that's icing on the cake. Regardless of whether the federal government comes through on this, I still think in this instance this is something we need to do because if we keep pushing this down the road, the problem is not going to go away. What's going to happen is that that problem is only going to grow bigger and bigger and bigger. So I think it's, let's address it now.
Speaker 280
2:55:39
Representative Cozart, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative
Meek, do you think this is really going to hurt the money that they're trying to get for
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
2:55:47
that prison? This would be all right, wouldn't it? No, we're talking $5 million, $6 million. You know, if we could spend $750 million on a prison, I think we could come up with $6 million. Like I said, we did $300 million for our nurses. We did $35 million for state employees. That was always, that was good. Let's take the next step for our school nurses, and I don't know if I did you any good, Representative Mayberry, but I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Meeks has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Painter, you're recognized to speak against
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:56:27
the bill. I was really not wanting to speak the bill. I just had a question for Representative Mayberry. How do we have any guarantees from the federal government on getting this Medicaid money that we talked about in committee? You know, we're anticipating, you know, getting all this, if we do all these services that the federal government's going to pay for it,
which last time I checked, Medicaid is possibly in the crosshairs of the current administration. So can you just please address that? And if you know anything, information about that, I would greatly appreciate it. Representative Painter has spoke
against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the
bill? Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Beck, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
2:57:18
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I don't deny the shortage. I don't have those numbers either backed at or deny it. But here's the situation. We need school bus drivers, too. Are we going to do this for school bus drivers? What about all the other positions that we're shorted with in the schools? You know, we're getting to a point now where we're trying to run our school districts from this chamber. We have school boards. We fund the schools.
Let them decide where they want to put the money that they need to put and not, as a group, down here, start pushing a little bit of money here and a little bit of money here just because we think that there's a shortage down there. If the superintendents and the school boards don't take care of this, let the cities and the school districts take care of it, the school boards and the superintendents. It's like we're trying to run everything from Little Rock. It's like local control, guys. I've heard everybody, we use that all the time.
This is contrary to local control. Representative Beck
Speaker 197
2:58:26
has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak
for the bill? Against the bill, Representative Barnes, you're recognized to come to the well and speak for the bill.
Representative Glenn Barnes
Unverified
2:58:57
Thank you, Speaker. colleagues one of the rewarding things of going to school getting an education and getting degrees is being able to promise better pay if these nurses are going to go to school and get certified to do this they should be paid and if any of us have gone to school for whatever it is we want to be paid the wage that comes with that certification
I think in all fairness, this is a good bill. We ought to support
it. Thank you. Representative Barnes spoke for the bill. Anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Beatty, for
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
2:59:48
what purpose? Hear your motion. Under Rule 25A, the motion for indefinite postponement and consideration by a joint interim committee. That's a proper motion.
Speaker 493
2:59:59
It's a debatable motion. Recognize to come to the well to explain your
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:00:12
motion. Members, we've heard this every year, I guess since I've been here, and what I would say is
Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.)
Unverified
3:00:17
based on the topics and discussions we've had in this chamber today, I think we should just postpone this, let an interim committee
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:00:25
meet and determine this, and provide us with recommendations at that point, so I'd ask you to support my motion.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:00:32
Representative Beatty has explained the motion. Would anyone like to speak against the motion? For the motion? Representative Beatty is closed for the motion. Question before the House is the passage of his motion to table, put an interim, postpone indefinitely to an interim study. All
those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed nay. No. Nose have
Chair
Unverified
3:00:57
it. Representative Mayberry, you're recognized to close for your bill.
I probably need to say as few words as possible. And I can answer a lot of those questions that have come up. But
I've been here session after session talking about the school nurses and I've heard many of you tell
me every single session when I'm up here talking about it, "Oh, we'll help you next time." I've heard
it over and over again. I've come up with different ideas.
Every single session, I've come up with a different way. I don't know what you all have against school nurses. I don't know what the big deal is. Let me tell you, my daughter, who has spina bifida, graduated from high school with
two college credits and above a 3.5 GPA.
and she has a lot of teachers to thank
for that. But more than anything, she has school nurses to thank for that because if those school nurses had not been there to see her every day, twice a day, she would not have been able to be in school. That is why I am so passionate about this topic. And I promise you, we are not on the hook for this money, this session. It's two years down the road.
But this says to the school nurses who are watching that we hear you and we are going to help. That's what this does. That gives us the promise that, yeah, we actually will do something this time. I know many of you are going to still vote against this, and that's fine. I will love you anyway. We can't all agree. I'm just hoping I get 51 of you to agree with me today.
And more than likely, the Senate will kill it too, so don't worry about it.
Thank you. Representative Mayberry is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1242. Prepare the machine, Madam
Chair
Unverified
3:03:51
Clerk. Has everyone voted? has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. To vote of 59 yeas, 18 nay, and 10 present, the
bill is passed. Representative Scott Richardson, for
Speaker 501
3:04:15
what purpose? Motion. Let's hear your motion sorry I think we're I think we're
Speaker 502
3:04:21
doing this backwards point of order so
Speaker 101
3:04:29
you help you with that sure I was I was told the opposite yeah but motion that
I'm still confused representative Scott Richardson moves that we place Senate 431 back on second reading for the
Chair
Unverified
3:04:41
purpose of amendment that that one that motion thank you that objection so ordered madam
clerk please read amendment number one amendment number one the senate vote 431. senator richardson you are recognized
Speaker 502
3:05:08
all right come on all right this is a brand
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
3:05:11
new process for me so i appreciate the indulgence uh i'm uh we need to amend a bill that we passed out of committee yesterday get it uh amended here on the floor it deletes one small little line uh and then we're going to after that we're going to actually send it back to committee make sure they approve of it so i would appreciate
Speaker 83
3:05:29
a good vote representative richardson has explained the amendment would anyone like to speak against the
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:05:35
amendment? For the amendment? Representative Richardson is closed for the amendment. The
question before the House is the passage of amendment number one to Senate Bill 431. All
in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed nay. No. The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted.
Please send the bill as amended to engrossing. Representative Richardson, for what purpose? Motion.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:05:56
I hear your motion. After engrossing the amendment,
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
3:05:59
I move that we move Senate Bill 431 back to House Judiciary. That's a proper motion. It is
debatable. You're recognized to explain your motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So now we're
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
3:06:14
going to send this same bill back to
Judiciary to get it taken care of, voted on, and it'll be back on the House
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:06:23
as soon as possible. So I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Richardson has explained the motion. Anyone would like to speak against the motion? For the motion, Representative is closed with a motion question before the house
Chair
Unverified
3:06:36
is the motion to re-refer Senate bill 431 back to committee all those in favor say aye opposed nay the ayes
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:06:43
have it send the bill back to committee representative vault for what
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
3:06:48
purpose motion let's hear your motion I'd like to make a motion to re-refer Senate bill 290 back to
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:06:55
committee it's a proper motion just come to the well explain your motion thank you
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
3:07:07
mr. speaker we're going to re-refer it back to committee to try to make it a little bit more palatable for everybody and with
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:07:14
that I would appreciate a good vote representative Vaught has explained the motion anyone would like to speak against the motion for the motion
representative Vaught is closed for the motion question before the house is the motion to refer Senate Bill 290 back to
committee. All those in favor say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Send the
Chair
Unverified
3:07:33
bill back to committee. Representative Jean. Members, we're going to go the yellow budget calendar. There he is. You're recognized.
Speaker 519
3:07:55
thank you speaker colleagues we've got
set of house appropriations day just to let you know the only Senate bill Senate bill 93 word we're putting that off and putting on tomorrow's calendar there's still some members working with the Department of Education so we'll put it on the Mars calendar and of these bills
that are on the House bill the only appropriation that has any significant increase other than what we did on the salary plan is the House bill 1174 which is the Department of Corrections and inside the RSA on the current corrections nothing to come with the new prison this is current we have a 40 million dollar increase when the when the governor gave her balanced budget back in November so there is a 40 million dollar increase with the current Department of Corrections this is not do anything
with the new prison so and I've had also requests to pull House Bill 1107 out of the batch to vote separate so i'm going to read the batch to you we need to pull any of these out let me know house bill 1084 house bill 1086 house bill 1092 house bill 1096 house bill 1101 house bill 1106 house bill 1112 house bill 1174 house bill 1200 and house bill 1206 get your minute to look at it
if I need to pull any of
these out. Representative McCullum, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Could we please pull out for a separate vote HB 1092 as well as HB 1096? Not together, both of those individually, please. 1092, separate vote? Yes, sir. 1096? Yes, sir. And, yeah, not asking them to be held or anything, just separate votes.
Okay, pass it. Representative Ward-Law, for what purpose? Request. You're recognized.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
3:10:22
Can you pull out House Bill 1106 for a separate vote as
well? Trazier's appropriation. Yeah, I think it would be better if we just pass over it today, and I'll get
my question answered and we'll vote on it tomorrow. Okay, we'll do that. All right, the batch will be House Bill 1084, 1086, 1101, House Bill 1112, House Bill 1174,
House Bill 1200, and House Bill 1206. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Question,
Speaker 280
3:11:02
please. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Jean, just a moment ago you mentioned on 1174, Department of Corrections, there's a $40 million increase. Do you
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
3:11:10
know what that $40 extra million is going to be going towards? Part of it is salary increase. Part of it
is cost of food and just maintaining prisoners and upkeep. That's what they had to have in the budget hearings in the fall. All right, thank you.
Any other questions? All right, your one vote for the batch is for the
bills of emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, the clerk, read the bill a third time. Madam Clerk,
Speaker 536
3:11:40
read the bills for the third time. House Bill
Chair
Unverified
3:11:43
1084, House Bill 1086, House Bill 1101, House Bill 1112, House Bill 1174, House Bill 1200, House Bill 1206. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members, your one vote
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:11:59
is for the bill in the emergency clause of each bill in the batch.
Chair
Unverified
3:12:03
has everyone voted cast up the ballot vote of 98 yay 0 nay
and 0 present you have passed the bill and the emergency clause of each bill mentioned in
the batch representative jean thank you mr speaker we'll pick up and do these bills one at a time house bill 1092 department of human services provider services and quality assurance any questions Seeing none, your one vote is for the bill of mercy clause.
Mr. Speaker, the clerk, read the bill a third time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the third time. House Bill 1092. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative Jean is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1092. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:13:05
Members, your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause.
Speaker 245
3:13:09
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast
up the ballot. By a vote of 87 yea, 0 nay, and 11 present, you have passed the bill in the emergency
clause. Representative Gene, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next one will be House Bill 1096. this is Department of Human Services, this is the Medicaid Tobacco Settlement Program, this is the part of the tobacco money that goes into, pays our hospitals and drug costs
for the Medicaid program. Any questions? Seeing none, your one vote is for the Bill of Mercy Clause. Mr.
Speaker, the Clerk, read the bill a third time. - Madam Clerk, read the bill for the third time. - House Bill 1096.
Chair
Unverified
3:13:57
- Representative Jean has explained the bill, Would anyone like to speak against the bill or the
bill? Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1096. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:14:17
Members, your one vote is for the bill in
the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot.
Chair
Unverified
3:14:28
With a vote of 94 yeas, one nay, and three present, you have passed the bill
in the Emergency Clause. Representative Jean, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Next bill we're going to pick up is House Bill 1107. This is the Department of Human Services. This is our county health offices.
Representative Shepard asked to pull this out so she could vote present. I think she does some kind of contract work with them, which is the proper thing to do, so that's why we pulled this out of the batch. Any questions? Seeing none, your one vote is for the bill of emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, has the clerk read the bill a third time? Madam Clerk, read the bill for the third time. House Bill 1107.
Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Jean is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1107.
Speaker 15
3:15:27
Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members, your
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:15:34
one vote is for the bill in the Emergency Clause. Has everyone voted?
Chair
Unverified
3:15:41
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 93 yeas,
2 nays, and 3 present. You have passed the bill and the Emergency Clause. Representative Gene, you're recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here's the last bill, House Bill 1649, comes from Representative Vaught. This is on the statewide water plan. It's an appropriation for $50 million, but many of y'all have heard the water plan has been cut from $500 million for 10 years to $75 million for 3 years. And so the money she'll have appropriated if the one-time funding bill is passed is $25 million.
So this other $50 million, there's no funds for it. It's excess appropriation with no funding behind it. So the cost will be $25 million for the first year. Any questions? Seeing none, your one vote is for the bill of emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, the clerk, read the bill a third time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the third time. - House Bill 1649. -
Chair
Unverified
3:16:53
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 House Bill 1649. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members,
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:17:12
your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? cast up the ballot the vote
of 94 yeas one nay and one present you passed the
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:17:29
bill in the emergency clause members we've got we've got some committees that need to reconvene to take up
Chair
Unverified
3:17:49
some business that was held over from this morning and I prefer that those committees with respect of our committee staff not go late into the night like we like we've done earlier already one night this week so the house
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
3:18:02
is going to stand in recess until 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of committees to convene take care of the business that was left over from this morning the house will reconvene at 7:00 p.m. take up the Senate calendar madam clerk please read committee reports Mr. Speaker you
Speaker 27
3:18:25
committee on state agencies and governmental affairs to whom was referred Senate bill 439 Senate bill 443 Senate bill 508 Senate bill 516 Senate bill 521 Senate bill 551 Senate bill 578
Senate bill 534 quickly report the same consideration here for times the same recommendation I do pass perfectly submitted representative Beck vice chair mr speaker rear committee on state agencies and governmental affairs to whom's referred senate bill 445 beckley report the same consideration here return same recognition and do pass amendment number one respectfully submitted representative gasaway chair mr speaker rear committee on house rules to whom's referred senate bill 447 senate bill 533 beckley reporting the same consideration here for terms the same recognition that do pass respectfully submitted representative eubanks chair mr speaker rear committee on city county and local affairs to whom was referred house bill House Bill 1991.
House Bill 1995. Senate Bill 406. Senate Bill 520. Senate Bill 574. Senate Bill 580. Begley reporting the same consideration here. Return the same recommendation. I do pass. Respectfully submitted. Representative Gonzales, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are Committee on City, County, and Local Affairs. To whom is referred. Senate Bill 571. Begley reporting the same consideration here. Return the same recommendation. That do pass. Amendment number two. Respectfully submitted. Representative Gonzales, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we are Committee on Insurance and Commerce. To whom is referred. House Bill 1955. House Bill 1956. Senate Bill 519. Senate Bill 611. 6-11 begly reporting the same consideration here for terms same recommendation that do passes amendment number one
Respectfully submitted representative Maddox chair. Mr. Speaker, we can be on insurance and commerce to whom suffered House Bill 1625 House Bill 1994 Senate Bill 420 Senate Bill 475 Senate Bill 480 Senate Bill 41 Senate Bill 527 Senate Bill 544 Senate Bill 610 Begly reporting the same consideration here return same recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted Representative
Steinmann vice chair Members, do I have any committee reports or any committee
Speaker 551
3:20:06
announcements? Representative Lynch, for what purpose?
Ag Committee and Meet, 10 minutes, room 138, if we can beat everybody else there. Got one bill. Representative Underwood, for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized.
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
3:20:20
House Judiciary will meet tomorrow at 930. Any
Chair
Unverified
3:20:28
other committee announcements? Representative Gene, for what purpose? Joint budget will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Big Mac A. Representative Maddox, for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized.
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
3:20:40
Insurance and Commerce will meet in 15 minutes, room 149. Insurance and Commerce, Representative Gassaway,
Speaker 556
3:20:45
for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. State agencies will meet 15 minutes upon adjournment, room 151. State agencies. Ag, state agencies, and insurance and commerce. Members, the
Speaker 558
3:21:21
House will stand in recess until 7 p.m.
Speaker 559
3:21:31
Representative Lynch, for what purpose? Ag Committee can't meet today because that bill is not ready.
Speaker 208
3:22:00
There will not be an afternoon meeting of the Ag Committee.
Unknown speaker
3:22:30
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Speaker 494
3:33:12
it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do
Speaker 589
3:33:22
to do it. I'm going to do it. I'm going to
Speaker 564
3:33:33
Do I need to do it? I'm going to do it. I'm
Speaker 583
3:39:27
I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to
Speaker 591
3:39:34
do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything. I'm not going to do anything.
Thank
you.
Speaker 611
3:44:57
Thank you.
You don't need to put him in the bumper, he made it clear to the chassis.
Speaker 589
3:45:33
No, he put chassis and bumper. He didn't lose the bumper when he was looking.
Speaker 624
3:45:40
That's what I told him. He said, no, I'm
Speaker 589
3:45:43
not going to stop. He made it from chassis and chassis. Bumper and chassis. The reason he did that was because they were taking the bumpers and moving them. They were measuring the bumper and finishing them. And so they would be mowing the bumpers and being jacked up.
And there ain't going to be a bumpers. It's a shack. It's a stinking. No, it doesn't mean it's not much wrong. It's a stinking. It's a stinking shack. Yeah, it doesn't mean it's not right. They modified it. They modified it for that reason to send it in. Southern Prince is, Southern Prince is
Speaker 611
3:46:30
a little bit different, you know, one of the things that I'm going to flip off.
I'm going to flip off. I'm proud. I feel like I'm going to flip
Speaker 583
3:46:51
my whole, we actually had a cluster. I'm calling a mother, I'm calling a mother to study.
Speaker 591
3:49:49
you.
Thank
you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank
you.
Speaker 591
3:53:22
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank
you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank
you.
Thank
Unknown speaker
4:03:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:06:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:10:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:13:22
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:22:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:36:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:43:22
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
4:46:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
5:06:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
5:10:22
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
5:13:22
You got it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Unknown speaker
5:31:52
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
*laughter*
The House will reconvene in session. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 494. Senate
Chair
Unverified
5:35:49
Bill 494 by Representative Eaton to reduce the number
types of permits issued by Arkansas Tobacco Control and to consolidate several permits into single permit
under Arkansas Tobacco Products Tax Act 1977. Representative Eaton you're recognized
to explain your bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker, colleagues.
Representative James Eaton
Unverified
5:36:22
Sorry, having a little trouble getting back in it. What we have here is Senate Bill 494. It has been the Department of DF&A has asked me to run this bill for the Tobacco Council. What we're doing here, there's currently three permits that you ask that they're having you fill out.
it's a consolidation bill so we're going to go to one permit there that's basically what this bill is looking to do there's also another side of it there is another there is another permit it is This bill eliminates a vapor product, an e-liquid product, exclusive permit, but allows a permit
holder to operate as a manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer. This is the only, there's only one permit holder in Arkansas, so they're going to do away with that permit. So essentially you're making three permits into one. There's no fiscal impact on the state with this. Any questions on that? Thank you. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Eaton has explained the bill.
Anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Eaton is
Chair
Unverified
5:38:03
closed with the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 494. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Speaker 245
5:38:16
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast out
Chair
Unverified
5:38:23
the ballot. The vote of 86 yays, zero nay, and zero present. The
bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate
Chair
Unverified
5:38:30
Bill 495. Senate Bill 495 by Representative Eaton to amend definitions used under the Arkansas Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1977 and to amend the definition of invoice and the definition of invoice price used under the Arkansas Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1977.
Representative Eaton, you're recognized. Explain your
Representative James Eaton
Unverified
5:38:46
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this kind of cleans up the last bill. All they're looking to do here is to add the invoicing part of this. So currently, the invoices aren't required to have the address on it, either for the manufacturer or the retailer. This invoicing just allows them to do that, so if there aren't issues, they can track down who the purchaser is.
Any questions on this one? Thank you. Appreciate a good
vote. Representative Eaton has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill,
Chair
Unverified
5:39:25
Representative Eaton is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 495. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Is everyone
Speaker 245
5:39:37
voted? Is everyone voted? Cast up the ballot.
Chair
Unverified
5:39:46
The vote of 95 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 408.
Senate Bill 408 by Representative Eves to provide an income tax exemption for certain payments by the United
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:40:00
States Department of Agriculture. Representative Eves, you're
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
5:40:08
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we have a couple of programs that we've provided to farmers from federal aid for economic relief and disaster relief that we don't collect income tax on.
There's another program that has come out. It was part of the American Relief Act of 2025 through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program to help farmers mitigate the impacts of their increased input costs and falling commodity prices. We just want to do the same thing we've done with other programs and make sure that the state is not collecting income tax on these programs to help our farmers. Take any questions? Seeing none, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Eaves has explained
Chair
Unverified
5:40:47
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Eves is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 408. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Speaker 157
5:41:07
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:41:15
The vote of 91 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madame Clerk please read Senate Bill 594. Senate Bill 594 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
5:41:24
Warren to amend the law concerning exemptions for certificates of public convenience and necessity for new construction to
supply a public service or to
extend a public service. Representative Warren you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank You Mr. Speaker colleagues I'm running this bill for Representative Milligan this bill is just codifying the current practice that no certificate of public convenience and necessity is required when transmission lines are connecting power plants to the grid. The PSC, energy, and independent
power producers are all supportive of this and no opposition that I know of. Any questions? I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren has explained the bill. Would anyone like
to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Warren is closed for
Chair
Unverified
5:42:18
the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 594. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:42:39
vote of 95 yay, 0 nay and 0 present. The bill is passed.
Madam Clerk please read Senate Bill 552. Senate Bill
Chair
Unverified
5:42:48
552 by Representative Eves to clarify the definition of principal office use under the Arkansas Business Corporation Act of 1987 and the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. Representative Eves, you're recognized
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
5:42:58
to explain your bill. Thank You Mr.
Speaker. This is a bill that comes to us from the Secretary of State's office. Senate Bill 552 reflects modern commerce in which many businesses are operating out of people's homes rather than traditional
storefronts. So when a business entity registers with the Secretary of State, they must provide both a principal office address and a registered agent address where the business will accept the delivery of legal documents. This bill says that when a business does not have a principal office, that the business may designate the registered agent address as its principal office. The business must still give the Secretary of State a residence address for an officer or director so the Secretary of State has the information it needs. That's what the bill does. Appreciate any questions. Hang on. You getting a picture? How about?
You got it? All right. Appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 247
5:43:53
Representative Eves is closed for the bill.
Representative Eves has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the
bill. Representative Eves is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 552. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 95 yay, zero nay, and
zero present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 390. Senate
Speaker 27
5:44:33
Bill 390 by Representative Blundstrom to establish the State Apprenticeship Agency
Act. Representative Blundstrom, you're recognized to explain
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
5:44:41
your bill. Thank you, sir. The State Office of Apprenticeship, this would put it into the Department of Commerce, and instead of having a bunch of different small pockets of this
all over the place, it would put it under one entity. Currently, if you call the Workforce Services, you're going to get help. Then you're going to have to call Dallas. And then you might get an answer in three months. Then you go back to Workforce Service. This puts it all together and makes it much easier for an apprentice to get a job with a business. Thirty-three states have also started doing this as well
and will be number 34, hopefully. Representative Lundstrom
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:45:20
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Representative Lundstrom is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 390. Prepare the machine, Madam
Speaker 157
5:45:39
Clerk. Everyone voted? Everyone voted. Cast up
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:45:47
the ballot. Vote of 98 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 553.
Chair
Unverified
5:45:54
Senate Bill 553 by Representative Milligan to amend the Arkansas
Municipal Accounting Law to amend the duties of a municipal treasurer and to require training for an individual charge with duties under the Arkansas Municipal Accounting Law.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
5:46:06
Representative Richardson, you're recognized to explain
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
5:46:10
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 553 is a bill to require training for our treasurers when they become new into the office or appointed in the office. This is a good bill. If you don't remember, recently we had a lot of trouble with municipalities not knowing exactly how to quantify dollars put into certain categories and made a mess of specific turn-back funds associated with roads
in their municipalities. This is a good bill to help out with that. Association is going to be responsible for providing that training in conjunction with whomever they need to. So with that, I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Richardson has explained the bill. Would anyone like
to speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative Richardson is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 553. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 95 yea, 1 nay, and 0 present.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:47:22
The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, members, Senate Bill 290 on your red calendar has been sent back to committee. We'll move down
to Senate Bill 550. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 550. Senate Bill 550 by
Chair
Unverified
5:47:38
Representative Painter to change the name of Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission to the Arkansas Board of Animal Health.
Representative Painter, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
5:47:47
bill. Thank you, colleagues. this is just an agency bill. Only two things that this bill does is change the Livestock and Poultry Commission name to the Animal Health Board. That is approved by the Livestock and Poultry Commission. They are on board with that. Also it adds three veterinarians to the board. Poultry because it's its own different animal. No pun intended. Second is a large animal and then general vet. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Painter has
Chair
Unverified
5:48:16
explain the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Before the bill? Rep. Painter
Speaker 15
5:48:22
is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 550. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 93
Chair
Unverified
5:48:44
a 94 yeas to nay and one present the bill is passed madam clerk
please read Senate bill 464 bill 464 by
representative Cooper to amend the laws concerning sales of raw milk to allow sales of raw milk and raw milk products at locations other than the farm where the raw milk or raw milk product was produced and to declare
an emergency represent Cooper you're recognized to explain
your bill. Colleagues, you may have a sense of deja vu on this. We passed a bill earlier this session.
That bill's been signed into law. This is a different bill that will address some issues that
we kind of missed on the first bill. So SB 464 is a simple bill with the potential to make a big impact for small dairy farmers in the state of Arkansas. I want to thank Representative Vought for getting the ball rolling on this bill, and I want to thank the dairy farmers across the state for their input on this bill. We want to build on the success of our first dairy bill and address some ideas brought to us by small farmers after passage of that first bill. So this bill does four important things. It removes the 500-gallon-a-month cap on milk sales.
There's really no reason for that cap to be in place. It was put in place years ago. Nobody's even sure why it was put in place. The demand is out there. A lot of our farmers are already selling 500 gallons a month. Removing this cap will allow them to actually make meaningful income from their farm. It also adjusts the size of the sign that's required at the point of sale. So in current law, a sign is required where you sell the milk. That sign has the farmer's name and address and the warning label that the milk is unpasteurized.
The issue is, in current law, that sign is required to be 2 feet by 4 feet. so if you remember in our previous bill we legalized sales uh of delivery of milk so how do you deliver milk with a two foot by four foot sign that's something i overlooked some farmers brought that to my attention so we're changing the size of that sign to 18 inches by 24 inches so that be a size that they could create a magnet put on their delivery truck the bill also opens up sales for products made from raw milk including butter cheese and other
products. Currently, you can make these products and you can give them away, but you can't sell them. So what sense does that make? This would also provide more income for our farmers. Safety protocols are included in the bill requiring these products to be refrigerated and for the producer to provide a statement to the buyer that the product is made with unpasteurized milk. So the buyer fully understands and is aware of what the product is and what they're buying. You'll also notice this bill includes an emergency clause that that may seem strange but
the reason we're doing that is the grass is growing now the milk production is ramping up and our farmers would really enjoy being able to start taking advantage of this if it should become law immediately instead of having to wait 90 days so about the first of August so just as with our other previous dairy bill this is a food freedom and food security issue this is about neighbors doing business with neighbors. This is about promoting locally grown products. It's about connecting Arkansas farmers with
customers who not only want to support their local economy but they want to know where their food comes from and they want to know what the food is that they eat. This bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support. It garnered 33 votes. I know of no opposition. I would appreciate a good vote and I'll answer any questions if you've got them. Thank you. Representative Cooper has explained
the bill, but anyone would like to speak against the bill? Anyone would like to speak for the
bill? Representative Cooper is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 464. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members,
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:52:52
your one vote is for the bill in
the emergency clause. Everyone voted? Everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote
Chair
Unverified
5:53:05
of 88 yay, 4 nay, and 3 present.
The bill on the emergency clause has passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 522. Senate Bill 522
by Representative Brown to amend the law regarding the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and the Arts and
to amend the law related to the tuition and fees paid by students enrolled in the online programs. Representative Brown, you're
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
5:53:26
Speaker. Colleagues, the math and science school down in Hot Springs is the state's only residential high school, so students who apply and
Chair
Unverified
5:53:32
are accepted actually live there at the school and attend it just like it's college two years earlier. The legislation that created the school back in the 90s provided that no student enrolled
at the school would ever be charged tuition. The problem that has occurred is in the 30 some odd years since then we've invented something called online learning and the school is actually a position where they can offer online classes to students outside the school but by law they could not, I don't think they could actually do that, and they could not charge any tuition like to the school to help reimburse their costs. This bill simply gives the U of A system the ability to charge a reasonable tuition for students who are not students of the school but want to be able to sign in for online classes. Appreciate
a good vote. Rep. Brown has explained the bill. Anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill?
Rep. Brown is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 522. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone
Chair
Unverified
5:54:29
voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 95 yea, 0 nay, one present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 530. Senate
Bill 530 by Representative Beck to amend the Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest Maintenance Income Tax
Credit. Representative Beck, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
5:54:51
Colleagues, Senate Bill 530 is a companion bill to a bill that we passed out of here, House Bill. We passed out here about a week ago and I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Beck has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak
against the bill, for the bill? Representative Beck is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 530. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote
Chair
Unverified
5:55:30
of 82 yea, 3 nay, 13 present. Bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 567.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:55:36
Senate Bill 567 by Representative Burks to
Chair
Unverified
5:55:39
amend and modernize the law concerning the appointment of income
derived from multi-state operations and to change the method from sourcing of receipts for services and intangibles. Representative
Burks, you're recognized to explain your
Speaker 337
5:55:53
bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. SB 567,
Corporate Income Tax. Yay! Okay, this is a this is from a package that DF&A has provided we reviewed several of their bills this this session. It modernizes the law in Arkansas and with its adoption we joined 34 other states who have moved to market-based sourcing for apportionment of corporate income tax. First note that this bill only applies to businesses who provide services in Arkansas. No one spoke against the bill either in the Senate or House committees. What does it do? So under current law businesses who provide
services in Arkansas their corporate income tax is apportioned based on cost of performance so if they are an Arkansas business and they perform all their business in Arkansas they're paying corporate income tax based on everything that every all the income they make if we go to market based sourcing we're switching and we're saying well I guess I should also say if you're an out-of-state business though and your cost to performance in Texas you're barely paying any corporate income tax in Arkansas so that's an important part about our current system it's quite outdated market based sourcing
is going to say, whether you're in-state or out-of-state, if you're involved in economic activity in Arkansas and deriving income from Arkansans, you're paying taxes, your corporate income tax, based on whatever it is you derive from Arkansas. Again, 34 other states have adopted this. We're going to modernize our system. We did have, we did work with the state chamber, and they recommended that we provide this 10-year ramp-up for the telecom industry because they typically are out-of-state providing services in state and this is something that will impact them so we've given them a 10-year ramp up to
handle this transition the tax foundation also supports market-based sourcing and with that i'm happy to answer any questions and i ask for a good vote
thank you representative burks has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill for the bill representative burks is closed for the bill question before the house is the passage of senate bill 567 Prepare the machine, Madame Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:58:14
96 yea, 0 nay and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madame Clerk, please read Senate Bill 577. Senate Bill 577 by Representative Hall to
Chair
Unverified
5:58:22
amend the law concerning local sales and use tax and to require the Department of Finance and Administration to notify local governments concerning sales and
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
5:58:28
use tax that are set to expire. Representative
Hall, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank
Representative Brad Hall
Unverified
5:58:35
you Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This came about because we had our County Judge retire and same time our
County Treasury retire. They didn't notify the newly elected officials about the sales tax expiration. This bill calls for DF&A to give the the County quorum court 120 days notice of the expiration of the sales tax our con our county lost three million dollars because it wasn't you know notified so with that you got any questions
representative Hall has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill? Representative Hall is closed for the bill. Question before the House
Speaker 15
5:59:24
is the passage of Senate Bill 577. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone
voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 80 yeas, 9 nay,
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
5:59:45
and seven present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 492. Senate Bill
Chair
Unverified
5:59:52
492 by Representative Lundstrom to amend the law concerning the relocation of utility facilities and amend the law concerning the acquisition condemnation and deposition of real property by the State Highway Commission. Representative Lundstrom, you're recognized to explain
your bill. Thank you Speaker. I don't know
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
6:00:08
if you've noticed but we've had a lot of highway construction and a lot of it's been delayed. That has come from a long-standing problem
that has been between RDOT, utilities, and construction. What this does is actually get everybody in the room and communicate and work on a schedule. So the adults got back in the room and worked it all out. It's pretty impressive. All the utilities, RDOT, and the construction, granted everybody was in their corners, they finally got together, the adults walked back in the room and this bill is the outcome of that it's basically a refresh that will hopefully save us some money and lower some costs with that I would appreciate a good vote representative Lundstrom has explained
the bill would anyone like to speak against the
bill for the bill representative Lundstrom is closed for the bill question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 492. Prepare the machine,
Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up
Chair
Unverified
6:01:18
the ballot. The vote of 92 yay,
zero nay, and zero present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate
Chair
Unverified
6:01:25
Bill 496. Senate Bill 496 by Representative Hallowell to amend the law concerning permits for special cargoes and amend the law concerning the issuance of a permit for special cargo transported by a
farm machinery equipment hauler. Representative Hallowell, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Steve Hollowell
Unverified
6:01:41
bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This is just a small little bill to amend the law concerning the issuance of a permit for special cargo transported by farm machinery equipment. And they're just changing the word from dealer to hauler. A lot of these
Equipment dealers have LLCs that haul their equipment, so they will be able to get the permit instead of the dealer. So that's all it does, it changes that. So I appreciate
a good vote. Representative Hollowell has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill? Anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Hollowell
is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 496. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Speaker 245
6:02:28
Is everyone voted? Is everyone voted? Cast
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:02:42
up the ballot. The vote of 98 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 562. Senate Bill 562 by
Chair
Unverified
6:02:50
Representative Holcomb to amend the law concerning the office of interval audit and to repeal the requirement for an annual project review and efficiency study of the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Representative
Representative Mike Holcomb
Unverified
6:03:01
Holcomb you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank You Mr. Speaker colleagues this is real simple bill it just ends a duplicate review in 21 they established requirement for RDOT to do an efficiency review those reviews were done in 23 and 2024 and the Office of Internal Audits submitted their 2024 and indicated that The report was complete by our doc. It was accurate and that they needed no longer involvement in it So it just does way into our life. Just does the report from now
Simple as that. Thank you. I appreciate
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
6:03:37
a good vote Represented Ward law for what purpose? Representative Holcomb has left the
well Representative Holcomb has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Before the bill,
Representative Holcomb is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 562. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot.
Chair
Unverified
6:04:14
By a vote of 95 yea, 1 nay and 2 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 540. Senate
Bill 540 by Representative Ennett to limit the suspension or renovation of a driver's license or imposition of restrictions on a driver's license of a person who has suffered a seizure. Representative
Ennett, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have Senate Bill 540. Me and Senator Johnson
have worked on this for quite some time. I come to you as somebody who have lived with seizures, so I know personally the impact this will have for people who have suffered with seizures. Currently, the rule is after you have a seizure, you have 12 months until you can't have one for 12 months, and then you could drive again.
so this bill simply will shorten that time to six months and it will be under medical guidance and most states are doing it already so this would just bring arkansas um bring it current to most what other states are already doing and um no known opposition and i ask for a good vote Representative Bennett has explained
Chair
Unverified
6:05:39
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
Anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Johnson, you're recognized. Speak for the bill. Members, I just
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
6:05:54
wanted to come down and speak in favor of this bill. You know, I see a lot of folks in the emergency department with seizures, sometimes new onset seizures, and a lot of folks have seizures one time in their life and never have them again and so we we took a real cautious approach out of the gate with the year i think a lot of neurologists are even looking at this talking about maybe three months instead of six it's a long time to make somebody not drive when they may never have a seizure again and so i think this is a real reasonable reduction in time and
i'm going to be supportive this bill i hope you have a good vote thank you yes representative
steel for what purpose question yes you're recognized for a supporter did you say three three
Speaker 502
6:06:26
months possibly in the future? - I think so, yeah. I think there are some places that are looking at that, but I think this is a real reasonable reduction from a year
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
6:06:33
to six months, and I appreciate a good vote. Thank you. - Representative Johnson has
spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Bennett is closed for the bill.
Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 540. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. has everyone voted? has everyone voted? cast up the ballot. by a vote
Chair
Unverified
6:07:08
of 96 yay, 0 nay and 0 present. the bill is passed. Madam clerk please read Senate
bill 397. Senate bill 397 by Representative Rye to protect confidential personal information on rail employees and reports involving railroad fatalities.
Representative Rye, you're recognized to explain
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
6:07:33
your bill. Good to be with you. This bill, folks, comes from the railroad systems across the United States, and it's to protect confidential personal information of rail employees in reports involving railroad fatalities. I want to read you just a little bit of this. This bill is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by trained crews, particularly in the content of the emotional toll and potential harassment they may face following a fatality.
Unfortunately, almost every conductor and engineer will be involved in at least one crossing fatality during their career. Most will experience more than one. In the event of an accident, the crew is responsible for assessing damage to the infrastructure and equipment and the human toll. Critical information must be relayed to first responders as quickly and accurately as possible. While this is a duty we all accept, it exposes crews to ghastly scenes.
Due to the stress that crews experience, they are immediately relieved and provided time off and counseling if requested. The industry has done an admirable job of accepting and trying to mitigate the lingering effects of fatalities. Reports involving the railroad fatalities, all reports involving railroad fatalities and all communications between police officers and train crew members involve all those occurrences and shall be maintained by the police departments and any persons in subsequent possession thereof.
thereof listed below in a manner that ensures the confidentiality of the train's crew private information. Any report made public shall have train crew's members' private information redacted. However FOIA upon written or electronic mail requests, such reports shall be accessible at all reasonable times. We have lost anonymity in the ushering of the social media age.
This bill will allow Arkansas train crews to ensure that they can reduce their chances of being arrested. And we also add that anonymity should be removed if a crew is found to be at fault. As one might imagine, every aspect of an accident is inspected in the event of a fatality. In developing this aspect of the bill, the railroad systems work closely with the Arkansas Press Association to ensure that the removal of the anatomy is not blanket protection, regardless of cause, but a fair and balanced approach.
Thank you. And I appreciate a good vote, Jeff. Representative
Rye has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill? Representative Rye is closed for the bill. question before the house is the passage of senate bill 397 prepare the machine madam
clerk everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:10:57
by a vote of 84 yeas four nay and nine present the bill is passed madam clerk please read
Chair
Unverified
6:11:05
senate Bill 467. Senate Bill 467 by Representative Gramlich to modify the definition of healthcare provider regarding student athlete concussion education to include chiropractors or chiropractic physicians. Representative Gramlich, you're recognized to
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this session,
Chair
Unverified
6:11:18
we had a bill that added physical therapists to the list of individuals who could run a concussion protocol for student athletes. Chiropractors had a bone to pick with us because they weren't included. Therefore, I figured we could take a crack at it.
This adds chiropractors to a list that contains different professions who can run concussion protocols for student-athletes. Hopefully my presentation has adjusted your votes, and if by chance you strain yourself in pressing that button, we may know someone who can help you with that.
I appreciate a good vote. Representative Gramlich has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak
against the bill, for the bill? Representative Gramlich is closed for
Speaker 15
6:11:59
the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 467.
Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up
Chair
Unverified
6:12:23
the ballot. The vote is 77 yea, 14 nay, and 1 present. the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 572.
Senate Bill 572 by Representative McElhinney to create the Public School Access and Transparency Act
and to require public access to learning materials.
Representative McElhinney, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you
colleagues. This is a real simple bill. Senate Bill 572 just basically gives schools the understanding that they
make copies for parents or if they let them see some subscription that is digital, that they are not violating copyright law,
and with that I ask for a good vote.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
6:12:59
Representative McElhinnen has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill? Representative McElhinnen is closed for the bill. Question before the
House is the passage of Senate Bill 572. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. everyone voted is everyone voted cast up the ballot by
Chair
Unverified
6:13:30
vote of 78 a 11 a and 2 president the bill is passed madam clerk please read Senate bill
303 torres to allow a resident school district to permit a private school
student to participate in an interscholastic activity at the resident
school district under certain conditions representative Torres
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
6:13:50
you're recognize to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House members, what precipitated this in a
post-Learns environment, we have a small number of students that were homeschooled and able to participate in activities, and now their small homeschool co-op is going to sign up for Learns and will no longer be allowed to be in the band, play baseball, sing in the choir, etc.,
because they will now be considered an accredited school. So this bill proposes a law that would allow private school students to participate in their local resident public school district or public charter school interscholastic activities under certain conditions if you'll remember the General Assembly passed a law not long ago that allows home school students to do this this bill simply can be considered a companion bill to now include private school students with
that I appreciate a good vote. Representative Wooten, for what purpose? Representative Torres has left the well.
Representative Torres has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative
Torres is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 303. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk so everyone voted everyone voted cast up
the ballot the vote of 56 yay 32
Chair
Unverified
6:15:29
nay and 3 present the bill is passed madam clerk please read Senate bill 470 bill
Speaker 27
6:15:34
470 by representative Brooks to require an adult approved to oversee the administration of a
Chair
Unverified
6:15:40
statewide student assessment to certain students in a virtual setting
to meet certain requirements. Representative Brooks you're
recognized to explain your bill. Thank You Mr. Speaker colleagues this is a very good bill that supports our public school students. This bill actually deals with virtual assessments so students who are enrolled in virtual courses who take
assessments it is an online assessment process and previously the requirement was for 9th through 12th grade to have to have an adult physically in the room while they're taking the assessment. However, the the Proctor, which is an online technology which has cameras that are watching the student, the requirement is no longer needed for someone to actually be physically in the room. This is just moving it to allow an attestation for the adult to say that the student basically follow all the rules and the guidelines. However, the
safeguards are in place because the student is being monitored by their teacher within the assessment process, and so they aren't able to cheat within it because they've got cameras on them. And so this is just not, this is just preventing an adult from actually having to be physically in the room at the same time. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions. See, none.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:16:51
Appreciate a good vote. Representative Brooks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to
speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative Brooks is closed for the bill. question before the house is the passage of senate bill 470 prepare the machine madam clerk
everyone voted has everyone voted cast up the ballot by vote
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:17:22
of 94 yay zero nay and zero present the bill is passed Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 515.
Chair
Unverified
6:17:28
Senate Bill 515 by Representative Nazarenko to require that a unit dedicated to Arkansas veterans and their families be included within existing Arkansas history course content
guidelines. Representative Nazarenko, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
6:17:44
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I bring to you another great veterans bill tonight. This bill was brought
to me by Senator Petty, and I'm honored to bring it to you guys. So Senator Petty explained how he was inspired on this bill by visiting a veterans organization, VFW, or Local American Legion. He realized, meeting those veterans, that their stories could be lost over time if we don't start to tell them to others. So he had the idea of bringing this to the schools and presenting it within the current history content that's already there.
So within the current school unit, just one unit will be brought in with military history. So the stories we brought in by the veterans, about the veterans and their families. The stories are not on the war, they're not on the conflict, they're not on who won, who lost, it's about the families. The struggles that they went through, everything that they had to go through for us to be able to get to the freedoms that we enjoy. Department of Education provided positive feedback, even mentioning some different opportunities. Representative Carolyn Brown even brought up that she had worked diligently with the Library of Congress for something similar to this,
providing some video content that can be out there, so giving some other great ideas. So there is no physical impact with this. This is a great way for our veterans and their stories to live on and not be forgotten. Seeing no questions, I ask for a good
vote. Representative Nazarenko has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the
bill? Representative Nazarenko is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 515.
Chair
Unverified
6:19:24
Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 92 yeas, 1 nay,
and 3 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please
Chair
Unverified
6:19:47
read Senate Bill 446. Senate Bill 446 by Representative Gassaway to amend the Automatic License Plate Reader System Act and to provide for the use of automatic license plate readers by private landowners, private leaseholder, and commercial businesses.
Representative Gassaway, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:20:01
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill amends our law related to the use of license plate readers. Currently, license plate readers are restricted for use by municipal, state, and other law enforcement entities, parking enforcement entities for purpose of controlling access to a secured area. This bill simply amends the law to allow a license plate reader to be used by a private landowner, private leaseholder, or commercial business, but for a very specific, restricted, and limited purpose, and that is to promote public safety, deter crime, and monitor access to private property.
This has very tight restrictions on the use of the license plate reader, which includes the user can only retain the captured data for 60 days, and then they must dispose of it. For government, that's 150 days, including the state police. It provides that this data will be accessible to law enforcement, which is the purpose again to deter theft, and this will be used primarily by our retailers, but the purpose, it can
only be released to law enforcement by a valid subpoena, but it can be released, but only with a subpoena. It can be shared with a third party who provides asset protection analytical services but that has to be under a contractual agreement and they're going to be bound just as the private users. And the third party can only keep the data for 60 days. They also have to compile statistical data and they'll have to present that every six months. They'll have to make a report to council as to the number of license plates that they've scanned
and any confirmed matches, and then the attorney general has enforcement powers to make sure that this is not being abused. If there is any abuse of this process, then the attorney general can bring an action under the Arkansas Deceptive
Trade Practices Act. With that, happy to answer any
Speaker 199
6:21:59
questions. Representative Duffield, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Gassaway,
Representative Matt Duffield
Unverified
6:22:03
how is this going to be monitored that they only keep this data for 60 days? How is that going to work?
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:22:11
So, they have to present reports to ALC, and so there is some oversight that the legislature maintains, and then the Attorney General's office, again, will have the ability to enforce any violations, so the Attorney General gets wind that they are, you know, in some way violating our law, the Attorney General can sue them and enforce some pretty severe
penalties, and I don't think they want that, but that's a good
Chair
Unverified
6:22:38
question. Follow-up. You're recognized for a follow-up. How often would these reports have to be presented to ALC? Every six months. Representative Ward-Law, for what purpose?
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
6:22:49
Representative McKenzie, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized.
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
6:22:52
So I understand that this bill pertains to private industry, but you made the assertion here that they will have to make presentations to ALC. So are we expecting Kroger, Walmart, Dillard's to come to ALC on a six-month basis and present the findings or statistical information about this data that they're collecting? That is
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:23:13
the way the bill reads. A private landowner, leaseholder, commercial business who uses an automatic license plate reader shall compile statistical data every six months.
The number of license plates scanned and confirm matches and make reports of the compiled data in a timely manner to legislative council and upon request of the
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
6:23:34
chairs of legislative council. Follow up. You're recognized. Thank you, sir. So individuals will come in front of ALC to present this information as opposed to submitting information that's kind of an empty email to an empty inbox. And further to that, I guess just answer that and we'll go from there.
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:23:55
Yeah, so that's a great question. And I think actually I may have answered Representative Dutfield's question wrong. They have to compile the data every six months. They only have to make reports about the data that they collect to legislative council upon a request from the chairs of legislative council. So if legislative council requests that they present that data to them, that's when they would have to present it. And this is, once again, we wanted to maintain very tight restrictions on this. I personally was very concerned about the potential for abuse with this procedure
and was not a big fan of it. So if there was anybody who was kind of concerned about the potential for abuse of this, it was me. I'm probably not the ideal person to run this bill. But I had concerns, and so we put very tight restrictions on it because we want to make sure that it's not abused. Representative
Speaker 405
6:24:49
Painter, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Representative Gassaway, just want
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
6:24:53
to make sure we're clear. As a private business owner, I would have to come, if I got one of these, I would have to be, I would have to come to ALC?
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:25:04
If the chairs of ALC requested that, correct. Okay, thank you. Representative Dute, for
Speaker 720
6:25:09
what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank
you, Representative Gassaway. quick question is there anything in here and my apologies if I've missed it that requires the business or landowner to put a sign or notification up to the public or the people that are coming on their property that they are being scanned no thank
you representative McCollum for what purpose question you're recognized thank
you representative Gazeway is it fair to say
that this but this bill would help a lot with the issue of organized retail theft that we have absolutely 100%
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:25:42
that was kind of part of this package and how this bill was developed in conjunction with and coordination with our retail businesses yes you're recognized for a follow-up can you say a little more please
about when you said maybe you're not the ideal person at first thought to run such a bill are you coming from a place of like you are concerned with such
data and how it's shared or yeah can you just say a little bit
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:26:13
yeah absolutely thank you for that question I have been and I've been outspoken
in ALC about the potential for abuse of the use of license plate readers the fact that we are living in an ever-increasing surveillance state in society where we're being surveilled by video 24/7 but I want to point out that this technology the license plate readers this is being used by retailers and virtually every other state in the country except three and Arkansas is one
of the three states that doesn't allow this and so again this was our retail merchants who came together and said look this would really help us with asset protection it would really help us with theft prevention and and prosecution and so we drafted this bill but with privacy protections with security and you know concerns about constant surveillance in mind and that's why it is very tightly controlled. Seeing no further questions
I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Representative Gassaway has explained the bill and would
like to speak against the bill. Representative Board of Law, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
6:27:27
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have fought these things and cameras and red light cameras my whole career down here it's just another step and another place and last session I fought I was blue in the teeth and we finally passed the one we passed for the cities to put them up to catch criminals and it's fine to catch
criminals but the problem is where do we draw the line for law-abiding citizens and why do we put law-abiding citizens under that scrutiny one reason these guys want to put these in his parking lots this came up four years ago Home Depot was the first one I heard that wanted to do it was they were trying to catch shoplifters. Well, all that shoplifters has got to do is run out in the parking lot, throw it in the back of your truck, and now your license plate's tied to that crime. I'm telling you folks, this is just one
step closer to Big Brother watching every move you make.
There's no way I'm voting for this
bill. Representative Wardlaw has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to
speak for the bill? Anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Gassaway, you're recognized to close for
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:28:41
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say in relation to Representative Wardlaw's concerns, I share his concerns. Big Brother, the surveillance state, I am entirely opposed to those ideas, but this is
not a red light camera. The concerns that he has and those that I share are unfortunately already occurring. Everywhere you go in the city of Little Rock, there are cameras, license plate readers that are capturing your camera. I was talking with a mayor of a small city in northeast Arkansas, and he told me that when you enter the city and when you leave the city, they know, because they already have license plate readers. And so one of the arguments that Tim Griffin made, and I thought, you know, with some persuasive force, was that if we're going to allow the government to have this, why don't we allow
private industry to have this to prevent theft, to prevent crime? And to be clear, that is the only purposes for which these can be used. They're not to be used to track and surveil. They're to be used solely for the purpose of theft detection, theft prevention, asset protection. And so again, this was developed in coordination with our retail merchants, who this would be very helpful for them for those specific purposes only.
And I don't know how to put it any more clear than that. And so with that,
I would appreciate a good vote. thank you representative gas away has closed for the bill question before
Speaker 15
6:30:05
the house is the passage of senate bill 446 prepare the machine madam clerk has everyone voted has everyone voted
Chair
Unverified
6:30:24
cast up the ballot by a vote of 56 yay 27 nay and 8 present the bill
is passed madam clerk please read senate bill 497. senate bill 497 by representative nazarenko
Chair
Unverified
6:30:37
to require the creation of a poster regarding veterans benefits and services and to require certain employers to display
the poster representative nazarenko you are recognized to explain
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
6:30:51
your bill Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, one last time tonight, another great veterans bill.
This bill was brought to me
by Senator Dave Wallace. As you can see in the bill, it's fairly simple, but it's going to be very helpful to our veterans. So it's going to allow for businesses that have 50 or more full-time employees. What they'll be required to do is put up a poster, and that poster is going to have great information on it. It's going to have Department of Veteran Affairs programs and services, substance abuse and mental health treatment options, educational workforce and training resources, tax benefits available, the veteran crisis line,
and then other items. There is no cost to the business to acquire and post this information, and there's no fiscal impact either. Another great resource for Arkansas veterans in the workplace. And seeing no questions, I ask
Speaker 197
6:31:43
for a good one question. Yes, sir. Representative
Speaker 508
6:31:47
Richardson, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. So these posters are designed to provide the information that you stipulated. Are there any other organizations that currently require these types of posters to be placed in a business location?
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
6:32:03
So this would be a pure guess, but I know when I go into the businesses that I see you've got required information that's going to be by the state, by the federal, and it's going to be all of your requirements for taxes, requirements for any folks that are on you know different disabilities or anything
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
6:32:26
some follow-up you're recognized for a follow-up thank you mr. speaker so those are specifically related to employment requirements right so minimum wage that type of thing is there any other
requirements from the government that we require businesses to place things about non-employment benefits? I
Speaker 727
6:32:42
don't have a good answer to that at all. Apologize. Representative Kavanaugh for what purpose? You're recognized.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Where are the businesses going to
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
6:32:53
buy these posters? So as mentioned earlier, Representative Kavanaugh, thanks for
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
6:32:58
that question. It's not a purchase, so if you read through it, it does
say, I mean, with the requirements there, the way I read that, they could print their own if they wanted
because you can go online and just print them or you can or
you can get them from those organizations. This is not something that the business has to purchase. There's no cost to them at all. It's just in order to get that information out there in front of veterans so that they have easy access to it. Follow-up Mr. Speaker. You're recognized. How
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
6:33:27
are businesses going to know that they're supposed to do this? That is
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
6:33:30
a great question and this is going to have to be something that gets pushed out to those businesses. Representative Richmond, for what purpose?
Representative Marcus E. Richmond
Unverified
6:33:40
Question. You're recognized. You're using the word require, that these businesses are going to be required to do this. Is
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
6:33:50
that, in fact, what's going to happen? Is that they're going to be required? As the way I read it,
Speaker 734
6:33:57
Representative Richardson, it does say shall. Richmond. Richmond. You need to put a tiger on front of that. Call me Lieutenant Colonel Richmond.
Speaker 735
6:34:04
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. So, seeing no other questions, ask for a good vote.
Representative Nazarenko has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Ladyman, you're recognized to speak for the bill.
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
6:34:25
Just real quick, to your question about posters, you know, OSHA, of course, that's a federal, they require a poster, and you can get it from the U.S. government, go online, print order it and then you you know so there are other other
Speaker 320
6:34:42
requirements representative Richardson for what purpose question you're recognized and
Speaker 508
6:34:46
those are specifically related to job performance but not other benefits correct that's not really
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
6:34:51
it's law it's so that you know of the law right but it's also for your safety and your health as well right thank you representative lady minutes
spoke for the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill for the
bill representative Nazarenko is closed for the bill question before the house is the passage of Senate bill 497 prepare
the machine madam clerk so everyone voted is everyone voted cast
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:35:35
up the ballot with a vote of 59 yeas 9 nay and 18 present bill is passed madam clerk
Chair
Unverified
6:35:42
please read Senate bill 9 to create them make Arkansas healthy again act and to prohibit
manufacturing selling delivering distributing holding or offering for sale of food product that contains certain substances representative Pilkington you're recognized
to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
6:35:58
Speaker. I'm sure like many of you, like I am today, you're a little bit fatter than you were when you walked in this chamber. After my first term, I blew up and weighed about 30 pounds more than I currently weigh. During that time, I had to get in shape, had to watch what I eat, and part of that was reading
labels. And so as I started to read labels on the food I was consuming, I became very alarmed how many things I did not know. You know, I was someone with a postgraduate degree and could not tell you what was in the food that I was consuming. And I wondered how many people were also that way. And then, of course, when I had kids and we worried about what we were giving them, we worried about what was in those products as well. So I, you know, this was always kind of a niche thing I cared about. And, of course, as you know, during the last presidential election, there was a campaign to make America healthy again.
And there was a targeted certain chemicals that are in some of our food that has already been banned in other large states, and I thought this was the right move in the right direction. So initially we started out with three products, potassium bromate, parapin, and red dye number three. Now since we filed this bill, the FDA has already banned red dye number three. So we actually amended that to take it out because we didn't want to make it do with what the feds were already doing. But this is the trend that you're seeing. And we also did one more amendment of well to make Tyson happy to make the implementation date 2008, so we have a very long runway.
But what I want to tell you about is what these chemicals actually do. There's about 10,000 chemicals the FDA currently allows in our food, whereas in the EU they only allow 300. Because the FDA takes a policy where as long as we, you have to prove that it's toxic for us to take it out, where the EU says you have to prove that it's safe to put it in. But some of these, like I said, I think are about to be on the chop block soon, but we want to be proactive. So potassium bromate, which is put in flour to improve bread baking, but it's a known carcinogenic.
It's related to kidney disease and thyroid toxicity and even DNA damage. It's banned in the EU, the United Kingdom, Canada, and many parts of Asia. Parapen is related to breast cancer, lower sperm count, and is banned in the EU as well as other Asian states as well. So that's essentially the only two, what we're doing right now, but I do think it sets a good precedent that we are concerned about the things that are in our foods.
Luckily, a lot of large companies have already been proactive in taking these chemicals out of our food, but I just want, I think Arkansas needs to also follow suit and say that we don't want these toxic chemicals. And now I know some people will say, well, you know, shouldn't the consumer just be wiser and know what they're putting in their food? but I would say when you have 10,000 different chemicals that you have to track and what's in your food, I think that we've been let down by the FDA over the past decades. You know, I had a teacher when I was getting my bachelor's degree who used to always remind me that the FDA allows
you to have 11 rat hairs in your peanut butter before they say it's toxic. He said, I don't know why that 12th one makes it worse than the 10th one, but he said never trust the FDA, and so I I believe that, but I think this is a very simple, small, tailored bill. I think we're following suit. Like I said, other states are doing this as well, and I think we just need to take one small step to make Arkansas healthy
again. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Pilkington has explained the bill, yet Representative Pilkington has left the well.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Rep. Brown, you're recognized to speak
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
6:39:53
against the bill. Now, Rep. Pelkington, I think that food additives are terrible things. I know that they make a lot of us sick, but I have a concern about paraffin. Isn't paraffin a coating on almost all the chocolates that we sell in America?
What are we going to do about our quiet room? If you could please address that. Representative Brown has
spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill? Representative Meeks, you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since Representative
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
6:40:33
Brown came down to ask her a question, I'm going to come down and ask my question. Although, the guys over there in the corner, every time I stand up, they all start getting excited for some reason.
I don't know why, but so my question is, and I think you may have already addressed this, or my concern is, I'm not against what you're trying to do. I love what you're trying to do. My concern is if we as a state start listing a bunch of stuff down, obviously we're not going to catch everything. And then if, you know, we do a bunch of stuff, and then Texas does a bunch of different stuff, and Louisiana does. And so you get all these different disparate lists all over the country. and, of course, Tyson, major food manufacturer here in the state,
does that start creating confusion and potentially fuel inflation because they've got to make a certain flavor of chicken for our state and a different flavor of chicken for Louisiana and Texas and Tennessee?
I think you kind of see where I'm going with that, so I'd just be interested in your thoughts. Representative Meeks has spoke against the
bill. Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to speak for the bill. This is a two-part. One is, I think my wife
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
6:41:38
wouldn't let me sleep in our bed if I didn't come down and speak in favor of this bill. But two, the government does play a role, an essential role, in listing the additives and the things that we ingest.
I don't have to go very far to remind you, and I think a lot of people understand what bottled in bond means. Bottled in bond was an act that was initiated by the federal government to make sure that what we were ingesting relative to alcohols was true to the label that it said it was. 51% grain. It was made from grains harvested in that same year, and it was harvested, or it was distilled in the same year that it said it was bottled. Everyone thought that the world would end when we started to put restrictions on the way that we labeled our alcohols. Now it's the gold
standard for the best product available. So I appreciate Representative Pilkingen for bringing this bill. It's an essential role for the health, safety, and welfare of our people to tell us the things that we know will harm us if we ingest too much. So thank you. I
encourage a good vote. Representative McKenzie has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill,
Representative Cooper, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Representative Brown, it's polyparaben. It's not paraffin. I wanted to make that clear.
It's not paraffin, it's polyparaben. Totally different substance. It's a dangerous substance. This is a good bill. Appreciate
a good vote. Representative Cooper has spoke for
Chair
Unverified
6:43:01
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill. Representative Pilkington
is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 9. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot by a
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:43:33
vote of 72 yea, 10 nay, and 9 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 576. Senate Bill 576 by Representative
Speaker 22
6:43:41
Pilkington to amend the coverage and continuous glucose monitors within the Arkansas Medicaid program. Representative Pilkington, you're recognized to explain
Chair
Unverified
6:43:48
your bill. Thank you. This is way easier, guys.
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
6:43:55
So just to be consistent with federal standards and what qualifies people for CGMs. So four years ago when we updated who qualified, we did two or more pumps, but because that was the Medicare standard. But then in April 2023, they changed it to a person who uses insulin, basically one pump. And so because we now have new medical technology that only requires one pump. And so because that's changed, we just said, let's just follow Medicare so we're not having to run a bill every other session to try to catch up with the changes in medical technology when it comes to CGMs.
That simple, no fiscal impact, so don't be worried that Medicaid's in the title. It's good, so appreciate it.
Speaker 720
6:44:33
Good vote. Representative Ward-Law, for what purpose? You're recognized. Always bothers
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
6:44:36
me when you're messing around with glucose monitors. I know. Are you messing with any rebates here? No. Are
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
6:44:44
you sure? To my knowledge, unless you are going to tell me differently, to my knowledge, I do not believe so. I am glad it's 10 days to the
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
6:44:54
next weather event, or I'd be really nervous right now, but I'm really going to need to know that answer.
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
6:45:01
Okay. Are you messing with any rebates? To my knowledge, I do not
Speaker 748
6:45:10
believe that we are messing with any rebates. Okay, I'm going to vote for
it, but you make me nervous. Okay. Representative Pilkington has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the
bill? Representative Pilkington is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 576. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Chair
Unverified
6:45:40
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 96 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:45:53
Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 302. Senate Bill
Chair
Unverified
6:45:56
302 by Representative Beatty to create the criminal offense of gift card fraud and declare an emergency. Representative Beatty, you're
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
6:46:12
Members, Senate Bill 302 is to create the criminal offense of gift card fraud. Basically, this bill aims to
combat gift card fraud, establish penalties for offenders based on the value involved, and provide immediate protection against such crimes in Arkansas to protect our businesses. So with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Beatty has explained the bill. Would
anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill? Representative Beatty is closed for the bill.
The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 302. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:46:56
Members, your one vote is for the bill in
the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has
Chair
Unverified
6:47:06
everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 94 yea, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bill is passed.
Madam Part, please read Senate Bill 449. Senate
Speaker 259
6:47:19
Bill 449 by Representative Beatty to provide civil immunity
Chair
Unverified
6:47:23
for confiscation of alternative nicotine products, vapor products, e-liquid products, tobacco products, and cigarette papers from a
minor at a school. Representative Beatty,
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
6:47:33
you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, Senate Bill 449 is to provide civil immunity for confiscation of alternative nicotine products, vape vape products. Basically, this bill is meant to protect those who take action to confiscate
certain products from minors at school and to prevent usage of such substances on school grounds. With that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative
Beatty has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Beatty is closed for
Speaker 15
6:48:06
the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 449. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 97 yea, 1 nay, and
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:48:28
0 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 314. by Representative Duke to amend
Chair
Unverified
6:48:34
the law concerning sexual solicitation and to amend the penalties for the offense of sexual solicitation. Representative Duke, you're recognized to explain
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill
does exactly what it says. It amends it to a first offense Class A misdemeanor and for second or subsequent offenses a Class D felony. It received 35 votes in the Senate.
No known opposition and seeing no questions. I
appreciate a good vote. Representative Duke has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative Duke is closed for
the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 314. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? cast up the ballot. By a
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:49:36
vote of 79 yea, 9 nay, and 3 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill
Chair
Unverified
6:49:42
426. Senate Bill 426 by Representative Kavanaugh to create the
Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act and to establish enhanced penalties for illegal aliens who commit serious felonies involving violence.
Representative Kavanaugh, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
6:49:57
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill does three things. It will provide for
enhanced penalties for serious felonies that are committed by someone in the country illegally. It will also require that local law enforcement, they also comply with ICE, they cooperate with them, and that it will allow no sanctuary policies basically anywhere in the state. And with that, I would take any questions. Representative Clowney, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. And Representative Kavanaugh asked this yesterday in committee, but
I just want to ask one more time to be clear. I understand. What is our reassurance that we're going to
get this federal reimbursement for what this is going to cost our counties? In other words, can we be sure that the cost is not going to fall onto our counties for adopting this?
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
6:50:43
Thank you, Representative Clowney. My understanding is from speaking with the Department of Corrections, they don't feel that there's any problem with the funding coming from the federal government, and they don't have any concern
Speaker 277
6:50:56
about that. And with that, I would appreciate a good
vote. Thank you. Representative Kavanaugh has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Gonzalez-Worthin, you are recognized to speak against the bill.
Thank you, Speaker. I know firsthand about this bill because we had this in Springdale, my community. This bill will reduce trust, reduce public safety and it will continue to cause fear
among the immigrant population. Let me expand. We all want to live in a safe community and if we're in a safe community and we feel safe and we feel that we have a good relationship with our law enforcement, we're going to report crimes. Why? Because we know that no one wants a violent offender or crime in their community. What we have seen is whenever there are bills like this,
we have crimes that will now be reduced in terms of reporting. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that there was a 30% decrease in reporting of crimes due to victimization of our Hispanic population and immigrant population. Additionally, when we had this in Arkansas, 62% of those that were charged,
Out of those 62%, 35% did not have criminal records, and 27% were low-level offenses. So we were not going after the worst of the worst. Law enforcement, they were targeting anyone who may be an immigrant. They were policing markets, churches, areas where immigrants and Hispanic population were they frequented.
There were immigrants helped to report crimes such as human trafficking, domestic violence, gang activity, and they'll continue to do that, but that will be reduced because of now of the trust that's being reduced. So this really does lower public trust. It breaks the relationship between our community and law enforcement.
We've seen it. It no longer exists in my community, which is wonderful. And it was because we did not want our community to live in fear. And so now, if this bill passes, then all municipalities, they're not going to have a choice. They're going to have to follow this bill. This is a mandated bill.
So this is going to be targeted to individuals with little or no criminal history based on the research. It's going to harm relationships between police and local communities. It's going to increase racial profiling, and we don't really know the cost. There have been municipalities that have done away with this in their cities because of the cost. They were told it would be paid for, but it became too costly.
I am against this bill, and I will be voting no, and I ask that you
do the same. Thank you. Representative Gonzalez-Worthin has spoke against the bill. Would
anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill? Representative Kavanaugh, you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
6:55:34
you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to clarify one thing. Nothing in this bill is going to target the Hispanic community. This is simply about people here illegally in the United States.
doesn't matter what country they're from. If we're gonna speak about why we need this I can tell you in Northeast Arkansas in the last month we've had an illegal stab a 70 year old woman in the neck, we have had gangs, M13 have been arrested in our area, and we have had human trafficking. So for us in Northeast Arkansas we are seeing the influx of this and so with that I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Kavanaugh is
closed for the bill. Would anyone Prepared the machine, Madam Clerk.
Chair
Unverified
6:56:29
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 73 yea,
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
6:56:42
20 nay, and 2 present, the bill is passed.
Chair
Unverified
6:56:45
Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 485. Senate Bill 485 by Representative Gassaway to reduce recidivism and to amend the law concerning
Speaker 32
6:56:51
the suspended imposition of a sentence, probation, parole, and post-release supervision.
Chair
Unverified
6:56:59
Representative Gassaway, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
6:57:04
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is a bill that follows up on the Protect Arkansas Act of 2023. As part of the Protect Arkansas Act, many of you may remember, we increased criminal penalties. We fixed our broken parole system. We gave much harsher penalties to repeat offenders. We tried to balance that out by also making it comprehensive and addressing the issue of recidivism. Arkansas has one of the highest recidivism rates in the country, and so part of the Protect Act, we established the Recidivism Reduction Task Force.
That task force was made up of a number of members. I was a part of that task force. Senator Gilmour was the chair, Senator Tucker, Chairwoman Dalby. We're all members from the legislature. We had judges, we had prosecutors, we had defense attorneys, we had people who had been formerly incarcerated. Rehab, those who operated rehabs were all a part of this task force. We met for two years and worked with the Council of State Governments to identify strategies that can be used to reduce recidivism in Arkansas.
And so this bill does a number of things in order to address the issue of recidivism and hopefully reduce recidivism. So, for example, we will implement evidence-based practices in our prisons in terms of the programming, which we didn't have. We establish an evidence-based practices quality assurance unit. We establish community supervision officers will be evaluated and promoted based on adherence to evidence-based practices.
We importantly have implemented or will implement a new risk assessment tool so when a person enters the Department of Corrections they'll be assessed according to a tool that once again is based on evidence-based practices. One of the things that we determined in the course of this two-year long study is when people enter the Department of Corrections they weren't being asked the right questions, they weren't being evaluated properly, and so they weren't being given the right programming that would help them succeed once they leave prison.
So the new risk assessment tool and the evaluations that'll be used that are based on evidence-based practices is a big part of that. It will create a pilot program with the administrative office of the courts to do pre-sentencing reports. Now, where this pilot program will be located, we're not exactly sure. That'll be up to the administrative office of the courts. But the point is, one of the things that we kind of determined through the course of this study was, is that when people are in the court system and they go to court, when the judge does the sentencing, they know very little about that person's background
because unlike the federal court system where they have pre-sentencing reports and the probation officers look at their background, they look at the types of issues that they've had, whether they've struggled with chemical addiction, whether they've been the victim of abuse, what their life circumstances have been, none of that happens in state court. And so we end up not getting the right help to the people in the way that they need it. And so there will be a pilot program that will do pre-sentencing reports so that the judges will know when they sentence people exactly what they need
to hopefully help them succeed and to not re-offend again. In the Sentencing Commission, it authorizes them to, once again, in accordance with evidence-based practices, create presumptive periods and sentences for suspension, probation, parole, post-release supervision. These will all be based on evidence-based practices, which is not currently happening. So there's just a number of things. I could go on and on, but I think you guys probably don't want to hear that at this late hour.
But it's a good bill. It's been the product of two years' worth of study in cooperation with the Council of State Governments, who I have to say, I give them a lot of credit. In the course of this two years, they went all over the state. They conducted studies with probation officers, parole officers. They visited our prisons. They came to northeast Arkansas. They met with several local elected officials, judges. They were in central. They covered every area of the state, northeast, northwest, central, southeast, southwest. They devoted a lot of time, and so I give them a lot of credit for the excellent work that they did
for everyone on the task force. This is a good bill and we sincerely hope and believe that it will help reduce recidivism in Arkansas. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Seeing
none, I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. -
Speaker 149
7:01:35
Representative Gassaway has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak
against the bill? For the bill? Representative Gassaway is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 485.
Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted?
Chair
Unverified
7:02:06
Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 98 yay, zero nay, zero present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read
Senate Bill 375. - Senate Bill 375 by Representative
Moore to create the offense of capital rape
and to amend a portion of Arkansas code which resulted from initiated act three of 1936.
- Representative Moore, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
7:02:31
bill. - Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Senate Bill 375 is a very serious bill and one that I do not take lightly. It deals with two issues that are probably two of the most difficult issues to deal with this chamber will take up this session. The first being capital punishment, the second being child rape. I'd like to first state that this bill was written in
close conjunction and approved by the Attorney General. Child rape is defined as a forcible rape of a child that is 13 years age or under. I'd like to start off by saying that this is not a sentencing mandate. This is not required. This is just a simple tool in the toolbox of the justice system. This does not apply to perpetrators who are minors, so if you're 17 years or younger this will not
apply to you. This punishment is reserved for the most heinous of rape crimes. And I'll note that Senate Bill 375 is set up to challenge the Supreme Court bench ruling from 2008. The bench ruled in 2008 that this was unconstitutional due to the cruel and specifically the unusual standpoint. It was unusual because only six states at the time had this on their books. I'll also state that the only justices that still remain in the court from that time
are the three justices who helped author the dissent. I'll close with this, a statement from Justice Alito. Indeed, I have little doubt that in the eyes of ordinary Americans, the very worst child rapist. Predators who seek out and inflict serious physical and emotional injury on the defenseless young children are the epitome of moral depravity. With that, I'll take any questions. Seeing none, I would
appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Representative Moore has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill, Representative Moore is closed for
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
7:04:42
the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 375. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
Chair
Unverified
7:05:03
Cast up the ballot. The vote of 74 yea, 13 nay, and 4 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 427.
Senate Bill 427 by Representative McElhinney to amend promoting prostitution offenses to enhance the penalties for promoting prostitution
in the first, second, and third degree and to create offense of promoting prostitution out of business.
Representative McElhinney, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Thank you, colleagues. This bill is part of a package of bills designed to address human trafficking and prostitution.
It was written in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office. This specific bill, SB-427, revises a law regarding the promotion of prostitution. It repeals some outdated statutes. It increases the severity of the classifications as well as penalties for individuals and businesses that facilitate or profit from exploitation. And all the monetary penalties will go to the Human Trafficking Victim Support Fund, which is being created in a different bill, which you'll hear in a few minutes.
And the penalties ensure that businesses are held accountable for any role that they play in enabling exploitation or profiting from that exploitation. And there's no known opposition. And with that, I ask for a good vote.
Representative McElhinney has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill, for the bill? Representative McClendon is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage
Speaker 15
7:06:36
of Senate Bill 427. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. A vote of
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
7:06:55
94 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present. is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 428. Senate Bill 428
Chair
Unverified
7:07:02
by Representative Rose concerning a civil cause of action for victims of human trafficking and to provide a statute of limitation period of 10 years for a victim of human trafficking.
Representative Rose, you are recognized to explain your bill. Thank
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
7:07:14
you, Mr. Speaker. Good evening, colleagues. Today,
I present this evening, I guess, Senate Bill 428, a simple but important measure that gives survivors of human trafficking the time they need to seek justice in civil court. It extends the civil statute of limitations for trafficking victims from five years to ten years matching national standards, and it gives survivors a fair opportunity to hold traffickers accountable. In short, it is about fairness, it's about accountability, it's about protecting trafficking
victims, simply ensure survivors are not denied justice just because time ran out before they are ready. I respectfully ask for your support. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Rose has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative
Rose is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 428. prepare the machine madam clerk as
everyone voted as everyone voted cast up
Chair
Unverified
7:08:28
the ballot by a vote of 92 yay 0 nay and 0 present the
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
7:08:33
bill is passed madam clerk please read Senate bill 429 Senate Bill 429 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
7:08:38
Carr to expand the ceiling of criminal records for victims of human trafficking to provide that victims of
Speaker 118
7:08:43
human trafficking have certain rights and to provide a mandatory no-contact order in human trafficking
cases. Representative Carr, you're recognized to explain
Representative John P. Carr
Unverified
7:08:53
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, Senate Bill 429 does three things to current statute. It expands the criminal record ceiling for victims of human trafficking.
It ensures that human trafficking victims have specific rights that are listed. and finally it mandates a no contact order in human trafficking cases and if there are any questions I'd entertain that if not I'm closed mr. speaker representative Carr has
explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill before the bill representative Carr is closed for the bill question before the house is the passage of Senate bill 429 prepare the machine madam clerk so everyone
Speaker 40
7:09:38
voted is everyone voted cast up the ballot my
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
7:09:47
vote of 93 a 0 nay and 0 present the bill is passed madam clerk please read Senate bill 430 Senate bill
Chair
Unverified
7:09:54
430 by representative Rose an act to require mandatory restitution to be awarded to a victim of human trafficking and
to amend the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparation Act.
Chair
Unverified
7:10:05
Representative Rose, you are recognized to explain your bill. Thank
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
7:10:08
you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, I guess. Yes, Senate Bill 430. This is a bill focused on strengthening justice for survivors of human trafficking, not just in the courtroom, but in
the aftermath of the trauma. SB 430 ensures that traffickers are required to pay full restitution to their victims, and this will cover everything from medical care to relocation. The justice should not end just at the conviction. It continues in helping victims recover, rebuild, and reclaim their lives, and I believe that this bill provides this path. It's victim-focused, and it's fair. It holds wrongdoers responsible, not just criminally, but practically as well,
and I respectfully ask for your support, and would appreciate a good
vote. Thank you. Representative Rose has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill, for the bill? Representative Rose is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 430. Prepare the machine,
Madam Clerk. is everyone voted it's everyone voted cast up the ballot the vote of 91 yay
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
7:11:27
one nay and zero present the bill is passed madam clerk please read
Chair
Unverified
7:11:33
Senate bill 431 for 431 has been sent back to committee madam clerk please read Senate bill 442 to vote
for 42 by representative McElhinney to amend the law concerning human trafficking to provide for fortitude of assets used to conduct
human trafficking and to create the offense of harboring an endangered runaway child.
Representative McElhinden, you're recognized to explain your bill.
I am proud to say I think this is the last bill of the evening. So this is another in the package of the trafficking bills that you've been hearing tonight that we've worked with the Attorney General's office on. This is Senate bill 442. It's a comprehensive measure designed to combat human trafficking, it strengthens enforcement, and it does three things. It establishes the Human Trafficking Operations Unit, as well as the Human Trafficking Council Support Fund that I mentioned earlier. It also creates a penalty for knowingly harboring endangered runaway miners, and then it also
expands the asset forfeiture laws. And so with that, I ask for a good vote. Representative McElhinden has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Representative McElindon is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 442. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up
Chair
Unverified
7:13:12
the ballot. vote of 94 yay, 0 nay, 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam
Speaker 223
7:13:21
Clerk, please read the committee reports. Mr. Speaker, we are
Chair
Unverified
7:13:27
committee on insurance and commerce in whom is referred House Bill 1295, House Bill 1333, House Bill 1424, House Bill 1531, House Bill 1602, House
Bill 1700, House Bill 1771, House Bill 1820, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for terms of the same recommendation that it do pass as amendment number one respectfully submitted representative maddox chair mr speaker we're committing insurance and commerce who was referred hospital 1295 make leave report in the same consideration here for terms second recommendation that do pass as amendment number two respectfully submitted representative maddox chair representative batty for what
Speaker 197
7:14:01
purpose rested you're recognized so is this when we hand out
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
7:14:06
the supplemental calendar there is no supplemental calendar tonight representative meeks for what
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
7:14:14
purpose motion i'll hear your motion pursuant to house rule 33m i move we adjourn
Speaker 556
7:14:19
until 1 30 tomorrow afternoon that's a proper motion it's non-debatable all those in favor
Chair
Unverified
7:14:25
say aye opposed nay the eyes have it i have any announcements from committees representative Lynch for what purpose? Announcement.
Speaker 559
7:14:35
You're recognized. Ag meet tomorrow 11 a.m. Big Mac A.
Speaker 83
7:14:40
Representative Kavanaugh for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. Revantax will
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
7:14:44
meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning room 151. Representative Underwood for
Speaker 197
7:14:48
what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. House Judiciary will meet
Chair
Unverified
7:14:54
tomorrow at 9 30. Representative Holcomb for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. Public Transportation will meet tomorrow morning 10 a.m. Mac B. Any other committee announcements?
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
7:15:05
Representative Brooks for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. House Education will meet tomorrow morning at 9:30 in room 138. Any
Chair
Unverified
7:15:14
other committee announcements? Any other committee announcements? Representative Woodridge what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. Public Health
will meet tomorrow morning 10:00 a.m. Seeing no other committee announcements the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon a completion of the items named in the adjourned resolution the house will be adjourned until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon
Agenda
Call to order
Prayer
Pledge
Roll Call
Morning Hour
RESOLUTIONS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HR1097 Duke TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS.
HR1099 R. Scott Richardson TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS CLUB FOR WINNING THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION AND INNOVATE AWARDS AT THE 2025 TEXAS STATE VEX U TOURNAMENT.
HR1104 Beaty Jr. TO HONOR LARRY WALTHER FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
HR1105 Pearce TO PROCLAIM APRIL 9, 2025, AS ARKANSAS
LINEWORKER APPRECIATION DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND TO COMMEND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE ARKANSAS AS UTILITY LINEWORKERS.
HR1106 Pearce TO RECOGNIZE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION GAME WARDEN BRADY SMITH AS THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION'S WILDLIFE OFFICER OF THE YEAR.
HCR1005 T. Shephard TO HONOR THE ARKANSAS MINORITY HEALTH COMMISSION DURING AMERICAN HEART MONTH IN FEBRUARY FOR ITS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS HEART DISEASE AMONG THE MINORITY POPULATIONS OF ARKANSAS.
HR1023 Steimel TO RECOGNIZE THE SALEM FOOTBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONS.
HR1079 Brooks TO HONOR D.J. DANIEL FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER AND SUPPORT NAMING HIM AN HONORARY STATE CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER, AND TO PROCLAIM MARCH 17, 2025, AS D.J. DANIEL DAY IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
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.
HR1107 Torres TO PROCLAIM APRIL 24, 2025, AS TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY IN ARKANSAS.
HMR1009 J. Moore TO REMEMBER FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BENNY PETRUS FOR HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
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.
End of Morning Hour
CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1745 #1 Hawk TO REQUIRE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE HOLDERS TO POSSESS A UNITED STATES WORK AUTHORIZATION; TO REQUIRE THE OPERATOR OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TO
HAVE ENGLISH PROFICIENCY; AND TO CREATE RELATED OFFENSES.
HB1468 #1 Cozart TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS, AND SUPPLIERS.
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.
HB1832 M. Shepherd TO AMEND THE RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND TO AMEND A RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION.
HB1917 M. Shepherd TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM FUNDING.
HB1632 Wardlaw TO REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION FOR FREE OR DISCOUNTED HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.
HB1935 Eaves TO CREATE A MODERNIZATION AND AUTOMATION TAX CREDIT TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT BY EXISTING BUSINESSES WITHIN THE STATE.
HB1894 Beaty Jr. TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR REAL PROPERTY USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND TO ESTABLISH A METHOD OF VALUATION FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5.
HB1930 Wardlaw TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
HB1960 Wardlaw TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES OF THE ASSESSMENT AND PAYMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES ON CERTAIN TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.
HB1982 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE THE TIRE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING ACT; TO REPEAL THE USED TIRE RECYCLING FUND; AND TO CREATE THE WASTE TIRE ABATEMENT FUND.
HB1915 Eubanks TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A BROAD-BASED CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY WAIVER FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; AND TO AMEND THE ASSET LIMITS UNDER THE PROGRAM.
HB1961 Achor TO ALLOW MEDICAL PROVIDERS TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FROM FEDERAL INFORMATION- BLOCKING REGULATIONS TO SAFEGUARD PATIENTS DURING INFORMATION DISCLOSURE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO PAY FOR INCURRED
COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.
HB1986 Nazarenko CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS.
HB1719 Vaught TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS APPROVED BY A SCHOOL THAT OFFERS MATERNITY LEAVE.
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.
HB1945 McCollum TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT OF 2015; AND TO ALLOW A STUDENT TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN HIS OR HER RESIDENT DISTRICT.
HB1966 Barnett TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCAL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR SATELLITE SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
HB1916 Bentley TO AMEND THE PROTECTING MINORS FROM MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACT OF 2023; AND TO INCLUDE GENDER-AFFIRMING INTERVENTIONS AS A RIGHT OF ACTION FOR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE.
HB1926 Unger TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR NONRENEWAL OF A PERSON'S DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR FAILURE TO PAY A COURT-ORDERED FINE; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A DEFENDANT'S INABILITY TO PAY A COURT-ORDERED FINE.
HB1984 Hudson TO CREATE A DESIGNATION FOR A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.
HB1979 Gazaway AN ACT TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW TO ALLOW WARRANTLESS SEARCHES BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF A PERSON PLACED ON SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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".
HB1987 Ennett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE BOARD OF EMBALMERS, FUNERAL DIRECTORS, CEMETERIES, AND BURIAL SERVICES; AND TO INCREASE THE CIVIL PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS BY A LICENSEE.
HB1178 R. Scott Richardson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SUMS COLLECTED BY DISTRICT COURTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COST SHARING FOR DISTRICT COURT EXPENSES.
HB1903 Walker TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.
HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED.
motion
REGULAR SENATE BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB494 J. Bryant Eaton TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERMITS ISSUED BY ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL; AND TO CONSOLIDATE SEVERAL PERMITS INTO A SINGLE PERMIT UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977.
SB495 J. Bryant Eaton TO AMEND DEFINITIONS USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "INVOICE" AND THE DEFINITION OF "INVOICE PRICE" USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977.
SB408 B. Johnson Eaves TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PAYMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
SB594 M. McKee Milligan TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION TO SUPPLY A PUBLIC SERVICE OR TO EXTEND A PUBLIC SERVICE.
SB552 K. Hammer Eaves TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "PRINCIPAL OFFICE" USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT OF 1987 AND THE UNIFORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT.
SB390 J. English Lundstrum TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY ACT.
SB553 K. Hammer Milligan TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW; TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF A MUNICIPAL TREASURER; AND TO REQUIRE TRAINING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CHARGED WITH DUTIES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW.
SB290 B. Johnson Vaught TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER.
SB550 Hill Painter TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH.
SB464 A. Clark C. Cooper TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW MILK; TO ALLOW SALES OF RAW MILK AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE FARM WHERE THE RAW MILK OR RAW MILK PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB522 M. McKee M. Brown TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE TUITION AND FEES PAID BY STUDENTS ENROLLEDIN THE ONLINE PROGRAMS.
SB530 B. Davis Beck TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT.
SB567 Crowell R. Burkes TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING THE APPORTIONMENT OF INCOME DERIVED FROM MULTISTATE OPERATIONS; AND TO CHANGE THE METHOD FOR SOURCING OF RECEIPTS FOR SERVICES AND INTANGIBLES.
SB577 J. Petty Hall TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO NOTIFY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CONCERNING SALES AND USE TAXES THAT ARE SET TO EXPIRE.
SB492 J. Bryant Lundstrum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF UTILITY FACILITIES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION, CONDEMNATION, AND DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY BY THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION.
SB496 Caldwell Hollowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CARGOES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT FOR SPECIAL CARGO TRANSPORTED BY A FARM MACHINERY EQUIPMENT HAULER.
SB562 Hill Holcomb TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT; AND TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT FOR AN ANNUAL PROJECT REVIEW AND EFFICIENCY STUDY OF THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SB540 M. Johnson Ennett TO LIMIT THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON A DRIVER'S LICENSE OF A PERSON WHO HAS SUFFERED A SEIZURE.
SB397 D. Wallace Rye TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION OF RAIL EMPLOYEES IN REPORTS INVOLVING RAILROAD FATALITIES.
SB467 C. Penzo Gramlich TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS OR CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS.
SB572 J. Dotson McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS.
SB303 Dees Torres TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
SB470 J. Dotson Brooks TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO CERTAIN STUDENTS IN A VIRTUAL SETTING TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
SB515 J. Petty Nazarenko TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN EXISTING ARKANSAS HISTORY COURSE CONTENT GUIDELINES.
SB446 Gilmore Gazaway TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEM ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, PRIVATE LEASEHOLDER, AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES.
SB497 D. Wallace Nazarenko TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A POSTER REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS AND SERVICES; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO DISPLAY THE POSTER.
SB9 B. Davis Pilkington TO CREATE THE MAKE ARKANSAS HEALTHY AGAIN ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT MANUFACTURING, SELLING, DELIVERING, DISTRIBUTING, HOLDING, OR OFFERING FOR SALE A FOOD PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS CERTAIN SUBSTANCES.
SB576 B. Davis Pilkington TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
SB302 Gilmore Beaty, Jr. TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF GIFT CARD FRAUD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB449 Dees Beaty, Jr. TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR CONFISCATION OF ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS, VAPOR PRODUCTS, E-LIQUID PRODUCTS, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND CIGARETTE PAPERS FROM A MINOR AT A SCHOOL.
SB314 Irvin Duke TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SEXUAL SOLICITATION; AND TO AMEND THE PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENSE OF SEXUAL SOLICITATION.
SB426 Hester Cavenaugh TO CREATE THE DEFENSE AGAINST CRIMINAL ILLEGALS ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS WHO COMMIT SERIOUS FELONIES INVOLVING VIOLENCE.
SB485 C. Tucker Gazaway TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF A SENTENCE, PROBATION, PAROLE, AND POST- RELEASE SUPERVISION.
SB375 Stone J. Moore TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF CAPITAL RAPE; AND TO AMEND A PORTION OF ARKANSAS CODE WHICH RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 3 OF 1936.
SB427 J. Bryant McAlindon TO AMEND PROMOTING PROSTITUTION OFFENSES; TO ENHANCE THE PENALTIES FOR PROMOTING PROSTITUTION IN THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD DEGREE; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF PROMOTING PROSTITUTION AT A BUSINESS.
SB428 J. Bryant Rose CONCERNING A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND TO PROVIDE A STATUTE OF LIMITATION PERIOD OF TEN YEARS FOR A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
SB429 J. Bryant Joey Carr TO EXPAND THE SEALING OF CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; TO PROVIDE THAT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS; AND TO PROVIDE A MANDATORY NO-CONTACT ORDER IN A HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASE.
SB430 J. Bryant Rose AN ACT TO REQUIRE MANDATORY RESTITUTION TO BE AWARDED TO A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS CRIME VICTIMS REPARATIONS ACT.
SB431 J. Bryant R. Scott Richardson TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013; TO ELIMINATE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES; TO CREATE SAFE HARBORS FOR VICTIMS; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PRODUCTS THAT RESEMBLE A CHILD.
SB442 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO PROVIDE FOR FORFEITURE OF ASSESTS USED TO CONDUCT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF HARBORING AN ENDANGERED RUNAWAY CHILD
motion to refer to committe -290
SB442 J. Bryant McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUMAN TRAFFICKING; TO PROVIDE FOR FORFEITURE OF ASSETS USED TO CONDUCT HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF HARBORING AN ENDANGERED RUNAWAY CHILD.
Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
HB1084 AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1086 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1092 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF PROVIDER SERVICES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1096 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - MEDICAID TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1101 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1106 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1107 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF COUNTY OPERATIONS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1112 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE - CITY-COUNTY TOURIST MEETING AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES ASSISTANCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1174 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1200 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1206 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION - PUBLIC SCHOOL FUND APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Representatives
HB1649 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
recess
Reconvene
Motion to Adjourn
Announcements
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Representative Brian S. Evans
Unverified
Chair
Unverified
Representative Lincoln Barnett
Unverified
Representative Tracy Steele Chair
Unverified
Speaker 27
Speaker 36
Speaker 47
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
Representative Bart Schulz
Unverified
Speaker 68
Representative Matt Brown
Unverified
Speaker 87
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
Speaker 102
Speaker 95
Representative Steiner
Unverified
Speaker 113
Speaker 32
Representative Keith Brooks Chair
Unverified
Representative Denise Jones Ennett Chair
Unverified
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
Speaker 137
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
Speaker 106
Representative David Ray Chair
Unverified
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
Representative Bruce Cozart Chair
Unverified
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd
Unverified
Representative Joy Springer
Unverified
Representative Ashley Hudson
Unverified
Speaker 199
Representative Nicole Clowney Chair
Unverified
Speaker 171
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
Speaker 226
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Unverified
Speaker 230
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
Speaker 242
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
Speaker 260
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
Speaker 280
Representative Stephen Meeks
Unverified
Speaker 259
Speaker 290
Representative Mary Bentley
Unverified
Representative Robin Lundstrum
Unverified
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
Unverified
Speaker 337
Speaker 338
Speaker 15
Speaker 223
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
Speaker 269
Speaker 40
Speaker 157
Representative Austin McCollum Chair
Unverified
Speaker 197
Representative Hope Duke Chair
Unverified
Speaker 370
Speaker 385
Speaker 257
Speaker 401
Speaker 402
Speaker 31
Representative Tippi McCullough
Unverified
Representative Steve Unger
Unverified
Representative Richard McGrew
Unverified
Representative Carlton Wing Chair
Unverified
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
Unverified
Speaker 457
Representative Steven Walker
Unverified
Representative Julie Mayberry Chair
Unverified
Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.)
Unverified
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
Representative Rick Beck
Unverified
Representative Glenn Barnes
Unverified
Speaker 493
Speaker 501
Speaker 502
Speaker 101
Speaker 83
Speaker 519
Representative Lane Jean Chair
Unverified
Speaker 536
Speaker 245
Speaker 551
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
Speaker 556
Speaker 558
Speaker 559
Speaker 208
Speaker 563
Speaker 232
Speaker 567
Speaker 564
Speaker 571
Speaker 572
Speaker 448
Speaker 575
Speaker 580
Speaker 581
Speaker 583
Speaker 494
Speaker 586
Speaker 589
Speaker 578
Speaker 592
Speaker 595
Speaker 576
Speaker 606
Speaker 614
Speaker 591
Speaker 610
Speaker 611
Speaker 624
Speaker 619
Speaker 631
Speaker 618
Speaker 617
Speaker 607
Speaker 590
Representative James Eaton
Unverified
Representative Les Warren Chair
Unverified
Speaker 247
Representative Cameron Cooper Chair
Unverified
Representative Brad Hall
Unverified
Representative Steve Hollowell
Unverified
Representative Mike Holcomb
Unverified
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
Representative Mindy McAlindon Chair
Unverified
Representative Matt Duffield
Unverified
Speaker 405
Speaker 720
Speaker 508
Speaker 727
Representative Marcus E. Richmond
Unverified
Speaker 734
Speaker 735
Representative Jack Ladyman
Unverified
Speaker 320
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
Speaker 22
Speaker 748
Speaker 277
Representative Justin Gonzales Chair
Unverified
Speaker 149
Speaker 118
Representative John P. Carr
Unverified