Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (187)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1679
Act 861
· 10 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1679 - Motion to withdrawal HB 1679 for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT; TO ALLOW CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS TO … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1679 is now Act 861 |
|
SB614
Act 992
· 10 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Senate Bill 614 amendment number 2. OK,”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB614 is now Act 992 |
|
SB400
Act 933
· 8 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB400 - Motion to withdrawal SB400 for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE FAIR-FUNDING PROGRAM. | Irvin | Notification that SB400 is now Act 933 |
|
SB568
Act 1012
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 568.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TAXES APPLICABLE TO LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND DEVELOPMENT; TO PROVIDE … | Crowell | Notification that SB568 is now Act 1012 |
|
HB1642
Act 916
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1642 Motion to withdrawal for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1642 is now Act 916 |
|
HB1837
Act 999
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1837 - Motion to withdrawal HB1837 for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTERS REFERRED TO VOTERS; AND TO BAN FOREIGN … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1837 is now Act 999 |
|
HB1931
Act 694
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “…by Gilmore to Suspend to add 4 house bills to supp calendar HB1931, HB1872, HB1891, HB1896”
|
TO CREATE THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN … | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1931 is now Act 694 |
|
HB1812
Act 918
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1812 Motion to withdrawal for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO ATTENDANCE … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1812 is now Act 918 |
|
HB1866
Act 908
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1866 Motion to withdrawal for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO CREATE ELI'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO INSTALL AN AUDIO RECORDING … | Brooks | Notification that HB1866 is now Act 908 |
|
HB1934
· 3 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1934 McAlindon Gilmore TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE ACT; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT … | McAlindon | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB441
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for Senate Bill 441 by Central Hesch to recommend to pass as amended number one…”
|
TO CREATE THE JUNK LAWSUIT PREVENTION ACT OF 2025. | Hester | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB591
Act 973
· 3 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion to SB591 for second reading purpose for amendment.”
|
TO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE; AND TO CREATE THE RACE DISCRIMINATION BY ABORTION … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB591 is now Act 973 |
|
SB615
· 3 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion to SB615 for second reading purpose for amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ENERGY; AND TO REGULATE NONEXPORT FACILITIES. | C. Penzo | Died on Senate Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1131
Act 959
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1131 Pilkington Penzo TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTER…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO DELEGATE CERTAIN TASKS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND … | Pilkington | Notification that HB1131 is now Act 959 |
|
HB1150
Act 624
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1150 J. Moore Hammer TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FRO…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAINING CERTAIN PHARMACY PERMITS. | J. Moore | Notification that HB1150 is now Act 624 |
|
HB1433
Act 828
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “calendar Judiciary to him was far House Bill 1433 by Representative Moore recommended pass calendar judiciary…”
|
TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS EXECUTING OR SERVING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1433 is now Act 828 |
|
HB1656
Act 1024
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1656 - Motion HB 1656 to add to calendar”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION. | Beck | Notification that HB1656 is now Act 1024 |
|
HB1764
Act 831
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…k's recommended pass calendar judiciary who was referred to House Bill 1764 by. Underwood recommended pass judiciary to who was house f…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A VIOLATION OF AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. | Underwood | Notification that HB1764 is now Act 831 |
|
HB1766
Act 907
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “representative uh Emmett recommended pass House Bill 1766 by Representative in recommended pass on education. He was…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RESPOND, INNOVATE, SUCCEED, AND EMPOWER (RISE) ACT. | Ennett | Notification that HB1766 is now Act 907 |
|
HB1797
Act 944
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion HB 1797 on second reading for amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1797 is now Act 944 |
|
HB1872
Act 693
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “…re to Suspend to add 4 house bills to supp calendar HB1931, HB1872, HB1891, HB1896”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FEES THAT MAY BE COLLECTED BY A COUNTY SHERIFF; … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1872 is now Act 693 |
|
HB1891
Act 715
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “…spend to add 4 house bills to supp calendar HB1931, HB1872, HB1891, HB1896”
|
TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE … | Ray | Notification that HB1891 is now Act 715 |
|
HB1896
Act 716
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “…add 4 house bills to supp calendar HB1931, HB1872, HB1891, HB1896”
|
TO CREATE THE JUNK FEE ELIMINATING ACT OF 2025; TO ABOLISH THE INFORMATION NETWORK OF … | B. McKenzie | Notification that HB1896 is now Act 716 |
|
HB1921
Act 824
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…1895 and we recommended pass on Judiciary and was referred House Bill 1921 by represented Torres recommend new pass. Committee on the…”
|
TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO AMEND THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS … | Torres | Notification that HB1921 is now Act 824 |
|
HB1922
Act 881
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…n recommended pass calendar on Revenue and Tax to as far as House Bill 1922 by Representative Maddox recommend to pass calendar to to s…”
|
TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR … | Maddox | Notification that HB1922 is now Act 881 |
|
HCR1010
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…umber one calendar. Committee on the Judiciary, to whom his House concurrent resolution 1010 by Representative Shepherd recommended pass calendar judici…”
|
REQUESTING A STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTH. | T. Shephard | Approved by the Governor |
|
SB153
Act 588
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…t budget by 127 by joint budget, symbol 148 Senator English Senate Bill 153 by Senator Dots and sent by 160 by Senator Dotson sent by 1…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF TITLE 24 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE; AND … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB153 is now Act 588 |
|
SB25
Act 607
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “bills to him was referred Senate Bill 25 a joint budget, and Bill 37 by joint budget, symbol 39 by j…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB25 is now Act 607 |
|
SB357
Act 572
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Bryantville 348 by Central Penzay with 351 by Central Dima, Senate Bill 357 by Senator Bryant, Senate Bill 359 by Senator Petty 361 by…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO APPLY MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB357 is now Act 572 |
|
SB359
Act 613
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ith 351 by Central Dima, Senate Bill 357 by Senator Bryant, Senate Bill 359 by Senator Petty 361 by Central Dsy 405 by Central Desmain4…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION OUT-OF-SCHOOL … | J. Petty | Notification that SB359 is now Act 613 |
|
SB362
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “calendar team for Senate Bill 362 by Hammer recommend new passesend number 2. calendar. Commi…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION YOUTH … | K. Hammer | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB433
Act 573
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…or Boyd sent 421 my entry Hester and 422 by Senator Tucker, Senate Bill 433 by Senator Dodson. 4:40 by central Wallacey 4:48”
|
REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. | J. Dotson | Notification that SB433 is now Act 573 |
|
SB498
Act 581
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…Petty, about 463 by Senator McKee. 479 by Central Hammers. Senate Bill 498 by Senator Petty, Senate Bill 503 by Senator Corin 505 by C…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS AND TO PROTECT DRIVER … | J. Petty | Notification that SB498 is now Act 581 |
|
SB503
Act 616
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…. 479 by Central Hammers. Senate Bill 498 by Senator Petty, Senate Bill 503 by Senator Corin 505 by Central Bryant symbol 510 by Senato…”
|
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AN EMPLOYER MUST HAVE TO BE MANDATED TO FILE … | Crowell | Notification that SB503 is now Act 616 |
|
SB585
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB585 add to today's calendar.”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR. | G. Leding | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB623
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB623 J. Scott CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE INMATES AND DET…”
|
CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE INMATES AND DETAINEES IN CORRECTIONAL OR DETENTION FACILITIES; AND TO … | J. Scott | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB629
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion to expunge the vote on SB629”
|
TO ALLOW AN OFFICER OF A CLOSELY HELD CORPORATION TO REPRESENT THE CORPORATION IN COURT … | Caldwell | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB634
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion to place SB634 at the end of the calendar”
|
TO CREATE THE DIVISION OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION. | M. Johnson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB635
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…rages and authorized bottle lockers in certain restaurants, Senate Bill 635 city, county, local. Are there any further business to come”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TO AUTHORIZE BOTTLE LOCKERS IN CERTAIN RESTAURANTS. | C. Penzo | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB67
Act 1016
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “Motion by Tucker to refer SB67? back to JBC”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB67 is now Act 1016 |
|
SB72
Act 776
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…number one alendar Committee on Joint Magic team was refer Senate Bill 72 by dropped budget recommended pass on joint team was 1st 92…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB72 is now Act 776 |
|
SCR7
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SCR7 J. Scott TO RECOGNIZE THE MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCH…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL COMETS BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS … | J. Scott | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SR65
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…2. calendar. Committee on the Judiciary, to whom his first Senate resolution 65 by Senator Tucker recommended pass this amended number one…”
|
TO SUPPORT ARKANSAS'S ENGAGING THE JUSTICE COUNTS METRICS AND TO URGE POLICYMAKERS THROUGHOUT STATE AND … | C. Tucker | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1171
Act 625
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1171 K. Moore Irvin TO MODIFY THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZE…”
|
TO MODIFY THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO AUTHORIZE AN ABBREVIATED INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1171 is now Act 625 |
|
HB1243
Act 994
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1243 Underwood Penzo TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING CAMPAIGN…”
|
TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; TO AMEND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING AND PROTECT … | Underwood | Notification that HB1243 is now Act 994 |
|
HB1265
Act 660
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1265 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROP…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Delivered to the Secretary of State |
|
HB1277
Act 706
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1277 Gramlich Boyd TO AMEND PAYMENTS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION REGAR…”
|
TO AMEND PAYMENTS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION REGARDING PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS. | J. Boyd | Notification that HB1277 is now Act 706 |
|
HB1320
Act 626
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1320 Wooldridge Tucker TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRISIS STABIL…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS AND HEALTHCARE INSURERS. | Wooldridge | Notification that HB1320 is now Act 626 |
|
HB1336
Act 672
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1336 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE SURVIVORS' BENEFIT OPTIONS UNDER…”
|
TO AMEND THE SURVIVORS' BENEFIT OPTIONS UNDER THE STATE POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO AMEND … | Warren | Notification that HB1336 is now Act 672 |
|
HB1416
Act 673
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1416 L. Johnson Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING FIRE DEPARTME…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AND TO ALLOW A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICING … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1416 is now Act 673 |
|
HB1440
Act 629
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1440 Bentley Wallace TO AMEND THE MASSAGE THERAPY ACT; AND TO ES…”
|
TO AMEND THE MASSAGE THERAPY ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH REGISTRATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS. | Bentley | Notification that HB1440 is now Act 629 |
|
HB1454
Act 674
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1454 Bentley Irvin TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; TO … | Bentley | Notification that HB1454 is now Act 674 |
|
HB1476
Act 675
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1476 B. McKenzie Hester TO AMEND THE DIRECT SHIPMENT OF VINOUS L…”
|
TO AMEND THE DIRECT SHIPMENT OF VINOUS LIQUOR ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A WINE DIRECT … | B. McKenzie | Notification that HB1476 is now Act 675 |
|
HB1484
Act 910
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB 1484 - Withdrawal HB1484 for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1484 is now Act 910 |
|
HB1529
Act 827
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…nd to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for House Bill 1529 by Representative Meeks recommend to pass. Calendar. Commit…”
|
TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL; AND … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1529 is now Act 827 |
|
HB1543
Act 631
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1543 Underwood Irvin TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPOR…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025. | Underwood | Notification that HB1543 is now Act 631 |
|
HB1555
Act 995
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1555 Hester - Motion Expunge vote by which bill passed to amend.…”
|
TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE. | Painter | Notification that HB1555 is now Act 995 |
|
HB1559
Act 632
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1559 McGrew Boyd TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID … | McGrew | Notification that HB1559 is now Act 632 |
|
HB1572
Act 707
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1572 Ladyman McKee TO CREATE A TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY ON NE…”
|
TO CREATE A TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY ON NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATION; AND TO DECLARE AN … | Ladyman | Notification that HB1572 is now Act 707 |
|
HB1580
Act 801
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r. Will your committee on education to whom was referred to House Bill 1580 by Representative Gramlin.”
|
TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1580 is now Act 801 |
|
HB1582
Act 708
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1582 McAlindon English TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1582 is now Act 708 |
|
HB1589
Act 676
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1589 Schulz Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL OP…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY; AND TO AMEND THE … | Schulz | Notification that HB1589 is now Act 676 |
|
HB1615
Act 677
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1615 Lundstrum Stubblefield TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RELIGIOU…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RELIGIOUS NONDISCRIMINATION. | Lundstrum | Notification that HB1615 is now Act 677 |
|
HB1619
Act 634
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1619 Gramlich Irvin TO SET ADMINISTRATION FEES UNDER THE ARKANSA…”
|
TO SET ADMINISTRATION FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR IMMUNIZATIONS AND MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1619 is now Act 634 |
|
HB1622
Act 635
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1622 Gramlich Boyd TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO MODIFY…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ADVERSE DECISION" UNDER THE … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1622 is now Act 635 |
|
HB1627
Act 877
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred House Bill 1627 by Representative Barnett, recommend you pass. Calendar. Co…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE … | Barnett | Notification that HB1627 is now Act 877 |
|
HB1646
Act 917
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r one. Calendar. Committee on Education who was referred to House Bill 1646 by Representative McGrew. Recommend do pass. Calendar. Comm…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN MATERIALS TO BE STORED IN LOCKED COMPARTMENTS WITHIN A DESIGNATED AREA. | McGrew | Notification that HB1646 is now Act 917 |
|
HB1653
Act 636
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1653 Cavenaugh Irvin TO SET STANDARDS FOR LICENSING AND REGULATI…”
|
TO SET STANDARDS FOR LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES; AND TO DECLARE … | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1653 is now Act 636 |
|
HB1657
Act 709
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1657 Beck Davis TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND F…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT. | Beck | Notification that HB1657 is now Act 709 |
|
HB1666
Act 656
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1666 S. Meeks Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-FUNDED CYBER RESPONSE PROGRAM. | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1666 is now Act 656 |
|
HB167
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…n favor signify by saying a opposed say no, motion carries. House Bill 167.”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
HB1672
Act 800
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was referred to House Bill 1672 by Representative McCollum. Recommend do pass. Calendar. Co…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC … | McCollum | Notification that HB1672 is now Act 800 |
|
HB1677
Act 637
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1677 Bentley Payton TO AUTHORIZE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMEN…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY MEDICATION KITS. | Bentley | Notification that HB1677 is now Act 637 |
|
HB1685
Act 1008
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1685 Amendment by Hester adopted”
|
TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND … | Underwood | Notification that HB1685 is now Act 1008 |
|
HB1692
Act 678
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1692 M. Brown Petty TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING POLYGRAPH EXAMIN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS AND VOICE STRESS ANALYSIS EXAMINERS; AND TO AMEND … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1692 is now Act 678 |
|
HB1695
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1695 J. Richardson Crowell TO CLARIFY THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS FO…”
|
TO CLARIFY THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS FOR PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A MUNICIPAL LIEN; TO ALLOW A … | J. Richardson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1712
Act 639
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1712 Joey Carr Scott TO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMP…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN THIS STATE. | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1712 is now Act 639 |
|
HB1717
Act 952
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1717 Gramlich Boyd TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN AND TEENS' ON…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN AND TEENS' ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT. | Gramlich | Notification that HB1717 is now Act 952 |
|
HB1728
Act 906
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…d do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1728 by Representative Emmett, recommend do pass.”
|
TO REQUIRE REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEIVING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A DISABILITY AT INSTITUTIONS … | Ennett | Notification that HB1728 is now Act 906 |
|
HB1729
Act 679
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1729 R. Burkes Bryant TO AMEND THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ACT; AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE THAT A HOMESTEAD OWNED BY A … | R. Burkes | Notification that HB1729 is now Act 679 |
|
HB1734
Act 862
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1734 Childress Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DEATH CERTIFIC…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DEATH CERTIFICATES; AND TO CLARIFY THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY … | Childress | Notification that HB1734 is now Act 862 |
|
HB1746
Act 997
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Motion to Withdrawal HB1746 for purpose of amendment.”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE. | M. Brown | Notification that HB1746 is now Act 997 |
|
HB1749
Act 680
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1749 M. Brown Dees TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM TRUST DECANTING ACT.”
|
TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM TRUST DECANTING ACT. | M. Brown | Notification that HB1749 is now Act 680 |
|
HB1751
Act 640
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1751 Underwood Bryant TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR TEMPORARY ASSI…”
|
TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM BENEFITS TO ENGAGE IN … | Underwood | Notification that HB1751 is now Act 640 |
|
HB1752
Act 681
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1752 Maddox Boyd TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SAVINGS PLANS FROM THE EXECUT…”
|
TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SAVINGS PLANS FROM THE EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT. | Maddox | Notification that HB1752 is now Act 681 |
|
HB1756
Act 803
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Sen. David - HB1756 adopt amendment - carried”
|
TO ALLOW A PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR PERSON STANDING IN LOCO PARENTIS TO A STUDENT … | Vaught | Notification that HB1756 is now Act 803 |
|
HB1758
Act 641
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1758 Gramlich Hill TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMEN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1758 is now Act 641 |
|
HB1763
Act 682
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1763 Underwood Bryant TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013…”
|
TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL … | Underwood | Notification that HB1763 is now Act 682 |
|
HB1777
Act 683
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1777 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF SEXUALLY GROOMING A CHILD; AND TO INCLUDE … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1777 is now Act 683 |
|
HB1778
Act 832
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1778 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF STALKING TO INCLUDE PLACING A PERSON … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1778 is now Act 832 |
|
HB1779
Act 833
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1779 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THEFT OF PROPER…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THEFT OF PROPERTY; AND ENHANCE THE OFFENSE CLASSIFICATION FOR … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1779 is now Act 833 |
|
HB1780
Act 684
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1780 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RETENTION O…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RETENTION OF PROPERTY RELATED TO A FELONY INVESTIGATION. | Gazaway | Notification that HB1780 is now Act 684 |
|
HB1782
Act 642
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1782 Hudson Scott TO PROHIBIT OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS FROM B…”
|
TO PROHIBIT OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS FROM BEING SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE FURNISHED TO A PERSON … | Hudson | Notification that HB1782 is now Act 642 |
|
HB1786
Act 826
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…d do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1786 by Representative Brooks, recommend do pass. Calendar. Comm…”
|
TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY FOR A TUITION BENEFIT TO SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL … | Brooks | Notification that HB1786 is now Act 826 |
|
HB1793
Act 804
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…d do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1793 by Representative Duke, recommend do pass. Calendar. Commit…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS. | Duke | Notification that HB1793 is now Act 804 |
|
HB1796
Act 711
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1796 Beaty Jr. B. Johnson TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF GENDER INFOR…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF GENDER INFORMATION ON AN ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD. | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1796 is now Act 711 |
|
HB1799
Act 685
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1799 Vaught Tucker TO AMEND THE PERMISSIBLE METHODS OF REPORTING…”
|
TO AMEND THE PERMISSIBLE METHODS OF REPORTING UNDER THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT. | Vaught | Notification that HB1799 is now Act 685 |
|
HB1801
Act 961
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Senator Breanne Davis: Motion adopt amendment to HB1801 - carried”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT COMPOUNDS A PRODUCT … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1801 is now Act 961 |
|
HB1805
Act 805
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…d do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1805 by Representative Childress, recommend do pass. Calendar. C…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND TO CREATE A PROCESS WHEREBY A PUBLIC SCHOOL … | Childress | Notification that HB1805 is now Act 805 |
|
HB1809
Act 880
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred House Bill 1809 by Representative Warren, recommend you pass. Calendar. Com…”
|
TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO QUALIFY … | Warren | Notification that HB1809 is now Act 880 |
|
HB1810
Act 796
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1810 Joey Carr English TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1810 is now Act 796 |
|
HB1815
Act 687
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1815 Perry Wallace TO AMEND THE STATE'S JURISDICTION OVER FEDERA…”
|
TO AMEND THE STATE'S JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL LANDS; AND TO RETAIN JUVENILE JUSTICE JURISDICTION BY … | Perry | Notification that HB1815 is now Act 687 |
|
HB1824
Act 688
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1824 Duffield Clark TO CREATE THE DOG AND CAT RESCUE ACT: DAISY'…”
|
TO CREATE THE DOG AND CAT RESCUE ACT: DAISY'S LAW. | Duffield | Notification that HB1824 is now Act 688 |
|
HB1830
Act 689
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1830 M. Shepherd Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ATTORNEY…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1830 is now Act 689 |
|
HB1831
Act 690
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1831 M. Shepherd Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF S…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF SETTLEMENT FUNDS BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1831 is now Act 690 |
|
HB1833
Act 806
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…er one. Calendar. Committee on Education who is referred to House Bill 1833 by Representative Sheppard recommend do pass. Calendar. Com…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMISSIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1833 is now Act 806 |
|
HB1835
Act 691
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1835 Dalby Dees CONCERNING SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS; AND TO UPDA…”
|
CONCERNING SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS; AND TO UPDATE AND CLARIFY THE LAW CONCERNING DRUG COURT, MENTAL … | Dalby | Notification that HB1835 is now Act 691 |
|
HB1838
Act 713
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1838 Dalby Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROBATE ACTIONS; AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROBATE ACTIONS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ADOPTION AND … | Dalby | Notification that HB1838 is now Act 713 |
|
HB1839
Act 692
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1839 Dalby Clark TO AMEND THE PROCEDURES FOR THE DECLARATION OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE PROCEDURES FOR THE DECLARATION OF LEGAL DEATH OF A MISSING PERSON. | Dalby | Notification that HB1839 is now Act 692 |
|
HB1841
Act 1021
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB 1841 (AS AMENDED #1) – IRVIN TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVE…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) ACT; AND TO CREATE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1841 is now Act 1021 |
|
HB1844
Act 822
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1844 Tosh Wallace TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF FLE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF FLEEING BY MEANS OF A VEHICLE OR … | Tosh | Notification that HB1844 is now Act 822 |
|
HB1847
Act 798
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is furred House Bill 1847, Representative McClendon, compare the engrossed copy of th…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS RACING COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN A STATEWIDE SELF-EXCLUSION LIST. | McAlindon | Notification that HB1847 is now Act 798 |
|
HB1851
Act 714
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1851 Jean Crowell TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR FOOD, FOO…”
|
TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR FOOD, FOOD INGREDIENTS, AND PREPARED FOOD SOLD IN … | Jean | Notification that HB1851 is now Act 714 |
|
HB1854
Act 643
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1854 Bentley Flippo TO EXEMPT A HOME CAREGIVER FROM HOME CAREGIV…”
|
TO EXEMPT A HOME CAREGIVER FROM HOME CAREGIVER TRAINING IF HE OR SHE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED … | Bentley | Notification that HB1854 is now Act 643 |
|
HB1875
Act 841
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1875, by Representative Tosh, recommended”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE; AND TO PROVIDE … | Tosh | Notification that HB1875 is now Act 841 |
|
HB1877
Act 977
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1877, by Representative Meeks, recommended to pass as amended nu…”
|
CONCERNING CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATED TO POSSESSION OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL THAT DEPICTS A CHILD; AND … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1877 is now Act 977 |
|
HB1886
Act 823
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is furred House Bill 1886, by Representative Wallace, compare the engrossed copy of t…”
|
TO DESIGNATE THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER AS THE OFFICIAL CANINE OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. | Pearce | Notification that HB1886 is now Act 823 |
|
HB1887
Act 658
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1887 Pearce Petty TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATEWIDE CHILD AB…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATEWIDE CHILD ABDUCTION RESPONSE TEAMS. | Pearce | Notification that HB1887 is now Act 658 |
|
HB1889
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1889 Pilkington Bryant TO AMEND THE LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO A D…”
|
TO AMEND THE LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO A DISPENSARY OR CULTIVATION FACILITY; AND TO AUTHORIZE … | Pilkington | Delivered to the Secretary of State |
|
HB1895
Act 843
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1895, by Representative Dalby, recommended to pass. Calendar. Co…”
|
TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION TO EMPLOY IN-HOUSE ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT AFFILIATES OF … | Dalby | Notification that HB1895 is now Act 843 |
|
HB1937
Act 821
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…you pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to Misford House Bill 1937 by Representative Jean, recommended you pass. Calendar.”
|
TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL RIGHTS UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § … | Jean | Notification that HB1937 is now Act 821 |
|
HB1957
Act 847
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1957 #1 S. Meeks English TO AMEND THE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT ELECTRONIC MAIL PREVENTION ACT TO INCLUDE UNSOLICITED … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1957 is now Act 847 |
|
HB1958
Act 848
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1958 #1 S. Meeks English TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CREATE A…”
|
TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CREATE A POLICY CONCERNING THE AUTHORIZED USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1958 is now Act 848 |
|
HB1960
Act 1013
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1960 withdraw from committee for Stone amendment to add Stone as…”
|
TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES … | Stone | Notification that HB1960 is now Act 1013 |
|
HB1963
Act 963
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Senator Justin Boyd: Motion HB1963 adopt amendment - Motion carried”
|
TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A … | Gonzales | Notification that HB1963 is now Act 963 |
|
HB1964
Act 825
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1964 by Representative Brooks, recommend you pass.”
|
TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE JUVENILE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT … | Brooks | Notification that HB1964 is now Act 825 |
|
HCR1008
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HCR1008 McAlindon Dotson TO CELEBRATE AND COMMEND NORTHWEST ARKANSA…”
|
TO CELEBRATE AND COMMEND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S NATIONALLY LEADING AND INDUSTRY-TRANSFORMING BICYCLE ASSEMBLY & … | McAlindon | Approved by the Governor |
|
HCR1011
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HCR1011 McAlindon Hester TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN C…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN CYCLING AND ITS TITLE AS THE MOUNTAIN BIKING CAPITAL OF … | McAlindon | Approved by the Governor |
|
SB106
Act 898
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB106 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB106 is now Act 898 |
|
SB123
Act 553
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 39 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 88 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 123 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 125 by Joint Budget, Senate…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS. | G. Leding | Notification that SB123 is now Act 553 |
|
SB124
Act 899
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB124 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DIVISION OF AGRICUL…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB124 is now Act 899 |
|
SB125
Act 611
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 88 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 123 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 125 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 127 by Joint Budget, Senate Bi…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB125 is now Act 611 |
|
SB127
Act 612
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 123 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 125 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 127 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 148 by Senator English, Senate…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB127 is now Act 612 |
|
SB148
Act 587
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 125 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 127 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 148 by Senator English, Senate Bill 153 by Senator Dodson, Sena…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE CREATING AN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKERS ACT OF 2025. | J. English | Notification that SB148 is now Act 587 |
|
SB149
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB149 J. English TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE…”
|
TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. | J. English | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB160
Act 589
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…148 by Senator English, Senate Bill 153 by Senator Dodson, Senate Bill 160 by Senator Dodson, Senate Bill 167 by Senator Clark,”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. | J. Dotson | Notification that SB160 is now Act 589 |
|
SB167
Act 563
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l 153 by Senator Dodson, Senate Bill 160 by Senator Dodson, Senate Bill 167 by Senator Clark,”
|
TO AMEND THE DATES BY WHICH CERTAIN REQUESTS TO TRANSFER PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC SCHOOL … | A. Clark | Notification that SB167 is now Act 563 |
|
SB237
Act 554
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 237 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Dispange, Senat…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CAPTIVE INSURERS. | J. Boyd | Notification that SB237 is now Act 554 |
|
SB252
Act 590
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 237 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 322 by Senator Brant, Sena…”
|
TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY VAPOR PRODUCTS AND E-LIQUID PRODUCTS; AND … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB252 is now Act 590 |
|
SB32
Act 886
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB32 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF Y…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB32 is now Act 886 |
|
SB322
Act 591
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l 237 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 322 by Senator Brant, Senate Bill 348 by Senator Penzo, Senate…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND TO ALLOW THIRD PARTIES TO PERFORM … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB322 is now Act 591 |
|
SB33
Act 887
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB33 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF M…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB33 is now Act 887 |
|
SB34
Act 888
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB34 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF D…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB34 is now Act 888 |
|
SB348
Act 567
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…252 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 322 by Senator Brant, Senate Bill 348 by Senator Penzo, Senate Bill 351 by Senator Dispange, Sena…”
|
TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB348 is now Act 567 |
|
SB35
Act 889
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB35 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF C…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB35 is now Act 889 |
|
SB351
Act 592
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 322 by Senator Brant, Senate Bill 348 by Senator Penzo, Senate Bill 351 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 357 by Senator Brant, Sena…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB351 is now Act 592 |
|
SB36
Act 890
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB36 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF A…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB36 is now Act 890 |
|
SB361
Act 576
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 357 by Senator Brant, Senate Bill 359 by Senator Pettis, Senate Bill 361 by Senator Dees, Senate Bill 405 by Senator Dispange, Senat…”
|
TO CREATE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES EXPANSION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF … | Dees | Notification that SB361 is now Act 576 |
|
SB37
Act 608
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…bills to whom was referred, Senate Bill 25 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 37 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 39 by Joint Budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB37 is now Act 608 |
|
SB371
Act 653
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB371 #1 J. Scott Scott TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE SEARCH OF MISSING CHILDREN WHO DO … | J. Scott | Notification that SB371 is now Act 653 |
|
SB39
Act 609
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 25 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 37 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 39 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 88 by Joint Budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB39 is now Act 609 |
|
SB391
Act 472
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “from the regular session of the 95th General Assembly. Senate Bill 391, act 472, Senate Bill 100, act 482, Senate Bill 264, act 48…”
|
TO CREATE THE ROBOTICS COMPETITION GRANT PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE ROBOTICS TEAMS IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB391 is now Act 472 |
|
SB40
Act 891
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB40 AN ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGIS…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB40 is now Act 891 |
|
SB405
Act 555
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 359 by Senator Pettis, Senate Bill 361 by Senator Dees, Senate Bill 405 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 407 by Senator Gilmore, Se…”
|
TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER INFORM ACT. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB405 is now Act 555 |
|
SB407
Act 577
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l 361 by Senator Dees, Senate Bill 405 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 407 by Senator Gilmore, Senate Bill 412 by Senator Boyd, Senate…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987. | Gilmore | Notification that SB407 is now Act 577 |
|
SB41
Act 892
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB41 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB41 is now Act 892 |
|
SB412
Act 614
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…05 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 407 by Senator Gilmore, Senate Bill 412 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 421 by Senator Hester, Senate…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SET THE PER-MILE AMOUNT FOR THE … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB412 is now Act 614 |
|
SB421
Act 578
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 407 by Senator Gilmore, Senate Bill 412 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 421 by Senator Hester, Senate Bill 422 by Senator Tucker”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT … | Hester | Notification that SB421 is now Act 578 |
|
SB422
Act 615
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 412 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 421 by Senator Hester, Senate Bill 422 by Senator Tucker”
|
TO ALLOW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A NEW OR EXISTING ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB422 is now Act 615 |
|
SB440
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 433 by Senator Dodson Senate Bill 440 by Senator Wallace Senate Bill 448 by Senator Petty Senate…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS; TO REGULATE THE USE OF ALKALINE … | D. Wallace | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB448
Act 579
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 433 by Senator Dodson Senate Bill 440 by Senator Wallace Senate Bill 448 by Senator Petty Senate Bill 463 by Senator McKee Senate Bi…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, AND … | J. Petty | Notification that SB448 is now Act 579 |
|
SB460
Act 697
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB460 #1 Irvin Irvin TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO…”
|
TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO REPEAL THE MARKETING RECYCLABLES PROGRAM OF THE COMPLIANCE … | Irvin | Notification that SB460 is now Act 697 |
|
SB463
Act 580
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 440 by Senator Wallace Senate Bill 448 by Senator Petty Senate Bill 463 by Senator McKee Senate Bill 479 by Senator Hamers Senate B…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DENY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CLOSING … | M. McKee | Notification that SB463 is now Act 580 |
|
SB479
Act 593
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 448 by Senator Petty Senate Bill 463 by Senator McKee Senate Bill 479 by Senator Hamers Senate Bill 498 by Senator Petty Senate B…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB479 is now Act 593 |
|
SB505
Act 595
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 498 by Senator Petty Senate Bill 503 by Senator Pearl Senate Bill 505 by Senator Bryant Senate Bill 510 by Senator Boyd Senate Bi…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PLANNING; AND TO REQUIRE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR CHANGES … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB505 is now Act 595 |
|
SB51
Act 893
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB51 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR COORDINATOR APPROPR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR COORDINATOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB51 is now Act 893 |
|
SB510
Act 594
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 503 by Senator Pearl Senate Bill 505 by Senator Bryant Senate Bill 510 by Senator Boyd Senate Bill 529 by Senator Blake Johnson Se…”
|
TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB510 is now Act 594 |
|
SB52
Act 894
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB52 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB52 is now Act 894 |
|
SB529
Act 617
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Bill 505 by Senator Bryant Senate Bill 510 by Senator Boyd Senate Bill 529 by Senator Blake Johnson Senate Bill 545 by Senator Mark Jo…”
|
TO AMEND THE INDEPENDENT TAX APPEALS COMMISSION ACT. | B. Johnson | Notification that SB529 is now Act 617 |
|
SB538
Act 782
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB538 Gilmore TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PROCUREMENT LAW.”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PROCUREMENT LAW. | Gilmore | Notification that SB538 is now Act 782 |
|
SB54
Act 1015
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB54 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORN…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB54 is now Act 1015 |
|
SB545
Act 564
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…10 by Senator Boyd Senate Bill 529 by Senator Blake Johnson Senate Bill 545 by Senator Mark Johnson Sen. 564 by Senator Flippo, compare…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE PROPERTY AND FINANCES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER … | M. Johnson | Notification that SB545 is now Act 564 |
|
SB55
Act 895
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB55 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB55 is now Act 895 |
|
SB600
Act 771
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB600 C. Tucker TO REGULATE CONTRACTS; TO MANDATE CONTRACTUAL PRO…”
|
TO REGULATE CONTRACTS; TO MANDATE CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTS; AND TO CLARIFY PROPER JURISDICTION … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB600 is now Act 771 |
|
SB621
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB621 Irvin TO CLARIFY ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS AGAINST A HEALTHCAR…”
|
TO CLARIFY ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS AGAINST A HEALTHCARE INSURER; TO RETROACTIVELY APPLY TO A HEALTHCARE CONTRACT … | Irvin | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB625
Act 920
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Motion to make am amendment on SB625”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; … | B. Davis | Notification that SB625 is now Act 920 |
|
SB632
Act 964
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB632 F. Love TO AMEND THE FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT; AND TO R…”
|
TO AMEND THE FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT; AND TO REQUIRE WARNING LABELS FOR HAIR … | F. Love | Notification that SB632 is now Act 964 |
|
SB71
Act 896
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB71 AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT PERSONNEL APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB71 is now Act 896 |
|
SB81
Act 897
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB81 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM -…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB81 is now Act 897 |
|
SB88
Act 610
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 37 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 39 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 88 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 123 by Senator Letting, Senate…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB88 is now Act 610 |
|
SB92
Act 777
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…do pass. Calendar. Committee on Joint Budget to whom is for Senate Bill 92 by Joint Budget recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on J…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSFORMATION AND SHARED SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB92 is now Act 777 |
|
SCR8
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SCR8 J. Scott TO RECOGNIZE THE MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCH…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL LADY COMETS BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS … | J. Scott | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SR54
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR54 Crowell TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL LADY TIGERS SOF…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL LADY TIGERS SOFTBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR55
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR55 Crowell TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS BASEBALL…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS BASEBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A STATE … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR56
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR56 Crowell TO CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS OF MURFREESBORO HIGH S…”
|
TO CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS OF MURFREESBORO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEIR VICTORIES IN COMPETITIVE COMPUTERIZED NUMERIC … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR64
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR64 B. Johnson TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING…”
|
TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNITED STATES … | B. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR66
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR66 B. Davis TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS CLUB FOR WINNING THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION AND INNOVATE … | B. Davis | Sine Die adjournment |
Machine transcript
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at this time? Madam Secretary, call the roll. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King,
Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Everyone in the chamber and in the galleries, please rise and remain standing for the
Pledge of Allegiance. The Senate will be led in prayer. Senator Hammer, you're recognized to introduce our pastor. Thank you,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:16
Mr. President. It gives me great pleasure to introduce you, a longtime friend of mine, also a longtime friend of many of you because he's been around the state working in various capacities, but the highest capacity is he's a pastor and he has been in ministry a long time. He currently pastor Owensville Baptist Church over on Highway 5 by Hot Springs Village and
had the privilege, when I was in hospice as a hospice chaplain and stepped away from that, Jim stepped in to fill the role as hospice chaplain. So I appreciate him very much for the longtime friendship we have. And with that, Brother LeGron, would you please come and leave some prayer? Thank you.
Speaker 19
2:52
And thank you. Let's pray together. Oh, great God, we
Speaker 20
2:59
come before you today with grateful hearts for the opportunity to serve the people of Arkansas. I thank you, Lord, for the beauty of this great state,
from the Delta to the Ozarks, from our farms to our families, from our history to our hopes. We ask now for guidance as this Senate gathers to deliberate and decide matters that affect the lives of so many people. I pray you grant each senator wisdom beyond themselves, a heart of service above self, and then the courage to pursue justice and compassion and truth. God, remind us that leadership is a trust.
May every voice be heard with respect, every debate held with dignity, every decision shaped by a deep desire to uplift the common good. God, protect our state. I do pray you strengthen our unity. Bless our efforts. And may we never forget that our work here today is not about policy. It's about people. And God, it's in your holy name, I pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
Chair
Unverified
4:12
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Ladies and gentlemen
in the galleries, welcome to the Arkansas Senate. It is our expectation each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. Without objection, the rules will be suspended, and the Senate will dispense with reading of the journal.
The morning hour has now begun. Senator Payton, you are now recognized to introduce the Senate
pages for the day. Thank you, Mr. President. Senators, I definitely take pleasure in recognizing our Senate pages today. But once again, Senator
Tucker strikes. If y'all would come forward, do I mention your name?
Kate Faulkner, Pulaski Heights Middle School, and Stella Cain from Pulaski Heights Middle School, both from Senator Tucker's district. Come on right up here in the
middle. But anyway, welcome to your Arkansas Senate. If we could give them a hand, please. Thank you,
ladies. Madam Secretary, are there any other announcements or introductions at this time?
Senator Dismayne, you're recognized. And this is just an announcement on when we're going to hear the budget calendar. And so that will be when we start Senate bills for third reading and final passage on page two. We'll hear the budget calendar right before that. If you don't mind taking a look at it, we've got a number of bills on that. And if you want to vote something separately, go ahead and let me know as we're working through it. I'll pull it out. Of course, I'll go through it again. If there's something you'd like to pull out separately, that's where we'll hear it.
Is that correct? So it's right before Senate bills for the third reading and passage on page 2. Second page, bottom of
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
6:27
the page. Yep. Any other announcements? Senator Flipo, you're recognized. Colleagues, if you'll help me welcome our doctor of the day, Dr. Timothy Payton with Regional Family Medical back in Mountain Home, Arkansas. He's a good friend of mine, community leader, and a lot of great things for North Central Arkansas. And of course, the exquisite, lovely, Nurse Lee Fazio. Please welcome them today.
Any other announcements? Introductions? Madam Secretary, are there
items at the desk? Yes, dear Mr. President, this is to inform you that on April 8, 2025, I reviewed and approved the following measures
from the regular session of the 95th General Assembly. Senate Bill 391, act 472, Senate Bill 100, act 482, Senate Bill 264, act 483, Senate Bill 293, act 487, Senate Bill 365, act 488, Senate Bill 305, act 491, Senate Bill 411, act 492, Senate Bill 416, act 493, Senate Bill 392, act 499.
Sincerely, Sarah Sanders, Governor. When your committee
on enrolled bills to whom was referred, Senate Bill 25 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 37 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 39 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 88 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 123 by Senator Letting, Senate Bill 125 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 127 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 148 by Senator English, Senate Bill 153 by Senator Dodson, Senate Bill 160 by Senator Dodson, Senate Bill 167 by Senator Clark,
Senate Bill 237 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 252 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 322 by Senator Brant, Senate Bill 348 by Senator Penzo, Senate Bill 351 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 357 by Senator Brant, Senate Bill 359 by Senator Pettis, Senate Bill 361 by Senator Dees, Senate Bill 405 by Senator Dispange, Senate Bill 407 by Senator Gilmore, Senate Bill 412 by Senator Boyd, Senate Bill 421 by Senator Hester, Senate Bill 422 by Senator Tucker
Senate Bill 433 by Senator Dodson Senate Bill 440 by Senator Wallace Senate Bill 448 by Senator Petty Senate Bill 463 by Senator McKee Senate Bill 479 by Senator Hamers Senate Bill 498 by Senator Petty Senate Bill 503 by Senator Pearl Senate Bill 505 by Senator Bryant Senate Bill 510 by Senator Boyd Senate Bill 529 by Senator Blake Johnson Senate Bill 545 by Senator Mark Johnson Sen. 564 by Senator Flippo, compared the enrolled copies with the original. Find the same correctly enrolled and delivered to the Governor at 8:53 a.m. this morning for her approval.
File it. We are committee on engrossed bills to whom is deferred Sen. 376 by Senator Hammer, compared the engrossed copy of the original. Find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is furred House Bill 1847, Representative McClendon, compare the engrossed copy of the Richland, find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is furred House Bill 1886, by Representative Wallace, compare the engrossed copy of the Richland, find the same correctly engrossed.
Calendar. Will your committee on engrossed bills to whom was referred
to Senate Bill 614 by Senator Tucker, compared to the engrossed, copy of the original, find the same correctly,
engrossed. Calendar. Calendar. Will your committee on education to whom was referred to House Bill 1580 by Representative Gramlin.
Recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education to whom was referred to House Bill 1642 by Representative Gramlin. Recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Education who was referred to House Bill 1646 by Representative McGrew. Recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was referred to House Bill 1672 by Representative McCollum. Recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1728 by Representative Emmett, recommend do pass.
Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1766 by Representative Emmett, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1786 by Representative Brooks, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1793 by Representative Duke, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for the House Bill 1805 by Representative Childress, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who is referred to House Bill 1812 by
Representative Gramlitt recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Education who is referred to House Bill 1833 by Representative Sheppard recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who is referred to House Bill 1866 by Representative Brooks recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Joint Budget to whom was referred. Senate Bill 72 by Joint Budget recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Joint Budget to whom is for Senate Bill 92 by Joint Budget recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Joint Budget to whom is for Senate Bill 362 by Senator Hammer recommend do pass as amended number two. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for Senate Resolution 65 by Senator Tucker recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for House Concurrent Resolution 1010 by Representative Shepard recommend do pass.
Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for Senate Bill 441 by Central Hesch to recommend to pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for House Bill 1433 by Representative Moore recommend to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for House Bill 1529 by Representative Meeks recommend to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is for House Bill 1764 by Representative Underwood recommend to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1875, by Representative Tosh, recommended
to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1877, by Representative Meeks, recommended to pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1895, by Representative Dalby, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for the House Bill 1921, by Representative Torres, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1931 by Representative Beatty, recommend you pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred House Bill 1964 by Representative Brooks, recommend you pass.
Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred House Bill 1627 by Representative Barnett, recommend you pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred House Bill 1809 by Representative Warren, recommend you pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to Misford House Bill 1922 by Representative Maddox, recommended you pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to Misford House Bill 1937 by Representative Jean, recommended you pass. Calendar.
Senate Bill 635 by Senator Penzo. To amend the law concerning alcoholic beverages and to authorize bottle lockers in certain restaurants, Senate Bill 635. City, county, local. are there
any further business to come for the body in the morning hour if not the hour has expired
we will now start the business agenda senator ervin you are recognized
thank you mr chair i want to make a motion to suspend the rules to place senate bill 400 on the calendar
for purpose of getting my amendment engrossed. It came out of committee last Thursday and didn't make it to the calendar. Members, you've heard an explanation of the motion. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye.
Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 400. Senator Irvin, you're recognized for your amendment. My bill, my amendment.
Appreciate a good vote. Members, you've heard the explanation of the amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed,
say no. motion amendment adopted. And motion to, after it comes back from engrossing, place Senate Bill 400 on supplemental agenda for today. Members, you've
heard an explanation of the motion. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries.
Thank you. Hey, members, this is what we just briefly discussed. We will end up making a supplemental agenda because there's going
be anything that we're wanting to add to the calendar today, we'll go to the supplemental agenda. When we take a recess at 4 o'clock we will have that for you. But just for those in the gallery or here that's watching, we plan
to recess at 4 o'clock to go back into committees for roughly an hour. Then we'll come back to
the floor and finish for the day.
So is Senator Tucker Okay, Senator Irvin, so Senate Bill 614, Amendment No. 2.
Okay, so Senator Tucker needs a motion to do
for Senator Tucker. Yeah, he's not in here. Motion to suspend the rules to place Senate Bill 614 for consideration for purpose of amendment. For Senator Tucker.
So, Senator, you've heard the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. Your amendment. Yes. We just added
it to the calendar. It did not need to be amended. All we did was add it
Speaker 102
16:47
to the calendar today. No, it does need to be
amended. So, it just adds a House sponsor. Just adds a House sponsor. Okay. We've suspended the rules. Now
we're going to hear the amendment. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 614. Add sponsor.
Appreciate your vote. You've heard a motion on the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say no. Motion
carries. Amendment adopted. Motion to place Senate Bill 614 on supplemental agenda for
today's calendar. Members, you've heard the explanation of the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries.
Speaker 107
17:23
Senator Hammer, you are recognized. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
17:29
pull House Bill 1837 from committee for purpose of amendment
added to Senate sponsor. Members, you've heard the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment
1 to House Bill 1837. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
17:51
This adds me as a sentence sponsor. I'd like to ask for it to be sent to
Engrossing. Make a motion. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries.
Amendment adopted. Aye. Send to Engrossing.
Speaker 118
18:16
to put Senate Bill 568 on its second reading
for purpose of amendment. Members, you've heard the motion. All those
in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no.
Motion carries. My bill. Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 568.
my bill my amendment members you've heard an explanation of the amendment all
those in favor signify by saying aye opposed say no motion carries amendment adopted send to engrossing senator ervin you are
recognized yes motion to suspend the rules to amend house bill 1679 it's that's the motion members you've heard an explanation of the motion
all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed say no motion carries senator irvin you're recognized i need
house bill 1679 i had an amendment that came out of committee today this morning and i need to be able to engross that onto
the bill today members you've heard an explanation of the amendment all
those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed say no yeah
you do have it it's from the committee and then a motion to place. Motion carries amendment
adopted sent to engrossing. Correct. Okay. 1679 is the House bill. House bill 1679 and then
once it comes back from engrossing, House bill 1679, motion to place that also on a
supplemental agenda. Okay, members, you've heard an explanation of the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.
Opposed say no. motion carries House Bill 1679 1679 House Bill 1679 Yeah, right now it is Yeah, I'm going to go through
all the other ones that had 16 Get it done
Senator Kroll, you're recognized Make a motion to put 568 on the end of the supplemental calendar when it comes
back from McGrosy. Remember, you've heard an explanation of the moment, of the amendment, or you've heard an explanation of the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. Senator Dotson, you are recognized.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
21:19
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a few bills that came out of House, or Senate education this morning
that had amendments on them. There are House bills, House Bill 1642. I'd like to make a motion to suspend the rules to adopt the amendment that we had in committee this
morning. There's a motion to suspend the rules. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. Senator Dotson, you are recognized for your amendment.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
21:53
Oh, you don't have them yet? We'll
Speaker 146
21:59
have those later on the calendar. I'll withdraw to do
this a little later. Okay, are there any other motions, any announcements
at this time? Senator Scott, are you... SCR 7.
All right, Ann. Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 by Senator Scott to recognize the Mills University Studies High School Comets Boys
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
22:45
Basketball Teams as the Class 4A State Champions. Turn around. Senator Jamie
Scott, you are recognized. Turn around. Turn around.
Speaker 159
22:56
Face that way, there you go. Back up. Thank you.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
23:04
Good afternoon, Mr. President. Today I stand before you to recognize Mills University Studies High School Comets Boys Basketball Team for the Class 4A Championship. So we're at Mills University Studies High School Comets Basketball Team. one that we won the 2025 Class 4A championship
after defeating Moralton Devil Dogs by a score of 56 to 51 on March the 14th at the Bank of Ozarks and High Springs. Whereas the Comets finished the 2024-2025 season with a 35 to 1. That was 35. That was the best record in school's history. Give them a round of applause. So, whereas Anthony Hester suffered a shock and fall in the third quarter of the championship
game, which stopped the game for several minutes, but he recovered to lead a pivotal rally into the fourth quarter, helping power the Comets in their win. And whereas members of the team, Roland, Zylan Roland, was named Class 4A Most Valuable, Zaylan? Zaylan. Zaylan. Where's Hannah? Raise your hand, Zaylan. Sorry. Okay. I'm sorry, sweetie. Zalen Rowland was named the most valuable 4A player, okay. And we're asked, Wals, Marshall Wals, scored the team's high 19 points in the championship game.
Raise your hand, Mr. Wals. And we're asked, Rowland and Hester and Bell all earned all state honors. And we're asked, members Curry and Wals earned all conference honors. And the comments were led by head coach, head coach, the head coach. Mr. Cooper, raise your hand. Assistant coaches Campbell, Flowers, Butler, and White. Head coach Mr. Cooper, I love his wife, I work with her, said that the win of the season, winning happens when you decide to do whatever it takes.
So now they're being resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly and the House of Representatives concurring therewithin that recognize the Mills University High School commons basketball team as the Class 4A state champions.
I ask for a good vote on this resolution. You've heard the resolution. All those in favor
signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Congratulations.
Mr. President, Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Hold on
Speaker 175
25:55
guys, come back, come back, come back, come back, come on back, come on back. Gentlemen, if you all pause just a moment, I'll
tell a quick story, Mr. President. President. Some of y'all know I used to work for Congressman Mills. He was my dear friend.
He was the best man at my wedding. He had a bet with Senator McClellan. Every time Mills beat McClellan in any sport, he would send $100 to the Mills Athletic Department. And so I wanted to say I'm so proud of y'all, both
Speaker 178
26:43
the boys and the girls. So coach, here's a
Speaker 132
26:48
hundred dollars from congressman mills 50 years later yes sir
Speaker 181
26:53
excuse me excuse me can you take a photo
Speaker 182
27:00
thank you so much Thank you. We appreciate that. Head over to the house. Okay. Head over to the house.
Speaker 187
27:24
Yes, bring them in. Okay. Okay. Senate
Concurrent Resolution 8 by Jamie Scott. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8
by Senator Scott to recognize the Mills University Studies High School Lady Comets basketball team as the Class 4A Conference Champions and to remember head coach Joe Gregory's wife Cynthia Gregory. Senator Scott you are recognized.
Thank you. Thank you Mr. President. Thank
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
28:03
you colleagues. Trying to get everybody in here. Okay the Mills University studies high school lady commons basketball team won the class 4a conference championship made it to the semifinals of the class a four state championship tourney pressing through and finishing strong for head coach joe gregory after the tragic death of his wife sympathy gregory in january of 2025 and we're asked in a 2024 2025 season the lady commons basketball team ended with a loss to the queen in the semifinals of the class 4a state championship tournament
But the Lady Comets endured so much and accomplished so much during this extraordinary season and emerged as the number one, as a number of school records. The Lady Comets was the first 20 win seasons of 18 years, the first conference championship in 18 years, and the first regional championship in the program's history for the state championship semifinals appearance in the program's history. And whereas members Kirsten Johnson and Ms. Streets earn all state honors, and whereas members Ms. Johnson, Ms. Streets, Gregory, and Tenor all conference honors, and whereas the Lady Commons were led by head coach Joe Gregory, assistant coaches Jasmine, George, and Tony.
And we're, as Coach Joe Gregory said in his win of the season, winning is a culture that is fueled by effort, determination, and confidence. Anything worth having will never come easy, which makes winning a high priority in every aspect of our lives. And Coach Gregory, would you please step up? Joe, okay. We just want you to know that we love you and we're praying for you. His wife passed away in January.
But the community is so proud of
the young ladies that you are making just role models in our state. And how they showed up for you and your family and pressed through this season will never be forgotten. And we will never forget you leading in such a way that's just remarkable and should be commended during such one of the moments of your life that nobody ever wants to experience. So I want you to know that the state of Arkansas sees you. we see you and we appreciate who you are and what you're doing and so now there be it resolved the
senate and house of representatives concur that we're in recognize mills university high school lady comments team as the class 4a conference championships and your remarkable leadership george gregory members you've heard
the resolution all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed say no motion carries congratulations thank you coach joe thank you
Speaker 202
31:09
to read a few reports i think
madam secretary are there items at
way. Where is she? Will your
committee on public health to whom is for House Bill 1679 by Representative Brown recommend do pass as amended
Chair
Unverified
31:34
number two? Calendar? Senator Irvin, you are now recognized. She's not adopted.
Speaker 11
31:44
Yes, go ahead. Amendment 2 to 1679. My bill, my amendment. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All those
in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing. Thank you. Mr. Dodson. Senator
Dodson, you are recognized for... House
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
32:05
Bill 1642, Amendment 1. You wanted to adopt
Speaker 216
32:09
it. That's one on your list. Okay, this
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
32:13
is a motion to suspend the rules.
for House Bill 1642 that came out of committee this morning and needs
to adopt the amendment. We suspended the rules earlier now to adopt the amendment. All right, so my motion is to adopt the amendment and get it to engrossing so it can
be calendared. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send
Speaker 220
32:37
to engrossing. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1812. Same thing.
Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing.
Amendment 1 to House Bill 1866.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
32:57
Same thing on House Bill
1866. Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying
Speaker 226
33:09
aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send to
Speaker 103
33:20
engrossing. amendment 2 to house bill 1812
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
33:23
same thing on on that amendment members you've heard
the explanation of amendment 2 all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed say no motion carries amendment adopted
send to engrossing madam secretary there are items at the desk
no yeah will your committee on public health to whom is referred House Bill 1142 by Representative Brown recommend you pass calendar
committee on public health to whom is referred House Bill 1185 by Representative Johnson recommend you pass calendar committee on public health to whom is referred House Bill 1186 by Representative Vaught recommend you pass Calendar. Committee on Public Health, whom is for House Bill 1187, by Representative Vaught, recommend you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, whom is for House
Bill 1252, by Representative Johnson, recommend you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, whom is for House Bill 1285, by Representative Johnson, recommend you pass. Calendar.
Committee on Public Health, whom is for House Bill 1428, by Representative Stimmel, recommend you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is for the House Bill 1439, by Representative Leidyman, recommended you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is for the House Bill 1456, by Representative Rose, recommended you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is for the House Bill 1458, by Representative Johnson, recommended you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is for the House Bill 1471, by Representative Woodridge, recommended you pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is for the House Bill 1585, by Representative Johnson, recommended you pass.
Calendar. Committee on Public Health Tune is for House Bill 1682 by Representative Puri. Recommended. Pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health Tune is for House Bill 1767 by Representative Johnson. Recommended. Pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health Tune is for House Bill 1768 by Representative Lundstrom. Recommended. Pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health Tune is for House Bill 1784 by Representative Wardlow. Recommended. Pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health Tune is for House Bill 1817 by Representative Johnson.
Bill 1840 by Representative Johnson, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, HB 1840 by Representative Johnson, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, HB 1841 by Representative Johnson, recommended to pass as amended number 1. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, HB 1869 by Representative Johnson, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, HB 1893 by Representative Brown, recommended to pass. Calendar. The committee on public health is for the House Bill 1943 by Representative Johnson, recommended to pass.
Calendar. The committee on public health is for the House Bill 1954 by
Representative Andrews, recommended to pass. Calendar. The committee on public health is for the House Bill 1965 by Representative McCollum,
recommended to pass. Calendar. Let me see who
the Senate sponsor is on this one. Are there any other items at this time? Seeing
none, Senator Dotson. You're recognized for House Concurrent Resolution 1008. House Concurrent Resolution 1008 by Senator Dotson to celebrate and commend Northwest Arkansas
Community Colleges nationally leading and industry transforming bicycle assembly and repair technician and trail technician programs.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
36:50
Senator Dotson, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members, this resolution and the next one, there
was a little bit of a calendar mess up. they were here yesterday over in the house but since this was a concurrent resolution it didn't come over here till today so
I'm just going to ask for a good vote on this one and
then I'll present the next one and do the same. Members you've heard
the resolution all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. Congratulations. Senator Dotson you're
recognized for House Concurrent Resolution 1011. House Concurrent Resolution 1011
by Senators Dotson and Hester to recognize the Bentonville's investment in cycling and its
title as the mountain biking capital of the world. Senator Dotson, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
37:39
explained this on the last one. Appreciate a good vote on it as well. Members, you've
heard an explanation of the resolution. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion Resolution carries.
Resolution is concurred. Return to the House. Okay, Senator
Speaker 246
38:01
Walsh, you're recognized. Sir, thank you so much. Members, in
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
38:06
the VIP gallery today, we have our alignment of Arkansas from all over Arkansas. These men and women, when the rest of us hunker down with storms coming through, these are the men and women that stand up and go out in the bad weather, working with high line
wires. Gentlemen, if you all will in the VIP, if you linemen will stand up, and God bless you for what you do. And I just want to take this moment to recognize them. They're heroes. They protect us, they're really our first responders for our electrical, our phones, and without them I don't know what we would do. And so if you will, just give them a warm Senate welcome. And thank you for the heroes that you are.
Thank you. Senator Kroll, you are recognized for Senate Resolution
54. Senate Resolution 54 by Senator Kroll to recognize the Taylor High School Lady Tigers softball team as the 2024 Class 1A state champions. Colleagues, I'm
just going to take a quick second here to recognize these young ladies and this program. Taylor Ladies High School softball team won the state championship last year. That is their seventh championship in a
row, and that is their tenth championship overall.
I would ask for a good vote, and let's give them a warm
welcome. Members, you've heard the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Congratulations. Come on, coach.
Head on over there. Senator Kroll, you are recognized for Senate
Resolution 55. Senate Resolution 55 by Senator Kroll. to recognize the Taylor High School Tigers baseball team as the 2024 Class 1A state champions. Colleagues,
I would like to recognize this team, still from Taylor. They won the 1A state championship this last year.
That is their third in a row and their eighth such championship as a program. I would ask for a
good vote on Senate Resolution 55. Members, you've heard the resolution. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Congratulations.
Chair
Unverified
41:35
Thank you, Coach. Thank you. Senator
Crull, you are recognized for Senate
Resolution 56. Colleagues, this is a pretty amazing one. These are ladies from Murfreesboro High School. They went to the Girls Power Design Technology for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Fields, and Awareness for Women, High-Wage, High-Performance Jobs.
And they took numbers 1 through 5 in the competition. I would ask for
a good vote. Senate Resolution 56 by Senator Corral to congratulate the students of Murfreesboro High School for the victories
Speaker 268
42:27
in competitive computer-based numerical, controlled metal, wood, and laser design. Members, you've heard the resolution.
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Congratulations.
Is Senator Blake Johnson around? Senator Blake Johnson? Senator Blake
Johnson, you are recognized for Senate Resolution 64. Senate Resolution 64 by Senator Blake Johnson to
urge the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to take certain actions. You're recognized.
Speaker 272
43:18
Members, I apologize for not having anybody here with me for this bill, for this resolution, but this resolution is asking the feds to be able to, for the states and the local entities to be able to take care of the homeless. rather than it being
a top-down situation members you've heard an explanation of the resolution all those in favor signify by saying
aye opposed say no motion carries Senate resolution 66 Senator Davis
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
43:51
Senator Davis you're recognized thank you can I skip over just for now they're
in the house being recognized when they get back we will pass over for now members Are there any announcements at this time? Anything need to be read across the desk? Seeing
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
44:09
none, we will start with Senate bills to concur in House amendments. Senate Bill 371, Senator Scott.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
44:30
oh okay i'm sorry i haven't done one of these yet i'm just here to concur
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
44:42
a house amendment is that it
members are there any questions anyone to speak for or against senator is
closed all any objection to rolling the vote wait this is a this is a voice vote so just on the amendment all those in favor signify by
Speaker 283
45:00
saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. The amendment is
concurred. Enroll it. The amendment's concurred.
Speaker 284
45:13
Now you present the bill. House Bill 1957. Nope.
Speaker 104
45:23
No, I'm sorry. Senate Bill 371. Yeah, we're voting it. We've got to vote this one. Senate Bill
371 of Senator Scott to establish a standardized system to aid in the search of missing children who do not meet the criteria for aviation of the
Speaker 291
45:38
Arkansas Amber Alert System. Thank you, colleagues.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
45:43
This bill has already been presented and went through committee. Everybody voted it out last time. I appreciate
another good vote. Thank you. Any questions? Seeing none, what do you want to
like to speak for the bill, against the bill? Seeing none, any objection to rolling
the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Coral, Davis, Deese, Dispain, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty,
Rice, Scott, Stone, Stuboff, Phil Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Would
any member like to vote that has not or changed their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yeas and 0 nays, the bill passes. Enroll it.
Senate Bill 460. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 460. Motion to concur with the House Amendment. My bill, my amendment. Member, you've
heard an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, signify by saying aye.
Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment concurred. Senate Bill 460
by Senator Irving to modify the compliance advisory panel to repeal the marketing recyclables program of the compliance advisory panel and declare an emergency. Senator Irving, you're recognized to present Senate Bill 460.
Thank you. Amendment just was a simple clear, some cleanups
that we needed to do. So we've heard the bill. We passed the bill. appreciate a good vote on the bill. Are there any questions
on the bill? Anyone want to speak
against the bill for the bill? Seeing none, Senator Irvin is closed on the bill. Any objection to rolling the
vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Quirrell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Would any member like to vote
that has not or changed their vote?
Senator Dees, present. Senator Dotson, present. Senator Penzo, present. Senator King, not voting. Senator McKee, present. Anyone else? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 30 yeas, zero nays, and four present, the bill is concurred. Enroll it. We're going to
start now with House bills with Senate amendments. I have a motion.
Oh, okay. So, Senator Irving, you're recognized for a
motion? Okay, so this is the last bill that came out of public health that has an amendment that we need to go ahead and get engrossed and get back to the House. What bill number? 1841, House Bill 1841. So we're suspending the rules? Yeah, motion to suspend the rules so that we can place it on the calendar for purpose of
amendment. Members, you've heard the motion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. Senator Irvin, you're recognized.
Amendment 1 to House Bill 1841. The amendment was adopted in the committee this morning, so the motion would just be to adopt the amendment. Members, you've heard the
explanation of the amendment. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing. And I think we can just put it
Speaker 102
49:10
on the calendar for tomorrow. For tomorrow. I think that'd be okay. So moving on to House...
Speaker 160
49:21
Moving on to House bills with Senate amendments. House Bill 1957. Senator English. House Bill 1957. amendment one thank you
Senator Jane English
Unverified
49:32
the amendment adds a sponsor yes members you've
heard an explanation of the amendment all those in favor signify by saying aye
opposed say no motion carries amendment adopted send to engrossing House Bill
Speaker 160
49:58
1958, Senator English House Bill 1958 Amendment 1 Thank
Senator Jane English
Unverified
50:04
you, the amendment adds a sponsor Members, you've heard an explanation of
the amendment All those in favor signify by saying aye Opposed say no Motion carries, send to engrossing Okay, members We're about to take up the budget calendar
But before that If you have a bill that should have been on the calendar today uh would you please come up and do that at this point we've
had several others but i'm trying to get our supplemental calendar lined up if you had a bill that you think should have been on the calendar today because it passed committee yesterday or was amended please senator davis you're recognized yeah you have to suspend the rules i'd like to make a motion to suspend the
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
51:00
rules to add house bill 1656 to the calendar members you've
heard an explanation of the motion all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed say no motion carries anyone else okay seeing
none senator dismaying you are recognized to present the budget calendar thank you uh members we
have one amendment we need to take up and i've got one that we need
to refer back to joint budget.
Members, you've heard an explanation of the motion. All
those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. Yep. All right. Members. All right.
So the first up we do have an amendment public defender commission adding four new public defenders adding 2.1 million dollars in regular salaries and 900,000 to match the trial
public Defender Office. That is Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 67. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 67. Members,
Speaker 284
52:17
you've heard an explanation of the amendment.
All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries. All right, members, I'm going
to read through the Senate bills. Remember, we just pulled out or sent back Senate Bill 54.
That last bill I was sent to
engrossing. All right. So we're going to take these up. I'm going to read them off. There's one you'd like to pull out from the batch. Let
me know. We're going to vote this first page of Senate bills
Speaker 327
53:04
as a batch. All right, Senate Bill 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41, 51, 52,
Speaker 330
53:21
55, 71, 81, 106, and 124.
Would anyone like to pull any of those out from the batch?
Medical service appropriation. Yes, sir. Do you want to pull it out or are you good? Okay.
Senator Payton, you're recognized? Thank you. Did you name SB 81? If I didn't, I meant to. SB 81. Okay.
I'd like to pull it out. Pull it out. Okay. All right. So we're going to pull Senate Bill 81 out of the batch and vote it separately.
Speaker 327
53:54
we will do that first. You want to run Senate Bill 81 first?
Is that okay? Alright. Alright, so we're going to run
Senate Bill 81, House Bill 1265 separately. We'll do those first, then we'll work to the batch. Okay. Senate
Speaker 243
54:20
Bill 81. You've got to find it in the stat.
Senate Bill 81 by Joint Budget, an act for the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism,
State Parks and Tourism Divisions Appropriations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senator Dismayne, you're recognized. Go ahead and recognize it
for a question, be fine. Senator Payne, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. Does this contain those bicycle lifts?
I would probably, I don't know that I've got that level of detail to know if it contains the bicycle lifts. Do you agree it probably does? It would probably be in, let me make sure. I mean, I guess there's potential it could be in their construction costs. Okay, thank you. But I can find, you mean to find out? I'm assuming that it probably does also. Any other questions?
Seeing none, would anyone like
to speak against the bills, for the bills? Seeing none, Senator Dismang is closed. Matt, any objection
to rolling the vote? Objection, please roll the
vote. Oh, no objection. Roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson, King, Letting, Love,
McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Would anyone like to vote that has not or change their vote? Senator Blake, Johnson, present. Senator Payton, no. Senator King, not voting. Anyone else? Senator Stubblefield, no. Anyone else? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By vote of 31 yeas, 2 nays, 1 present. The bill passes. Emergency clause adopted.
Transmit to the House. Now, I think we're ready. Senator Dismain, you're
recognized to present the batch. No, House Bill 1265. House Bill 1265, by joint budget, an act for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Appropriation
for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senator Dismain, you're recognized. Any questions? Any questions? Seeing none, would anyone like to
speak against the bill, for the bill?
Senator Dismain is closed on the bill. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing
none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Quirrell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Picky, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson,
King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
senator dismaying you are recognized oh would any member like to vote that has not or change their vote senator king not voting anyone else seeing none madam secretary cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yays zero nays the
bill passes emergency clause adopted transmit to the house
return to the house okay city bill 32 by joint budget and act for the department of human services division of youth services appropriation for 2025-2026 fiscal year. Symbol 33 by Joint Budget and Act for the Department of Human Services Division of Medical Services appropriation for 2025-2026 fiscal year. Symbol 34 by Joint Budget and Act
for the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disability Services appropriation for 2025-2026 fiscal year. Symbol 35 by Joint Budget and Act for the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senate Bill 36 by Joint Budget and Act for the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senate Bill 40 by Joint Budget and Act for the Bureau of Legislative Research and the Legislative Council Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Symbol 41 by Joint Budget and Act for the Office of the Governor Appropriation for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. Symbol 51 by Joint Budget and Act for the Office of the Prosecutor, Attorney, Coordinator Appropriation for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. Symbol 52 by Joint Budget and Act for the Auditor of State Operations and Unclaimed Property Program Appropriation for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
Senate Bill 55 by Joint Budget and Act for the Arkansas Supreme Court Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senate Bill 71 by Joint Budget and Act for the Administrative Office of the Courts, Court Personnel Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senate Bill 106 by Joint Budget and Act for the Department of Agriculture Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Senate Bill 124, by Joint Budget and Act for the University of Arkansas, Division of Agricultural Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Senate Bill 354. It's not part
Speaker 368
1:00:47
not part. Oh, okay. Members, this is
the batch. Are there any questions on the
batch? Seeing none. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Would any member like to vote that has not or changed their vote? Senator King, not voting. Anyone else? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34 yeas, zero nays.
The bill passes. Emergency clause adopted. Transmit to the House.
Senator Dismain, you are recognized for a motion. Hey, members, yesterday we
kind of merged away a little bit from our normal practice
instead of having Ann have to call out every one of our names when we roll a vote. We turned the board green. That seemed to work out pretty well. What I'd like to do is make
a motion that we take that practice back up when we get to the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:02:23
House calendar without objection. Okay, was there any objection? Okay, let's vote it. Okay, y'all heard the motion. All in favor of the motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. Okay, the motion carries. Thank you, Senator Dispain.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:02:47
Okay, members, we're going to take five minutes here to let our staff kind
Speaker 378
1:02:52
of get caught up. It's not like I'm going in here. First of all, I can't
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:03:15
walk. Step and go. Okay, members, we're going to take a five-minute reset at least.
So let's just say that we're going to come back in. I'll tell you what, let's just say 2.15 to give them plenty of time. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
1:03:59
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Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:10:59
okay members I said 2:15 our staff because of all the motions we have they need a little more time so if everyone will just kind of stick around close whenever it's time to come back I'll ring the buzzer and we'll come back in
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:11:18
immediately you know within two minutes of that thank you
Unknown speaker
1:11:29
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Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:27:29
okay as members are coming back we're gonna go ahead and start reading some items across the desk are
there some items for your committee on engrossed bills to move forward Senate Bill 460 by Center Irving compared to the engrossed copy of the original find the same correctly engrossed calendar committee on
engrossed bills to move forward Senate Bill 568 by Center Pearl compared to the engrossed copy of the original find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Revenue and tax. I'm sorry. Revenue and tax.
Will your committee on engrossed bills to whom is first sent bill 614 by
Senator Tucker compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Calendar. Will your committee on engrossed bills to whom is first sent bill 614 by Senator Tucker compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same
correctly engrossed. Calendar. Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is first House Bill 1812, by Senator Bordrick, compare the engrossed copy of the
original, find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is referred House
Bill 1837, by Senator Hamer, compare the engrossed copy of the original, find the same
Speaker 404
1:28:36
correctly engrossed. Calendar. State agencies. State agencies. Will your committee on education,
whom is referred to Senate Bill 634, by Senator Mark Johnson, recommend due
pass? Calendar. Calendar. Committee on State Agencies to whom we deferred House Bill 1800 by Rep. McClendon, recommended to pass. Calendar. Calendar. Okay, members, we're going to be back in from recess.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:29:13
Just quickly, just kind of tell y'all where we're at with everything. We're going to have some
motions made. Senator Davis has a resolution that the folks were down at the House, then we're going to hear that. As we're going to do the Senate bills, we're going to do those as normal so that the roll is called or roll the vote. However, whenever we get to the House bills, as you know from Senator Dismang's motion, we're going to start like we did yesterday. As you all know where we're at in the session, we've got a lot of bills. I was just told that we've already got 85 for tomorrow, and then we have committee meetings.
So we appreciate the way you did it. Senator Letting and Senator Crowell are going to try to help keep everybody in line the same way so that we can get through these. We'll move fast where we can move fast, and when we need to slow down, we're going to do our due diligence and slow down, but
Speaker 416
1:30:00
we'll try to roll that way. Okay. Madam
Secretary, you can... Ms. Korner, will the House of Representatives respectfully request the return of House Bill 1829 to the House? Okay.
Without objection. Without objection? Senate Resolution 68 by Senator McKee to recognize the Division of Arkansas State Police's Interstate Criminal Patrol for winning top honors at the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Award. Senate Resolution 68. Calendar. Senate Resolution 69 of Senator Wallace
to proclaim April 9, 2025 as Arkansas line worker appreciation day at the state capitol and commend the men and women who serve Arkansas as utility line workers. Senate Resolution 69, calendar.
Chair
Unverified
1:31:00
Calendar. Okay, I think we've got everything read. Let me
Speaker 252
1:31:11
find that one. It's hollow. I think it's 568. 568. We're your committee on
Speaker 394
1:31:33
revenue and tax to him is first simple 568 the center
Speaker 433
1:31:36
Crowell recommend do pass. Calendar. Calendar. Okay. We're ready for Senator. No, we haven't read those across. Do you want to read these across right click? Does that help? Give
us just one second. Oh, did Senator Hester do those? I didn't do them. I didn't do those.
Speaker 208
1:32:06
okay all right will your committee on gross
bills to whom is heard house bill 1957 by century English recommend do pass calendar calendar there's the bill
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
1:32:37
okay senator boyd you recognize for a motion sir thank you mr. president i make a motion that
we withdraw house bill 1484 from education for the purpose of admin amendment please okay you Everyone's heard the motion. All in
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:32:50
favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that
Speaker 451
1:32:52
motion carries. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1484. Just ask for a good
vote. You appreciate a good vote. I'd appreciate a good
Speaker 454
1:33:04
Aye. Any opposed? Okay, send in grossing. Okay, the amendment is adopted.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:33:15
Okay, the amendment is adopted. Send in grossing.
Chair
Unverified
1:33:19
Who's next for motion? Senator Letting, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to place Senate Bill 585 on today's supplemental calendar. Okay, y'all heard the motion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:33:36
that motion carries. 585, bottom of the calendar. All right, Senator Lettings will go
to the bottom of the calendar. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. You have two motions, is that correct? Okay, Senator Penzo
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:33:49
will have two motions. What's your first one? Well, two motions for two bills, but a motion
to suspend the rules to place Senate Bill 615 on second reading for purpose of amendment.
This is a bill I ran yesterday, got some feedback from y'all, and would like to add the amendment and try to run it again today. Okay, the motion is to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:34:05
suspend the rules. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion carries. Amendment
Speaker 401
1:34:12
2 to Senate Bill 615. My bill, my amendment. All
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:34:14
in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, suspend the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:34:22
rules. Well, we need to send that to engrossing. Amendment adopted. Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:34:31
Motion to suspend the rules to place Senate Bill 591 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Okay, motion to suspend
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:34:44
the rules. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion carries. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 591. My bill,
my amendment. Okay, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that's adopted.
Chair
Unverified
1:35:01
Send that one to engrossing. And now you're recognized for
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:35:07
your next one. Suspend the rules to place Senate Bill 615 to the bottom of the supplemental counter when it returns from engrossing.
Okay, the motion is to place it at the bottom
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:35:20
of the calendar. All in favor, Senate Bill 615. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:35:27
carries. It will be placed at the bottom of the calendar.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:35:34
Motion to suspend the rules to place Senate Bill 591 on the bottom of the supplemental calendar when it returns from engrossing. Same deal, just different bill.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:35:41
All in favor of the motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:35:45
it'll go to the bottom of the calendar. Okay, is there somebody else that had another amendment? Senator Dees, but I don't know where he is.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:35:56
Senator Dees. All right, we'll do that in a minute. Senator Davis, you wanted to
go back for your resolution, which is SR66.
Is that correct? Okay, you can bring
everyone in. God, where is it? SR66. Senate Resolution 66 by Senator Davis to recognize the Arkansas Tech University Robotics Club for winning the Tournament Champion and Innovative Awards at the
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
1:36:27
2025 Texas State VEXU Tournament. You want to ask for
leave? Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I want to welcome the Arkansas Tech University Robotics team to the floor.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
1:37:08
Alright, at the Texas State VURC tournament held at Houston,
Texas on February 21st,
Arkansas Tech University's robotics team, known as Adam, won the tournament and the Innovate Award. Adam beat Florida Polytech University in the quarterfinals. They beat Texas A&M in the semifinals and the University of Texas Austin in the finals. This was the first year for them to win this tournament. With Adam winning the Texas State Tournament, They were able to secure one of only 24 automatic invitations awarded to the U.S.-based universities
to compete in the VEX World Championship in Dallas, Texas. ATU Robotics Club President Hunter Mathis from Hope, Arkansas said that this year's team is comprised of both upper and lower classmen who have dedicated countless hours to building, programming, and piloting the most competitive robots ATU has ever produced. This year alone, the ATU Robotics Club members have invested over 10,000 total hours towards their success. So now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of the state of Arkansas
that the Senate recognize the Arkansas Tech University Robotics Club for winning the tournament, champion, and innovate awards at the 2025 Texas State VEX University Tournament, or VEXU tournament, and be it further resolved that upon adoption, a copy of this resolution will be presented to club sponsor Jacob Weidenfeller by the Secretary of the Senate. Okay, members, y'all, you've had
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:38:46
a motion to all in favor of adopting the resolution indicate by saying aye. Aye.
Speaker 489
1:38:52
Any opposed? Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. We appreciate y'all being
with us today. Thank you. All right,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:39:16
members, as soon as they get out of
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:39:19
here, we are going to go to the bottom of page two.
We'll be doing SB 149 first. So Senator English, you'll be recognized. One, four, nine. This guy's probably driving the way he's here. Jane. One, four, nine. I'm going to read this to the right spelling.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
1:39:56
One, four, nine. Yeah, I've got one, four, nine.
Speaker 501
1:40:01
We are committed on engrossed bills to whom inspired House Bill 1958 by Representative
Meese and Senator English, compare the engrossed
copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. okay
now send bill 149 by Senator English to amend public school funding
amounts under the Public School Funding Act of 2003 all right Senator English you're recognized
Senator Jane English
Unverified
1:40:34
ma'am thank you this bill basically is the
sets up the funding for adequacy for the next two years for public school funding okay any questions for Senator English? Anyone want to speak
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:40:50
for the bill? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Are you
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:40:59
closed, Senator English? Is there any objection to rolling
the vote? Okay. Madam Secretary,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:41:10
please roll the vote. No, we're going to call. We're going to do Senate
the same way, and when we get to House, we'll go to our new procedure - Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Deese, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill,
Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stebafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:41:38
Okay, do any members wish to change their vote? Anyone want
to change their vote? Okay, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present. Senate Bill 149 is passed.
Please transmit to the House. Okay, next is going to be Senate Bill 538
by Senator Gilmore. Senate Bill 538 by Senator Gilmore to amend the
Arkansas procurement law. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you, sir, Mr. President.
Members, this is a bill that actually comes
from ALC study that was done because of some issues that came up with some ambiguity in the law relating to procurement. This started under Senator Rice when he was the co-chair. Senator Hickey's been involved with this, appreciate his help. Senator Irvin as well, of course, representing Ward Law. But there were some things that need to be clarified, some cleanup and some typographical errors that were also in the law. But one of the things that we found out that I think was really important that this bill does, and I want to note it, was oftentimes within the agencies, they were unsure of how the process works.
And so this bill will require training of agency officials handling procurement. It also will prompt the Office of Procurement to repromulgate rules so that we get to look at that and make sure that it meets legislative intent from previous bills that were passed. those are some of the main
things it does with that happy to take any questions all right any questions for senator gilmore senator payton
you're recognized sir thank you mr president so on page four line 11 and 12 we talk about the anticipated awardee
and it looks like that anticipated language was added later in the bill so with with that that's
a clarification of what is allowable under law that the agencies were unsure of. I went and looked at some notes, and after you and I spoke, I verified that. As I understand with the process, dealing with the consultants, too, that this was it was allowable, but it was vague and ambiguous. We're just clarifying that that is the case, so that they can continue to
have those negotiations, and we're not slowing down the process.
I just, for the record, I'd just like to state, It's not our intention, it's not our
intent that the lowest bid would be overlooked in negotiations and in giving somebody else preference to come down and match the lowest bid. That's a great
point because on page two, I think it clarifies
that. And our intent is to make sure the right person, not just whatever factor we deem appropriate, is the person chosen. Okay, thank you.
Thank you, sir. Any other questions? Any other questions for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:44:26
Senator Gilmore? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Anyone want to speak against the bill? You close, Senator Gilmore. I'm close, sir. Any
objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Disbang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irving, Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson,
King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty,
Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafill, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Okay, do
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:44:58
any members wish to change their vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:45:02
Senator King is a no. Senator Flowers is a present. Anyone else? Anyone
else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 33 yeas, one nay, one present. SB 538 is passed. Please transmit to the
House. Okay, Senate Bill 568 is on another calendar,
so Senate Bill 600, Senator Tucker. Senate Bill 600 by Senator Tucker to regulate contracts to mandate contractual provisions for certain contracts
Chair
Unverified
1:45:37
and to clarify proper jurisdiction for certain contracts. Senator Tucker, you're
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
1:45:40
recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is a bill that was brought to me by a former federal judge
who was helping a couple that was victimized by an adhesion contract. That's a fancy lawyer word for a contract where one party has zero bargaining power. And this is really to help folks who are trying to buy homes at $100,000 or less.
What happened to this particular couple is they signed this adhesion contract to buy a mobile home. The contract said that any dispute with the seller would be adjudicated in Texas under Texas law, and any dispute with the lender would be adjudicated in Utah under Utah law. And what happened was a suit got filed against this couple in Arkansas in Utah. They never defended themselves in Utah. They couldn't get to Utah to defend themselves. the lender got a judgment and then sought to enforce the judgment against them in Arkansas. So what this says is if you buy a piece of real property or personal property that's as a dwelling unit,
if you buy it in Arkansas and it stays in Arkansas and it's valued at $100,000 or less, then it's subject to the jurisdiction of Arkansas and Arkansas law governs the transaction. So that's what it does. If you buy it here, if you're keeping it here, then Arkansas law
is going to govern your transaction. Any questions for Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:46:51
Tucker? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Anyone want to speak against the bill? You're closed, Senator Tucker? Yes, sir, I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson, King, Ludding, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone,
Mr. Stuboffill, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Does any member wish to change their
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:47:27
vote? All right, Senator Flowers is present. Anyone else?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:47:33
Anyone want to change their vote?
Okay, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yeas, 0 nay, 1 present. SB 600 is passed. Please
transmit to the House. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I'd like to, first of all, let me say that this is regarding, this is going to be a motion regarding House Bill 1797. We reached some agreement with folks that had objections last evening. I think this will prevent a further clincher motion in the future, looking at Senator Terry Rice.
So, I would like to make a motion to suspend the rules to place House Bill 1797 on second reading for purposes of amendment.
Speaker 546
1:48:20
Okay, all in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That carries. Amendment
Speaker 313
1:48:26
2, House Bill 1797. My bill, my amendment. All in
Speaker 546
1:48:31
favor, say aye. Any opposed? And with that, I
should have said my bill, Senator Rice, Senator Hickey, Senator Caldwell's amendment, but with that, I'd like to make a motion to spin the rules
to place House Bill 1797 to the
bottom of the supplemental calendar when it returns from engrossing. Okay, motion to spin the rules.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:48:52
Everyone in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That'll carry, and it'll be put at the bottom of the calendar whenever it comes back. Okay, Senator Irvin,
you're right up next. We're going to be
doing Senate Bill 621. Senate Bill 621 by Senator Irvin, to clarify enforcement provisions against
a health care insurer to retroactively apply to a health care contract
for the benefit of a temporary hospital
facility and declare an emergency. You're recognized, Senator Irvin. Thank you, members of the Senate.
If you'll recall, under President Trump, he was able to authorize a program at the federal level to allow for ambulatory surgery centers and other health care facilities that could and would transition into a temporary hospital. Upon Governor Hutchinson's executive order, when he was governor, we were able to open
that up and in response to COVID because we had an issue with hospital beds and not having enough so this
was a good program at the federal level we passed legislation to allow for those facilities to participate in that federal program and what this bill does is to clarify that if you're going to participate in this federally approved and acknowledged program that's all licensed through the department of health and you've met all the quality measures that you should be able to be paid for the services that you render within that temporary hospital at that time. So that's what
the bill does, and it's clarifying
this, and I appreciate a good vote. Anybody
have any questions with Senator Irvin? Senator Payton, you're
recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. So on page two, lines 13 through 15, we're making this retroactive. Any idea how
many dollars are hanging out there? How many years retroactive
Speaker 92
1:50:44
we're going? Again, you know, this goes back
to a date certain when it was all approved by the Arkansas Department of Health, and this legislature passed legislation to direct them to be paid, and they didn't follow the
law. I appreciate that. I'm just wondering, has anybody figured out how much money we're talking about forcing them to pay? I don't
have that information, and they did not speak against this bill, so I don't have any opposition to it. They wanted it to be clarified, and we're clarifying it. Retroactively, thanks. Well, yes, because they should have followed the law in the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:51:25
first place. Other questions? Any other questions?
Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill?
You closed, Senator Irvin? I am,
and I appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark
Johnson, King, Ludding, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:52:04
Okay, does anyone wish to change their vote? I see Senator Dees is a no. I see Senator Bryant was a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:52:15
present. I see Senator Penzo is a present. Senator King is a present or no vote? What is it, Senator King? No vote. Not voting. Senator Dodson is present. Anyone else?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:52:35
Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, by a vote of 30 yeas, 1 nay, 1 not
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:52:46
voting, 3 present, Senate Bill 621 is passed along with the corresponding emergency clause. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 623, Senator Scott.
Senate Bill 623 by Senator Scott concerning the treatment of female inmates and detainees in correctional or detention facilities and to amend the law regarding the treatment of an inmate or detainee who is pregnant or has recently delivered a child.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
1:53:11
Senator Scott, you're recognized, ma'am. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, colleagues of the Senate. Senate Bill 623 addresses the treatment of incarcerated women, particularly those who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. This bill seeks to amend the current law to ensure that every woman under the care and custody of our correctional and detention facilities is treated with dignity, compassion, and the medical attention that her condition requires.
Every year, women in Arkansas and our correctional facilities go through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. Often without adequate prenatal care, without consistent monitoring, and without basic safeguards. And as many of you know, we've all been working hard on us having the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation. And this crisis does not stop when these women go behind our prison walls. To me, Senate Bill 623 builds upon the Protect Act when we're trying to protect women that are in our custody. It limits the use of restraints on pregnant inmates during labor, delivery, and postpartum recovery.
Except in extraordinary circumstances where safety is at risk. It requires access to appropriate prenatal and postpartum care consistent with medical standards. It requires that access that is appropriate for prenatal and postpartum care. Sorry. It provides trauma-informed training for correctional officers to help meet the physical and sociological needs of our pregnant women and women who are experiencing postpartum depression after they've given birth in our facilities.
And it also establishes reporting standards to ensure transparency and oversight when restraints are used during pregnancy. This bill does not compromise the safety. It allows us to use restraints when they're only needed in an immediate and serious threat while these women are in our custody. But it ensures that our correctional policies reflect modern medical practice and a respect for life. Colleagues, how we treat those who are less visible and the most vulnerable among us is one of the truest tests of our values.
I want to thank the committee members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for helping me with this bill. I want to thank the amendment that I received via the governor's office for the Department of Corrections to help make this a better bill and one that they were in support of. The last thing I want to say is let us not be remembered as a legislator turned a blind eye to the women and mothers who are behind bars. Let us be remembered as ones who said Arkansas can do better and then we prove that. Colleagues, at this time
I want to make a motion to pull this bill down and put
it in interim studies so that I can continue to work on it with the Department of UAMS to make it a better bill. I want to do the right way. I don't want to just push something through. And although I think I have the support, I want to get it right. So at this time, I make that motion.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:56:17
Okay, the motion is to place Senate Bill 623 in interim study. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion carries. Thank you for your support. Okay. Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:56:32
Love, you can come on and then we'll have a couple of motions after this.
Okay. Hold up just a moment. Let her read it. Senate Bill 632 by Senator Love to amend
the flood, drug, food, drug, and cosmetic act and to require warning labels for hair relaxers that
Speaker 572
1:56:58
contain certain chemicals. Senate Bill 632. You're recognized. Senator
Love. Thank you, Mr. Chair and colleagues. I'll bring you Senate Bill 632. It's a simple bill.
It is to require warning labels. I'll draw
your attention to line two verses, lines 11 through 13 to show you exactly what the bill will do. It's a hair relaxer. If a hair relaxer is being offered for a cell and the stating it contains a carcinogen or a reproductive toxicant, it shall provide a clear and conspicuous warning label displayed on the packaging or the product itself.
The warning label shall state, if a product contains a carcinogen, if a product contains a reproductive toxicant, and if a product contains both, it will require a label. And with that, I am open for questions, Mr. Chair. Okay, does anyone have any
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:57:59
questions of Senator Love on this bill? Senator Kroll, I believe you're first. You're recognized, sir.
Senator Love, do you have a lot of problems with your hair relaxer? My hair has already been relaxed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:58:20
Thanks a lot, Senator Crowe. Senator McKee, y'all are both in the same thing. You can't chunk any rocks. Okay, any other questions that might be legitimate? Legitimate, we've
got a lot of bills. This is all fun, but anyone want to speak for the bill? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Any objection
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:58:37
to rolling the vote? Oh, are you closed? I am closed,
and I appreciate a good vote on this, colleagues.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:58:44
Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary,
please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismayne, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch,
Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Okay, any members
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:59:08
who want to change their vote? Senator Dotson is non-voting.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:59:15
Anyone else? Anyone want to change their vote? Senator Bryan is present.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:59:25
Anyone else? Senator McKee is, he's present. Anyone else? Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
1:59:32
please cast up the ballot. Okay, by vote of 32
yea, zero nay, one non-voting, two
present. Senate Bill 632 is passed. Please transmit to the House.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:59:46
Senator Dees, you're recognized for a motion. And Senator, not dismaying, Hester will be right behind
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
1:59:52
him. Thank you, Mr. President. Members,
I'd like a motion to withdraw House Bill 1746 from Insurance and Commerce for purposes of amendment. It's already passed the committee. No, it's Insurance and Commerce, I believe. But from the committee, it's held to. A motion to withdraw
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:00:12
for amendment. It is insurance and commerce, it appears like. So, okay, y'all heard the motions to withdraw.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion carries.
amendment one to house bill 1746 you're recognized thank you
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
2:00:36
members this is my bill my amendment just wanted to be engrossed for committee appreciate a good vote
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:00:41
all in favor say aye any opposed okay sending grossing
senator hester you're recognized for a motion members like to make motion suspend the rules for senate bill 441 just to be engrossed and then put back on our calendar for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:00:58
tomorrow okay motion to suspend the rules uh all in favor say aye any opposed i guess you did all that at one time so that ought to work amendment
one to senate bill 441 my bill my
Speaker 451
2:01:11
amendment okay all in favor say aye any opposed okay we'll send that
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:01:17
to engrossing and it'll be on the calendar
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:01:19
tomorrow okay we're going to read a couple of things and then after that we'll be going to the house vote house bill notice
Speaker 394
2:01:31
the return of Senate bill 629 as requested that it okay members we're going we're going to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:01:46
move to the house bills and this is where we're going to start a new procedure so you have to but we'll be asking you to
watch the board. Are you doing House Bill 1243? Okay, there was something up here said you want to pass over. I don't know where that came from. Okay, that
may have been from another day. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1243 by Senator Penzo
and Representative Underwood to increase the transparency regarding campaign contributions and expenditures to amend campaign finance reporting and protect election integrity and to amend portions of initiative act
Chair
Unverified
2:02:23
one of 1996 okay you're recognized senator penzo thank you mr president this bill
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:02:32
increases the frequency in which municipal and county candidates file campaign finance reports currently candidates running for local races have a very light campaign finance reporting requirement they only have to file a campaign finance report about a week before the election and then a final report after the election. This means you can run for mayor of a first-class city, a full-time job sometimes making
more money annually than constitutional officers in Arkansas, and no one knows how much money you raised, who you received it from, whether it was outside interest or not, how much you have spent or whether you have spent that money. This bill strikes a balance by increasing the reporting schedule so that Arkansans have necessary information throughout the campaign and not requiring candidates and races without a lot of money from excessive reporting. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:03:28
Okay, anyone have any questions of Senator Penzo? I
don't know who was first, so Senator Payton. Thank you. You made a
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:03:39
comment. Sounds like there's a threshold of some sort. Yeah, so this will require local candidates on election years to file campaign finance reports on the same schedule we are required to, monthly reports, if they have raised or spent $5,000 or more. Okay, because a lot of my small
towns and stuff, I mean, they would spend more on the reports than they actually get in campaign contributions, but I appreciate it.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:04:03
So that threshold is $5,000. Yeah, yeah. Also, there's a candidate who's received contributions or expenditures in excess of $500, but less than $5,000 is required to file only the pre-election report and final report as they are already required to do. So there's no change for that threshold. Thank you. Senator McKee, you're recognized for
Speaker 107
2:04:23
a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So it looks like we're adding thousands of people to the reporting system that the Secretary of State's office operates. Is that correct?
they're already required to file reports with their county clerk okay right so all those all these folks that traditionally file with their county clerk are now going to be filing with the Secretary of State okay have you talked to the Secretary of State's
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:04:50
office about this I'm not sure if the primary bill sponsor did or not I'm assuming he has ran through that with them because I mean it's got this far and it passed pretty well in the in the house okay and I've heard no objections other than me what you're bringing up
right now okay okay thank you thank you any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:05:11
other questions anyone will speak against this bill anyone won't speak for this bill are you closed senator I'm closed all right members I want you to be aware that this this this vote will take
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:05:23
24 votes to pass so is there any objection rolling vote okay please roll the vote. Roll it.
I thought it said roll the vote. Oh,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:05:49
this is right. This is where we, is there any objection to rolling the vote? There's no objections, so put it all up on the screen. My mistake. I was still on the Senate bill. Okay, so it's on the screen now. Does anyone want to change their vote? I've seen Senator Crowe
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:06:04
as a no. I see Senator Scott's a no. I see Senator McKee as a no. I see
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:06:09
Senator Dotson as a present. Senator Love is a, I'm sorry, I'm stealing your hair deal. Senator Love is a present. Senator Petty is a no. Anyone else on this side? Senator Gilmore
is a no. Okay, anyone over here wish to
change their vote? Senator Flowers is present. Anyone else? Anyone else want to change their vote?
Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, by a vote of 27 yeas, 5 nays, 3 present, House Bill 1243 passes with the 24 votes. Please return to the House as amended. Okay,
Senator Penzo, you're going to be doing House Bill 1336 next. Correct. House Bill
1336 by Representative Warren, Senator Penzo, to amend survivor's benefit options under the State Police Retirement System
and to amend the provisions concerning the Tier 2 Deferred Retirement Option Plan under the State Police
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:07:20
Retirement System. Senator Penzo, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Years ago, the Arkansas State Police Retirement System was experiencing financial difficulty. APERS took over the management of their retirement system. At that time, they formed Tier 1 and Tier 2 State Police Retirement Plans. Tier 1 was the older State Police. Tier 2 was the newer members.
Tier 2 benefits were not as good as Tier 1. Almost two decades later, we are raising the cost of the accident report from $10 to $25 to be able to pay for the first improvement in Tier 2 benefits. We will increase the drop benefits for Tier 2 to match Tier 1, but the cost will be paid for by the additional $15 charge for the accident report. This is a great first step to improve Tier 2 benefits with a way to cover the cost. Any questions for Senator Penzo?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:08:17
anyone want to speak against the bill anyone want to speak for the bill are you closed Senator Penzo he's closed is there any objection to rolling the vote please roll the vote every member look at the screen
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:08:34
is there anyone that wishes to change their vote anyone wish to change
their vote please cast up the ballot okay with 35 yeas 0 nays House Bill 1336 is passed.
Please return to the House. The corresponding emergency clause is adopted with that. Okay, next is going to be Senator Bryant for House
Bill 1889. House Bill 1889 by Representative Pilkington and Senator Bryant to amend the limitations on access to a dispensary or
cultivation facility and to authorize a dispensary to deliver orders via delivery vehicle or via a drive-through window. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:09:19
Members, I don't think House Bill 1889 needs to be controversial. I think that asks for three simple things, things that we can agree if it was a certain different subject area, it'd be easy to talk about. Three things this thing does is, first is allow you to visit under the guidance of the law to tour a dispensary. If you have not toured a cultivation facility, I encourage you to do so because you'll learn a lot about the industry and how and why we regulate it the way we do. However, you cannot go to a dispensary unless this law passes.
So what this law will do is allow regulators and lawmakers like ourselves to be able to tour, as scheduled, a dispensary just like we would a cultivator. The second thing it does is it allows for drive-through access for this product. So during COVID, we had a lot of business restrictions. And one way that we asked our business to do is comply with social distancing. Keep your, keep, you know, as much as you can, keep the general public safe from each other.
So this business went through a lot of expense to be able to meet the needs of their clients, but also comply with government standards. They did that through executive order because there was a lot of things happening during that time. Well, once the COVID pandemic was over, that expense that they put those drive-thru windows in ceased to be able to be used so now they have an expense that they they complied with but the government no longer lets them use it so what this bill would do is reinstate those tight constraints
of prescription of pre-ordered tinted windows of all the things that were enabled during COVID back into legislation they had no complaints and no issues during that time and the last thing it would do is is modify how they already do delivery service. So it's already in state law that they are allowed to do delivery service. The requirement is two employees must deliver this product. What this bill would allow is one employee to deliver it as long as there were certain security protocols such as GPS and
video recording at all times. And so that's what this bill does. I'm glad to answer any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:11:34
questions. Any questions for Senator Bryant? Senator Mark Johnson you're
recognized sir thank you mr. president senator bryant so we got we're gonna have a drive up through drive-through window at the marijuana dispensary i i i have a had a friend once that referred to the drive-up windows at the liquor store as the baptist entrance i mean i i think
about this but it's just so if someone is raining that their their weed doesn't get wet i mean is this is the reason for
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:12:08
this? No sir and to your point there's a lot of things we allow through drive threes. We allow
opioids, synthetic THCs, tobacco, alcohol, lottery tickets and soon to be maybe Kratom. What this does is these products are used by elderly, disabled, disabled veterans and they access it at one point so as a consumer you're thinking well you've got a window why can't I use it? It's in a bag, it's sealed, it's you got to check my ID, it has to be a caretaker
or the individual, the prescription. So it's not about a getting wet thing, but it certainly is more of a convenience thing for those that cannot make it into the store. So you think this is a humanitarian
thing? I do, Senator. Okay, all right. Thank you for answering
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:12:52
my question. Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, easy with
that Baptist. So some of you Methodists and Catholics in here aren't parley-wide either, so let's be careful there. All right. Senator Gilmore you're recognized. Thank you and thank
you Senator for pointing to the fact that they are delivering now what was testified to in committee and I want to see if you can confirm this. So there's going to be and I think you spoke a little bit to it and maybe you can elaborate on the precautions and the safety measures and all that that are going to be in place. And one of the things that was testified into committee was basically this would be this bill would be a cost saving measure for them.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:13:31
Can you elaborate on that? You know, it could potentially be a cost savings. If I am a dispensary that utilizes this, I may have two very low-cost employees. That's all they do. I may use one high-cost employee and then have a low-cost employee. But what it doesn't replace is the amount of investment they have to make and the security measures that are required if they choose to utilize one employee. So, puts and takes, it could come into cost savings,
but they may go beyond security measures of this bill where it doesn't have any necessary savings. Okay. Because, yeah,
I think one of the things they testified to was cutting into their profit margins, and so maybe this bill will allow them to maybe not save money necessarily, but invest that money into precautions for safety measures. You think they'll do that, Will?
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:14:25
Potentially, but the amount of taxes that the state receives from this to feed our children in schools,
I mean, that's more advantage to make sure we get this product in a safe manner delivered to their prescribed customers. I could have a comment. I'll
leave it alone. Thank you, Senator. Any other questions of Senator Bryant?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:14:48
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? You closed. You're closed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:14:54
Is there an objection to rolling the vote? There is an objection
Speaker 636
2:14:58
to this, so please call the row. Bowed? Bowed? Bryant?
Aye. Caldwell? Aye. Clark? Aye. Crowell? Crowell? Davis?
Speaker 638
2:15:09
Davis? Dees? No. Dismain? Aye. Dotson? No. English? English? Flippo? Aye. Flowers?
No. Hester? Hester? Hickey? Hickey? Hill?
Speaker 638
2:15:35
Yes. Irvin? Yes. Blake Johnson? Yes. Blake Johnson? No. Mark Johnson? No. King? Aye. Letting? Aye. Love? No. McKee?
Speaker 639
2:15:48
Aye. Did you hear? Aye. Murdoch? Aye.
Speaker 638
2:15:54
Payton? No. Penzo? Yes. Petty? Yes. Rice?
Speaker 425
2:16:07
No. Scott? Yes. Stone? No. Stubbafil? No. Sullivan? Sullivan? Tucker? Aye.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:16:17
Wallace? Aye. Okay, do any members wish to vote or change their vote? Hickey is
no. Anyone else? Senator English is no.
Senator Sullivan is no. Senator Blake Johnson is a yes. Senator Boyd
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:16:33
is a yes. Senator Hester is a yes. Anyone else? Senator
Davis, I'm sorry, are you a no? No, Senator Davis is a no. Anyone else?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:16:51
Senator Tucker. I didn't keep that finger down.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:16:58
Anyone else? Senator Kroll, what are you?
Senator Kroll is present. Anyone else? All right, please cast up the
ballot. Okay, by a vote of 19 yays, 15 nays, one present. House Bill 1889 is
passed. Please return to the House. Next is going to be House Bill 1131. Senator Penzo.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:17:35
I'd like to make a motion to place House Bill 1131 on second reading for purpose of amendment. We caught one of the amendments yesterday, but there's another one that's just adding me as the sponsor. Okay, y'all
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:17:49
have heard the motion. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion
Speaker 268
2:17:56
carries. Amendment 2 to House Bill 1131.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:17:59
You're recognized. My bill, my amendment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion carries.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:18:07
Motion to suspend the rules to place House Bill 1131 on the bottom of the supplemental calendar when it returns from engrossing. Okay, motion to place it on
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:18:17
the bottom of the calendar. All say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that carries. It'll be at the bottom of the calendar. Of course,
that'll be back whenever the amendment was adopted. We're going to send it to engrossing.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:18:37
Okay. Senator Hammer, let us read some reports, and you'll
be next. We're your committee on engrossed bills to whom it was first sent bill 67 by joint budget. Compare the engrossed copy of
Speaker 394
2:18:52
the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Will your committee on engrossed bills to whom is for Senate Bill 615 by
Senator Penzo compare the engrossed, copy of the original, find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar.
Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is for House Bill 1642 by Senator Ford, compare the engrossed, copy of the original, find the same correctly engrossed.
Calendar. Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is for House Bill 1679 by Senator Irving, compare the engrossed, copy of the original, find the same
correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is for House Bill 1866 by Senator Rep. Brooks, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is for Senate Bill 591 by Senator Penzo, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is for House Bill 1484 by Senator Boyd,
Senator Boyd, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:19:54
the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. All right, Senator Hammer, you're going to be presenting
House Bill 1150, correct? House Bill 1150 by Representative Moore and Senator
Hammer to prohibit a pharmacy benefits manager from obtaining certain pharmacy permits. Senator Hammer, you're recognized, sir.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:20:18
Thank you, Mr. President. Members of the chamber, I'd like to go through and address issues that were expressed during testimony, both on the House end, but also on the Senate Committee of which this bill has been heard. Some legislators have raised concerns that House Bill 1150 could limit access for military families and veterans enrolled in TRICARE. The reality is the opposite. House Bill 1150 would strengthen TRICARE by restoring fairness, increasing flexibility, and giving the federal government more leverage to protect care of military families. One thing I'd like to insert here is that federal law requires that a PBM be utilized for the distribution.
Also, there is a factor that's incorporated into the bill that is one of the critical components that says providing flexibility to patients in Arkansas Board of Pharmacy for exceptions and allowing limited-use retail pharmacy permits for limited use and rare drugs until September of 2027 to ensure patients do not lose access during the transition period into the market. So there is a safety net that is in place in order to comply with what federal law requires and what we want our citizens to have that are covered by TRICARE.
Federal law requires network adequacy in TRICARE. That means military families must have access to full network of pharmacies, and they do. Even today, Tricare enrollees can fill their prescriptions at Walgreens, Kroger, Harps, and other local non-PBM-affiliated pharmacy. Military-based pharmacies are not impacted by House Bill 1150 and will provide the continuing of service to our military and their families. If Express Grips pulled out of pharmacy ownership, Tricare patients would still have a robust pharmacy access at no loss for care.
Tricare is the client, not the victim, as it has been expressed, but Tricare sets the terms of the pharmacy benefits. It tells Express Scripts, its PBM, what it wants, how many pharmacies, what co-pays, whether they cover the 90-day supply and more. If Tricare wants a broader access to better co-pays, Express Scripts is obligated to deliver, and that's part of the contract. The real problem is not a lack of control, it's that Express Scripts, as both the pharmacy owner and price setter, is leveraging its position to prioritize its own profits and not patient care.
Express Scripts holds TRICARE and American taxpayers to a higher standard. It sets up and allows Express Scripts to overcharge TRICARE for generic medications, limit or provide no access to independent pharmacies in most Arkansas, and undermine the patient choice of veterans and military families. One of the objections was that 1150 gives TRICARE greater flexibility to serve members and without its PBM-owned pharmacy locations, TRICARE has no more room to negotiate better service pricing and pharmacy access.
House Bill 1150 restores TRICARE's leverage to demand better outcomes for military families instead of being beholden to a self-interest vendor. Another issue that was raised I'd like to go ahead and address is that specialty drug patients will lose access. The reality is that House Bill 1150 increases access and lower prices. PBMs are the ones restricting access by forcing patients into their own networks and inflating costs.
Under House Bill 1150, specialty drugs can be accessed through non-PBM affiliated specialty pharmacies and Senate Bill 58, which this body passed earlier in this session, expands excess by allowing hospitals to dispense these drugs as well. A 2024 FTC report found a cancer drug being sold for $19,000 through PBM compared to a $97 at a community pharmacy. House Bill 1150 stops this kind of exploitation
and gives patients more reliable options. There's also a claim that House Bill 1150 reduces pharmacy access. The reality is House Bill 1150 improves access and patient choice. House Bill 1150 does not ban any pharmacy from operating Arkansas. It simply prohibits PBMs from owning pharmacies, eliminating the built-in conflict of interest that drives up costs and limits consumer choice. Patients will continue to have access to mail-order specialty and retail pharmacies throughout the state
just without PBM controlling distorted pricing and restricting networks. In fact, there are more than 600 licensed PBM mail-order pharmacies in Arkansas not affiliated with PBMs that will remain unaffected by this bill. This bill ensures Arkansans can access the care they need from providers who prioritize patient services, not corporate profit margins. Non-PBM-affiliated pharmacies have more incentive to expand, not withdraw,
unlike PBMs that pull out when profits drop, like CVS did in my location. These address some of the major concerns, but I want to drill down on the four main points that's found in this bill that has also been identified in legislation that was introduced this past week in Congress. In a letter dated April 8, 2025, from a member of Congress who has introduced legislation that is modeled after 1150, it identifies four points.
Prohibiting PBM from owning a pharmacy business, number one, is what the bill does. Number two, requiring a company in violation of Arkansas House Bill 1150 divest its pharmacy business if it wishes to operate a retail or mail-order pharmacy serving Arkansas patients. The third thing that the bill does is enabling the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy to either not renew or revoke a retail or mail-order retail pharmacy permit for pharmacies affiliated with companies that are in violation of House Bill 1150.
And then the point that I expressed a while ago is providing flexibility to patients and the Arkansas Board of Pharmacy for exceptions and allowing limited-use retail pharmacy permits for limited use of rare drugs until September 2027 to assure patients do not lose access during the transition period in the market. House Bill 1150 is a result of something that's been recognized by multiple credible organizations that there is a monopolistic system that has been set up similar to what I refer to as a three-tier system, and this will bring about a standard that is going to be best for all Arkansans.
I'll be standing ready to answer any questions.
Chair
Unverified
2:27:10
Questions for Senator Hamer? Senator English, you're first. You're recognized, ma'am.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
2:27:16
The bottom line for me is exactly what happens with Express Scripts and are they not able to send the pharmaceuticals out to all of the military people who are here in the state? As I've been told, and
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:27:35
on the point that I stressed a
while ago with regards to the power of the Arkansas Barter Pharmacy to make sure there is no interruption in that service and also federal law requires that there has to be that method of delivery. So I do not believe nor would I want to intentionally harm any of our service people who receive those drugs in that method. I guess
Senator Jane English
Unverified
2:27:59
that that's my biggest concern is we can pass a law here but that's
at the federal level with the Department of Defense and so I'm really concerned about military people getting their prescription drugs as they need them.
From express trip and that's the only place they can go. I Believe that as
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:28:17
required by federal law and as I stated a while ago with what we have in with the Arkansas Barter Pharmacy That that issue will be addressed so it would not be a concern. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Hill you're recognized I think you push it
don't touch it Okay. Senator Hammer, how many pharmacies, the CVCs, or CVS and the rest of them are we looking at putting out of business or forcing them to change their business model?
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:28:51
I don't think we're going to force anybody out of business. If they choose to go out of business, what you're going to find probably... I said I'll make them change their business model, one of the two. Right. There's approximately 60, but also I want to point out that in 2025, it's already been documented that CVS plans on closing approximately 275 of their stores already. So I don't think we're going to be putting anybody out of business. In fact, in reality, if we don't do something, history shows in Arkansas that there are pharmacies that have already been put out of business under the current structure. So I think what this is going to do is present additional from being put out of business, but also we'll put them in a position, do you want to be a pharmacy or do you want to be a PBM?
Okay. I'm going to have to beg a little bit of difference on that because I do remember, and I can't remember the exact number on the pharmacies that have been going out of business. I think it was seven net have changed
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:29:42
since, what, 20 years? I think that's just a debatable number. We'll probably have to disagree on it. That was presented during our emergency rule meeting. Okay. And so
I guess with that, how do we decide who we want to put in business and who do we want to kick out of business? I mean, where does that come from for the legislature?
Speaker 572
2:30:02
From a legislative point of view, I think we're going to decide who's the winner.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:30:09
I'm sorry. Okay. You asked a question you want to answer, or where are you at, Senator? I would just say that we are addressing what is a monopolistic situation that's been recognized by several credible sources, and that's what we are addressing. Just like has been done historically, as was testified, with regards to the illustration of Standard Oil when they had to step in and address it, we're dealing with the same thing on the same level.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:30:32
Any other questions of Senator Hammer on this bill? Okay,
does anyone want to speak against the bill? Senator Irvin, you're recognized to
speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. President, members of the Senate. Yesterday in
the committee, we had a young lady who was a pharmacist. Her name is Ashley Ellis, and she's from Greenbrier, Arkansas. She's my constituent. She's a pharmacist that works for CVS Pharmacy.
I asked her point blank. You can go back and look at the video in the committee meeting. I asked her point blank. If I vote for this bill, will you lose your job? She said yes, and she's fighting back the tears. I don't think I've ever been put in a situation where an industry is going after their own. I find that to be unacceptable. And I have friends who are pharmacists in Greenbrier and in my hometown and everything.
I've been over backwards to help on these situations to address the PBM issue. We have passed, I don't know how many, umpteen bills to do that. I was over in the House of Representatives until 8 o'clock at night whipping votes for Representative Michelle Gray and Senator Caldwell for their bill to get the PBM, the pharmacy Benefit Manager's Licensing Act passed so many years ago. I was that person, but now I'm being called an idiot. I don't know what I'm talking about. I fought for you, and this is the way you
treat us? I can't believe that. I have been on the forefront of this battle from the very get-go, helping to push back. We have passed law after law after law after law. It is illegal in the state of Arkansas for a pharmacy that is owned by a PBM to reimburse themselves more than an independent pharmacy. Yes, we passed that bill. Yes, it is Arkansas state law. Yes, the Arkansas Insurance Department complies with that state law, implements that law, regulates that, and has
issued fines and held people accountable that are PBMs that are breaking the laws in the state of Arkansas. This will affect TRICARE. My dad is a veteran. It will affect all the veterans in my district, in my area, in rural Arkansas that do get their prescriptions by mail order. That is their preferred. They like it. They appreciate it. This will affect TRICARE. That is negotiated at the federal level with the Department of Defense, not here in the state of Arkansas. We have no
business interfering in that federally negotiated contract. They also send out 24-hour care for 20 patients in Arkansas with constant infusion. This bill now will stop and prevent those 20 veterans from getting their infusion in their homes. This bill stops that because there's not a pharmacy that's going to pick up that slack and be able to provide that like they have. That's why
that's negotiated for our veterans and TRICARE at the federal level because they're taking into consideration all these different situations that sometimes our independent pharmacies may or may not be able to provide that level of treatment and care. This will also affect 70,000 patients that are mental health patients through our community mental health centers pharmacies that will close. They have told me that firsthand. That is not okay with me. Here's the bottom line for me. If you want to listen, here's the bottom line. This is about patience. The government should
not be put in the position of saying, guess what? We don't like our competition and we're going to use the government and the laws to put our competition out of business. In fact, yesterday in the committee, there was somebody who testified for the bill that says, we need to take their ball away. Well, yeah, that's exactly what this bill does. It takes their ball away. And they testified to that. That was said in the committee. We want to take their ball away. We don't want them to be operating in the state of Arkansas because they're competition for us and we want
to put them out of business. I, as a principled, conservative, limited government person, do not believe that that is the role of government. This is my principle and there's no way I could support using legislation to put your competition out of business. And that's exactly what this bill does. It is not about the patients. It is about eliminating competition. If this were for the patients, you would not have this bill because this limits patient access when you close
pharmacies. This limits patients' access when you fire pharmacists. When they lose their jobs because of this bill. That is the truth. And I appreciate you listening to me. I hope
that you will vote against this very bad bill. Senator Irvin has spoken against
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:35:50
the bill. Senator Petty, you want
to speak for the bill? You're recognized, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is clearly a very difficult problem.
And like I said last night, I've received numerous, it's ahead of even the prison emails, both for and against this. And so with that many interested people, I wanted to come down here and speak in support of the bill and let everyone know why I'm voting for the bill. So just as a kind of a recap, and I didn't realize this, the Federal Trade Commission, as we know, is an independent agency. And it deals with civil antitrust laws, promotes consumer protection by preventing fraud, deception, and unfair business practices.
They work to maintain competitive marketplace by preventing and eliminating anti-competitive business practices, including coercive monopolies. The commission, and this is what I didn't know, is made up of five commissioners, and no more than three of one party can be on the commission. so you can't be stacked one way or the other. So three, one party, two of the next. What I want to speak on, and this is where I want to get to the meat of this,
is that there's been two recent Federal Trade Commission, again, independent agent, appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, reports within the last year. And in essence, it's around the pharmacy benefits manager, middlemen, And it says they wield significant power, leading to inflated drug costs, squeezing independent pharmacies, and potentially impacting patient access and affordability. This is from the FTC, not me.
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:37:43
January 24th was the latest report from the FTC.
It says they published a second interim staff report on the prescription drug middleman industry, PBMs. specifically influenced over specialty generic drugs, including significant price markups by PBCs for cancer, HIV, and a variety of other critical drugs. Staff's latest report found that the three PBMs, Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx,
marked up numerous specialty drugs dispensed at their affiliated pharmacies by thousands of percent and many others by hundreds of percent. Such significant markups allowed the big three PBMs and their affiliated specialty pharmacies to generate more than $7.3 billion in revenue from dispensing drugs in excess of the drug's estimated acquisition costs. And that's over a period from 2017 to 2022. The big three PBMs netted such significant revenues, all while patient, employer, and other healthcare-sponsored payment plans for drugs steadily increased over the same period.
FTC. The FTC staff second in a report finds that the three major benefit managers hiked costs for a wide range of life-saving drugs, including medications to treat heart disease and cancer. The FTC found that they were charging enormous markups on dozens of life-saving drugs. This is a quote from the director of policy planning. We also found that this problem is growing at an alarming rate, which means there is an urgent need for policymakers to address it.
Staff's latest report on this builds on the last one, which was in July of 2024, where it says the big three PBMs received 68% of the dispensing
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:39:38
revenue generated by specialty drugs in 2023, which is up from 54% just in 2016.
The latest report analyzes a broader set of specialty generic drugs compared to two specialty generic drugs analyzed in 2024.
So what this did was the second report studied more detail in all of it. So it says the FTC second report analyzed all specialty generic drugs dispensed from 2017 to 2022 for members of commercial health plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans managed by the big three PBMs for which the FTC has relevant data. This includes an analysis of 51 specialty generic drugs comprising 882 national drug codes.
For example, Ampera, which my brother has multiple sclerosis, that's used to treat that. Gleevec, and I may be butchering the name, which is used to treat leukemia. Sensipar, which is used to treat renal disease. And Myfortic, which is used for transplant recipients. The report highlights several key insights gained from the data, and I'm just going to hit on some of them. Significant price markups. We've talked about that.
Basically, the big three reimbursed their affiliated pharmacies at a higher rate than they paid unaffiliated pharmacies on nearly every specialty drug examined, dispensing the most profitable drugs. They had a disproportionate share of the commercial subscriptions for specialty generic drugs marked up more than a thousand dollars per prescription dispensed by theirs versus unaffiliated pharmacies. And so the dispensing pattern suggests that the big three may
be steering highly profitable prescriptions to their affiliated pharmacies and away from unaffiliated pharmacies. And this is another one. Over 7.3 billion of dispensing revenue, again the top three PBMs generated over $7.3 billion of their dispensing revenue in excess of their estimated acquisition cost. $7.3 million in excess of their cost, as measured by NADAC on all of these specialty generic drugs.
PBM-affiliated pharmacies dispensed revenue in excess of at a compound annual growth rate of 42%. In the aggregate, the top 10 specialty drugs generated $6.2 million, or 85% of the total. Separately, in addition to that, they generated additional what they call spread pricing. And so in the aggregate, the big three PBMs also separately generated an estimated $1.4 billion income from spread pricing,
which is billing the plan sponsors more than they reimburse pharmacies for drugs on the analyzed and the generic drugs. And then the last one says plan sponsors and patient drug spending increased significantly. Obviously, we've been talking about that $4.8 billion, while patient costs also increased $297, almost $300 million between 2017 and 2021. Plan sponsors and patients' payments increased at a rate of 21%,
at a compounded annual rate of 21%, and Medicare D at a compounded annual rate of 14% to 15%. Now, there's been a lot of discussion, and I would never want to put anybody out of business intentionally, but there's been a lot of discussion around closing of these pharmacies. I've had local community pharmacies close, But in the fall of 2024, and I don't have the exact date on this one, there was an article about CVS facing financial pressures, mounting financial difficulties related to their Aetna health benefits acquisition.
And it said that they, at that point, had, in the fall, had laid off approximately 2,900 employees and planned to reduce expenses by $2 billion. This included closing or selling 29 retail pharmacies. But here's the one, and this is January, or no, February 16th, 2025. Again, I believe this is before HB 1150 was introduced. And this is, you can look it up, it's from U.S. News.
It says, CVS announced the closure of 270, as Senator Hammer said, locations in 2025 as part of its plan to reduce store density and better serve customer needs. And here's everything you need to know. The company has already closed, between 2022 and 2024, 900 locations. They've already closed. They opened 100, they closed 900. And the closures are part of a strategic plan launched in November 2021, long before HB 1150.
And that's why I will be voting yes for 1150. Okay, is there
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:44:54
anyone that... All right, we have some questions. Are you okay to take questions? I'm okay to answer questions.
Chair
Unverified
2:45:01
All right, first it's going to be Senator Irvin and then Senator Boyd after that. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Just
a question. Is it illegal in the state of Arkansas for them to reimburse themselves more than an independent? Sounds like it is. It is. Does any of those FTC reports and everything that you read off, does it take into account the Arkansas state laws, and was it specific to the state of Arkansas?
Speaker 712
2:45:22
It was not specific. It was countrywide. Correct. So all the information
that you're using has nothing to do with the state of Arkansas, nothing to do with their practices. Is it also illegal for them to steer patients in the state of Arkansas? It should be, yes. It is, yes. And then of the FTC report that you mentioned, none of that is mentioned. None of the Arkansas state laws that we have passed are mentioned in that FTC report or taken into consideration when they are looking at their study and their data.
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:45:54
I'll take your word on that. Okay, thank you. What I'm, in answer to your question, what I'm responding to or
relying on is if they are dispensing 85% of the generic drugs, I would think, and in every case, They've marked them up higher than their community pharmacies. I would assume that that
Speaker 713
2:46:14
includes disbursements in Arkansas as well. If they have 85% of the
market. But also if they negotiate with Medicare, Medicare is federal, and we have nothing to do with that.
That's correct. And then the last thing is, is there anything to designate these people as monopolies, or is that an
opinion? I'm reading from the report from the FTC.
Okay, but that's just a report. Is there any legal documentation that we can find anywhere in the United States of America that designates these companies as, quote, monopolies forcing them to divest? I did not look for that. Okay. So I can't speak to
Chair
Unverified
2:46:52
that. Thank you. Okay, Senator Boyd, you recognize, sir?
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:46:59
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Petty, thank you for your testimony. I appreciate it. So I do understand that one of a pharmacy closed in Van Buren at the end of the year struggled to find somebody to buy its files because it wasn't worth anything. That is accurate. Yes, sir. Secondly, would you believe me if I told you that 63 pharmacies in Arkansas have closed since 2016, that we have 63 fewer retail permits in the state of Arkansas since 2016?
I had actually heard the number was 68, but yes, I
would believe you. And then would you also believe me if I told you that there's nothing in this bill that prevents a PBM from having a home infusion company if they would like to? I would agree, yes. Would you also believe that just because there's a law, that that doesn't mean people violate it every day like speed limits? I would agree with that. And would you also believe me if I told you I have data that shows that there are pharmacies today
who are violating the laws where they are reimbursing themselves more than a competitor pharmacy? Yes, I would. Thank you for your... Thank you.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:48:11
Okay, Senator Petty has spoken for the bill. Do we have anybody to speak against the bill? Okay, Senator Mark Johnson, you're
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:48:19
going to speak for the bill? Oh, let me keep them in order, if that's okay, Senator Johnson. Senator Love, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
You know, colleagues, thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I actually wasn't going to speak against this bill, but after listening to testimony and thinking about, you know, all the things that have happened this session, you know, I understand, and
I'm going to say this to my friends in pharmacy, I understand the issues with the PBMs and what we have been working with. I do not deny any of the information that my seatmate came up and presented.
I mean, we can say PBMs have been bad actors, but we can also say that we have passed legislation to try to address and fix this issue. But to make PBMs, to force PBMs to choose between being a PBM and being a pharmacy, that's not addressing this issue that we're trying to fix. What that is doing is putting people out of work.
Because if the PBM chooses not to have a pharmacy, guess what? we still have not addressed the issues that you are saying you're trying to fix. And I will tell you this, I don't have, in Southwest Little Rock, there are not local pharmacies. Yes, we do have a Kroger's, and then we do have a Walmart on the peripheral. But there are not local pharmacies. My constituents have been calling me like crazy.
They've been emailing me like crazy. and maybe they are CVS clients, you know, but they've been talking to me saying, guess what? This will hurt us. So we're going to manufacture a pharmacy desert in southwest Little Rock? That's not good for my people. We're going to disenfranchise people. We're going to put people out of work. Now, the thing about it is,
I'm not going to go into what the conversation was when we tried to pass Senator Disman's bill because the pharmacists were all against that bill. Guess what? That bill was to provide access. But the Pharmacists Association was all against that bill. Now we're going to say we're going to put pharmacies out of business? You all, we have to really consider what we're doing. And maybe you all do have local pharmacies, and good for your communities, but I don't
have any local pharmacies, and my people need CVS. They need scripts. So please, I'm just going to tell you, really consider what we're doing and think about if we're truly addressing the issue,
because this bill is not addressing the issue. It's putting people out of work, and it's disenfranchising people that really need their medicine. With that, I ask you for a no vote. Thank you. Mr. President, I have a motion for immediate consideration.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:51:46
Okay, we have a motion for immediate consideration. That is non-debatable. All in favor of that motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. Okay, the motion carries. Madam
Yes. Bryant, Bryant, Caldwell, Caldwell, Clark,
Speaker 638
2:52:25
Crowell, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson,
Speaker 640
2:52:30
no. English? No. Flippo? No. Flowers? Aye. Gilmore? Aye. Hammer?
Speaker 638
2:52:44
Aye. Hester? No. Hickey? No. Hill? No. Irvin? No. Blake Johnson? Aye. Mark Johnson? Aye.
King? Aye. Letting? Aye. Love? No. McKee? Aye. Murdoch?
Speaker 638
2:53:00
Yes. Payton? Yes. Penzo? Yes. Petty? Yes. Rice? Yes. Scott? Yes. Stone? Aye. Stubbeville?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:53:25
Stubbeville? Sullivan? Aye. Tucker? Aye. Wallace? Aye. Okay, do any members wish to vote or change their vote? Senator Caldwell is aye.
Senator Kroll is aye Senator Hester is aye Senator Stubblefield is aye Senator Bryant is aye Senator Stubblefield is a
no Okay members, anyone else? I want to make sure everybody is recorded accurately on this Anyone else?
Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 26 yays, 9 nays,
House Bill 1150 has passed. Please return to the House. All right, we are now on. Okay, let's
Speaker 740
2:54:36
read these reports. Were you committed on engrossed bills to move forward
House Bill 1746 by Representative Brown and Senator Deese, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Speaker 742
2:54:51
I'm sorry, which one? Insurance and commerce. Committee on Engrossed bills to
whom is referred House Bill 1131 by Rep. Pilkington and Sen. Penzo, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed bills to whom is referred
Senate Bill 441 by Sen. Hester, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Calendar. Committee on Engrossed bills to whom is referred House Bill 1797 by Rep. Beatty, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Calendar. Calendar. Senate Bill 636 by Senator Disvingne, an act to transfer funds to find
the monies to be available in the restricted reserve fund and to allow additional funds to be made available for state departments, agencies, and institutions. And clear an emergency,
Senate Bill 636. Joint budget. Senate Bill 637 by Senator Dispeng to amend the Revenue Stabilization Law
and declare an emergency, Senate Bill 637.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:55:59
Joint Budget. Are you through? Okay. Senator Johnson, do you
have a motion? Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank
you, Mr. President. I move that we place Senate Bill 634 at the end
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
2:56:18
of the calendar for this afternoon. Okay. We have a motion to place Senate Bill 634 at the end of the calendar. All in favor of
the motion say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you. It carries. Okay. I believe at this time we had said at four o'clock, I believe we have some committee meetings and I believe we're going to allow an hour for those committee meetings. So it's going to be four o'clock. So I know it's going to take
a few minutes for them to get down there. So Senator Hester, is everybody back here at 415 okay with you, Senator Hester?
We're going to say 4.15 since he's not listening. I'm sorry, 5.15. So we're going to go into recess. We're going to go in recess, but we'll be back here at 5.15, and we're going to pick these up, and we'll
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:56:59
do like yesterday, and we'll try to get through them all, or as many as we can. Okay, with that, again, we're in recess. Thank you.
Unknown speaker
2:57:17
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4:09:17
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Speaker 761
4:33:07
recess. We're going to read some stuff
across the desk. We, your Committee on Education, who is for
House Bill 1484, by Representative Granite, recommend due pass.
Committee on Education, who is for House Bill 1756, by Representative Vaught, recommend due pass as amended number one. Committee on Education, who is for House Bill 1938, by Representative Carr, recommend due pass. Committee on Education, who is for House Bill
1939, by Representative Carr, recommend due pass. Committee on Education, who is for House Bill 1941, by Representative Carr, recommend due pass. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is for House Bill 1662, by Representative McKenzie, recommend due pass.
Committee on Public Health, to whom is for House Bill 1523, by Representative Walt, recommend due pass. Committee on Public Health. Human Support House Bill 1537 by Representative Leidyman. Recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health. Human Support House Bill 1801 by Representative Moore. Recommend due pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Public
Health. Human Support House Bill 1963 by Representative Gonzalez. Recommend due pass as amended number one. Calendar.
Bill 1960, by Representative Ward-Law, to provide that the leasing of a
leased motor vehicle is the owner for purposes of assessment and payment of property taxes and to amend the law concerning local sales and use taxes on certain tangible personal property. House Bill 1960 Reverend Tacks House Bill 1966 by Representative Burnett to authorize an 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 certain conditions House Bill 1966 Education okay do you just have an announcement
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:35:25
uh while we're looking for one do you want to all right you're you're recognized senator johnson
thank you mr president uh colleagues i have a
a very pleasant task today i wanted to announce for those some of you may have already heard but Earlier this afternoon, the United States Senate confirmed our former governor, Mike Huckabee, as the ambassador to Israel. And a couple hours ago, Judge Levinsky-Smith swore him in in the governor's conference room. So he is now Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Okay, Senator Hester, you're recognized.
Members, I recalled House Bill 1555 from the House for an amendment, so now I need to expunge the vote by which it passed our
floor so I can amend it. Okay, y'all heard the motion to expunge the
Speaker 451
4:36:21
vote. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, it's expunged. Aye. Amendment
amendment that Municipal League needed to fix the bill. I was happy to do it.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:36:38
Appreciate a good vote. All in favor of the amendment, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? All right, the minute has passed. It will be
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:36:45
sent to Grosson. Do you want it at the bottom of the calendar today or what? Tomorrow's fine. Okay. It will be on tomorrow's calendar.
Speaker 461
4:37:01
Senator. 1685. We need to put on second reading for amendment. Okay, you're recognized, Senator Hester.
Chair
Unverified
4:37:08
Suspend the rules for House Bill 1685 for purposes of amendment. Okay, all in favor of suspension, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Amendment 2 to House Bill 1685. My
bill, my amendment. All in favor of the amendment, say aye. Aye. Any
Speaker 451
4:37:22
opposed? It'll be sent to engrossing. Yes. Okay, do you have an announcement? No, I have
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:37:28
an appointment. Okay, come on in. Okay, let her find that.
Senator Rice, you have a, you wanted a personal privilege,
Chair
Unverified
4:37:45
is that correct? Correct. Okay, Senator Rice, you're recognized. Members, real quick, I just want a personal privilege. I've
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
4:37:52
asked for this, I think, the last at least two sessions. We're at the time that things get clogged up and things happen. When we're signing bills out of committee, I just think courtesy and respect is not asking too much. I've asked for chairmen to notify each member.
There's only seven other people besides the chairman on a committee when something's going to be signed out. That way, if you know something or I've learned something or something that failed in the committee, The legal process, I could share that maybe with a member or two. But what we're doing is going around getting the signatures, talking one-on-one, and then to come lay it down and say, you want to sign and be the last one. When it happens to you, don't fuss, but it's not fair.
Let's be up front, and time runs out, and there will be more of this. But let's try to do the right thing. Let the committee know, and then they can make their own mind up. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Senator Irvin, appreciate the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:39:01
indulgence. Senator Stone? I am ready. I think so. Might just give her just a second.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
4:39:20
Okay, Senator Stone, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I would ask to withdraw House Bill 1960 from the committee for purposes of amendment to add me as a Senate sponsor. All in favor, say aye. Aye.
Speaker 457
4:39:32
Any opposed? Thank you. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1960. He needs to.
My bill, my amendment. All in favor, say aye.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:39:51
Aye. Any opposed? It will send it to Engrossing. Yes, sir. All right. Okay, are we
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:40:02
ready for Senator Irvin or anybody else have another motion? Senator Davis. Senator Davis, do you have a motion? All right, let's just start with you. Okay, Senator Irvin. Senator Tucker, you're recognized for a motion.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
4:40:23
Anyone else have a motion? Let's get them out of the way. Thank you, Mr. President. There's a misunderstanding on the public defender budget. I need to send it back to budget to get it fixed, so I'm moving to re-refer Senate
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:40:36
Bill 67 back to joint budget. All in favor for that motion, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, it'll be sent back to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:40:44
joint budget. Thank you. All right, Senator Irvin, you're recognized to present House Bill 1171.
Chair
Unverified
4:40:53
Senator Irvin, you're still recognized.
House Bill 1171 by Senator Irving and Representative Moore to modify the Medicaid provider-led Organized Care Act and to authorize an abbreviated independent assessment for certain beneficiaries enrolled in a risk-based provider organization. Senator
Irvin? Thank you, members. This is a great bill because it
makes perfect sense. Once this allows the Department of Human Services to implement an abbreviated independent assessment process for beneficiaries who have been deemed in need of chronic long-term conditions and receive those services.
Once you are in this program, many of these people, their conditions are not going to change. And so this allows for the Department of Human Services to go ahead and do that independent assessment, but then let that just be renewed automatically if their condition is not going to change. So I'm happy
to answer any questions. Any questions to Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:41:59
Irvin on House Bill 1171? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Any objection to rolling the vote?
Thank you. Are you closed? Okay. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, members, again, we're back on the screen, so everybody pay attention. Does anyone
wish to change their vote? All right, Senator King is non-voting. Senator Flowers is present. Anyone else? Okay, please cast
up the ballot. House Bill, or excuse me, I vote of 33 yeas, 0 nay, 1 non-voting, 1 present.
House Bill 1171 is passed. Please return to the House. Okay, the next is going to be House Bill 1277.
Senator Boyd. House Bill 1277 by Representative Gramlich and Senator Boyd to amend payments for corrective action regarding petroleum storage tanks. Senator Boyd, you're recognized.
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
4:43:00
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a collaborative bill between ADAQ and the Arkansas Oil
Marketers Association. It allows the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission to set the deductibles
which tank owners must pay in in order to receive payments for corrective action from the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund. The deductible is not to exceed $30,000 per occurrence. It
allows a higher deductible to be set if a report is made outside the 24-hour window from which it's supposed to be made. Questions for Senator Boyd? Anyone want to speak against the bill?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:43:33
Anyone want to speak for the bill? Are you closed, Senator Boyd? I'm closed, thank you. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Please roll the vote. Everybody look at the screen. I've got Senator McKee
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:43:52
is a no. Anyone else? Senator Dodson is a no. Senator King
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:44:01
is non-voting. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, Cass, excuse me, Senator Penzo is present. Anyone else? Please
cast up the ballot with 31 yeas, 2 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present.
House Bill 1277 is passed. Please return to the House. We're now going to hear House Bill 1320. House Bill
1320 by Representative Woodridge and Senator
Tucker to amend the law concerning crisis stabilization units and health care insurers. Senator Tucker, you're
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
4:44:37
recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. This is a bill to help crisis stabilization units become more financially self-sufficient. It adds, really the main thing that it does is it adds crisis stabilization units to the Any Willing Provider Law so that insurers can't discriminate against
the providers that they are providing coverage for or not. That's really what it does in a nutshell. No opposition that I'm aware of. Happy to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Tucker? Anyone want to speak against
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:45:05
it? Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Tucker, you're closed. I'm closed. I appreciate your vote. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please
roll the vote. Members, look at the board. Anyone want to change their vote?
Anyone want to change their vote? Please cast up the ballot. With 35 yeas, 0 nays, House Bill
1320 is passed. Please return to the House. We're going to go to House Bill
1416. House Bill 1416 by Representative Johnson, Senator Hammer, to amend the law concerning fire
departments and to allow a volunteer fire department servicing unincorporated areas of the county to levy dues. You're recognized, Senator
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
4:45:49
Hammer. Thank you. The bill title says exactly what it does. It allows a volunteer fire department servicing unincorporated areas of the county levy dues.
They have to go through all the normal processes in order to be able to do so. There's no, you know, doing anything that's not already structured as far as how dues are to be implemented. There are some areas that are volunteer fire departments that are servicing and incorporate areas. This just allows them to collect the dues because they're providing service to those areas. Questions for Senator Hammer? Anyone want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:46:20
speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? You closed, Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:46:26
Hammer? Closed. Appreciate a good vote. Any objection to rolling this vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:46:31
Okay, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Members, look at the board.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:46:39
Okay, we've got Senator Dotson as present. We have Senator McKee as present. We have Senator Dees as present. We have Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:46:53
King as no. We have Senator Penzo as present. We have Senator Payton as no. Senator Irving as no. Senator Hill as present, Senator Stubblefield as a no, Senator Dismayne present, Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:47:12
Gilmore as a no. All right, members, anyone else? Okay, cast up
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:47:23
the ballot. Okay, with 24 yeas, 5 nays, 6 present. House Bill 1416 is passed. Please return to the House. We're going to move on now to House Bill 1440.
House Bill 1440 by Representative Bentley and Senator Wallace to amend the Massage Therapy Act and to establish registration for massage therapy establishments.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:47:45
Senator Wallace, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is the agency bill presented by Public Health. It deals with our massage therapist establishments. There's 550 of those registered in the state, and there's 2,200 licensed individuals. The vast majority of those are law-abiding, but there's a few bad apples. The current law identifies the victim and identifies the employee who violated the law,
but the corporate veil does not allow the law to see the owners or the operators. This bill will allow the public health to provide much more oversight and they'll be able to pierce that corporate veil. And with
that, I'll stand by for your questions. Questions for Senator Wallace on this bill? Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:48:39
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:48:46
for this bill? You're closed, Senator Wallace.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:48:50
Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Members look at the board. Anyone wish to change their vote? I've got
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:49:02
Senator Dodson as present. I have Senator Blake Johnson as present. Senator McKee as present. I have Senator Penzo as present. I have Senator King as a no. I have Senator Flowers as present.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:49:22
Anyone else? Anyone else? cast up
the ballot. Okay, with 29 yeas, 1 nay, 5 present, House Bill 1440 is passed. Please return to
the House. Next one's going to be Senator Irvin for House Bill 1454. House Bill 1454
by Representative Bentley and Senator Irving to amend the laws concerning criminal history records checks for employees of service providers. Members, you sure are getting loud in here.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:49:51
If y'all could just try to hold it down just a little.
Well, Senator Irvin, you're recognized. To allow third-party employee evaluation services to perform criminal history records checks and to include independent contractors.
Thank you, members. This is just to speed up the process so that we can allow a third-party vendor to process and do these criminal background checks. And that goes all through the code. And again, this is just to speed up the process so we can get more people into the workforce quicker.
Representative Bentley has done a lot of work just to try to speed up the process and create some efficiencies for these people who are providing these types of services, particularly if you're in daycare settings. Okay, any questions for Senator Irvin?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:50:41
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? You closed, Senator Irvin? I'm closed.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:50:51
Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll the vote, Madam Secretary.
Members, if you would, just look at the board. Anyone want
to change their vote? Senator Flowers is present. Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:51:15
King is non-voting. Anyone else? Cast up the ballot. House Bill 1454 passes with 33 a's, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, and 1 present. please return
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:51:26
to the house as amended next is going to be house bill 1476
house bill 1476 by representative mckenzie and senator hester to amend the direct shipment of any liquor act
and to establish a wine direct shipper license okay you recognize senator hester thank
you senator hickey members this is a good
consumer choice bill right now we already allow this in the state of Arkansas. It's a very complicated, long process. You have to go visit the producer, go through a process of signing forms, getting notarizations. This just kind of
eliminates that. It allows for them to get an in-state license and direct ship to their home. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:52:11
Any questions to Senator Hester? Senator Payton, you have a question? You're recognized. Thank
you, Mr. President. Just looking here on page, Three, I think it is. It seems to consider wet counties and prohibit dry counties, but we have some dry cities within wet counties.
So it looks like it would permit the shipment into a dry territory if it's within a wet county. We've worked with
the ABC on this, and the intent and what we believe the language says is it does not allow it
to be shipped anywhere it's not allowed to be sold. Well, but,
I mean, it's pretty plain language here. On line 24 resides in a wet county where the manufacturer or retail sale of alcohol beverages is permitted.
So, like, Jacksonville is a dry city within a wet county, but they live in a wet county. I mean, I don't believe that
is, I understand what that appears. All I know is what I've been told. that if you can't currently have it shipped there, you can't when this bill passes. Okay, thank you. Okay, Senator Hill, you're recognized for a question. I just want to
make sure I understand this correctly, and I understand the wet and the dry issue.
So we can ship marijuana now anywhere, but we can't wine after what we passed a while ago? That would be correct. Thank you. Okay, any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:53:47
other questions, Senator Hester? Anyone want to speak against this bill?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:53:52
Anyone want to speak for this bill? Is there an objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. I'm
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:54:04
going to get to you all. I'm sorry.
Okay, anyone want to change their vote, obviously. Senator Dotson is no. Senator Dees is no. Senator Hammer is no. Senator Love is no. I'm sorry, Ms. Llewellyn. Senator Clarke is no. Senator Gilmore is no. Senator Irvin is no. Senator Payton is no. Senator Rice is no. Senator Stubblefield is no.
Senator Flowers is present. Senator Hill is no. think Senator Hickey is
no. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, please
cast up the ballot. Okay, by a vote of 22 yeas, 12 nays, one present. House Bill 1476 is passed. Please return to the House.
Okay, now we're going to do House Bill 1540. Nope. Now we're going to recognize
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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4:55:12
Senator Scott for a motion. Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to
Senator Jamie Scott
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4:55:17
suspend the rules to add Senate Bill 241 to the end of the supplemental calendar for today. Okay. All right. We have a motion to suspend the rules. All in favor to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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4:55:25
suspend the rules. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. It's suspended. Now, now you want to add that to the, which was,
was it to add it to the end of the calendar? Yes. Okay. Yes, I have an amendment to concur from the House. What? What did you want me to
Speaker 167
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say? What? Did you give me more language? 241.
Speaker 534
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They told me I'd have to go to committee. Okay, give
Speaker 200
4:56:18
her the motion to withdraw that from committee. Well, I went to him and they told me, I went to the attorney in BART and
Speaker 110
4:56:29
they told me what to get from him to withdraw. You're okay. Somebody help me.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
4:56:48
Okay, members, here's what we're going to do. We're trying to find some paperwork, so we're going to let Senator Scott work with them. We've
got the rule suspended for her, and we're going to come back to that. Senator Gilmore, do you need to make a motion? Yep. Okay, let's do that. All
right, members, thank you, Mr. President. I need you to suspend the rules to add four House bills to the calendar. Okay, we have a motion to, I don't know if we can do all those at one time.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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4:57:21
We're going to suspend the rules for which one first? House Bill 1931. All right, we'll suspend the rules for House
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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4:57:28
Bill 1931. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, all right? Suspend the rules to add House Bill 1872 to the calendar. Suspend the rules to add House Bill 1872 to the calendar. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Suspend the rules to add House Bill 1891 to the calendar. Suspend the rules to add House Bill 1891 to the calendar. All in favor say aye.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
4:57:52
Any opposed? Senator Hammer, you're recognized, sir. I didn't hear specified. I just want to make sure these are to the supplemental calendar? Yes. Okay, I didn't hear this. all right thank you i think i failed to say that
i just that was the plan yep and your last one will be in house bill 1896 which is senator dismanks which he's good with but i'm adding it to the calendar as well all right we're going to suspend the rules to add that one to the calendar all in favor
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:58:18
say aye aye any opposed did y'all get all of those okay case
Speaker 841
4:58:48
slow down at any point, just tell me. I'm just going to cross off. Thank you. Okay.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
4:59:00
Are you presenting this bill or something else
okay first of all we're going to recognize Senator Bullitt for a motion I'd like
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
4:59:46
to make a motion to adopt amendment one to house bill 1963 okay y'all have heard the motion all in
Speaker 787
4:59:53
favor say aye aye any opposed i can't hear you now send it to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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5:00:03
okay send it to engrossing yeah minute adopted send it to grossing and then now you're going to be prepared to present house bill 1559 okay hold on
just a second let the secretary read it 1559 senator davis do you mind coming
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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5:00:43
up here so we can do your amendment we need to get that out of
the way senator boyd just hang with us senator ervin i
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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5:00:50
think that you're ahead of senator Boyd whenever we get ready.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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5:01:20
Senator Irving, yours is 1543. no not yet sorry
i didn't know not not yet senator urban you just if you'll just wait right there we got up okay senator davis you're recognized
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:01:47
for motions thank you mr president i'd like to make
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:01:51
a motion to adopt amendment one onto house bill 1801 so you've heard the motion
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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5:01:56
all in favor say aye any opposed okay we'll send that to engrossing thank you you recognize do i need to
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:02:05
suspend the rules to do any of this it came out no it came out
of committee so okay um i'd also like to make a motion to adopt amendment one on house bill 1756 okay all in
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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5:02:19
favor of that motion say aye any opposed okay we'll send it to engrossing and are we putting these on today's calendar
or tomorrow okay fair enough senator ervin
you're now going to be recognized to present House Bill 1543. House Bill 1543,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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5:02:39
members. House Bill 1543 by Representative
Underwood and Senator Irving to establish the Workforce Experience Opportunities Act of 2025. You're recognized, Senator Irving. Thank you,
Mr. Chair. What this bill does is it strives to give people more opportunities and pathways to meet the work requirement for SNAP benefits.
It doesn't add any new requirements. It just allows them to do some volunteer work, which would meet the work requirement. Arkansas already passed a law for mandatory employment and training in its food stamp program. And part of the implementation, Arkansas should require state agencies that receive state funding to accept those volunteers who request an opportunity to comply with the ENT requirement. So what this would provide is the government entity would wide latitude to assign participants to whatever work opportunity they see as appropriate, including simple regular attendance to develop soft skills, such as problem-solving, time management, conflict resolution, or communication skills.
The bill also allows volunteers to observe the government entity operations. This is an agreed-to bill, and it's just to allow people to volunteer within our state agencies and provide that framework that's needed for that volunteer service, which we've incorporated into our SNAP benefit programs, and I would say also for the Medicaid expansion program. Any question for Senator Irvin?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:04:14
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? I'm close, thank you. Senator Irvin is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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5:04:31
the vote. All right, members, watch the board. Okay, does anyone want to change their vote? Okay, I have Senator Clark Tucker as a no. I've got Senator King as non-voting. I've got Senator Jamie Scott as a no. I've got Senator Fred Love as a no.
I've got Senator Flowers as a no. I've got Senator Letting as a no. I've got Senator Payton as present. Senator Murdoch
I have as a no. Anyone else? Senator
King is now yes. Anyone else? Still
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:05:14
got time. Anyone? We'll get it right.
Okay, cast up the ballot. Okay, with 28 yeas, 6 nays, 1 present, House Bill 1543 is passed. Please return to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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5:05:28
the House as amended. Okay, the next one is House Bill 1559, Senator Boyd. Thank you, Mr. President.
House Bill 1559 by Representative McGrew and Senator Boyd to require the Department of Human Services to seek a waiver to the Arkansas Medicaid
Speaker 291
5:05:48
program for coverage for implant treatment services for substance use disorders.
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
5:05:52
You're recognized, Senator Boyd. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1559 requires the Arkansas Department of Human Services to apply for an 1115 demonstration waiver to the exclusion of institutions for mental diseases for substance use disorder. DHS is okay with this. 37 other states have applied for and received this
Speaker 867
5:06:09
waiver. There is no known opposition. Questions for Senator Boyd? Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:06:13
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to
speak for this bill? You're closed, Senator Boyd.
Senator Boyd is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll the vote. Okay, members, everybody looking at the screen? Okay, anybody want to change their vote? Senator Dotson
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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5:06:42
is a no. Anyone else? Senator McKee is present. Anyone else? Anyone else?
Senator Hill is a no. Senator King is non-voting. Senator Penzo is present. Senator Payton is present. Okay, if
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:07:11
you would, cast up the ballot. Okay, with 29 yeas, 2 nays, 1 non-voting, 3 present, House Bill 1559 is passed. Please return to the House.
Okay, now we're going to House Bill 1572 by Senator McKee. House
Bill 1572 by Representative Lady Amanda and Senator McKee to create a technical feasibility study on a new nuclear energy generation and to declare an emergency. Do you recognize
Speaker 870
5:07:41
Senator McKee? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members, this is just the first step and the
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
5:07:47
path forward. We all know that, hopefully we all know by now, that really nuclear power generation is the future. It's the cleanest, safest, most reliable source of power that we could have.
This study is just going to look at the locations, feasibility, all the technical details, and give us the information we need to change laws that need to be changed, regulations, get the roadblocks out of the way, so that when technology has been demonstrated for things like small modular nuclear reactors, Arkansas can be an early adopter in those programs. So I appreciate it. Good vote, happy to answer any
Speaker 871
5:08:23
questions. Any questions, Senator McKee on
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:08:26
this? Anyone want to speak against it? Question. Yes, sir. Senator King, you're
recognize for a question. So is this going to cost any
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
5:08:36
money? This does not appropriate or fund anything. It'll be subject to legislative council funding. Okay. Any other questions?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:08:44
Okay, I'm going to go back. Anyone speak against it? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:08:50
want to speak for it? You're closed. Senator McKee, he is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? please roll the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:08:59
vote members watch the screen does anyone want to change their
vote okay senator flowers is president senator King is non-voting anyone else cast up
the ballot with 33 a's zero nays one non-voting one president House bill
1572 along with this corresponding emergency clause is passed please return to the house we're going to go to house bill 1582 now Senator English let us
1582 by representative McRose and Senator English to require a certain actions and encourage certain actions for an individual to be eligible for benefits under the division of workforce services
Senator Jane English
Unverified
5:09:58
law. Senator English, you're recognized. Thank you very much. This basically sets
up additional requirements for reporting, for training, for education, for folks drawing unemployment insurance. Okay, does
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:10:09
anyone have any questions of Senator English?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:10:13
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator English, you're closed.
Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. And anyone want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:10:33
to change their vote? All right, Senator Flowers is a no. Senator Love is a no. Senator Clark Tucker is a no. Senator Murdoch is a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:10:42
no. Senator Jamie Scott is a no.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:10:46
Senator Letting, I'm sorry, is a no. I've got you, Senator Payton,
as a yes. I don't know what you're wanting. Anyone else? All right, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 29 yays, 6 nays, House Bill 1582 is passed.
Please return to the House. All right, House Bill 1589 will be by Senator Crowe.
House Bill 1589 by Senator Crowe to amend the law concerning
the financial operations of a county and to amend the law concerning the annual county financial
report. Senator Crowe, you're recognized. Colleagues, this is a Treasurer's Association bill to modernize and consolidate and streamline the financial operations of the counties to the state. Any questions of Senator Crowell on
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:11:40
this bill? Anyone want to speak against it?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:11:45
Anyone want to speak for it? Senator Crowell is closed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:11:50
Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. And then members, look at the screen to tell me
if you want to change your vote. Anyone want to change this? Okay, seeing none, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yea's, 0 nay. House Bill 1589 is passed. Please return to the
House. Members, we are now on page 5, top of the page. House Bill 1606, Senator Deese. We're going to pass over that right now.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:12:22
Okay, we're going to go to House Bill 1615 by Senator Stubblefield. Let us read it,
Senator Stubblefield. House for 1615 by Representative Lundstrom and Senator Stubblefield to amend the law concerning religious non-discrimination. Colleagues, this is it. All right,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:12:48
Senator Stubblefield, you're recognized. Members, we could just hold it down just a little bit for Senator Stubblefield, please.
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
5:12:55
Colleagues, this is a religious non-discrimination bill. Some of you remember that's been here a while. We passed a RIFRA bill several years ago, and a RIFRA bill really doesn't tell you what your religious freedoms are. They're basically just a review of the things you have in your Constitution. But the RIFRA bill we have has many gaps, as
most states have found out in the last few years. There are gaps that a lot of states are wishing they'd filled in now.
Let me just tell you what this bill does. First of all, it classifies Arkansas's current Religious Freedom Registration Act. Protects religious organizations such as places of worship, religion, schools, religious ministries from government discrimination. it protects religious organizations such as individuals wedding venues many of you remember
the the individual in colorado who was sued because he wouldn't put on a wedding because of his sincere religious conscience he was a he was a christian man who would not put on a wedding for someone else, this will solve that because this, if you recuse yourself ahead of time, and this was the other way around where the other group came and asked this man who was a Christian
to do it, he could say no and he would be covered. As long as you recuse yourself ahead of time, you are exempt from this. This has also been backed by the AG's office and the Alliance Defending Freedom. Let me give you one, but the law is a restriction on the government. It prevents the government from taking away
Speaker 889
5:14:57
religious freedom. Religious freedom is at the very core of every one,
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
5:15:04
and it means to be American. It is the First Amendment of the Constitution. it is the Arkansas Constitution the bill simply clarifies protections for the freedoms that we already have it does not create any new freedoms it provides guidance to courts regarding religious freedoms and it gives citizens a law to use if the government tries to infringe on your
basic God given rights that
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:15:34
is basically what it does
I'm sorry Senator Stubble So, Senator Stubblefield, anyone have any
questions for Senator Stubblefield? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Senator Tucker, you're recognized to speak against
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
5:15:48
the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. A couple things. Number one, I think there's very clear
constitutional concerns with this bill. In the federal constitution, there's two pieces that touch religion. One is the free exercise clause where everyone can worship as they see fit, which is absolutely the way that it ought to be.
The other side of that coin is that there can be no establishment of religion by a government. And in the state constitution, we have the same provisions, but we also echo that. It's explicitly written in the state constitution that there can't be a specific preference given to any religion in any law. And this is putting directly into code a specific religious issue. So I think we have a very serious constitutional concern with this. But beyond that, it's ironic to me that it's a non-discrimination bill
because the purpose is to empower people to discriminate against gay, lesbian, and transgender Arkansans. I've been coming down here since 2015. It's kind of shocking that I've been here that long. But I asked last week or two ago when we're going to stop attacking libraries, and it's the same question here. We have multiple bills every session that deliver a message to gay and lesbian and transgender Arkansans that they are not welcome in their own state. This is another bill on that list. I hope we can stop passing these bills soon. I hope we don't pass this one.
Chair
Unverified
5:17:07
I'll be voting against it. Senator Clark Tucker is... Hold
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:17:11
on, Senator Stubblefield. Senator Clark Tucker has spoken against the bill. Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:17:16
want to speak for the bill? You're wanting to close now, is that right? Okay, Senator
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
5:17:29
Stubblefield, you're recognized to close. Colleagues, according to our AG, this bill does not have
any constitutional problems. In fact, he assured me it doesn't have any constitutional problems.
The problem we've had is we have drifted so far away from the God-given rights that we have as individuals that we've allowed things to happen we never dreamed would happen in this country. And this bill simply clarifies that, and it puts everybody on a level playing field. If you don't agree with somebody because they are of a different sex or a different gender, that's fine. It doesn't make any difference. You have a right to believe whatever you want to believe.
But we also have a right to, if you want to sue me because I go to a certain church, that's your right. As long as you recuse yourself ahead of time, you have the right to do that. So
Speaker 894
5:18:24
this simply puts everybody on the same
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:18:28
playing field. Okay, Senator Stubblefield is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:18:38
Okay, members look at the board, and then we'll change your votes.
Okay, Senator Love is a no.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:18:45
Senator Clark Tucker is a no. Senator Jamie Scott is a no. Senator Murdoch
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:18:55
is a no. Senator Flowers is present. Senator Letting
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:19:01
is a no. Anyone else? Anyone else wish to change their vote?
Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 29 yeas, 5
nays, 1 present, House Bill 1615 is passed.
Please return to the House. We're now going to go to House Bill
1619, Senator Irvin. House Bill 1619 by Senator Irvin to set administrative fees under the Arkansas Medicaid program
for immunization for monocular antibodies for respiratory virus disease and to provide civil immunity. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank you, members of the Senate. one of the most
significant things that you can do in a clinical setting is to give a baby a shot
for RSV. RSV is a pretty serious virus and disease that particularly young children can have. This would require that the Medicaid program provide administrative fee and reimbursement in order to provide that shot clinically. What that will do will help keep these children out of the emergency rooms and out of the hospitals so the insignificant fiscal impact would actually probably return on investment would be pretty substantial if we can eliminate hospitalization or an ER visit by simply
giving a shot in the clinic setting and so this bill requires that the Medicaid program shall reimburse the administration fee that's equal to 100 percent for this fee under their vaccines for children program. Happy to answer any questions. Question for Senator Irvin.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:20:39
Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator Irvin is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. All right, members,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
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5:20:52
look at the screen. Anyone want to change
their vote? All right, we got Senator McKee is a no. We got Senator Bryan is a no. We got Senator Dodson is present. Anyone else over
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:21:11
here? Senator Bryant is a no, that's correct. Then we have Senator Penzo is present. We have Senator King, I believe, is a non-vote. I've got Senator Hester as a no. I have Senator Clark Tucker as a present. I now have Senator
Dotson as a no. All right. I got Senator Alan Clark as a no. I got Senator Dees as a present. Senator Brianne Davis is a present. Senator Penzo is a no. Anyone else? Anyone else? We want to get
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:21:53
it right. All right, please cast up the ballot.
Okay, with 25 yays, 6 nays, 1 non-voting, 3 present, House Bill 1619 is passed. Please
return to the House, and then we're going to go to House Bill 1622
by Senator Boyd. House Bill 1622 by Senator Boyd. To amend the Medicaid Fairness Act, to modify the definition of the adverse decision under the
Medicaid Fairness Act, and to provide for administrative reconsideration under the Medicaid Fairness Act. You're recognized, Senator
Senator Justin Boyd
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5:22:30
Boyd. Thank you, Mr. President. This bill simply allows a third-party review of citations made against providers
whenever a corrective action is imposed on the provider, even when there is not a direct monetary consequence. So right now, today, they can only appeal if there is a direct monetary consequence, but there are times when they would like to appeal that decision. Question for Senator Boyd. Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:22:53
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Boyd, are you closed? Closed.
Senator Boyd is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Members, look at the board and tell me if you want to
change your vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Last call. Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? okay please
cast up the ballot with 34 yeas zero nays one non-voting house bill 1622 is passed please return to the house are we passing over 1624 all right we're passing over house bill 1624
well let me do senator irvin and
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:23:47
then we'll do that all right senator irvin you're recognized for 1653 and then Senator Dees, we're going to go back and pick you up at the top. Okay, fair enough. Senator Irving,
you're recognized to present House Bill 1653.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. House Bill 1653 by Senator Irving
to set standards for licensing and regulation of psychiatric residential treatment facilities and declare
an emergency. You're recognized. Thank you. Representative Kavanaugh has done a tremendous amount of work on this bill in conjunction with DHS and they are very supportive of this bill. What it does is it makes licensure and regulation more streamlined and aligned with federal law. It improves government efficiency by establishing one DHS entity with responsibility for licensure and regulation instead of multiple entities, which is the current situation.
It facilitates ease of monitoring these facilities. This would establish that monitoring would be completed by the Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance, which is also the Office of Long-Term Care. So you're moving these psychiatric residential treatment facilities under the Office of Long-Term Care. And with that comes a really high scrutiny of degree of regulation, which is good in what the industry actually wants for themselves.
Um, this is, uh, the, the Office of Long-Term Care is already equipped to monitor medical and treatment facilities that are under their current business practices. It clears up confusion, um, around identifying these PRTF beds because the licenses would be issued by two separate governing bodies for separate purposes. This would establish that PRTFs are medical treatment paid for by Medicaid, whereas our CCFs, our child welfare placements. And so it gives us the advantage and them as far as billing
is concerned. Requires facilities to seek approval from the state prior to constructing or adding additional treatment beds and allows the state greater monitoring capacity. It requires them also to be operated by a licensed administrator like all other long-term care facilities which would ensure uniformity and compliance with standards and services across all of the facilities. Bottom line, this opens up more beds, which is absolutely what we need for kids, and it
provides a level of regulation and oversight, which is definitely needed in this area. Okay, Senator Hammer, you're recognized for a question. Senator Irvin?
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
5:26:36
Thank you, and I think you just hit on it, but I got asked a question by a provider. As
far as this is going to open up more beds for what age population or what group? Children. Yes. Is that up to age 16 or 18 now?
I think it's up to age 18, but I'm not sure for, I'm not perfectly sure, but I
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
5:27:01
can ask. Okay, but it does, that's okay, don't slow down. I'll get with you after it.
I just had it for where I wanted to know. So up to, but it will open up more beds, but do you know how many more beds it'll open up or
how is that determined or do you know I don't have that I mean I don't know have the exact number I mean I can tell you that we need more beds and we've got to make sure that these facilities that are ready and able I know Senator Stone has been very very
involved with this process he has he has a treatment facility in his district that is really supportive of this bill and this allows them to open up these more beds to to treat the patients that they need but I don't have the exact number but I'll make sure that they reach out to you and get that
information to you. Thank you. Yes sir. Senator Love do you have a question? I do. You're recognized. Thank you Mr.
Chair and Senator Irvin I was brought this information but I wanted to know you know in opening more beds is that more beds for for children in Arkansas
or is it more beds for children outside of the state
because it was you know the information I was provided was my understanding that we have a lot of out-of-state children that are using the beds and we're open to more beds. So are these beds going to be restricted to kids in Arkansas or is it still going to be open to out-of-state kids as well? I appreciate the
question. This is for in-state children. There's a lot of misinformation about that going around, but I appreciate the question.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:28:30
Any other questions? Okay, anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator
Irvin? I am. I would appreciate a good vote. Okay, any objection to rolling the vote? Okay,
Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Members, if you'll look at the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else want to change their vote? Okay, cast up the ballot.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:29:03
34 yeas, 0 nay, 1 non-voting. House Bill 1653 with its corresponding emergency clause is passed. Please return to the House. We're going to go to House Bill 1657 by... No, she has a motion first. Do you
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:29:15
have a motion? This is it? Okay, Senator Davis, you're recognized for... to present House Bill 1657 after we read
it. House Bill 1657 by Senator Davis to amend the Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest Maintenance Income Tax Credit.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:29:35
You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. We've already passed this exact bill, Senate Bill 530, off of the floor. This is the Green Bay bill,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:29:48
and I'd appreciate a good vote. Okay, members, you heard the explanation. Any questions? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone
want to speak for it? Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Okay, members, it's on the screen, so if everyone would tell me what you want to do. Senator
Dodson is a present. Yes, Senator Dodson. Senator Bryant
is present. Senator Dees is present. Senator Penzo is present. Senator Flowers is present. Anyone else?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:30:32
Anyone else? Okay, cast up the ballot.
With 30 yeas, 0 nays, 5 present. House Bill 1657 is passed. Please return to the House. Okay, we
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:30:49
need just a few minutes to read some things. Will your committee
Speaker 394
5:30:58
on engrossed bills to whom is farred House Bill 1756 by Senator Davis compare the engrossed
copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar. Will your committee on engrossed bills to whom is farred House Bill 1685 by Senator Hester compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed?
Calendar. Will your committee on engrossed bills to whom is farred House Bill 1555 by Senator Hester compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom is for House Bill 1963, by Senator Boyd. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Next two. Calendar. Senator Bryant.
Speaker 236
5:31:49
Senator Bryant. Senator Bryant, we have something for
you. Are you wanting to adopt your amendment? Okay. 1877 for amendment. It came out of
Speaker 921
5:32:09
the committee to pass the amendment. No, it came
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
5:32:17
out of the committee to pass the amendment. You have a motion to adopt amendment 1. I'd like to suspend the rules for House Bill 1877 to adopt amendment 1.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:32:25
- Okay, we have a motion to spin the rules. All in favor
say aye. Any opposed? - Amendment one to House Bill
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
5:32:36
1877. - You're recognized. - Amendment was just a ask from a local company to basically exclude them for purposes. I'll explain during the bill. -
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:32:45
All in favor of the amendment say aye. Any opposed? Okay, send it to engrossing.
Speaker 394
5:32:55
We are committed on engrossed bills to infer to House Bill 1801
by Senator Davis, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Okay, members,
Speaker 381
5:33:06
we are going to go to House Bill, well, where is Ms. Give us just
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:33:22
a minute. Some of our staff needs to get back in the chair. Nope, no hurry at all.
Okay, we're going to read one more. Symbol 638 by
Senator Boyd. To amend the law concerning the collection of sales and use tax on the sale of a new or used motorboat and to provide for the direct payment of sales and use tax on a motorboat sold by a motorboat dealer. Does that be revvin' tax? V-A. Revvin' tax. Revvin' tax.
Speaker 903
5:34:12
Okay. House Bill 1666. All right, we're ready for House Bill 1666 by Senator Hammer.
Senator Hammer, you're— House Bill 1666 by Senator Hammer and Representative Meeks to amend the law concerning the Arkansas self-funded cyber response program. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
5:34:30
Thank you, members. This bill is a cleanup bill from the Cyber Response Board that was created in 2023. It fixes a drafting area that gave a vote to the wrong person on the board.
It also eliminates some unnecessary language. It is supported by the Arkansas Insurance Department and also by the Association of Arkansas Counties. Okay, any questions to Senator Hammer?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:34:51
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? You're closed, Senator Hammer? Closed, thank you. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. And
then members, look at the board and tell me if you want to change your vote. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else want to change their vote?
Please cast up the ballot. With 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, House Bill 1666 is passed. Please
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:35:24
return to the House as amended. House Bill 1677, Representative Payton, excuse me, Senator Payton.
Speaker 313
5:35:31
House Bill 1677, by Senator Payton, to
authorize alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs to maintain emergency medication kits. Senator Payton,
you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.
colleagues the name says it all these drug treatment facilities need to have this emergency kit on hand it outlines how to be
supplied how to be maintained it's a great bill by representative Bentley anybody have any questions I'll be happy to try to answer any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:35:59
questions of Senator Payton anyone won't speak against this bill anyone won't
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:36:05
speak for this bill Senator Payton's closed any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:36:13
vote. Members look at the screen. Senator
King is non-voting. Anyone else want to change their vote? Anyone want to change their vote?
Please cast up the ballot. With 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting. House Bill 1677 is passed. Please return to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:36:35
the House. Now we're going to go
Speaker 659
5:36:41
to House Bill 1679 by Senator Irvin. House Bill 1692
by Representative Brown Center. No, 1679, I think.
Speaker 58
5:36:48
Brown, do you have? Representative Brown, is it hung up on something?
That's okay. Let me find it. Slow down. Oh, here, I can read it. House Bill 1679 by Representative Brown Center Irving to amend the revised Arkansas Automatical Gift Act to allow certain classes
of persons to revoke or amend a gift upon the death of a donor and to require certain reporting of procurement organizations.
Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank you, members. Representative Brown has worked on
this bill all session long as well as Representative Gadsway. It's an important bill. We want to encourage organ donation, but we also want to make sure that it's done as compassionately and as friendly as possible. So what this bill strives to do is to allow for a person's power of attorney to step in at a time where it's important when a loved one is dying.
Again, this preserves the ability for those organs to be harvested for transplant and donation. But it also gives a stop point where those family members can then pass that loved one on to the funeral home for remittance and that that body can then be treated with dignity when it is remitted to the funeral home. I would say Representative Brown did a lot of work.
There are amendments that have been put on this bill at the request of the procurement organization. And so now it is an agreed-to bill. I am happy, he's done a lot of work on this, and I'm happy to answer any questions, but bottom line, I think it's a really good bill. It's important to note that not only are your organs harvested if you're an organ donor, which is a great, great thing, but they also take other parts of your body and sell them
for research and other issues. So, just full disclosure. So I think it was an important bill and one that Representative Brown has a very personal story about as it relates to his father, which led him to this bill. And I have a lot of respect for the experience, the poor experience that he went through, which is why he brought the bill forward and wrote the bill and spent all the time working on the issue. Any questions of Senator Irvin?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:39:26
Anyone want to speak against this bill? If anyone, do you want to speak against it? Okay, Senator
Love is going to speak against it. Senator Love, you're recognized, sir. Thank you. And, you
know, I hate to speak against something that is, I mean, colleagues, I really do. I hate to speak against this bill because I know it's something that Representative Brown has worked on. But here's the thing, you all.
We're talking about somebody's last wishes. And if you choose to be an organ donor, then I think your last wishes should be respected. There's nothing worse than not having your last wishes respected. And I truly believe that we really need to kind of think about what we're doing here. I remember I had a conversation, and I didn't even know this bill was coming, but I had a conversation with my wife.
She's an organ donor. I'm not an organ donor. And I was actually on the opposite side of her. I was like, hey, I should be able to tell the hospital or tell whoever not to harvest your organs. I should, you know, be able to do that. And she looked me in my eyes. She said, Frederick, I'm the one. It's my body. I'm the one choosing to be the organ donor. I'm the one choosing to dedicate my body to
signs. And I think that if that's the case, I think that my wishes should be respected.
I never thought about it like that. I
thought, hey, I'm still there. This is my wife's, this is her remains, and this is what I want to do. But my wife being a sound mind, she chose to be an organ donor. And I think when we enact a bill like this and we're able to step in and revoke that last wish of theirs, I think that's not what we need to do. And so I'm going to be voting no, and I encourage you to vote no as well.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:41:33
Thank you. Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized
to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I know the story that Representative Brown and his family had to go through, and I was very shocked about it. Basically, and I know, I appreciate how sensitive Senator Irvin is that
she didn't give any details, and I'm not only going to give a few, but I just think it's just safe to say that his family
had literally a traumatic experience dealing with the recovery agency. And it was shocking to me. I have a friend who in past years had worked with this agency as someone who would, as a pilot, would deliver donated organs to where they were needed and was just very much interested in the mission and donated his airplane in his time. But he told me that there had been some abuses under more recent administration.
And again, it's not appropriate on this floor to talk about that. But when I learned of that, I understood exactly why Representative Brown made the effort to come up
with this bill. And I appreciate what Senator Irvin said, that he worked with all parties to come up with something that's been pretty much agreed to. It protects the dignity of the donor and his
wishes. It also protects the needs of the family. So with that, I'll—
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:43:08
Do you have a—are you open to a
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
5:43:14
question, Senator Johnson? I'll take a question from Senator Hammer. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. I'm going to ask you a question, but Senator Irving can answer. Wouldn't you agree? And that is, I heard the statement, this is an agreed-upon bill, which the recovery agency, because I know there's been a lot of chatter on this one. I just wanted that statement reaffirmed. It was an agreed-upon bill, if
you don't mind. I believe I heard that, but I wanted people to understand that since my friend Senator Love had opposition,
I just wanted to clarify, in a vacuum, I'd probably feel the same way he does about everything. But since I know some of the details of it, I wanted to share that with the body so y'all could know what was going on. So with that, I'm through. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. All right, anyone that's want to speak against the bill? Anyone want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:43:58
to speak for the bill? Senator Irving, are you closed or you want to say something? Yes, ma'am, you're recognized.
Just in response to Senator Hammer's question, yes. In fact, hold on a second.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:44:10
Oh, I'm sorry. We're in, do you want to speak for it? Are you okay
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:44:19
with holding up? Senator Clark, I didn't see you. So you're recognized to speak for? Is that correct? Yes. Okay,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:44:28
you're recognized. Mr. President, thank you. I'll be brief, members. I think I speak for almost everyone when I say I would never change the organ donor wishes of a loved one unless something egregious was going on,
which they are no longer in a place to do anything about. I trust my family as an organ donor that they would not do anything to go against my wishes unless there was something egregious going on. But it's terrible that a family can do nothing when they find something egregious happening and that some organization has power over them and over their loved one's body. And if my family did best it up, it's not the worst thing that's ever going to happen to me, because I'm gone.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:45:13
Okay, anyone else, since we did that, is there anyone who
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:45:17
wants to speak against the bill? For the bill. All right, now you're recognized
closed, Senator Irvin. Thank you for that. Thank you, and I really do appreciate all the testimony on it. It is an agreed-to bill. In fact, this bill was on the calendar yesterday and I agreed to amend it last night and this morning. And so I sent it back to the committee this morning to amend it again to satisfy the concerns
of Aurora, which is the recovery organization, to amend it for their request. And so I've kind of jumped through a million hoops just to make sure everybody was good on the bill. So it is an agreed-to bill. I think it's a very thoughtful, well-intentioned bill. And I think I look forward to the partnership that we will have and the reporting of what's happening so that we can be better informed
and make sure that we encourage more organ transplant, organ donations. And that's really a side effect of the bill, but I think that all parties agree to. So I appreciate that. It is an agreed-to bill. I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you for speaking for it. All
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:46:31
right, Senator Irvin is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll
the vote. Okay, members, does anyone want to change their vote? Senator Love is no. Senator Jamie Scott is present.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:46:47
Anyone else? Anyone else want to change their vote? Senator Dotson
is present. Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 32 yeas, 1 nay, 2 present,
House Bill 1679 is passed. Please return to the House as amended. Okay, now we're going to
go to House Bill 1692 by Senator Petty. Senator Petty, let us read this.
House Bill 1692 by Representative Brown, Senator Petty. to amend the law concerning polygraph examiners and voice stress analyst examiners and to amend the law concerning private
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
5:47:31
investigators and private security agencies. You're recognized, Senator Petty. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this
is a bill around the polygraph licensing law. It's a technical correction on moral turpitude, which in 2019 the General Assembly passed 17.3.102,
which provides that a licensing entity may not deny a license based on vague terms such as moral turpitude or good character. And that's specifically from D, it says, a licensing entity shall not, as a basis upon which a license may be granted or denied, use vague or generic terms including without limitation the phrases moral turpitude and good character. So it's correcting that. It adds clarity that if you qualify for a private investigator license and the results
of your criminal background check, you can't then also become an installer of a security system. It also removes the 30-day law enforcement waiting period for commissioned security licenses and lets them be issued electronically, and then it requires by code an annual refresher training of commissioned security officers, which is already required by rule. For that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Okay.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:48:56
Okay, do anybody have any questions of Senator Petty on this?
Senator Love, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Petty, do you know what a crime
of moral turpitude is? I don't know what a crime of moral turpitude is. This is not part of this bill. It's eliminating
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
5:49:18
the references to moral turpitude and
good character. But it says it's striking that it's a crime involving moral turpitude.
Speaker 580
5:49:28
So I was just wondering if you knew what a crime of moral
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
5:49:34
turpitude was. I do not. This is an ASP-approved legislative bill.
But the statute that's in place says that if you issue a license, you shall not use any basis for denial using the terms good moral character or moral turpitude. So this is bringing it into alignment with that 2019 statute that was passed. Okay, thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:49:57
Any other questions for Senator Petty?
All right, does anyone want to speak against the bill? Senator Dotson, you
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:50:11
want to speak against the bill? You're recognized, sir. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I feel like we're on a merry-go-round. Here we go again. I think this bill is a little bit more than a technical corrections bill. This does actually something. Since 2019 we have been as a state on a mission if you will to get rid of good moral character in our code.
I find this extremely concerning. If you go back to the foundation of our nation, actually, the term good moral character is not something new. It's been around in a standard for centuries. Go to our first president, one of his George Washington's quotes. A good moral character is the first essential in a man. It is therefore highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.
In his farewell address, of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion, and morality are indispensable supports. So, removal of morals is destructive to the country. Good morals are essential to political prosperity. Also, John Adams said our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people.
It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. So, let's look at this bill and kind of what we're doing here. If you look at the things that are being removed, crime involving moral turpitude for a polygraph examiner license applicant. Do you want somebody who doesn't have good moral character deciding whether or not you lied on a polygraph?
How about removing it for a polygraph examiner license,
a voice dress analyzer examiner's license? Seems like there was another one here. Oh, school security officer, commission security officer.
Do we want some people who don't have good moral character to be our school security officers? Private investigators and private security agencies.
I don't know. I think we want people with good moral character to have those positions. So I want you to think about this before we cast this vote. It is current law. Maybe we missed it, or maybe that overall bill missed it a few years ago, but this bill takes it out as a standard, and it is something that has been a standard for hundreds of years. And we definitely, I know there's going to be, you know,
that argument that says, oh, this is a subjective term. Well, can you tell me what someone who has bad moral character is? We can identify it pretty easily when someone has bad moral character. Those people oftentimes commit crimes, and that is part of the crimes against, that we're taking away the, if they're convicted of moral turpitude, we're going to say, oh, that's okay, we're going to license you anyway to be a school security officer with this bill.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:53:48
Anyway, think about that. Okay, are you, are you open for questions? or what? Sure. Alright I believe Senator Payton was first
and then we'll have Senator Mark Johnson. Senator Payton you're recognized. Alright, thank you
Senator Dotson for pointing this out I tend to agree with you completely because I
was on the Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board in the late 90s early 2000s and we actually denied a licensee based on this being in the Arkansas
Auctioneers Licensing Code would you like to ask me later about the details on that? I'd be happy
Chair
Unverified
5:54:28
to give them to you. Thank you. Senator Mark Johnson,
you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Johnson, I also
want to thank you for finding this. I would have missed it if you hadn't. You know, we have a provision somewhere in the law that has been brought up
before that people can be ruled ineligible to learn, to serve in a governmental office
if they were convicted of an infamous crime. And a lot of people thought, well, that means a felony. But it's been extended in some cases to things that would even be misdemeanors. And again, I'm not passing judgment on that because I think in some cases that term may have been abused. But clearly, moral turpitude is something that needs to be preserved in our legal culture. So would you agree? Yes, and I would
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:55:24
go, and sorry I didn't pull up the quote.
I just found this and pulled up a few different quotes. But I believe in our U.S. Constitution, one of the things that you can be impeached for is for bad behavior. And so I think in the past, I've heard stories that we've had judges who have been impeached for public intoxication. Because, obviously, if they are publicly intoxicated, they may not make the best judicial decisions when deciding people's futures and cases.
So, I just want you all to think about this. I don't know how the vote will go, but before you vote on this, be
aware of this being stricken from our code. Senator, if a quick follow-up, Mr. Chairman. Yes,
sir. Do you believe that our republic was designed to properly function only with a moral compass, our moral people? I believe
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:56:23
I read that quote. I think it was from John Adams that said it was wholly inadequate for any other people.
Speaker 960
5:56:31
Thank you. Thank you, Senator. I appreciate the no vote on
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:56:34
this bill. Okay, Senator Brianne Davis is going to be recognized to speak for the bill.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:56:44
Thank you, Mr. President. Okay. You're recognized. Thank you. This term actually is, in fact, very subjective. There is no definition and code on good moral character. We had this debate at length in the 2021 session. If you say you cannot be hired because you don't have good moral character, based on who? Based on who thinks that? Based on if you think that or what my definition of good moral character is?
A crime of moral turpitude based on what you think that should be or what I think that should be? There is no definition in code of what this means. And we talked about it back in 2021. What about people that have committed a crime, that have committed a misdemeanor, and they've completely gone through rehabilitation, they've been a good upstanding citizen for years? Well, you may think that does not constitute good moral character and can hold that against somebody because they did something earlier in life
and they've learned lessons and they've made their life right. But maybe if I'm the one deciding, maybe I think it's fine. It's so subjective. Absolutely 100% based on the person who's doing the hiring or the choosing. This is crazy. We should absolutely pass this bill because this is subjective and we are punishing people who have maybe made choices that I don't agree with or you don't agree with, whoever's in charge earlier in life, and we can choose to hold it against them because of what we think.
Not because there's a definition in code, not because there's something to follow, but because it's just what we happen to think that day, and
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
5:58:18
that is wrong. Thank you. Okay, we've had an against and a for. Anybody else for that? Okay, Senator Petty, are you wanting
to close? You're recognized for closing, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. So, just one clarification to what Senator Dotson said. when I said technical clarification, it was only dealing with the moral turpitude section of this
bill. And just so in case nobody has looked at it recently, what this does leave in there in the licensing is if you're convicted of a felony, class A misdemeanor, or any crime involving violence, you are excluded. It just doesn't have the subjectivity of moral turpitude or good character which we all agree is important but when we're talking about the law clarity in the law is is what we want to have so with that I'm closed
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
5:59:13
and I would appreciate a good vote okay Senator Petty is closed any objection
Speaker 967
5:59:32
have an objection to rolling the vote and okay i'm sorry okay please call the row boyd boyd bryant bryant caldwell caldwell clark clark
Speaker 969
5:59:45
Kroll, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Aye. Hill. Aye. Irvin.
Aye. Blake Johnson. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. No. Keene. Aye. Letting. Aye. Love. Love. McKee. Aye. Murdoch. Murdoch. Payton. No. Penzo. Penzo. Petty. Yes. Rice. Rice. Scott. Scott. Stone. Stubblefield. Stubblefield. Sullivan. Sullivan. Tucker.
Speaker 787
6:00:58
Wallace. Wallace. Okay. Senator Wallace
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:01:04
is a yes. Wallace is a aye. Any other members wish to change their
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:01:12
vote. Senator Dees is present. Senator Stubblefield is yes. Senator Blake Johnson is yes. Senator Boyd is yes. Senator Love is yes. Senator Jamie Scott is yes. Senator Dismang is yes. Senator Flowers is
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:01:33
a yes. Senator Penzo is a no. Senator
Caldwell is a yes. Senator Hester is a yes. Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:01:46
else? Anyone else want to change their vote?
Okay, cast up the ballot. Okay, with 23 yeas, 5 nays, 6 non-voting, 1
Speaker 974
6:01:56
present, House Bill 1692 is passed. Please return to the House. 20 minutes,
Speaker 976
6:02:03
Bill. I'm going to get up to staff. Alright. Okay,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:02:08
Senator Crowell, if you don't mind.
Members, we've got some lunch back there. I'm going to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:02:14
say that we're going to take maybe up to 20 minutes. So let's eat fast. We've got this calendar plus another calendar and of course we need to get through as much as we can. So if everybody
will, because our staff needs to eat too. Yes. Senator Dodson, do you have a question, sir? I have a question. So, go ahead. And then
Speaker 572
6:02:36
we're going to recess. When do we think we might see that supplemental calendar? At the end of this one.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
6:02:47
So we're not going to get any advance notice of what's on
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:02:54
it? We're sliding to it. It's being, that's the reason it's supplemental
is because it's being added to is just things that are coming through and we're reading across the desk, so I guess it's that time of the session, so as soon as we
can, Senator Dodson. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom is for House Bill 1877 by Senator Bryant compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Calendar.
Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom is for House Bill 1960 by Senator Stone and compare the engrossed copy of the original
and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Senate Bill 639 by Senator Caldwell. To create the Arkansas Wind Energy Development Act, Senate
Speaker 584
6:03:35
Bill 639. Insurance and Commerce. Do you have anything else to read? Oh.
Speaker 985
6:03:48
Right back to back. we've got everything read
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:04:00
are you ready can we go into recess in or okay members we're going to go into recess we're probably
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:04:05
just going to try to say 7 30 so again give uh everybody a time to get a little bit bite to eat and let our staff have a little
Speaker 447
6:04:13
bit of a break also so we're in recess
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6:04:21
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Unknown speaker
6:26:21
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.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:33:21
all right we're back in from recess
we are committee on insurance commerce to move the first Senate bill 639 by Senator Caldwell recommend do
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:33:46
pass calendar all right members we're at the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:33:52
top of page six we are on House Bill 1695 that's
where we'll start. House Bill 1695 by Senator Crowell to
clarify the foreclosure process for property subject
to a municipal lien to allow a municipality to petition to set aside the sale of property to certain persons and to provide for the priority of unrecorded municipal liens.
You're recognized Senator Crowell. Thank you Senator. Colleagues this is to help cities and towns address neglected and abandoned properties. There are existing laws for the cities to place liens and properties and recover costs when they clean up these properties and this enhances and clarifies this process by making a handful of impactful changes.
What it will do is it will help cities get abandoned dilapidated properties ready to help for community economic development, affordable housing, and overall community health. This does not reinvent the wheel. There are substantial changes, however, it just clarifies the legal process to collect funds that were spent cleaning up and the most fundamental changes in creating the foreclosure procedure. Foreclosure is not a new, it is currently allowed, it is not a new process.
This just establishes a clear and concise process. We have worked with the city clerks, the land commissioners, the bankers, and the titles, and Senator Hickey spent a lot of time this weekend. We've had many amendments, and this
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:35:27
is a good bill. Okay, does anybody
Speaker 665
6:35:29
have any questions? Senator Bryant, you're recognized for a question. Thank you,
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:35:34
Senator Kroll. Can you clarify the process by which a landowner has the right to appeal prior
to demolition? So, and I don't know the exact, but I know the roundabout way.
The process is you have to send certified letters, get it signed, have a hearing in front of the city council, have your day there. But, I mean, it's a long process. From the beginning of the finding the dilapidated process till the time they meet the city council, it's 120 days that they have three touches. any other questions Senator Crowe Senator Payton
you recognize sir thank you as you know we've had a lot of tornado damage recently is there any provisions for like a disaster that may have damaged their house and everything I'd hate for them to lose their lot after already losing everything and I don't know if there's
any provisions but the intent of the law is for this law is just to simply help with the ones that are truly dilapidated. The people may live in Arizona. Didn't even know they got it. Just a better communication system to do that.
I'm pretty sure cities are not going to do that when, you know, there was a tragedy.
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
6:37:01
Okay, thank you. Senator McKee, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Is there a time frame that the property has to sit vacant or be in a
condition that the city has determined that should be torn down? No, there is guidelines on how they are judged and how they are made in this bill
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:37:20
and how they are recognized. Thank you. Okay, does anyone want to speak for the bill? Against the bill? Senator Kroll is closed. Any objection to
rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, we've got it on the screen. Does anyone, everybody
look at it and tell me if you want to change your vote. I've got Senator Dotson as a no. I've got Senator McKee as present.
I've got Senator Bryant as present. Senator Penzo
Senator Jane English
Unverified
6:38:01
is present. Senator King is non-voting. Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:38:10
Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 30 yays, 1 nay, 1 non-voting, 3 present, House Bill
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:38:16
1695 is passed. Please return to the House as amended. Okay, now we're on the House Bill 1712.
House Bill 1712 by Senator Scott and Representative Carr to establish the social work licensure compact in
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:38:32
this state. Okay, Senator Scott,
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
6:38:35
you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1712 seeks to provide social work licensees with opportunities for multi-state practice supporting relocating practitioners, military families, foster workforce development by reducing unnecessary licensure burdens. From a regulatory perspective, the compact provides the authority of each member of the state to protect public health and safety through existing state regulatory structures.
The Arkansas Social Work Certification and Licensure Board would have jurisdiction over anyone practicing in Arkansas under the multi-state license. This bill will help us address the mental health desert in Arkansas, and ALC will also have oversight and approve all promulgated rules. Happy to answer any questions. And Arkansas does have a seat
on the board, and if somebody is kicked off the board, Arkansas can replace that person with someone from Arkansas.
Speaker 565
6:39:30
any questions of senator scott obviously she's not taking any um
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:39:38
anyone anyone will speak against the bill anyone will speak for the bill senator scott is closed any objection to rolling
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:39:45
the vote okay members if you'll look at the board okay does
anyone want to change their vote senator mckee is a no
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:40:00
Senator Dotson is present. Senator Sullivan is present. Senator Payton is present. Senator Bryant is a no. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, cast up
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:40:19
the ballot. With 30 a's, 2 nays, 3 present, House Bill 1712 is passed. Please return to the House. We're now going to House Bill 1717 by Senator Boyd.
House Bill 1717 by Senator Boyd to create the Arkansas Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act. All right, Senator
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
6:40:44
Boyd, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This legislation is modeled off of proposed federal legislation. It's
an effort to protect our minors' data. We have decided, so organizations such as Google, Meta, X, telecommunications, gaming companies, and other entities in this space have come together, and we've arrived at some agreed-upon language that is here today.
This bill does a few things. It is unlawful for an operator of a website, online service, online application, or mobile application directed at children or teens, or for any operator to collect, use, disclose, or maintain information for targeted advertising for minors and utilize that information to target a minor for specific advertising. It does offer the operators must obtain consent to collect information, pressing yes, I'm okay with data being collected. Not require a child
to disclose more personal information than is reasonably necessary to participate in a game offering or another activity. Okay any
Speaker 540
6:41:45
questions for Senator Boyd? Anyone want to speak
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:41:49
against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed Senator Boyd? I'm closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:41:55
Please roll the vote. Members look at the board. Anyone want to change their vote? I see Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Anyone else?
Please cast up the ballot. With 34 yeas, 0 nay,
1 non-voting, House Bill 1717 is passed. Please return to the House as amended. All right, we're going to go to House Bill 1729. In just a moment,
Chair
Unverified
6:42:28
or 1729, Leslie. House Bill 1729 by Representative Burks and Senator Bryant to amend the Homestead Exemption Act and to provide that a homestead owned by a limited liability company is eligible for the homestead exemption in certain circumstances.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:42:42
You're recognized, Senator Bryant. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, two years ago, we passed a bill where we gave LLCs the benefit
of the homestead tax credit. However, we did not give them the homestead exemption as provided by law from 1981. So what this bill does is those same exemptions for homesteads for civil judgment, civil liabilities that are in statute, if you own an LLC, meeting those same definitions as what's in the Homestead Exemption Act, you will also get the Homestead Exemption.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:43:13
Okay, any questions of Senator Bryant and Senator Payton? Sorry, Senator King, I think you were first. You're recognized. So give
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
6:43:26
me, these people have had judgments against them, right? The only people they've had judgments against them or something. Can you explain
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:43:34
that a little bit more? Yeah, so the Homestead Exemption Act of 1981 allows for special provisions for homeowners for that home to be protected inside of their assets during civil prosecution or civil judgments.
So whenever we added in an LLC, you can get the special tax provisions, and so you put it in there to shield yourself from other things the LLC provides. It did not necessarily shield you from the exemption, even if you were the actual owner as man and wife or owner as joint or as a head of household as defined
Speaker 1016
6:44:06
in the Homestead Exemption Act. Or do you know a specific case where this
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
6:44:10
has happened and it's been something that's like a dartboard where it's hit a few people or something? You don't know if it's...
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:44:17
I don't know. We just passed where LLCs can get the tax credit last session. So this just mirrors that if you own that LLC the
same way you'd own your home to get the homestead tax credit, those would mirror. Okay. Is there any state impact that we
Chair
Unverified
6:44:33
know of anything? None that we know of. Okay. I'm just
confused. Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. So is there any, are you sure that we haven't created a situation here where somebody could
claim the homestead tax credit on two separate properties?
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:44:53
on the tax credit we did that two years
ago and to my knowledge there's no that's not occurring i mean if you if you own two properties and you tried to claim it you got caught you'd have civil liabilities and penalties but it'd be the same if you own it as an llc as an individual but that's
not this this is the exemption i'm just
curious because you wouldn't own two the llc would own one and there's a section a part two here that only one member if they're married so So, I mean, the spouse could own a property, but the one member
of the LLC could own a separate property.
It seems like they might could work it out to get the exemption twice.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:45:34
Well, for the tax credit that we passed two years ago, that may be, this applies the same rules of the exemption, which means shielding from civil judgments to match that. Any other
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:45:45
questions of Senator Bryant on this? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:45:51
it? Senator Bryant is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
All right, members, making sure everybody's watching the board, do you want to change your vote? I have Senator Flowers as
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:46:10
present. Anyone else? I have Senator King as non-voting. Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:46:18
else? All right, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 33 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present, House Bill 1729 is passed. Please return to the House.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:46:29
All right, House Bill 1734 by Senator Hammer. House Bill
1734 by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning death certificates
and to clarify the medical professionals who may sign a medical certificate of death and pronounce death of a patient. You're recognized,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
6:46:46
Senator Hammer. Thank you. What this bill does is it's permissive and that allows an advanced practice registered nurse to complete and sign a medical certificate of death pronounced. It does not take the place of the physician nor does it take the place of the emergency department physician.
It just creates that option in the event that they are not available so that the pronouncement can occur. I'll be glad to answer any questions.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:47:10
Any questions to Senator Hammer? Anyone want to speak against it? Anyone want to speak
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:47:15
for it? Senator Hammer, are you closed?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:47:19
close. Appreciate a good vote. Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members watch the board. Anyone want to change their vote? I see Senator Irvin is a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:47:29
no. I see Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else? Anyone else? All right. Please cast up the ballot. Okay.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:47:43
with 33 a's, 1 nay, 1 non-voting. House Bill 1734. I'm sorry, members. House
Bill 1734 is passed. Please return to the House as
amended. Next, we're going to do House Bill 1749. House Bill 1749, Senator Dees,
to adopt the Uniformed Trust Decanting Act. Senator Dees, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
6:48:07
you, Mr. President. Members, 1749 is an act to adopt the Uniform Trust Decanting Act.
This has to do with Arkansas Code Title 28 in Subchapter 78. It has to do with the issues around the Decanting Trust Act about power of appointment, authorized fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and had no opposition. Members, appreciate a good vote. Anyone have any questions for Senator Dees? Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:48:36
Mark Johnson, are you, are you, do you want to take questions, Senator? Senator
Mark Johnson, you're recognized for a question.
Senator, I looked up the word decanting, and it says to draw off a liquid without disturbing the sediment or lower liquid layers. And then it says to pour a liquid such as wine from one vessel to the other. And then it says to pour out, transfer, or unload as if by pouring. and that's the only Merriam-Webster definitions I could find. Can you explain this just a little more clearly?
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
6:49:18
This is to adopt the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, and it's updating Chapter 78 of Code Title 28. I'm sorry I asked. Thank you for your question. You're welcome. Okay, Senators, does anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:49:35
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak
for this bill? Any objections to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, watch the board. Do you want to change your vote?
Senator Alan Clark is present. Anyone else
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:49:59
want to change their vote? Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:50:04
want to change their vote? Okay, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with a vote of 33 yays, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present, House Bill 1749 is passed. Please return to the House. Okay, we're now going to go to House Bill 1751, Senator Bryant's bill.
House Bill 1751 by Senator Bryant and Representative Underwood. To require an applicant for temporary
assistance for needy families program benefits to engage in job search
activities while the application is being processed. Okay, Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you,
Speaker 628
6:50:39
Mr. President. Members, this bill requires job-ready
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
6:50:41
applicants for the cash welfare program, or TANF, to begin searching for their job while their application is being processed, instead of waiting for the process to happen and then starting to look for the job.
Over a dozen states currently do this, including Mississippi and Missouri around us. It ensures that every individual who enters the workforce increases their earning potential and improves the efficiency
in saving taxpayer money. With that, I'd be glad to take any questions. Any questions for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:51:11
Senator Bryant? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Bryant is
closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Members, watch the board. All right. Anyone want to change? We've got Senator Flowers as president.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:51:28
Okay, I've got Senator Jamie Scott as a no. I've got Senator Love as a no. I've got Senator Clark Tucker as a no. I've got Senator Letting as a no. I've got Senator Murdoch as a no. Anyone else? Senator Brian King is
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:51:49
non-voting. Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with
a vote of 28 yeas, 5 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present, House Bill 1751 is passed.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:52:02
Please return to the House. Next one is
going to be 1752 by Senator Boyd. House Bill 1752 by Senator Boyd and Representative Maddox, to exempt
certain savings plans from the execution of a
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
6:52:17
judgment. You're recognized, Senator Boyd. Thank you, Mr. President. And House Bill 1752, this bill makes it clear that certain qualified savings plans are exempt from the execution of a judgment. These plans are an inherited IRA, a health savings account, a 529 plan, and a Coverdell education savings account.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:52:35
Okay, is there any questions? Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
Let's talk about what a judgment is. I mean, judgment is because somebody has been defrauded and they went to court and proved their case and received a judgment for restitution for whatever happened. Why shouldn't they be entitled to take the assets of the person who did the defrauding? So, for instance, in the case
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
6:53:06
of the IRA, this expands the list that's already there.
So this is expanding on what's already in law. These were not created back when this law was first put into place. But these are accounts in which federal income tax has not been paid, and so you're in partnership with the federal government. I'm not sure I'm for expanding it,
but I appreciate the explanation. Thank you. Thank you for the question. Any other questions
Speaker 565
6:53:33
in regards to this bill? Anyone want to speak against this bill?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:53:39
Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Penzo, are you trying to speak oh, I'm sorry okay, you're closed Senator Boyd, okay, Senator Boyd is closed, is there any objection to rolling the vote, Madam Secretary
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:53:54
please roll the vote alright members, the board's up, if you want to change your vote, let me know, I have I have Senator Hill as no, I have Senator Plain as no I have Senator Caldwell as no
I have Senator Stubblefield as no. I have Senator Sullivan as no. I have Senator Brian King as non-voting. I have Senator Hickey as no. I have Senator Murdoch as no. I have Senator Clark Tucker as no. I got Senator Hammer as present. I got Senator McKee as a no. I got Senator Alan Clark as a no. I've got Senator Blake Johnson as present.
I've got Senator Crowell as a no. I've got Senator Flippo as a no.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:54:47
I've got Senator Breanne Davis as a no. All right, members, our staff is trying
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:54:56
to keep up with me doing that, so you check the board to make sure we're
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:55:04
correct. Anyone else? Senator Irvin is a no. Anyone else?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:55:12
Last time. Anyone else? All right, cast up the
ballot. Okay, with 18 yeas, 14 nays, one non-voting, two present, House Bill 1752 is
passed. Please return to the House. Okay, we're now going to go to House Bill 1758 by Cinder Hill. House
Bill 1758 by Senator Hill to amend the law concerning hearing instrument dispensers and to amend the definition of practice of dispensing hearing instruments.
Senator Hill, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. All this bill does, we ran a bill earlier in the session on audio devices. This just allows you to get your magic ear or miracle ear or any of those types you want to online. They feel like that when we ran the bill the other day, that makes it where that's not legal. Okay, any questions for Senator
Chair
Unverified
6:56:08
Hill? Senator Gilmore, you're recognized, sir. Senator Hill, how did you hear about this bill? I can't hear you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:56:16
Senator Blake Johnson, you got a legitimate question or are
you... All right, let's move on. All right, does anyone want to speak against this bill?
You want to speak? Okay. Anyone want to speak for this bill or against
this bill? Any objection to rolling the vote? Well, Senator Hill, you're closed, obviously. Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll the vote. It's on the screen.
Does any member want to change their vote? Anyone want to change their vote? Please cast up
the ballot. With 35 yeas, 0 nay, House Bill 1758 is passed. Please return to
the House. Okay, we have a motion by Senator Clark Tucker. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members. You all may
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
6:57:06
recall last night, there was a bill I just need to be recorded no on. I was out of the chamber when the bill was heard. The vote got rolled. Senator Caldwell's bill, he's been very gracious about it. We're just going to, if you agree, expunge the vote, re-vote the bill, roll the vote again.
I just need to be recorded no on it. So with that, I
move to expunge the vote on Senate Bill 629,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:57:28
by which it passed. Okay. Members, do you hear what we have? We have a motion to expunge the vote on Senate Bill 629. All in favor
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:57:36
say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that motion is going to carry. Now, Senator Caldwell, are you going to come down and represent it? It's not on the calendar, I don't
guess, but I guess it's the Senate, and we're just going to make it work unless somebody objects.
Senate Bill 629 by Senator Caldwell to allow an officer of a closely held corporation to represent the corporation in court for the purpose of eviction proceedings and unlawful
detainer proceedings. Okay, Senator Caldwell, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Again, this bill allows an individual to represent themselves in a municipal court to exact an eviction. If you have an LLC or an S-corp or a small C-corp, it would allow you to do that.
The senator did not want his vote recorded, and he was not here. So I told him we would recall it and vote it again. It passed pretty much unanimous last night. I'd ask for a good vote.
Are we voting this? Okay. All right. I didn't see it on the screen.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:58:46
Okay, members, any questions? Again, we've already done this.
You've heard the explanation. But anyone want to speak for the bill? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Senator Caldwell is closed.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:58:56
Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, let's roll the vote. Okay, members, this is the board. You've heard the explanation. We're re-voting this. Does anyone want to change their
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:59:10
vote? Senator Clark Tucker is a no. Anyone
else? Senator Flowers was present on that. We're going to leave her where she is. Is that right, Senator Letting? Okay, Senator Flowers is going to be present.
Senator Brian King is going to be non-voting. Anyone else? Okay, let's
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
6:59:41
cast up the ballot. Okay, by a vote of 32 yeas, one nay, one non-voting, one present. Senate Bill 629 is passed. Have we already done it to the House? Do we need to transmit it? All right, we're
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:59:54
going to transmit this to the House. Okay, we got that done.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:00:00
Now, I'm not sure where we were. Senator Bryant. Senator Bryant. 1763. Okay,
Senator Bryant, we're going to do House Bill 1763. House
Bill 1763 by Senator Bryant. to amend the Human Trafficking Act of 2013 and to create the
offense of unlawful use of a communication device during the commission of a human trafficking offense. - Senator Bryant, you're
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
7:00:27
recognized. - Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this bill criminalizes the use
of a communications device to facilitate the sale of a human being. We do the same thing for facilitation of sale of narcotics in chapter 64, mirrors
that language, ready for any questions. Any questions for Senator Bryan on this one? Okay, anyone want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:00:47
speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Bryan is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, it's up on the board. Let me know if you want to change your vote.
Senator Flowers is going to be no. Anyone else?
Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with 34 yeas, 1 nay. House Bill
1763 is passed. Please transmit to the House. No, please return to the House. Okay, members, we're going to go
to House Bill 1777 by Senator
Gilmore. House Bill 1777 by Senator Gilmore.
To amend the law concerning the offense of sexually grooming a child
and to include bribing or attempting to bribe a child in the offense of sexually grooming a
child. Senator Gilmore, you recognize, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, House Bill 1777 is a bill that adds the definition
of bribe to the sexual grooming statute. This is part of the prosecutor package. One of the things that they've seen a lot of with grooming of children, it can be a lot of things. And in a particular case that was brought out was use of gifts and things like video games
or purchasing video games or purchasing credits for video games, things of that nature. And so we're just adding the definition of a bribe to the sexual grooming statute. Happy to take questions. Any questions, Senator Gilmore, on this one? Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:02:20
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Gilmore, are you closed? Closed. Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:02:26
Gilmore is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Members, it is now on the screen. Let me
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:02:35
know if you want to change your vote.
anyone want to change their vote
okay passed up the ballot okay with a vote of 35 yeas zero nays house bill 1777 is passed please return to the house as amended
okay now we're going to go to house bill 1778 1778 by
senator gilmore to amend the law concerning the criminal offense of stalking to include placing a person in fear of sexual acts and to amend the
definition of course of conduct with respect to
stalking. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, again, part of the prosecutor package. This bill just
amends the stalking statute in the second degree to include course of conduct for threats made of intimidation or imminent sexual deviant activity or intercourse, basically the threat of doing unwanted sexual activity against a person. Again, I think it just makes sense. One of the things that happened was the use of
text messages repeatedly to a person. So again, it's just part of the course of conduct. All the other stalking provisions have to apply in this case, and it has
to be a pattern of behavior. Happy to take questions. Any questions of Senator Gilmore on this bill? Anyone want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:03:56
to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator Gilmore? I'm closed. Senator Gilmore is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please
roll the vote, Madam Secretary. Members, watch the screen. It's on the screen. Does anyone wish to have their vote changed?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:04:13
Anyone want their vote changed on this? Please cast up the ballot with a vote of 35 yays, 0 nays. House Bill 1778 is passed.
Please return to the House as amended. Okay, now we're going to go to House Bill
1779 by Senator Gilmore. Council 1779 by Senator Gilmore,
to amend the law related to theft of property and enhance the offense classification for the theft of a postal package delivered to a person's residence and left within the curtilage of the residence.
Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you. Members, this just is amending language to
make it a Class C felony for basically porch piracy. We're seeing a lot of organized activity related to stealing packages off people's porches. A lot of this is done sometimes in a violent nature. They're also hijacking notifications for packages being delivered. And what I would add to this is with that, you're violating property,
you're violating people's personal property rights, and you're encroaching on basically the sanctity of their home. So it amends to make it a Class C felony, which is 3 to 10 years. And then the ENCOA defenses with that, which are an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation, a Class D, which is 0 to 6 years. Happy to take questions. Any questions of Senator Gilmore on this bill?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:05:41
Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Senator Gilmore, it says postal, but that would include courier services as well. Correct. Okay, thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator Johnson. Any other questions in regards to this? Any other questions? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:05:57
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator? I'm closed, thank you. All right, he's
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:06:04
closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, members, it's on the board. If you would, please let me know if you want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:06:14
to change your vote. I see Senator Clark Tucker is a no. I see Senator Flowers is a no. I see Senator Letting is a no.
i see senator love as a no i see senator jamie scott as a no i see uh senator murdoch as a no anyone else
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:06:37
anyone else wish to change their vote okay let's cast up the ballot okay we with 29 6 nays. House bill
1779 is passed. Please return to the house as amended.
Okay now we're going to
go to house bill 1780. Senator Gilmore you're
still up. House bill 1780. Senator Gilmore to amend the law concerning retention of property related to a felony investigation. You're recognized
Senator Gilmore. Thank you Mr. President. Members I think this is a really good
bill. Again, part of the prosecutor packages, but the sheriff's supported as
well. Basically, this just allows for the return of personal property that is no longer needed after a case. There was some issues. Maybe the law wasn't clear enough as to whether or not that could be returned
when the case was finished and the evidence was no longer needed. This just clarifies that so that property can be returned. Happy to take questions. Any questions
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:07:34
to Senator Gilmore? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Gilmore is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Members,
look at the board and let me know if you want to change your vote. Anyone want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:07:51
change their vote? Anyone want to change their vote?
Okay, please cast up the ballot. 35 yeas, 0
nays. House Bill 1780 is passed. Please return to the House.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:08:04
We're now going to House Bill 1782 by Senator
Scott. House Bill 1782 by Senator Scott. To prohibit over-the-counter diet
pills from being sold, transferred, or otherwise furnished to a person who
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:08:19
is under 18 years of age. Senator
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
7:08:22
Scott, ma'am, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1782 addresses a public health concern.
The increasing misuse of diet pills amongst teenagers and that could possibly cause a serious health risk in the future. Studies show that young people, particularly young girls or teenage girls, are at a heightened risk of developing unhealthy relationships with food and body image. Diet pills, often marketed as quick solutions for weight loss, are widely accessible without prescription. However, many of these products lead to laxatives, and they include stimulants and laxatives
and ingredients that can cause high blood pressure, liver damage within these young girls, increased anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. What House Bill 1782 does is the legislation is straightforward, and it aligns with existing consumer protections that we already have for minors in the state of Arkansas. It prohibits the sale and distribution and transfer of over-the-counter diet pills to anyone who is under the age of 18. It requires retailers to verify the age of purchasers through identification checks.
It imposes penalties on realtors who violate the law and also escalate the consequences for repeat offenders. It also ensures public health awareness for retailers, notification and educating on the dangers of these products for our minors. This bill does not prohibit the use of medically prescribed weight loss management treatment under the supervision of a health care provider. It specifically targets the unregulated and often misleading products that pose a risk to our youth.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:10:08
And with that, I would be happy to answer any questions.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:10:19
Any questions for Senator Scott on this bill? Senator Clark, you're recognized, sir. So, we continually
have these type of things with adolescent girls. This is a new fad, similar to we had anorexia, bulimia, we had cutting, etc. So, it is your belief that when we have one of these fads like this among adolescent girls,
where it hurts them, that we should intervene. I
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
7:10:44
do. I do feel like we should try to do whatever we can to put measures in place to help them be safer until they can make decisions or get something medically prescribed if they really need it. There's a lot of peer pressure, a lot of wanting to feel like you're included, and our young kids are under a lot of pressure these days, and so I think anything that we can do might help them with their body image and just learning to love themselves and get out there and get active,
and let's try to work with them to lose weight the right way. I was someone who struggled with weight issues growing up. And still as an adult, I'm still trying to manage and eat healthy. Sometimes I don't always do that here, but if we can do things to help protect these young girls until they're of age to kind of make some of those decisions,
Speaker 255
7:11:32
I think it's in the best interest. Thank you. Senator Boyd,
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
7:11:35
do you have a question, sir? Yes. You're recognized. Thank you. Senator Scott, how are the retailers going to know that this otherwise over-the-counter medication
and now it's going to be, in essence, a crime to sell
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
7:11:48
it? What she told me is they're supposed to do identification checks.
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
7:11:52
Right, but when this is implemented, how are we going to communicate to retailers so that they know when they don't wind up in a game of gotcha with the Department of Health? You see what
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
7:12:03
I'm asking? Oh, I do. I don't know, but can I commit that I'll work with Representative Hudson to make sure we get whatever in place so that retailers aren't just out there by themselves trying to figure it out?
Speaker 942
7:12:15
Is that okay, Senator Boyd? Okay. Okay, any other questions? Senator Sullivan,
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
7:12:25
you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So is there an appeal process for this? So we're going to give a department the opportunity, the authority to make a $2,000 fine, and you can't appeal it? It's
Speaker 1051
7:12:38
not in the bill. Oh, okay. As far as I saw.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
7:12:47
That I'm not sure about. I just know that she did tell me there was escalating consequences for repeat offenders. So, I'm
Speaker 1054
7:12:56
not sure. I'm sorry, Mr. Sullivan. Thank
Speaker 565
7:12:59
you. Any other questions? Any other questions on this bill? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:13:05
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator, okay, what
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:13:12
are we, who's against? Is somebody against? Senator Sullivan, are you against?
Senator Irvin, are you four? All right, Senator Sullivan, you're going to be
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
7:13:22
first. You're recognized. Thank you, members. We keep multiple times giving state agencies the authority to fine $2,000, and you get no chance to appeal. Thank you. Yes, sir. Senator Irvin,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:13:35
you're recognized to speak for the bill. I just want to
say this came through our public health committee and the Department of Health didn't have any problems
with it. I'm going to vote for the bill. I think it's a good step and a measure just to ensure like we're just going to check your ID. And these products are probably more harmful than tobacco products in my opinion. So I just wanted to give information. It came through public health. Department of Health is fine with it. Nobody testified against the bill. So I would appreciate a good vote. I think what she's doing is a good measure and a good step. And these products can be pretty dangerous for particularly young
women, but also young men. Thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:14:27
Okay, Senator Scott, are you closed or do you want to close? I'm sorry, are
you wanting to speak? Okay. Okay. Senator Scott, you're recognized to close. Thank you, Mr.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
7:14:38
President. With that, I ask for a good vote. And Senator Sullivan, And I do not know, but you know
I'm still learning everything. Someone did tell me that there is always an appeal process. But I will make sure that I work with DHS on that as well.
Speaker 1027
7:14:55
I promise. I give you my word. Okay. And I'm closed. All right. Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:15:06
Scott is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay. Please roll the vote. Okay, members. It's on the screen, so if you want to change your vote, let me know at this time. Senator Bryan is a no. Senator Dodson is a no. Senator Boyd is a no.
Senator Sullivan is a no. Senator Stubblefield is a no. Senator Rice is present. Senator Filippo is present. Senator Caldwell is present. Senator Blake Johnson is present. Senator Hammer is present. Anyone else? Anyone else want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:15:51
want to change their vote? Okay, please cast up the ballot. With a vote of 25 yeas, 5 nays, 5 present,
House Bill 1782 passes. Please return to the House.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:16:06
Okay, we're now on 1796. Senator Blake Johnson. Council 1796 by
Senator Blake Johnson to require the display of gender information on an Arkansas driver's license or identification card. You're
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:16:21
recognized, Senator Johnson. Thank you, sir. This bill,
Speaker 272
7:16:26
there will be two genders on an Arkansas driver's license.
It'll be male and female, and the procedure is herein. Okay, any questions for Senator
Speaker 565
7:16:39
Johnson? Okay, does anyone want to speak against
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:16:43
the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Are you closed, Senator Johnson? Okay, is there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:16:55
the vote. Okay, members, it's on the board. Let me know if you want to change. Change your vote.
Okay, Senator Flowers is present. Senator Letting is no. Senator Love is no. Senator Clark Tucker is no. Senator Jamie Scott is a no. Senator Love, we've got him.
Senator Murdoch is a no. Anyone else? Everybody check the board.
Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay,
with a vote of 29 yeas, 5 nays, 1 present, House Bill 1796 passes. Please return to the House. You want to be recognized for
a motion? Oh, I'm sorry, Senator Tucker. Okay, House Bill 1799. House
Bill 1799 by Senator Tucker to amend the permissible methods of reporting under the Child Maltreatment Act. Okay, Senator Tucker, you're recognized, sir.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
7:18:02
Thank you, Mr. President. I was on the phone recently and someone asked me for my fax number and I said we don't have that
where we are and they said where are you and I said 2025. It's in the code that you can report child maltreatment through facsimile. They ain't got no fax machine in that so this is just removing facsimile from the code that's all let's do it.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:18:28
Appreciate it. All right any questions for Senator Tucker? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? senator tucker is closed obviously uh any objection to rolling the vote please roll the vote members
check the board anyone want to change
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:18:43
their vote anyone want to change their vote please cast up the ballot with a vote of 35 yeas zero nays house bill 1799 is passed please return to the house we're now going to go to uh house bill 1810 i'm going to go ahead and tell you this members this This one will require
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:19:02
a vote, a 24 vote for passage by Senator English. House Bill 1810, Senator English, to
Speaker 259
7:19:08
amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning the Arkansas School for the Blind and the Arkansas School for the Deaf and declare an emergency.
Chair
Unverified
7:19:17
Senator English, ma'am, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Jane English
Unverified
7:19:21
you very much. Well, as most of
you know, we have the beginnings of a beautiful new School for the Deaf and the Blind up here on Markham Street. Beautiful property, and if anybody had ever been to it, which a lot of us went through it, realized it was a really run-down bad place for all of our kids. We are going to have a new facility where the deaf and the blind is going to be fantastic.
We've all supported it, and it will provide the kinds of education our kids need, those children need, in that kind of situation. So this legislation basically reorganizes excuse me the board and the organizational structure of the school for the deaf and the blind okay is there any questions for senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:20:07
english anyone want to speak against this anyone want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:20:13
to speak for this you're closed senator english i'm closed okay any objection
to rolling the vote okay please roll
the vote members look at the board and let me know if want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:20:30
change your vote anybody want to change their vote okay i see senator
clark tucker is a no anybody else want to change their vote okay please cast up the ballot
okay by a vote of 34 yeas one nays house bill 1810 and its corresponding emergency clause is passed please return to the house as amended
Okay, we're now going to go to House Bill 1815
by Senator Wallace. House Bill 1815 by Senator Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
7:21:07
Okay, it looks like Senator Tucker.
To amend the state's jurisdiction over federal lands and to retain juvenile justice jurisdiction by the state. All right, Senator, you're
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
7:21:17
recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Anytime you have federal property in a state, there
can be some gaps in the law in terms of the criminal jurisdiction.
And there's concurrent jurisdiction on adult law. There's really an ambiguity in the law on juvenile jurisdiction in criminal law with federal lands in state law. You know, Little Rock Air Force Base is a good example of this. But the DOD liaison for Arkansas has worked with the attorney general on this bill for a couple years to close that gap, clear up the ambiguity, make sure if there's a crime involving a juvenile or with a juvenile victim on federal military property in Arkansas, that they can transfer that jurisdiction to Arkansas State Court and the crime can be appropriately prosecuted. There's no known opposition to the bill.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:22:02
Appreciate a good vote. Anybody have any
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:22:07
questions for Senator Tucker? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Any objection rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. members
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:22:19
anyone want to change their vote anyone want to change their vote please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 yeas 0 nays house bill 1815 is passed please
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:22:30
return to the house we're now going to go to house bill 1824 by senator clark
house bill 1824 by senator clark to create the dog my cat's
cut off create the dog and cat rescue act daisy's law senator clark you recognize sir thank you uh
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:22:51
mr president thank you uh members of the committee what this bill does is right now law enforcement if they get a complaint on dogs and cats and this is only dogs and cats if they get a complaint on
dogs and cats, right now they can only take the
dog or cat or multiples if they arrest the person or if they have a warrant. This allows them to not arrest the person but that the dog or cat is obviously neglected and they can take it until
a court hearing. Be glad to take any questions. Senator Perry, you recognize, sir? Thank you, Mr. President.
So is there any other situation where they can take a person's personal property without an arrest or conviction? I mean, dogs and cats are personal property. They are. Would this not set a precedent where they could seize personal
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:23:56
property without due process? I think it possibly sets a precedent. The difference, of course, is it's not a cowboy hat. It's a living being that, and again, it's got to have been being neglected.
Speaker 608
7:24:11
And this comes from a prosecutor. Well, in the opinion of whoever's there, it's been neglected. This bill comes from a prosecutor in
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:24:20
Johnson County where they've had problems where dogs and cats should have been removed
but weren't and would have died in a few days
otherwise. So I'm very aware of several situations where the dogs and cats were removed successfully without the passage of this bill but this bill is
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:24:43
it's not i understand your objections uh but it
is temporary until a court hearing thank
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:24:50
you any any other questions to senator clark on this bill
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:24:55
anyone want to speak against this bill anyone was okay senator payton's going
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:25:00
to speak against the bill. Senator Payton, when
you get there, you'll be recognized. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you,
Senator Clark. I know this is a passionate issue. It's hard not to have compassion on animals that are being mistreated, but we're given broad interpretation of that term to whatever enforcement
officers are on the scene and dogs and cats and other animals are personal property and I don't think we should set this precedent. I'd appreciate a no vote. Anyone want to speak for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:25:37
the bill? Senator Clark, do you want
to close or are you closed? Okay, Senator
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:25:50
Clark's recognized to close. Thank you, Mr. President. Folks, this bill was originally much broader
and Representative Duffield worked with Farm Bureau and they are fine with this
bill. It's again only dogs and cats and if a law enforcement officer sees serious enough neglect he can seize the dog cat until there's a court hearing without
arresting the owner at that time and without coming back with a warrant.
I think it's, I'm not normally a dog and cat bill guy, but I think it's
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:26:38
a good bill. I appreciate a good vote. All right, Senator Clark is closed. Is
there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay,
Speaker 967
7:26:49
we have an objection to rolling the vote, so
Speaker 969
7:26:55
please call the roll. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Dees, Dees, Dismain, Dotson, English, Flippo,
No. Flowers? No. Flowers? Gilmore? No. Hammer? Right. Hester? No. Hickey? Hickey? Hill? No. Irvin? No. Blake Johnson? No.
Chair
Unverified
7:27:22
Mark Johnson? Aye. Keen? Keen? Leading? Aye. Love? No. McKee? No. Murdoch? McKee, can you repeat? No.
Speaker 969
7:27:38
No. Murdoch? Murdoch. Payton? Penzo? No. Petty? Yes. Rice? Rice? Scott? Scott? Stone? No. Stubblefield? Stubblefield? Sullivan? No. Tucker? Aye. Wallace? No. Okay, members,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:28:05
does anybody wish to vote or to change their vote?
Senator Scott is a yes.
Senator Flowers is present. Senator King is yes. Senator Hester is yes. Senator Hammer is present. Hickey is no. Senator Gilmore
is yes. Senator Stubblefield is yes. Senator Rice is yes. All right. Senator Love, what are you, Senator Love? Senator Love is yes. Senator Dees is
yes. Senator Burdock is yes. Anything else? Anyone else? All
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:29:02
to change their vote okay cast
up the ballot too late all right uh we have 18
yeas for 14 nays one non-vote uh so house bill 1824
is passed we also had two present with that please return to the house Okay, we've got House Bill 1830. Senator
Hammer? House Bill 1830 by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning the Attorney General
and to amend the law concerning the procurement of contingency fee contracts by the Attorney General. Senator Hammer, you're
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
7:29:44
recognized. Thank you. I'm bringing this bill on behalf of our Attorney General. Much of what the Attorney General's office enforces results in civil penalties. The Attorney General's office hires outside counsel to pay up front litigation costs at no cost to the taxpayers.
This bill allows civil penalties to be used to calculate the fees that outside counsel gets paid. This is important in cases that are solely under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act because those are the only remedies and fines allowed by law. Appreciate a good vote. Any questions to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:30:12
Senator Hammer? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:30:17
this bill? Is there any objection to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:30:20
rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, look at the board, please. Anyone want to change their vote?
Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else want to change their vote? All right, please cast up the ballot. By a
vote of 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting. House
Bill 1830 is passed. Please return to the House. House Bill 1831 by Senator Hammer. House Bill 1831 by Representative
Speaker 969
7:30:46
Shepard and Senator Hammer. And to amend the law concerning the use
Chair
Unverified
7:30:49
of settlement funds by the Attorney General. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you. This bill
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
7:30:55
is also on behalf of the Attorney General's Office. Much of what the Attorney General's Office collects in the funds is in the form of civil penalties. There are some ambiguities in the current law that makes it confusing about how the AG can use and spend civil penalties. This bill, Ramiel, is sending it out that civil penalties can be treated the same way as settlement funds and makes the statute very clear to conform with prior best practices. And I appreciate a good vote.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:31:22
Okay. Any questions to Senator Hammer? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator Hammer? Closed. Appreciate a good vote on behalf of the
Attorney General. All right. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, members. Anyone want to change their vote? Senator King is non-voting. Anyone else want to change their vote?
Okay, cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays,
1 non-voting. House Bill 1831 is passed. Please return to the House. Senator Dees, you're
going to be up next. House Bill 1835 by Senator Dees, concerning specialty court programs, and to update
the clarity of the law concerning Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and DWI/BWI specialty court programs.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
7:32:23
Senator Dees, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. HB 1835
is a specialty court bill that, as part of the AOC bill package, that it really is mainly some cleanup language throughout most of it and cleans up the specialty court statutes. It also clarifies the process of sealing graduates' criminal records and streamlines the process of transferring folks from one specialty court to another. Any questions of Senator Deese?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:32:54
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator Deese? He's closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:33:05
Please roll the vote. Members, check the board, and let me know if you want to change
your vote. Senator Flowers is present. Senator King is non-voting. Anybody else want to change their vote? Anyone else want to change their vote? Seeing none, please cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 33 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present, House Bill 1835 is passed. Please return to the House. Okay, members, we're on the
next page. We also have a supplemental agenda, so don't get excited. We're getting that printed right now. All right, we're going to do House Bill 1838. Senator Clark, you're up. let us read it senator clark
house bill 1838 by senator clark to amend the law concerning probate actions and to amend the law concerning adoption
Speaker 942
7:34:15
and guardianship all right senator clark you're
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:34:18
recognized sir thank you Mr. President, colleagues, House Bill 1838, I have two pages of notes if you want me to read them. This is a judicial council bill with some things that need to be cleared up on adoptions,
especially where folks are wards of the state and guardianships. I'll be happy to try to answer any questions. Any questions of Senator Clark on this bill?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:34:41
Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:34:45
to speak for this bill? Senator Clark, are you closed? I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. Senator Clark is closed. Any objection
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:34:51
to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Members, please
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:34:56
look at the board and let me know if you want to change your vote. Does anybody want to change their vote?
All right. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. 35 yays, 0 nays. House Bill 1838 passes. Please return to the House. Next one is
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:35:17
going to be House Bill 1839 by Senator Clark. House
Chair
Unverified
7:35:21
Bill 1839 by Representative Dalby and Senator Clark to amend the procedures for the declaration of legal death of a missing person. You're
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
7:35:31
recognized, Senator Clark. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, House Bill 1839 is also a judicial council bill,
things that they believe need to be, the judges believe need to be changed in the law. The title and act to amend the procedures for the declaration of legal death of a missing person is really the subject here. Currently, if a death certificate cannot be issued because there's no body, there are no established legal procedures in Arkansas law for determining the death of an individual outside of opening the full probate of an estate. This will make it easier where they are reasonably certain that someone is dead, but there's no body, that they can help the family move forward.
I'll give you one situation where having a legal procedure would be valuable for Arkansas citizens, and that includes the distribution of life insurance proceeds, which can't happen until something like this happens in court because they usually say carrying out the pay-on-death provisions of financial accounts. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:36:33
Clark on House Bill 1839? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:36:38
want to speak for this bill? Senator Clark, you're closed, I assume.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:36:43
I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. All right. Any objection to rolling the vote? Hey, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. All right, members, I want
to make sure everybody's watching the board. Anybody wish to change their vote? Senator King, you're a non-vote. Is that correct? Senator King's non-vote. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay, please cast up
the ballot. With 34 yeas, zero nays, one non-voting, House Bill 1839 is passed.
We're now going to go to House Bill 1844 by Senator Wallace. Return 1839 to the House.
House Bill 1844 by Senator Wallace. To amend the law concerning the offense of fleeing by means of
a vehicle or conveyance and to increase the penalty for a person who jumps from a moving vehicle or conveyance
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
7:37:38
while fleeing. Senator Wallace, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this bill is requested by the Arkansas State Police.
Very simple bill. Simply means that if a person is fleeing and being chased by state police, if they jump out of their vehicle and let the vehicle continue to roll, and some criminals do that so they can escape the state police, the severity of the felony is increased. And with that, I will stand by for your questions. Okay, Senator, is
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:38:09
anyone having questions of Senator Wallace? Anyone
have any questions? Anyone want to speak against this bill?
Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Wallace, are you closed? Senator Wallace is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:38:23
Please roll the vote. Same thing, members, please check the board. I don't want to miss you. Anyone want to change their vote? I have Senator Flowers as a present. I have
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:38:36
Senator Clark Trucker as a no. I
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:38:41
have Senator Love as a present. Anyone else? I have Senator Jamie Scott as a no.
Anyone else? I don't know what you're saying. What do you want, Senator Love? You want to be no? Okay, Senator Love is a no. Senator Murdoch is a
no. Members, is everybody checking the board? Senator Bryant is a present. Anybody else? I want to give everybody the full chance to change their vote. Okay, cast up the ballot.
Okay, with a vote of 29 yays, 4 nays, 2 present,
House Bill 1844 is passed. Please return to the House as amended. Okay, we're going to pass over House Bill
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:39:38
1845, and we're going to go to House Bill
1851 by Senator Crowell. House Bill 1851 by Senator Crowell to amend the sales
tax exemption for food, food ingredients, and prepared food sold in a public, common, high school, or college cafeteria or dining facility.
Senator Crowell, you're recognized, sir. Colleagues, this is the easiest way to explain the situation. I'm going to say the Arkansas Code
2652-4013 explicitly exempts food in K-12 and higher ed from being taxed. And what happened at UAPB is the Advertising and Promotion Commission tried to charge a 2% sales tax fee on the meal plans. They went to court and they lost.
So this is what this bill is to do, is to make
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:40:37
sure that doesn't happen. Any questions to Senator Crowell on this bill? All right, Senator Payton, you're recognized, sir. Thank
you, Mr. President. So this adds a private for-profit company that is contracting with the school. I'm pretty sure last
time I bought a Chick-fil-A sandwich at the college, I paid sales tax. So I don't understand how this is a zero revenue
impact. This is a zero revenue attack because this is Airmark sells to the school
and they sell the meal plan and
Speaker 1087
7:41:06
the school sells the food. So how is it that the Chick-fil-A
wouldn't come under this? It says... It's the meal plan. They tried to put
a 2% on the meal plan. So on the voucher, the meal plan voucher, so if
you buy $1,000 worth of meal plan, they wanted to add another 2% on it. And I could agree with
that, but I'm not sure it stops there. Thank you. Okay.
Speaker 1088
7:41:34
Are there any other... Are you out of the well, or you
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:41:39
want to take another question? All right. Senator Clark, are you... Okay. Are there any other questions for Senator Kroll on this bill? Okay. Does anyone want to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:41:47
speak against this bill? Does anyone want to speak for this bill? Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:41:56
roll the vote. Members, please look at the board. Does anyone want to change their vote? All right, Senator Payton is present. Anyone else?
Speaker 587
7:42:05
Senator Alan Clark is present. Anyone else? Anyone else? Okay. Please cast up the ballot.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:42:17
With 33 yeas, 0 nay, 2 present, House Bill 1851
is passed. Please return to the House. Okay, Senate Bill 1854, I believe. Senator Hill, you're going to present that one. Is that correct? Okay. House Bill 1854.
House Bill 1854 by Senator Flippa to exempt a home caregiver from home caregiving training if he or she previously completed training. Okay, Senator Hill, you're
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:42:44
going to be recognized to present this bill. Thank you, sir.
Colleagues, all this does is add to code one line that says a home caregiver who previously completed training under this
sub chapter if he or she provides documentation of the completed training course can go to work okay
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:43:05
any questions of senator hill senator dismaying you recognize
sir i'm not taking questions all right he's not going to take questions any any other questions well
he's not taking them so it's irrelevant anyone don't speak against this anyone speak for it senator obviously is closed anybody have any objection to rolling the
vote madam secretary please roll the vote members please look at the board and let me know
if you want to change your vote anybody want to change your vote senator king is non-voting anybody else
want to change their vote last time anyone want to change their vote okay cast
up the ballot Okay, by 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, House Bill 1854 is passed. Please return to the House. All right, we need
Speaker 1034
7:44:04
to read some stuff across the desk. Will
your Committee on Education to whom was referred
to Senate Bill 625 by Senator Davis recommend that it do pass as amended number 1.
Speaker 368
7:44:16
Calendar. Recognize Senator Davis, do you want
Chair
Unverified
7:44:33
to amend it? yeah she said I thought you wanted all
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
7:44:43
we're doing that's all we're doing okay Senator Davis All right, Senator Davis, you're recognized
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:44:51
to make a motion on Senate Bill 625.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
7:44:55
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I make a motion that we adopt Amendment 1 on Senate Bill 625.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:45:01
Okay, all in favor of the amendment, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that amendment will pass. Please send to engrossing. Okay, hold on. It's going to
Speaker 1095
7:45:14
be wrong, but we're passing over. I
Speaker 1034
7:45:17
got it. Okay. Do you have anything else to read?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:45:27
Okay. I believe we are going to pass over House Bill
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:45:33
1865, and we're going to go to House Bill 1887
by Senator Petty. House Bill 1887 by Senator Petty, to amend the law concerning statewide child
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
7:45:47
abduction response teams. You're recognized, Senator Petty. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, these response teams work
alongside the Amber Alert. What this is amending is we're moving it from the Criminal Justice Institute over to the ASP.
The ASP has a better statewide reach. It's around training, and they can better reach across the state. They're going to collaborate with the Attorney General's Office, ASP, Game and Fish, the criminal justice. They'll continue to be involved with the sheriffs and Office of Emergency Management and other police chiefs across the state. ASP, they feel, can better help with the reach across the state as opposed to the criminal justice where the teams that would,
or the individuals that would work on these teams would have to come to a central location. This way we can send it out across the state. And that's it. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:46:42
Any questions of Senator Petty on this bill? All right, Senator Clark Tucker, you're recognized for questions, sir. Thank you, Mr.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
7:46:49
Chair. I would have asked you this, Senator Petty, but I didn't know your explanation about moving it over to the Arkansas State Police. I don't see anything about the Arkansas State Police in the bill. I do see the striking of the language in
Speaker 541
7:47:01
the bill about removing it from the CJI,
Speaker 717
7:47:04
but I don't see anything about the ASP in there. So that's
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
7:47:09
a fair point. This is a state, the division of state police shall assemble one or more of the teams. I'm not sure which one you're on, but it's on page two. He didn't move this one,
Speaker 1099
7:47:22
but he's going to move it. Section, line nine. So, but that's current code. So right now it's the state police and the CJI. Yes. Okay. So it, yes, I see what you're saying now.
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
7:47:35
So they had it at the state police. They tried moving it over there with the ASJ or whatever. CJI, yes. But it's more
effective back over at the state police. Okay, thank you.
Speaker 587
7:47:49
Any other questions? Anyone want to speak against this
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:47:55
bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Petty is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:48:02
the vote. Okay, members, look at the board.
Let me know if you want to change
your vote. Anybody want to change their vote? Senator Flowers is present. Senator King
Speaker 587
7:48:19
is non-voting. Anybody else? Anybody else? Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:48:27
please cast up the ballot. With 33 yays, 0 nays, 1 non-voting, 1 present. House Bill
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:48:33
1887 is passed. Please return to the House. Next one is House Bill 1934 by Senator Gilmore.
After this, members, we'll be going to the pink sheet with the
calendar. Actually, we're going to have something to read across, and then we'll do that.
You're recognized, Senator Gilmore. House Bill 1934 by Senator Gilmore to create the Arkansas Forward Engagement Committee Act and to create the Arkansas Forward
Engagement Committee Working Group. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is a bill by Representative McElindon to create a
temporary working group and committee to look at ways to be more efficient in state government. Again, it's temporary, and you
can read in there, sorry, on page two,
where it lists out who all should be a part of this. With that, I'm happy
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:49:16
to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Gilmore? I'm closed. Anybody want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:49:22
speak for this bill? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Senator King is going
Speaker 1103
7:49:27
to speak against this bill. Senator King, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. If there is a real
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
7:49:32
doge committee, if you want to talk about cut, waste, fraud, and abuse, it's called the Arkansas Legislature. You know, forming another committee, it's a great thing to get on Fox News,
talk about what you're doing, going, but the real votes is your spending on RSA. We have increased spending. I talked about that. The real doge committee is what we do, creating a committee of the same people. We are the most spending state per capita than our surrounding states. Waste, fraud, and abuse. You see what's going on in D.C. I've talked about the consultings like Deloitte. Thankfully, they are targeting these consulting deals like Deloitte. Folks, there is just a real DOGE committee, and if you vote to increase spending,
then you're not voting to cut waste, fraud, and abuse or anything. State spending has went up and up and up. Medicaid spending, federal and state, from when I came in, is up 350%. I don't know what else to say. This is not DOGE. But somebody did say I was doge before doge was cool. So the only doge is
that you actually reduce spending. That's it. Okay. All right.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:50:43
Senator King spoke against the bill. All right. Hold on just a second. All
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:50:48
right, members. Let's get this thing back in order so we look a little better. All right. Is there anyone that
wants to speak for this bill? All right, Senator Sullivan, you're wanting to... Members, members, y'all, we're going to have to cotton it down just a little. I understand what we're doing here, but let's try to have a little bit more decorum. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized to speak against this bill.
Folks, we're going to create a
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
7:51:16
bureaucracy to cut bureaucracy. Create a bureaucracy to cut bureaucracy. I was in two committees today that those state agencies were combining their own agencies. I was in another one. They cut the board from, I think, 11 down to 7. That's what we're supposed to be doing. We don't need to create
another committee to cut committees. We can do it with ourselves. Thank you. Okay.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:51:45
There's nobody there to answer. What's your point of order, Senator Payton? I'm not sure if
it's important, but on my computer this shows that this bill is supposed
to be on state agency's agenda. I don't know how it could be on two
agendas at once, but it shows it on tomorrow's agenda for 410. Okay, let's give our staff just a
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:52:07
minute to check this out. Just give us a minute, we'll see.
I think everybody knows the way we're moving
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:52:23
here. it was one that was signed out committee all right we're showing it was due past and it was signed out of committee how many people
Speaker 379
7:52:31
are on the sign out sheet ms connie ms
Speaker 1108
7:52:34
connie how many people are on the sign out sheet there are one two looks like four five or four i can't let me see
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:52:51
hold on just a minute I want to make sure we've got everybody on the sheet just give me a minute
write that down and let me let me say who who signed the sheet since we're
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:54:04
all right we're just going to do this the right way so that since this has been brought up
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:54:10
all right we have we have the sheet that it was yesterday it was passed out as a due pass by Senator Dotson, Payton, Sullivan, Petty, and Flippo. So that's what we have. So I understand what you're saying.
It's still on there, but we do have everything correct. I just know there's a
rule about two calendars. I didn't know we had a problem there. I
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:54:29
think it's a good catch. I think, again, I think everybody knows the way we're moving. It's just probably a flaw, but everything here appears like that it is correct, and it
is supposed to be on this calendar. Okay, thank you. All right. No, thanks for
the catch. Okay. Now, you've already told me you've closed, although you did it out of order, but I'm going to let you close
again if you want. Well, thank you, and again, it was properly signed out, so thank you, Senator Payton, for bringing that to point of order.
And on top of that, I will confirm with the pro tem that maybe we can get Senator King appointed to this, since he was doged before doged per him. Thank
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:55:08
you. Closed. Okay. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? All right, members, now that's enough of
that. Now, you know, we're trying to run this thing. We can't hear. Senator King, let's get off that, please, sir.
All right. Well, I understand, but right now we're trying to do business of the state. Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. All right. Okay, members, is there any objection to rolling the
vote? There is an objection on this one to roll the
Speaker 5
7:55:50
vote, so please call the roll. Boyd? Boyd? Bryant? Caldwell? Caldwell? Clark?
Speaker 636
7:56:00
Clark? Crowell? Crowell? Ask them to speak
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:56:07
up, please. - Members, could you please speak
Speaker 638
7:56:11
up so that our staff can hear you? - Davis, Davis,
Speaker 639
7:56:23
Dees, Dees. Dismang, Dotson, English,
Speaker 640
7:56:26
English. Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey,
Speaker 638
7:56:37
Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson, Mark
Speaker 639
7:56:51
Johnson, King, Letting, Letting, Love, Love. McKee. Murdoch.
Speaker 638
7:57:05
Murdoch. Payton. Payton. Penzo. Penzo. Petty. Rice. Rice. Scott. Scott. Stone.
Stone Stubbeville Sullivan Tucker Tucker Wallace
Speaker 425
7:57:31
Wallace Okay members does any member wish to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
7:57:39
vote or change their vote? I'm going to start over
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:57:44
here Senator Boyd is yes Senator Blake Johnson is yes Senator Hammer is yes
Senator Tyler Dees is yes. Anyone else? Senator Payton
is yes. Senator Kroll is yes. Anyone else? Is that a no? Senator Breanne Davis is no. Senator Penzo is present. All right, anyone else? Senator Love is present. Anyone else?
Senator Murdoch, was that a no, sir? Alright, that's a no. Anyone else? Senator Jamie Scott's a no. Senator Clark Tucker's
a no. Senator Letting, did you, Senator Letting is a no. Anyone else?
Okay, please cast up the ballot. Okay, with
a, let me call it, with a vote of 18 yeas, 11 nays, three non-voting, three present house bill 1934 passes all right we gotta we gotta
fight we gotta see five hands to sound the ballot so let me see
one two three four five okay we have five hands uh madam secretary please call the yeses members if you would please
Speaker 929
7:59:26
find your seats Members, please find your
Speaker 638
7:59:34
seats. Boyd? Yes. Crowell? Yes. Dees? Yes. Dismang? Yes.
Dotson? Yes. Flippo? Yes. Gilmore? Yes. Hammer? Yes. Hester? Yes. he's he's not
Speaker 640
7:59:45
in his seat strike him so it fails okay that bill fails
Speaker 289
7:59:52
okay members we have a few things to read
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
7:59:59
across the desk I believe okay we have a motion we
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:00:08
have a motion for the clincher
on this bill hold on just a moment that'll be
non-debatable what was what was your vote on that last one was it
a no Senator Sullivan was your vote a no you were a no okay that'd be proper okay all in favor of the clinchers please indicate by saying aye any opposed no the no's have it
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:00:44
okay members let our secretary read some things across and then we're going to go to Senator Davis and then our staff is going to need a few minutes so we'll take a few minutes to recess and let everybody kind of look at the calendar that we'll have
Speaker 470
8:01:05
you should have the pink calendar in front of you and
that's what we're going to start Senate Bill 640 by Senator Dismang to reconstitute the State Library Board.
Speaker 468
8:01:16
Senate Bill. Where's that going? State agencies? Is there anything
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:01:32
else to read? We've got a couple more bills, but they're not here. Okay. Senator Davis, do you want to be recognized, ma'am? Okay. All right. Senator Davis is
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
8:01:43
going to be recognized for what purpose for
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:01:45
appointments okay she's gonna she's gonna go over the
rules committee meeting is that correct yes okay we're going to report on the rules committee
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
8:01:56
yes you're recognized senator Davis thank you mr. president the Senate rules committee met Monday April 7th 2025 to discuss gubernatorial appointments you'll find the list for today April 9th on your desk the rules Committee approved this list in one batch. Does any senator wish to pull any of the appointments to be voted on separate from the batch?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:02:36
Okay. Did y'all hear that? Or does anyone want to pull a name from the
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
8:02:46
batch? Okay. Okay. All right. Seeing that there are none, I move that the Senate confirm the April 9th, 2025, list of gubernatorial appointments that were approved by the Senate Rules Committee. Okay. Are there
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:02:58
any other questions of Senator Davis? Okay. Would anyone like to speak for or against the motion?
Is there questions? Senator Flippo, do you have a
question? Everybody should have a list of them. Okay,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:03:27
does anyone want to speak for or against the motion?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:03:32
Okay, everyone's heard the motion that we adopt all the names on the list. All those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Okay, the ayes have it. The motion carries, and the gubernatorial appointments are confirmed. Senator Harris, sir, you're
recognized, sir. Hey, members, look, we've got a long night tonight, but I just want to let you
know that my intent tomorrow, pending feedback from members, is that we should be done. We'll just call it around 4 o'clock or so tomorrow so we can go back home because our committees are slowing down, which means Monday's calendar won't be so bad. We'll be able to move whatever we don't finish tomorrow to Monday.
So staff and everybody can have an idea. I don't plan to be here, unless I get different feedback from y'all, maybe quitting somewhere around 4 o'clock tomorrow when it's a natural stopping spot. Thanks. And coming in at 1 tomorrow. Okay, members,
hold on just a second. Let me confer with staff
to see how long of a recess we think we'll need. okay members
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:04:44
we're going to take a around a 10-minute break so we're going to be back in here
in about 9 17 9 18 somewhere around that time to get started so we are in recess Thank you.
Unknown speaker
8:05:32
Thank you.
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Speaker 1
8:10:32
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Unknown speaker
8:11:02
Thank you.
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Transcription by CastingWords
Thank you.
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Did you say no more?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:16:58
in session from a recess. Do you have things to read across?
Madam Secretary. We are committed on gross bills to whom is first Senate Bill 625 by Senator Davis. Compare
the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Senate Bill 641 by Senator Wallace to amend the law concerning work release programs and to allow a sheriff to elect
Speaker 1149
8:17:30
a house work release program participants.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:17:32
Senate Bill 641. Judiciary. Okay, members, everybody has their supplemental calendar in front of them.
This is what we're going to start and what we're going to do. I'm ready. And without objection, I know that we said that we were going to do the house bills, you know, on the last one by our new process of just putting it on the screen. So without objection, I'm going to say that we continue it on this supplemental. We're going to continue the way we were doing with putting all the names on the board in changing the votes. So without objection, we'll do that.
Thank you. All right. Okay, the first one on the agenda is going to be SB 400
by Senator Irving. Senator 400 by Senator Irving
to amend the fair funding program. Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you. What the bill does is it creates a very simple and direct and easy process for financial assistance, accountability, and transparency for our county fairs. We worked on the bill and amended it several times.
It also just lists what counties make up the different district fairs, and it includes a definition of what a fair is. Okay, does anybody have any questions of Senator Irvin? Anyone want
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:18:48
to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator
Speaker 738
8:18:53
Irvin, are you closed? I'm close. I appreciate all the passion of these folks
and all the people that helped me across the state on this bill. It's a great bill. Thanks. Okay, is there any objection to rolling the vote?
Speaker 420
8:19:09
Okay, please roll the vote. No. We're going to do it the same way. No, I just did without objection for the whole
supplemental calendar. You include the Senate. Okay. That's fine.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:19:29
okay so please roll the vote all right members it's on the
board okay senator flowers is present anyone else well anyone want to change their vote
senator flowers is present anyone else okay please cast up the ballot 34 yeas zero nays
one present Senate bill 400 passes please transmit to the house okay the next one is going to be senator Hester Senate bill 441
then bill 441 by century Hester to create the junk lawsuit prevention Act of 2025 senator Hester you
recognize sir thank you members we most of us heard quite a
bit about this lawsuit to create the junk lawsuit prevention Act 2025 it's It's real simple. Something that brought this to attention was, you know, an out-of-state law firm came to sue in Arkansas over a good RX card. They had a reading on the front that said it's not an insurance card. They didn't think it was in bold enough. No one's harmed, and that's really where this thing hinges on. If no one is harmed, who are you going to sue, right? Or when you sue, who gets helped?
If there's a windfall, who does it go? No one was harmed. It goes to the loggers. We've got to prevent these junk lawsuits coming in the state of Arkansas. And I can just run out a whole list of Arkansas companies that these people have come in and sued on. We've got to protect our local businesses and communities. This is saying if no one is
harmed, they can't sue you. Happy to answer any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:21:09
questions. Okay, does anybody have any questions? Senator Hester. Okay, Senator Stubblefield, you'll be first.
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
8:21:16
Now, Senator Hester, did this have an emergency clause with it when it was first introduced in the House? I don't know if it had an emergency clause when it was first
introduced. Did it pass out of the House? I don't know. It didn't pass out of the House? I don't know anything about the House bill. I know I filed this bill in the Senate. Senator Stubblefield, are you finished?
Speaker 1161
8:21:55
I'm sorry. Did you change? Was the title of this bill changed?
Speaker 26
8:22:00
No, this is the title of the bill that I
filed. This is exactly the same title. This is the title of the bill that I
filed. Okay. All right. Okay, Senator Payton, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. So this sounds exactly like what our Attorney General does whenever they bring a suit against a company on behalf of Arkansans, and then when the money is collected, it goes into the state coffers. So is there anything in this that's going to interfere with the Attorney General doing his job?
Absolutely not. In fact, it's on here on page 3, lines 10, 11, and 12. It makes sure the Attorney General can continue to
do their job. Well, I read that. I've got it pulled up right here. That looks to me like the Attorney General can have an injunction against any company that tries to sue. You're saying that they can have an action against the people that we're forbidden to action against? So what's your
question? Can the Attorney General continue to do their job?
The Attorney General is in support of this bill, if that helps. That's
what I was going to ask. So he's dead at it. Thank you. Okay. Senator Love, did you have a question? Yes, sir. You're recognized.
Senator Hester, I was just, thank you, Mr. President. I was just wondering, you know, in the title it says Prevention Act of 2025. However,
Speaker 1163
8:23:27
at the end, there's a retroactivity clause. I was just wondering, why do we have a retroactivity clause in there?
It's about that example that I gave, the good RX card, just helping people. There's a, you know,
the verbiage on it says this is not an insurance card, but it's not in bold enough according to the people that are suing over this. The person that sued admits they were not harmed and do not have
a good RX card, but they are the plaintiff. Okay, so is this ongoing litigation right now? It is ongoing litigation. That's correct. This would affect that.
Chair
Unverified
8:24:04
Okay, thank you. Senator Hill, you're recognized, sir. You mentioned
GoodRx. Are they an Arkansas company? They are not. They operate in Arkansas. Okay, the law firm that's suing them, are they an Arkansas company? They are not. Why are we worried about this then?
Because they're suing in Arkansas. They're suing in Arkansas. The goal is to prevent... One of
the law firms is in Arkansas, But the main law firm behind this is doing this lawsuit in several different states, the exact same lawsuit.
And the point of this is to prevent these type of what I call like parasitic lawsuits on our companies in Arkansas that are here trying to help people and do business. We don't want these, I call them tall
building lawyers from other states coming in suing over when someone's not even been harmed. Who is the Arkansas law firm?
I don't know the Arkansas law firm. How do we know they're from Arkansas then? I know some guy from Russellville. That's what I know. Oh, okay, okay. Yeah.
Chair
Unverified
8:25:09
Senator Payton, you're recognized. So I've got a
little follow-up. I mean, basically, if we don't do this, then somebody who is a competitor could be dragging a competitor into court over frivolous stuff. I mean, you're saying that the people doing the suing should have no standing if they weren't harmed. But if that's the case, then it seems that a competitor
could drag a competitor into court. Is that
the landscape now without this bill? I think
it is. That's what we're learning. We're trying to prevent it moving forward. Okay, thank you. Thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:25:49
Okay. Senator Hester has left the well. Does anyone want to speak against the bill? Senator Tucker is going to be recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. I
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
8:26:03
think there's really two reasons to vote against this bill, and I'm going to talk a little bit about the questions that you were raising, Senator Pateman.
I'm going to start with my two reasons. The first one is sometimes we wonder whether a law we pass down here will affect ongoing litigation. We don't have to wonder on this one. We know for certain that it will. There's a retroactivity clause. There's an ongoing litigation. People have been pursuing that. They incurred costs to pursue that. I think it's wrong for us as a legislature to affect ongoing litigation and especially to do so knowingly. I got to tip my cap to Senator Hester. I said this in committee. The man doesn't beat around the bush. If you ask him a question, he gives you an answer.
He's acknowledged this will affect ongoing litigation. I don't believe we should pass legislation that affects ongoing litigation. The second thing, and this will get into a bit of what you were raising, Senator Payton. I think there's a version of this bill that works, because what this is is a private, because obviously the Attorney General pursues consumer protection lawsuits on behalf of the people of Arkansas. The current code allows private citizens to also do that. What they're seeking to do with the bill is to say that if it can be cured, and then they cure it,
then you can't sue. Now, philosophically, I'm okay with that, but if you read the bill, it also prevents you from suing if you've been injured as a plaintiff. Now, if you haven't been injured, I think the structure that the bill tries to set up is fair. You haven't been injured, you notify the person who's committed a violation that they've committed a violation, they stop committing the violation, you can't sue. Philosophically, I don't have a problem with that. But if you're a consumer and you have been injured, even if they cure the violation,
you should still be able to seek recovery for your injury. And this says, even if you've been injured, you are prohibited from seeking recovery for your injury in court. That's the section I was just looking at on your iPad. It says, shall not be initiated. I can't cite you the page and line number, but if they cure it, a lawsuit shall not be initiated, even if you've been injured. So the two reasons, again, to recap, we should not affect ongoing litigation. And number two, if you've been injured, you should be able to seek redress to compensate you for your injury. So I don't believe
Chair
Unverified
8:28:17
we should pass the law for those two reasons. Okay, Senator Tucker has spoken
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:28:22
against the bill. Does anyone want to speak
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
8:28:33
for the bill? Okay, Senator Clark. You're recognized, Senator Clark. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to cover a couple of issues briefly. One of them is, should we, you know, is Senator Hester premature with this bill? Because there's ongoing litigation. And so if the answer to
that is we should wait because we come back with litigation after a lawsuit has wrong effects often and come back and fix it.
So should we wait until the lawsuit's finished and the wrong thing happens and the horse is out of the barn and then we come back and fix it? In this particular case, it involves good RX and in full transparency, I have a good RX card. And that's important because although I have insurance, possibly the same insurance you have, but although I have insurance, I have some medicine that I get tremendous savings on the GoodRx card,
which costs me nothing. The lawsuit is about the, as Senator Hester said, about
this is, the little phrase that said, this is not insurance, not being bold enough. I wouldn't even have a problem with that except the people, as he said, that are
suing have a profit motive. They aren't harmed. They don't have a good RX card. They aren't harmed. And all the people they're claiming are harmed won't get a dime. If that weren't the case, I'd say let it go.
But that is the case. And the people are going to be harmed is when these people suffer millions of dollars of damages or tens of millions because of a junk lawsuit, the poor people that have this card that can actually get prescriptions, lots of prescriptions, the same price as you can on insurance, which is a tremendous savings, it's a big benefit to them, and that can go away, and they'll no longer have that benefit. And for that reason, I'm for this bill now.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:30:36
Okay. Senator Hester, do you want to close, or are you closed? Senator Hester?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:30:42
Are you closed, sir? All right, Senator Hester is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, we have an objection, so we're going to
Speaker 967
8:30:58
need to have the roll call. Boyd? Yes. Bryant? Caldwell? No. Clark? Senator Caldwell, can you repeat?
Speaker 969
8:31:07
No. No, thank you. If you can, please speak up. Clark? Aye. Kroll? Aye. Davis? Davis? Dees? Aye. Dismang? Aye. Dotson? Yes. English? English? Flippo? Present. Flowers? No. Gilmore? Yes. Hammer? Aye. Hester? Aye. Hickey? No. Hill? Hill? Irvin? Irvin? Blake Johnson? Aye. Mark Johnson? Aye. Keene? No.
Letting? No. Love? No. McKee? Aye. Murdoch? Payton? No. Penzo? Yes. Petty? Yes. Rice? No. Scott? No. Stone? No. Stubblefield? No. Sullivan? Sullivan? Aye. Tucker? No. Wallace?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:32:08
Aye. Okay. Are there any members who wish to vote?
to change their vote. Anyone? Senator Irvin is aye. Senator Hill is aye. Anyone else? Senator Murdoch? I
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:32:39
can't hear you, sir. Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot.
By a vote of 20 yays, 11 nays, 2 non-voting, 2 present, Senate Bill 441 is passed. Did
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:32:55
you have a motion? Okay. I need to see five hands. One, two. I see two hands. Okay. There's three, there's four.
Still don't see them. That's not enough. All right. Hold your hands up high. One, two, three, four. Is there any over here? There's five. Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:33:26
we got five. Okay, members, if you would, please take your seat, and we'll call
Speaker 636
8:33:33
the yeses. Bowen. Bryant. Clark. Crowell.
Dees, Dismang, Dotson, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hill, Irvin,
hammer. Yeah, he wasn't there. Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, McKee, Penzo,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:34:31
Was there, I mean, was there before? okay members we had 20 before uh although he wasn't in his seat senator hammer was here but we're still going to strike him that gets it down to 19 so uh senate bill
441 is passed did that bill did that have an emergency clause okay all right so uh that is that is passed and we need to transmit that
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:34:58
to the house okay next is senate bill 568 senator crowe
Symbol 568 by Senator Crowell. To amend the law concerning the taxes applicable to lithium extraction and development. To
provide a sales and use tax exemption for lithium resource development. And to
amend the law concerning the severance tax on lithium. Senator Crowell, your record
is out, sir. Thank you, Senator. Colleagues, we know that there's an opportunity in South Arkansas for lithium exploration. and a lot of companies and a lot of jobs to come in.
We made a bill, created a bill to give them some tax incentives, also to give them some major tax incentives to keep the lithium and produce extra batteries, recycling, storage facilities within the state. And that's pretty much what it
is. I'm willing to try and answer any questions. Okay, are there any questions
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:35:51
of Senator Crowe? I see Senator Payton, you're first, sir. Thank you, Mr. President.
Does this bill give any protections to the mineral owners? This has nothing to do with the mineral owners.
This is the tax incentives for the lithium companies to come in. So there will
be taxes, excise, I can't remember what
they call it, severance tax when they bring that lithium out of the ground? Severance tax, so we circled the severance tax right
back to the counties. If you look in there, right now we're getting about $325,000 to GR, and we circled that back to the counties because the counties have to take care of their... And
so will the mineral owners still be subject to property tax like the gas mineral owners are?
That's a local decision. No, that's a state decision. We didn't
touch anything to do with the mineral owners. So the mining companies are getting tax breaks, but the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:36:56
mineral owners aren't? Yep. Thank you. Okay, any other questions of Senator Crowell? Okay, does anyone want to speak
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:37:02
against this bill? Does anyone want to speak for this bill? Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll the vote. Okay, members, check the board.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:37:12
Does anyone want to change their vote? Senator Dodson wants to be present. Anyone else? Senator Payton is present. Anyone else? Anyone else want to change their vote? Okay, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 33 yeas, 0 nay, 2 present. Senate Bill 568 is passed. Please transmit
to the House. Next one is going to be Senate Bill 585 by Senator Letting.
Senate Bill 585 by Senator Letting. To require certain records to be provided to an employee who is a minor. Senator Letting, you're recognized,
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
8:37:53
sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, my mom didn't raise a quitter. This is the bill that failed just narrowly yesterday. Senator Dismang encouraged
me to run it again. It failed by just four votes. There were a number of non-votes. I talked to those non-votes today, confirmed I have the votes to pass it, but I want to confirm it real quick. This is the pay stub bill that would apply only to employers with 10 or more, I'm sorry, more than 10 employees.
It would only apply to employees who are 17 and younger. This is just about providing a pay stub. This is information the employers are already required to keep. We're just asking that you share a copy of this information with any minors that might be your employees. There is no requirement as to what kind of format in the legislation. As the young man who testified in committee, where again it passed unanimously, testified, His employer had a system where it could simply text him a copy of his pay stub. There was a woman who also testified. She handles payroll for a large municipality.
Every summer, they hire more than 2,000 kids for a work program. They provide a pay stub. Because of that, there were 40 payroll errors last summer that they only caught because these kids were able to look at their pay stub, and they realized that there was an error, and they were able to correct that. So this is protecting those employees who, again, are minors. It's also protecting the employer because it gives both sides a record as to what actually happened. So, again, came out of committee unanimously. There was no opposition. It only applies to employers with more than 10 employees and employees who are 17 and younger.
There's no requirement about the format. I would also say, and I did not plan this, but it only applies to kids. My kids up here in the gallery, she convinced my wife to drive down and surprise me today because tomorrow's my birthday, Senator Clark. So this is
the last bill I'm ever going to run. This bill protects kids. My kid's in the gallery. It's probably going to die in the House anyway. So for the last time,
Speaker 1183
8:39:49
Senator Clark, Senator Dodson, ask for a
Chair
Unverified
8:39:55
good vote. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's go. Senator Petey, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. I've got to make
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
8:40:02
you work in front of your wife and child. Of course. So if your company is issuing pay stubs or automatic deposits, you're going to be covered by this, correct? Yes. If you're already done. Okay, thank you. Any other questions?
Speaker 565
8:40:20
Okay, does anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to
Speaker 587
8:40:25
speak for the bill? Do you want to close or are you closed? I am not
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:40:34
above theatrics. I am closed. All right. It's closed. Anybody object to rolling the vote? You object to... We have an objection, so we're going to have to call
Speaker 1185
8:40:46
the roll. That's a very popular thing, as you can tell. Senator Boyd? Yes.
Speaker 110
8:40:51
Bryant? Yes. Caldwell? Aye. Clark? Moved.
Speaker 216
8:41:03
Crowell? Aye. Clark was vote. Okay, Crowell. Crowell.
Speaker 638
8:41:10
Aye. Davis. Davis. Aye. Dees. No. Dismang. Dismang. Dotson. No. English.
Aye. Gilmore. Gilmore, Hammer, Hester,
Speaker 638
8:41:40
Hickey, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark
Speaker 639
8:41:46
Johnson, King, Ledding, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice,
Speaker 638
8:42:08
Scott? Stone? Stabafil? Sullivan? Tacker? Wallace? Okay members anyone wanted to wish to vote or change
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:42:21
their vote? I've got point order. Okay what's your point order? Well the computer
shows that the motion to expunge the vote failed yesterday. I don't know if it's
right or wrong, but that's what it says.
I'm looking at it on the computer. I don't have a memory that good, but
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:42:51
that's what it says. Okay, let us check it. We'll slow down and we're
Chair
Unverified
8:42:57
going to check it. Sorry, my eyes were crossed.
Speaker 1194
8:43:08
I got it. We're glad your eyes uncrossed. Okay, so we're in the middle of the roll call. Senator Dismang is a yes.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:43:16
Members, who else needs to change their vote? Senator Gilmore is an aye. Senator Hickey is going to be an aye. Who else? Senator Hill is going to be an aye. Senator Payton is going to be an aye. Senator McKee is going to be an aye. Anyone else? Senator Wallace is going
Speaker 587
8:43:35
to be an aye. Anybody else wish to change their vote? Okay. Please cast up the ballot.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:43:48
Okay. By a vote of 29 yeas, 2 nays, 1 non-voting, 3 present, Senate Bill 585 passes. Please transmit to the House.
Yes, sir, Senator. I'm not contradicting my friend, Senator Payton, but I went back and read
what he read, and I think it's important to note. It says that at 6.30, 7.03 p.m., there was motion to expunge the vote by which SB 585 failed.
And on the next line, it says motion carried.
So it was saying what that was, and then the next line, we did expunge the vote.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:44:30
Right. I think that Senator Payton clarified that, but we've got it twice, and I appreciate you going over it
so that anyone watching live stream will understand that. So that's
helpful. Thank you. Okay, members, Senate Bill 591. Senator
Penzo? Senate Bill 591 by Senator Penzo.
To prohibit race selection abortion in the state and to
create the Race Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank
Chair
Unverified
8:45:00
you, Mr. President. There's no point in going over everything in this bill again and
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
8:45:06
reintroducing it, but this was the one that had the section that said save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child. We amended it to say save the life or
Chair
Unverified
8:45:18
preserve it. Senator Penzo, hold up, please.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:45:22
Members, just please quieten down just a little bit. I know it's late, but we're going to try to get through this, and our staff has to stay for hours after we did it. All right, let's don't talk back and forth. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I wanted you to have everybody's full attention so you can continue. Senator Penzo? Thank you.
Speaker 781
8:45:43
Yes, sir. Okay, let me take this point of order.
Senator Irvin? Okay, I'm sorry, But I think, don't you have to send it back to the committee if
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
8:46:01
you're going to amend the bill? So we suspended the rules earlier today to put it on second reading for purposes of amendment. And then second motion was made to add it to the supplemental calendar as soon as it came back from engrossing. That was the two motions that were made. Yeah, but. Yeah, but here we
Speaker 1200
8:46:20
are. I remember and it was. No, I understand, but I'm just.
okay so but wouldn't that be a motion to extract
Speaker 1194
8:46:31
the bill no there were more okay here's the here's the best way to do it just
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:46:36
please we'll just get our parliamentarian down here and we'll go over this so and if you
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:46:43
need a mr. three three if you need a few seconds few minutes to gather everything on it you take that time
the one thing we're gonna do is try to get everything correct and right. That's what we want to do
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:47:01
here. Okay. All right. Senator Irvin, if you would restate
your question, and then if we have to do a little research,
we will. Okay. So just a quick question, because I understood that when you have to amend the bill, it would have to go back to committee. So, I mean, because I did that with a bill. I sent the bill back to committee for the
purpose of an amendment. But we didn't do it this way with this bill, so
Speaker 1201
8:47:30
I just need some clarification. - Yeah, so ordinarily if you make a substantive amendment, it would go automatically back to committee.
Senator Penzo made the motion after the amendment was adopted and it was ordered, sent to engrossing, he made a subsequent motion to suspend the rules to add it to the supplemental calendar. And so what he did was use a higher vote threshold than it would be to extract. He suspended the rules that would be the impediment to him putting this bill on the calendar and having it heard on the floor today.
And so by suspending the rules, there was no bar at that point to doing what he's doing now. I
got you. Okay, so that's how we bypassed the committee. suspension of the rules yes okay thank you i just
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:48:23
need to understand it thank you okay so that's good so senator penzo you're you're recognized to continue sir all right start over however you want
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
8:48:31
to do it yeah i'll uh thank you mr president so on page two uh lines three and four uh previously it said save the life or preserve the health of the unborn
child now it states save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child or the pregnant woman And I believe that was one of the arguments that were made. I appreciate y'all letting me expunge the vote, bring it back for amendment, and hopefully we've got a better bill for us here. So I'd appreciate it. Any questions for Senator
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:49:04
Penzo? Okay, Senator Penzo has left the well.
Does anyone want to speak against this bill? Does anyone want to speak for this bill?
Okay, I believe Senator Penzo, you're going to be closed since you're out of the will. All right, Senator Penzo is closed. Is there any objection to
rolling the vote? Okay, all right, please roll the vote. Okay, remember, we're doing this the
same way, putting it on the screen. So let me know if you want to change your vote. Okay, I got Senator Jamie Scott as a no.
I've got Senator Love as a no. I've got
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:49:44
Senator Clark Tucker as a
no. I've got Senator Murdoch as a no. All right. Senator Letting, he is a no. Senator Flowers is also a no. All right.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:49:59
Are there any other vote changes? Okay.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:50:05
Please cast up the ballot. Okay.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:50:11
With 29 yays, 6 nays, Senate Bill 591 is passed.
Please transmit to the House. Now we're going to go to
Senate Bill 614 by Senator Tucker. Senate Bill 614 by Senator
Tucker to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 and to amend the law concerning open public meetings. Senator
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
8:50:35
Tucker, you recognize, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. This is essentially
an amendment to Senate Bill 227 for the sake of the bond community in Arkansas. If they had brought this issue to my attention earlier in the session,
it would have been an amendment to Senate Bill 227. But that's what this does. If you recall, Senate Bill 227 is a bill to bring clarity and understanding to public meetings law in Arkansas. And it's already serving its purpose because the bond community has been made aware of a long-time law in Arkansas, Which, again, 227 was seeking to codify case law. And it's longstanding case law in Arkansas that a judge may invalidate a decision made by a governing body that violates the FOIA subchapter. The issue with the bond community is that if you do a bond issuance and it's for a million or $10 million,
then there are third parties who are affected by invalidating that decision. And it creates more risk in the bond market, which causes rates to go up. We do want municipalities and school boards to be able to issue bonds and do the good work that they do. So what this bill does is the bond community already deals with holding the bond issuance for 30 days because a referendum can be placed on a municipal ordinance within 30 days. So what the bill does is if the violation of the public meeting is identified and found by a circuit court within 30 days,
then the decision by the governing body can be invalidated. if the decision, excuse me, if the violation of the public meetings law is found more than 30 days after the violation, there is still a remedy for the violation, and it's one of two things. It's an either-or situation. Either the governing body who committed the violation can cure that violation by giving notice of the violation, disclosing it at a meeting, and then discussing the matter as they should have done the first time, or the members who engage in the violation
can pay a personal penalty of $1,000. The structure is set up to incentivize the cure. So this helps the bond community in Arkansas achieve certainty with the bond market with the final version of the bill after it was amended. It was supported by the FOIA task force in full. I'm not aware of any opposition to the bill. It just accommodates this one concern very narrowly if there's a public meetings violation specifically on a bond issuance.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:53:00
So that's what the bill does. I'm happy to take any questions about it. All right, any questions for Senator Tucker? Okay, does anyone want to speak against this bill? Does anyone want to speak? All right, you want to speak on
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
8:53:21
the bill? Senator Clark, is that right? Okay, Senator Clark will be speaking on the bill. You'll recognize when you get there, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm not going to tell you that this bill is not needed. What's ironic is on SB 227, have I the number right?
One of the things that was held about SB 227, the big FOIA bill that went through the legislature earlier, was the fact that if a decision was made after a secret meeting, you could go to circuit court, get to circuit court to vacate the decision that the body made. that was really one of the biggest things in the bill. This now cuts
a gaping hole in that because if not almost every situation
that we were told about in committee that we've been told about by constituents otherwise is where a body came in with no discussion and passed a big bond issue. And so we take the very thing that 227 was about and gut it. And, again, I can't tell you that these bond issues are not an issue,
but it does away with much of the purpose of the bill, and you do what you want. Okay.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:54:43
Does anyone else want to speak for or against the bill? Okay, Senator Tucker, you want to close, sir? Thank you,
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
8:54:55
Mr. Chair. Certainly respect Senator Clark's opinion, I just want to address what he said. For one thing, to my knowledge, there's never been a lawsuit filed in Arkansas history to invalidate the decision of a governing body to issue bonds.
And I don't believe that has happened. If that had happened, then the bond community would have known that the decision of a governing body could be invalidated. And so the fact that it's never happened in 39 years since the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that a governing body decision could be invalidated through a FOIA violation, because that's never happened, I don't believe this is something that happens with regularity. It hasn't happened in 39 years. We're just really accommodating the bomb market to help them achieve security. The other thing is the purpose of 227, I just want to speak to that because Senator Clark raised it,
The purpose of the public meeting law in general is for the public to not only know what decisions governing bodies make, but also why they make them. That's the underlying purpose of the public meetings law. And this bill, Senate Bill 614, is entirely consistent with that law. Because it really compels governing bodies to cure the violation by notifying the public of the violation, disclosing it, and having a public discussion about why they made the decision that they made. So it really is entirely consistent with the public meetings law in general, and specifically Senate Bill 227.
It just does it in a way that allows the
bond market to have certainty and not raise our rates. So I'd appreciate a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:56:23
good vote. Okay, Senator Tucker is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, please roll
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:56:33
the vote. Okay, members, would you check the board? Okay, anyone want to change their vote? Senator Clark wants to be no. Anyone else? Anybody
else want to change their vote? Okay, please cast up the
ballot. With 34 yeas, 1 nay. Senate Bill 614
is passed. Please transmit to the House. Now we're going to go to
Senate Bill 634 by Senator Mark Johnson. That
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:57:03
is not correct. My mistake. We're going to go to Senate Bill
615 by Senator Penzo. Symbol 615 by Senator Penzo to amend the law concerning energy and to regulate non-export facilities.
Chair
Unverified
8:57:15
Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Again, I want to start
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
8:57:21
out by saying thank you for allowing me the opportunity to expunge the vote on this one yesterday, make some amendments to it, and hopefully it'll be more palatable. This was the non-export energy bill that we ran last night, and we amended it today, struck out Section 1. That's the language that had the shall not discriminate language in it that
affects how it would have prevented rates from being negotiated. I think some people made comments, came to the well, and had concerns that the utility companies could negotiate the rates. This removing that section of the language now allows that to happen. And I'd be happy to answer any questions. Okay, Senator Penzo, is there any questions for him? Okay, is there anyone that
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:58:16
wants to speak against this bill? Is there anyone that wants to speak for this bill? Are you
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
8:58:27
close center pinzo uh i'm gonna make a few more yes sir you're recognized thank you i i want to i want to remind you all this is pro-property rights okay this this allows companies to generate on their property to fulfill their needs it strengthens the grid it allows more development to come into arkansas like i said last time i presented this there's hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars that could come into the state because of legislation like this.
I just would ask everybody to consider it. I know you've been lobbied pretty hard, told that this is going to negatively impact rate users. The PSC will protect the rate users, and I'm confident of that. I think there's a lot of misinformation being sent out there to try to cloud the issue, and I would just like you to think about strengthening the grid and protecting property rights in Arkansas. I'd appreciate a good vote on this.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
8:59:30
Okay, Senator Pazzo is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Okay, I
see some objections, so we're going to call the roll. Okay,
Speaker 638
8:59:54
roll. Boyd. Bryant. Caldwell. Clark. Crowell. Crowell? Davis? Dees? Dismang? Dotson? Dotson? English? English? Flippo? Flowers?
Speaker 640
9:00:10
Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey,
Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson,
Speaker 638
9:00:27
Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson. King. King. Letting. Letting. Love.
Speaker 638
9:00:54
Payton Penzo Petty Rice Scott Scott Stone Stubbeville Sullivan Tucker Wallace
Speaker 425
9:01:10
Okay, are there any members that wish
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:01:19
to vote or change their vote? Okay, we're going to kind of go slow.
Senator Dotson is a yes. Senator McKee is a no.
Senator Scott is a no. Senator Hammer is a no. Senator Love is a no. Senator Hester is a no. Senator Murdoch, what were you, sir? Senator Kroll is a no. Senator Letting, Senator Flowers is no, Senator Letting is a I, Senator Flippo is a no,
Senator Murdoch is an I, Senator Tucker what were you
sir? Senator Tucker is an I. all right anyone else anyone else check the
board make sure it's correct we're about to cast up the ballot okay we're gonna cast up the ballot please cast up the ballot okay with 12 yays 20 nays three non-voting Senate bill 615 is
failed we are now going
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:02:35
to go to Senate Bill 634
Speaker 284
9:02:41
Senator Mark Johnson. Senate Bill 634 by Senator
Mark Johnson to create the division of inter scholastic activities within the division
of elementary and secondary education. Senator Johnson
you're recognized. Thank You Mr. President. Senate Bill 634 it establishes direct operational control by the Commissioner of Elementary and
Secondary Education of interscholastic activities within the Department of Education. It allows the State Board to promulgate rules to administer that that new division and that's really what it does. Okay any questions for Senator Mark Johnson? Anyone wish to speak against the bill? Anyone want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:03:19
speak for the bill? bill senator johnson are you closed i'm
closed appreciate a good vote close any objection to rolling the vote please roll the vote members this way we're checking the board so check the
board and let me know if you want to
change your vote senator petty is no senator gilmore is no anyone else Senator
Dees is present Senator Love that was a no Senator Love's a no Senator Scott is a
present Senator Murdoch is a no anybody else okay check the board Senator Hill is present
Senator Rice is present have I got everybody anybody else okay by a vote
of ma'am oh I'm sorry cast up the ballot okay with 27 yays 4 nays 4 present senate bill 634
passes okay we are now on the second page members. We're going to go to House Bill 1131. Did I not do that? Okay. On the last one, we need to transmit that to the House on that Senate bill. That was Senate Bill 634. Okay, now we're going to be on House Bill 1131 by
Senator Penzo. House Bill 1131 by Senator
Penzo to authorize an advance practice registered nurse to delegate certain tasks to medical
assistants and other unlicensed staff. Senator Penzo, you're
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
9:05:28
recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Now we're on to House Bill, so we're on the non-controversial side of the bill. So earlier in the session I ran Senate Bill 99, which is now Act 437. That gave delegation authority to physicians assistants. We've done
this for physicians this this gives delegation authority to APRNs so it's pretty much the same thing we did for the PAs earlier in the session so I'd be happy to answer any questions and go into more detail if I need to but if not I just ask for a good vote okay any questions for
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:06:01
Senator Penzo on this one anyone want to speak against it anyone want to
speak for it is there any objection to roll? Are you closed, Senator Penzo?
Senator Penzo is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:06:19
vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, members, it's all on the board here. Does
anybody want to change their vote? Alright, I've got Senator McKee as a no. I have Senator Bryan as present. I have Senator Blake
Johnson as present. I have Senator Irvin
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:06:47
as no. Anyone else? Okay, please cast up the ballot. With 31 yeas, 2 nays, 2
present. House Bill 1131 is passed. Please return to the House as amended.
Okay, now we're going to go to House Bill 1642
by Senator Boyd. House Bill 1642 by Senator Boyd to amend the measures considered when calculating a school rating
and to ensure a student is not counted as a dropout for purposes
Speaker 626
9:07:17
of calculating a school-level graduation rate if the student passes the GED test. You're recognized,
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
9:07:23
Senator Boyd. Thank you, Mr. President. So Representative Gramlich worked hard on these bills.
So there's a package of bills, House Bill 1484, 1642, and House Bill 1812. So this one by itself doesn't make a lot of sense. It just adjusts to the language for 1812 to math. There are two places in code where this is laid out. This matches 1812. So at the end of the day, these bills work together to strengthen the Arkansas High School diploma while simultaneously providing a pathway for high-risk kids to get a high school equivalency.
Any questions for Senator Boyd? All right, Senator Clark,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
9:08:07
you're recognized for a question. In the title, it says to amend the
measures considered when calculating a school rating. Is that the part where if the student passes a GED,
Speaker 311
9:08:17
it doesn't? Yes, a five-year, the five-year. Thank you. Right. Any other questions for Senator
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:08:24
Boyd? Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator Boyd? Senator Boyd is closed.
Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:08:35
the vote. Members, check the board. Does anyone want to change their vote? Anyone want to change their vote on this?
Okay. Please cast up the ballot. With 35 yeas, 0 nays. House Bill 1642 is passed. Please return to the House as amended.
Okay, the next one is going
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:08:59
to be House Bill 1656 by Senator Davis.
House Bill 1656 by Senator Davis to amend the law regarding oil and gas production and conservation. Okay, Senator Davis,
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
9:09:14
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam, or Mr. President. This bill, I'll try to keep this short and take questions, but this bill has, I think we've all had multiple conversations about it. So this bill just clarifies a 1985 royalty statute that has been litigated many times over the years, and the courts have determined that our law is vague and ambiguous.
So this bill just seeks to clarify the law based on those court rulings. Happy to
Speaker 621
9:09:44
answer any questions. All right. Are there
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:09:48
any questions for Senator Davis? Question. Who is that? Senator Gilmore,
you're recognized for a question. Could you elaborate on those court rulings? Yeah, there have been.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
9:10:00
Just so we know. Sure, there have been several federal court rulings. It's been litigated in federal court.
And essentially, they are kicking it back to the state, saying they're essentially saying our law is ambiguous and vague in this area. And so this law just seeks to clarify it. Follow up. Yes, sir.
So these individuals signed contracts, did they not? Yes, they all have contracts. So would this void their contracts? No. It would not? No, it
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
9:10:30
doesn't void their contracts. It'll actually let them be paid with their contract the way that it's written.
Okay, well, clearly there was some testimony in committee where that was said, so I'm just trying to get the information. No, this doesn't void any contracts at all. But it would change the terms by which they were signed, right? No, it
would not. All right, thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? You got me at a disadvantage
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:11:02
up here, don't you? All right. Okay, does anyone wish to speak against this bill?
Senator Stone, you're recognized to speak against
Speaker 1103
9:11:17
this bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Yes, sir, you're recognized.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
9:11:23
Members, you know, most things in life are simple. And when they get complicated, it's because we've complicated them. And when the motion enters the equation, things get complicated pretty quick. And I think that's what has happened here.
Current law that was passed in 1985 before the Fayetteville shale was ever heard of set the royalty rate. The first one-eighth was supposed to be paid net after expenses were held out of it. Around 2005, mineral contracts were negotiated when the Fayetteville Shell came in. They were signed and they were paid for per the contract.
That is not in dispute. but what is disputed is how they should have been paid. In 2019, the current producer who is paying the mineral owners started paying per state law that was passed in 1985. From 2005 until 2019, the producers overpaid what state law required.
The mineral owners have sued six times, and all six times they have lost in court. And then even I have a letter here from the Arkansas Bar Association, and it's just two sentences. It says, I'm writing to inform you that the Arkansas Bar Association Legislation Committee carefully reviewed House Bill 1656 during this weekly meeting on March the 14th, 2025.
After a thorough discussion and consideration, the committee voted to formally oppose the bill on behalf of the Arkansas Bar Association. A no vote will make an erroneous contract subservient to state law. You cannot make a contract that overrides state law. It is always subservient to state law. A yes vote will pass a law to accommodate a contract.
That is what is at stake here. The legislature sets policy, and it should be honored, and this policy was set in 1985. Mineral owners are wanting to have the law changed, And now we're having producers and mineral owners set policy in the state. They weren't elected to do so, but that is what is going to happen. So you say, well, Matt, why is this important?
Now, I'm assuming Senator Davis is running this bill because it's in her district. And her people have asked her to do so. And I believe she's doing the right thing because you should be considered to what your constituents are saying and doing. But I'm standing here today because my constituents have asked me to speak against the bill. A large portion of the oil industry in this state is in my district. They feel like Pandora's box is fixing to be opened up
because the mineral owners either didn't get legal representation when they signed the contract or they didn't understand what they were signing or the oil producer, when they made the contract, didn't understand the state law. So here's what's happened. They've been defeated in court six times. In 2021, this couldn't get out of committee, this very bill. It couldn't get out of committee last year.
There's been such a plea and an outcry from this group to change state law so they can go back to getting higher pay. I acknowledge that. But once again, you cannot make state, being state law to accommodate a contract, it's the other way around. So here's what the fear is. Once we open it up, other mineral owners around the state who sign contracts, they'll want to renegotiate
on their leases, or could. And if they can't get addressed in the courts, then we'll just go to the legislature and make an emotional plea. And when we do, they'll eventually relent and change the law. Now, if the mineral owners can go to court and get the court to see it their way, that's what the court is for. And by all means, they should have that legal right to do that, and I would support them to do it. But if you can't get satisfaction in the court after six times,
don't bring it back to the legislature and ask the legislature to override the courts. Now, I know, and I've just been listening all afternoon, there are some people that are hard yeses on this bill. I'm going to tell you, I've been listening, there are people that are hard noes on this bill. But I believe there will be a lot of people that are undecided.
I'm asking that you do not let your emotions be your decision maker. I'm asking that you honor the current state law and vote no on this. With that, I'm open to any questions. Okay, does anybody have any questions to Senator Stone? Okay, Senator
Speaker 565
9:17:28
Stone has spoken against the bill. Does anyone want to speak for the bill? Thank you, members. All right, Senator
Speaker 1212
9:17:39
Dismay is going to speak for the bill. Members,
I just want to kind of clarify a few things
and also want to give you just a very quick example that I think fully illustrates what we're talking about here. On your
desk, put on your desk earlier today, you've got a piece of paper that has SWN in the top corner. You've got it on the second page that says flywheel. Okay, when we talk about the changing of leases, there is no changing of leases. These leases are the leases that were signed by the royalty owners. And when those royalty owners and the people that were doing the leasing signed those leases, everyone understood what they were doing. And when they had a gross lease, gross meant gross.
And from the time that that lease was signed all the way up until Flywheel acquired the vast majority of the interest in the Fayetteville shell, everything was paid the same. A gross lease paid a gross lease royalty. Flywheel decided that they did not like, or they wanted to explore what the definition of net proceeds meant, so they took it to court. Well, actually, they just started paying people the way they wanted to pay them. So if you look at this sheet, this is what's happened, okay? If you had a check, this is the exact same royalty owner, mineral owner.
They had a $295 royalty. There were $7.91 of deductions, and it netted in a $287 check to that royalty owner. In 2019, FileWil decided they were going to change the way they paid royalty owners, and they wanted to take it to court, obviously. So a $386 royalty then got $207 worth of deductions, and the net check to that royalty owner was $178.
The entire time that that royalty payment was or that lease was in place and that gross lease was in place, they were paid the exact same until Flywheel acquired those leases. And they are the ones that changed the game. Now, our first opportunity to deal with that was in 2021. I would also say that I agree. This is not the same bill. There are vast changes in this bill than ones that were originally filed. In fact, there are vast changes than one that was originally filed this session and what you have in front of you. I would say the way it was originally filed
did go too far. It changed paydex and was trying to require additional reported that would have affected everybody that paid royalties in the state of Arkansas. All that was stripped away and even to the testimony from the oil and gas commission when they came this brings us back to what everyone understood net proceeds to be when these leases were signed. So no one's changing anything. No one's taking advantage of anything. It was my goal when we reworked the legislation to make sure it just got us back to square one, what everyone thought things were supposed to be in the
way that it was always been accepted. And so again, I hope you take a look at that. I think this is a good bill. This impacts 40,000 royalty owners is what I believe in the state of Arkansas. You know who's on the other side of this? Flywheel. Do you know who's 42% of Flywheel as of seven days ago? Gunvor. Gunvor's closest associate is who? Putin. So if you guys want to increase the valuations for Flywheel,
go ahead and say no. If you want to increase the valuations to these mineral owners, then I'd ask for a yes
Speaker 1212
9:21:13
vote. Thank you. I'd be happy to take any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:21:17
questions? Any questions for Senator Dismang? Okay, Senator Dismang is... Okay, Senator Murdock, you have a question to Senator Dismang? You're recognized. Thank
you. So, this has been to court several times, or the Bar Association has rendered a...
Talk to me a little bit about that. I have no idea. Can anyone in this chamber raise their hand if they've seen the
Speaker 350
9:21:48
Bar Association just randomly issue an opinion? Because I sure have not. Well, let's keep this the way it is. Senator Burdock, you
still have the floor, sir. Okay. Well, I was told that the Bar Association disagrees with the assertion that you're making, and I'm just trying to work through the league to make sure what we're doing makes sense because we don't want to harm the original investors in this situation with this, you know, where we are now.
And what you're saying is if we vote no, then we're going to harm them. Absolutely. And the Bar Association is saying that's not true. So has it been litigated to your knowledge? It's been litigated back and forth. In my understanding, I'm
not an attorney. Someone else can come and try to explain that better than me. It was in state court, remanded to federal court. In federal court, the judge there said, hey, Supreme Court of the state of Arkansas, we want you to make a decision on this. Supreme Court of the State of Arkansas said no we're not going to make a decision on this and
then the federal court opined. But as far as the bar associating I don't know and one of the things I would tell you is the way the bill was originally filed I would argue that it did impact existing leases in a way that would not be the same as what they've been in 2018. It did and I don't know if that's the comment from the bar association I have no idea. I'm just not very familiar with the Bar Association, getting involved in legislative business. We file a lot of things that lots of people say is unconstitutional.
Strangely enough, I don't see them get engaged in that.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:23:22
Thank you. Alright. Okay, Senator Stone, did you have a question? Okay. Senator Penzo, you're not, are you wanting to, what
are you trying to do? Okay. Alright, let's first, are there any more questions to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:23:34
Senator Dismang? I don't see any. He spoke for the bill. senator penzo is going to speak against the bill senator penzo you're recognized sir
Chair
Unverified
9:23:46
thank you mr president um a lot of y'all know that i have a
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
9:23:53
geology background that's why i studied in school so i know a lot of geologists i know a lot of people with wells i know a lot of people uh in this world and and almost everybody i've spoke to is highly opposed to this. House Bill 1656 changes the meaning of net proceeds that's been in law since 1985. Even if royalty owners has a directly negotiated lease that states payments will be derived from net proceeds, this bill seeks to dictate that an operator pay the owner gross proceeds minus applicable taxes, assessments,
and charges or deductions specifically allowed by the terms of the lease. This not only upends decades-long standard law, it seeks to undo terms of existing contracts. Arguably, this could violate the contracts clause of both constitutions. Even if this bill passes, it wouldn't apply to leases in place today. Every oil and gas lease in place now and executed after 1985 inherently contains the provisions of that law.
Existing agreements cannot be altered by a later law change without violating the Contracts Clause. This makes each working interest owner a guarantor. The operator owner of the lease and any other working interest owner in the drilling unit would become liable for reimbursing any unauthorized deductions within 30 days, regardless of who made them. The current law in place is since 1985 states a lessee that submits its first one-eighth royalty payment to the company acting as operator
and in charge of dispersing payments in accordance with the statute is free from further liability to the royalty owner with regard to that first one-eighth royalty. The operator that makes the first one-eighth payment to the royalty owners within a drilling unit is also free from further liability. These protective positions would be repealed even though the bill does not state it, creating new liabilities. This bill states that ownership of minerals is a property right and that mineral owner has the right to contract regarding the owned minerals.
It also states that the one-eighth is a mineral royalty and gives owner freedom to negotiate for a higher and oil gas lease. This is a bad bill. Like I said, I've talked to a lot of people in this industry and I would just appreciate a no vote on it.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:26:24
Thank you. Okay, Senator Penzo has spoken against the bill. Senator Hill, you're recognized to speak for the
bill. Thank you, colleagues. I'm here to
talk about the people who this actually affects.
It's the mental rights owners. That's who this affects. We talked about 1985, whenever all this came about. I live in 2025 right now. I don't live in 1985. There's been some changes along the way. This does nothing to the contracts. Nothing to the contracts. They're still the same. I don't know where everyone's getting that idea at. These contracts have not changed. The way they're paying has changed. It affects the constituents in the state of Arkansas.
I am not a geologist. I'm not a specialist on that. But I do know my constituents. And their checks have been affected. Their contracts have not changed. And this does not affect oil. We've talked about oil up here a little while. This does not affect oil. With that, I'd appreciate a due pass. Would
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:27:32
the senator take a question? No, sir, he said he will not. Okay, is there anyone who wishes to speak against the bill?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:27:41
Is there anyone who wishes to speak for the bill? Senator Irvin, you're recognized to
speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. President, members of
the Senate. My district is represented by the Fayetteville Shale. I mean, I have a ton of people in my district. It is Van Buren County, Faulkner County, Fayetteville Shale is the majority of my Faulkner County.
There has been more people and more constituents that have reached out to me about this bill, wanting me to vote for this bill probably than most bills up here this session. This is not retroactive, number one. Number two, I want you to think about, as a property owner, getting blindsided when your check changes and you've done nothing to amend the contract that has been written. You didn't amend it. They didn't amend it. It just, all of a sudden, one day, it just was different.
I don't think that's right. I don't think that's fair. And you think about these property owners. Some may be sophisticated enough to understand that. Some may not. They just see this and go, well, what happened? What changed? I don't think that's right. I don't think that's fair. And I think what the legislation is doing is saying, hey, these are the rules of engagement that everybody entered into with the property owner. On good faith, they entered into these negotiations with these contracts, with that company.
And now a company has come in and changed those rules of engagement without changing any of the language of a written, signed document, just their interpretation of it. I don't think that's right, and I don't think that's fair. There's a ton of people that are affected by this bill, particularly in
my district, and I ask you, please, for them to vote for this bill. Thank you.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:29:49
Okay, Senator Irvin has spoken for the bill. Does anyone wish to speak against the bill? Okay, does anyone else wish to speak for the bill? Senator Payton, you're
recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I would appreciate your attention. First, I'm going to disclose that I am a royalty owner. It's not much, and it wouldn't buy dinner most months at a nice restaurant. But here's the situation. We have a lot of royalty owners who were forced into a lease.
They had no choice, but in 1985 when the law was passed, it was passed so that if you had a section of ground where one or
two property owners were holding out and refusing to sign a lease, they would be forced to sign a lease, and the state set a minimum as to what had to be paid to the mineral owner. Now, we change laws down here all the time. We change some today that are retroactive, that affect people greatly.
But we have a responsibility as Arkansas state government to protect Arkansas citizens. Let me tell you a little bit about my experience. I knew nothing about royalty law or royalties or anything else when they came and leased my ground. They told me that state law set the price and that they could not pay more. It was a bold-faced lie. Within six months, they were paying landowners more
than what the minimum that the law sets. Okay? The law said that they had to pay one-eighth at the
wellhead. It uses a national market on the price of natural gas as a wholesale price of natural gas that the royalty owner had to be paid one-eighth of. That price changes. That price fluctuates. But on the examples that you have before you,
it's the same well, it's the same
mineral owner, and one month, the value, the wholesale value of the gas was $285, $295. The other example you have, the same well, same royalty owner, the wholesale value was $385. That's $100 higher. Okay? The net check on the first one is $287, and $178 on the second one,
that's $100 lower that they got paid.
On the same well, same contract, what's the difference? The difference is
the expenses that they were allowed to deduct. Okay? Who's in control of the expenses? The property
owner has no control of the expenses at all. But these companies set up closely held subsidiaries that build the pipeline,
that put in the compressor station and all the handling fees and stuff. And they can charge themselves whatever they want
and then call it an expense and deduct it prior to your one-eighth being calculated. Okay, here's the other thing. These leases never end. You don't get to renegotiate the lease. As long as that property's producing, the lease never ends. I can't speed up. It's important. I'm sorry. So they're forced leases. They're never-ending leases. You don't get to renegotiate them. But here's the worst part. The company has changed a dozen times.
They keep selling to another company, and when they do, the new company finds new expenses. And the old company is protected from liability. They're
no longer in the picture. And that's how they keep this scheme going.
The company we're talking about is Flywheel, which came into Arkansas recently and bought up these leases. It's owned by a Russian oligarch, 42% of it, which just happened recently, I think within a week or two.
We have no defense as royalty owners, none. No chance to renegotiate a lease, ever. The
only defense we have is what the legislature did in 1985. Let me give you another juicy piece of information. The production started before 1985. every company that was producing gas in Arkansas prior to 1985 was affected, their contracts were affected by the law that passed in 1985.
We as a legislature have the authority to fix this. The courts do not, okay? And we do this all the time, and
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:34:57
I'd appreciate a yes vote. Okay, Senator Payton has spoken
for the bill. Does anybody else want to speak for or against this bill? Senator Flippo, are you wanting
to speak one way? Okay, I wasn't for sure. Senator Davis, you're recognized to close, ma'am.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
9:35:18
Thank you, Mr. President. I think so many people who spoke for the bill have
made a lot of really good points and said it well. But like Senator Irvin said, this is not retroactive. That's something that can be sorted out in the courts. That's not for us to deal with. We're not talking about retroactivity here. Again, that's something that can be sorted out in the courts. We are just clearing up that we want people to be paid according to their lease. It's been a huge issue for, I know, my constituents and several of your constituents across the state for years being paid incorrectly.
These companies not honoring the lease as it's written. It's wrong, and they should be paid according to the lease. It's as simple as that, and that's exactly what this bill will allow for, and I'd ask
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:36:05
for a good vote. Okay. So Senator Davis is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, please roll the vote. Okay, members, please look at the board. All right.
Is there anyone that wishes to change their vote? Okay, Senator Clark Tucker is a no. Senator Gilmore is a no. Senator Stone is a no. Senator Penzo is a no. Anyone else that I'm missing? Senator Dotson is present. Senator, was that a no, Senator Blake Johnson? Senator Blake Johnson's a no. Anyone else? Anyone else?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:36:54
Senator Murdoch is present. all right we're fixing to call it anything else where
Speaker 379
9:37:11
you at crow center crows and no okay all right
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:37:18
check the board cast up the ballot okay with 27 yays six nay two present house bill 1656 has passed
please return to the house as amended okay
members we have eight bills left so let's see if we can get these done Senator Gilmore where you at we'll
Speaker 1203
9:37:43
see if you can get here while we're
reading the bill House Bill 1797 by Senator Gilmore to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Development Finance Authority and declare an emergency.
Senator Gilmore, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I'm not going to spend much time on this because we spent way too much time
on it last night. We've made an amendment that's the Rice-Hickey-Colwell amendment that should get everybody good with it. And with that, I would appreciate a good vote. I really don't want
to take any questions, but I will if I have to. Anyone want to ask Senator Gilmore any questions on
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:38:18
this? Thank you, Senator Gilmore. Anyone want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Are you closed, Senator Gilmore?
Senator Gilmore is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote. Okay, members check the board. Does anyone want to
be changed? Senator King is a no. Anyone else? Senator Bryant is present. Anyone else want to change
their vote? Okay, cast up the ballot.
Okay, with 33 yays, one nay, one present, House Bill 1797 has passed.
Please return to the House as amended. Okay, now we're going
to go to House Bill 1812 for Senator Boyd. Senator Boyd? Thank you, Mr. President. Again, House Bill 14. Let me back up on the last one. On the last one, there was an emergency clause, and there was enough votes to adopt it also, So that will, the corresponding emergency clause
the House. I'm sorry, Senator Boyd. House Bill 1812 by Senator Boyd to amend the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act
to create an exception to attendance requirements for a student who takes
a GED test and to amend the score requirements for
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
9:39:38
a GED test. Senator Boyd, you're recognized, sir. Thank you, Mr. President. Again, House Bill 1484, 1642, and 1812 work together. The bills work to strengthen the Arkansas high school diploma while simultaneously providing a pathway for high-risk kids to high school equivalency. House Bill 1812 works on the pathway to provide for high-risk kids to high school equivalency.
So one, affects the graduation rate, which we already dealt with in another place in code in 1642. And then two, it provides that pathway for a student who is enrolled in public school to take a GED test. And then three, it eliminates outdated language. Okay, anybody have any questions for Senator Boyd? Anyone want to
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:40:19
speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? Senator Boyd, are you closed? Senator Boyd is closed. Any objection to rolling the
vote? Please roll the vote. And at this point, does any member wish to change their vote if you'd check the board?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:40:37
okay seeing none uh cast up the ballot okay with 35 yeas zero nays
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:40:44
house bill 1812 has passed please return to the house as amended okay we're going to go
to house bill 1941 by senator irvin senator irvin 1841 well she's got to read it i got ahead of myself it's
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:41:01
1841 1841 i didn't have glasses on. They're on
now. House Bill 1841 by Senator Irving to create the Arkansas Revenue
Investment and Vital MIMS Systems Act arrives act and to create the Arkansas Revenue Investment and Vital MIMS System Fund for Emergency Medical Services Agency. Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This bill creates
the Arkansas Revenue Investment and Vital EMS systems fund grant program. There is no funding attached to the bill. This simply sets up the framework for it. If you represent a rural part of the state of Arkansas, you know that the rural
ambulance providers sometimes have a difficulty in covering their overhead because there's not enough runs to cover their costs. And so this just sets up a framework to support that, to support those rural ambulance providers in the state, but again, no funding is attached to the bill. I appreciate a good vote. Anyone have any questions for Senator Irving? Anyone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:42:02
want to speak against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this bill? Senator Irving, you are closed. Is that correct? Senator Irving is closed. Any objection
to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Okay, I've got Senator King is non-voting. I've got Senator Dodson as a no,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:42:27
I have Senator McKee as a no, I have Senator Bryant as a present, I have Senator Penzo as a present, anyone else? Speak up, because I can't
already see y'all, because you're kind of standing and stuff. Anyone else? Okay, cast up the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:42:48
ballot. With 30 a's, 2 nays, 1 non-voting, 2 present, House
Bill 1841 is passed. Please return to the house as amended members I think we've got
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:43:02
five more bills so just a little bit longer so we're going to go to House Bill 1866
by Senator Dodson House Bill 1866 by Senator Dodson to create Eli's law and to require each public school to install an audio audio
recording device in each locker room and
dressing room on the public school
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
9:43:22
campus Senator Dodson you're recognized Sir? Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members. House Bill 1866
ran this morning in committee, and we heard the story of two courageous young men, Eli and Cash. As they bravely sat at the table, their moms told the story of how their 13-year-old sons were sexually assaulted by older and larger students in their school locker room. Horrifically, this isn't the first time this has
happened here in the state of Arkansas. We know about the abuse in Huntsville and Lamar. Too often our students of whom we are tasked as primary, who we are tasked as a primary purpose to provide a safe learning environment for, have faced literal terror. This must never happen again on our watch. This bill helps address this issue by placing audio recording devices in locker rooms by the 27-28 school year. Each school shall have these devices in place. We heard the powerful testimony
from Dr. Ferris Smith, superintendent at the White County Central School District, who took preemptive action last October so that these types of incidents would not happen under his leadership. Since then, he's had zero bullying, zero fights, and zero calls from parents and students with concerns. It works and his students know that he has prioritized their safety above all else. The bill stipulates that the audio must be kept for a minimum of 90 days but no longer than one year. It also has safeguards in place.
The school must make a sign advising the audio recording is taking place. However, the recordings can only be requested if there is an allegation of wrongdoing. Additionally, It can only be accessed by school administration or the parents, grandparents, legal guardians of the student. Finally, ADE has allowed the schools can utilize department safety grants to fund this vital student safety enhancement. Our duty in this body is to kids in the state of Arkansas first and foremost, and to keep
them safe. Sexual assault should never happen, but too often the students in our state have had to fear. HB 1866 shows Eli and Cash, as well as students all over our state, that we will keep our commitment to them. Happy to answer any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:45:47
questions. Okay, does anybody have any questions? Okay, Senator McKee, you have a question of Senator Dodson? Senator Dodson, I
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:45:54
appreciate you bringing this legislation. I think I understand what you're trying to do. But the concept that monitoring all behavior leads to the absence of crime and bad things,
I don't think is a good, healthy precedent to set in our society. There's a reason I don't think we should have cameras on every corner downtown, and there's a reason I don't think we should be recording kids in a locker room. I recognize that there's some horrible things that have happened, But I don't want kids getting used to the idea of being monitored all the time. So I appreciate it. I just don't understand how this was going to prevent crime.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
9:46:40
Can you answer that for me? Well, as with anything, there will still probably be bad actors that go around these types of things. However, having evidence available, now these types of audio devices, as they testify today, are voice activated. So, for instance, when somebody is not supposed to be in the locker room, they said that the incidents of kids skipping class and going and sitting in the locker room have gone to zero since in the school that this has already taken place.
So this is optional for schools right now. Some superintendents are taking, or this superintendent is taking it upon themselves. There will probably be some others that already do this voluntarily. But as far as the ability of this, they have the ability to turn these cameras, or these, not cameras, sorry, audio recording devices, there are no cameras in locker rooms, off during, like, games and things when people are supposed to be there. It's more when kids are not supposed to be in there, voice activated.
is someone getting bullied, is someone getting trapped in there, and then is it he said, she said type thing when, you know, kids complain to their parents and nothing is being done by coaches or administration. Okay, are there any
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:48:07
other questions of Senator Dodson? Okay, does anyone wish to speak
against this bill? Does anyone wish to speak for this bill?
Okay, Senator Dawson, are you closed? Closed, appreciate a good vote.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:48:26
Okay. Is there, members, if you don't mind, is there an objection to rolling the vote? All right, we have an objection to rolling the vote. Please
Speaker 636
9:48:44
call the roll. Boyd? Bryant? Caldwell? Caldwell?
Speaker 638
9:48:48
Clark? Yes. Crowell? Present. Davis? Davis? No. Dees? Aye. Dismang? Aye. Dotson? Yes.
Speaker 639
9:49:03
English? Yes. English? Flippo? No. Flowers?
Speaker 640
9:49:09
Flowers. Gilmore? Gilmore. Hammer? Yes. Hester? Hester. Hickey?
Present. Hill? No. Irvin? Irvin?
Speaker 638
9:49:29
Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Letting, Love,
Speaker 639
9:49:41
McKee, McKee, Murdoch. Murdoch. Peyton. Penzo. Petty.
Speaker 638
9:50:03
Rice. Scott. Stone. Stubbeville. Stubbeville.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:50:19
or change their vote senator boyd is
no okay i've got senator letting is i senator
stubblefield is i senator calwell is i senator davis is i Anyone else?
Senator Irvin is present. Anyone else,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:50:47
members? Okay, is everybody where they want to be? Check the board. Senator Gilmore is aye. Check the board. Okay,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:51:02
hold on a minute. Senator Boyd is a yes. Okay,
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:51:07
we'll take our time, members. This is important. Senator Stubbleville is a no.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:51:17
All right, members. Everybody comfortable with where you're at? Okay, cast up
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:51:28
the ballot. Okay, with 23 yays, 5 nays, 3 non-voting, 4 present, House Bill 1866 has passed. Please return to the house as
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:51:37
amended. Okay, members, the next one is going to be
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:51:48
House Bill 1872 by Senator Gilmore. House
Bill 1872 by Senator Gilmore to amend the law concerning the fees that may be collected by a county sheriff and to allow a county sheriff to collect fees for attempted service in certain circumstances.
You're recognized, Senator Gilmore. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, Bill comes to us from the Sheriff's Association. This is just clarifying that they can be paid for every attempt of service. Costs have gone up. Inflation's gone up. Fuel's gone
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:52:19
it's late, and I know we're about to the end, but let's just,
we only got about three more here, so let's really try to pay attention, please. All right, thank you again this is just to clarify they can be paid for every attempt of service not changing the fee structure not changing that's just clarifying what they can be paid for i appreciate a good vote happy day questions okay does anybody have any questions of
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:52:47
center gilmore close okay anyone wish to speak against the bill anyone wish to speak for the bill
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:52:53
senator gilmore's already told me he's closed uh any objection to rolling the vote okay please
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:53:02
roll the vote okay now it's on the screen so if anybody wants to change their vote let me know okay i see senator tucker is present anyone
else senator king is non-voting anybody else anybody else want to change their vote
okay cast up the ballot okay we have 33 yeas zero nays one non-voting one present house bill 1872 has passed please return to the house as just return
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:53:40
just please return to the house it has not been amended okay the next one's going to
be house bill 1891 senator gilmore house bill 1891 by senator gilmore
to amend a person for filing as a candidate for the office of justice of the supreme court or judge of the court of appeals who is an appointee in that position to use the title of
Speaker 1129
9:54:06
that position as a prefix when filing
as a candidate senator gilmore you recognize sir Thank you, Mr. President. Members, you've already
heard the Senate version of this is the House Companion Bill, Senate Bill 516. Again, we were just clarifying and we missed a code section in one of the previous bills related to judicial ballot titles.
This is just cleaning that up. You already heard the other bills, Senate Bill 516. Appreciate
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:54:32
a good vote. Okay, does anyone have any questions for Senator Gilmore? Anyone want to speak against the bill? Anyone want to speak for the bill? you're closed correct senator gilmore senator
gilmore is closed is there any objection to rolling the vote please roll the vote and then members please check the board and tell me if you want to change your vote anybody here want to change your vote on
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:54:55
this one anyone want to change their vote okay seeing none cast up the ballot
we have 35 yeas zero nay house bill 1891 is passed please return to the house the next one going to be House Bill 1896 by Senator Dismayne.
House Bill 1896 by Senator Dismayne to create the Junk Fee
Eliminating Act of 2025 to abolish the Information Network of Arkansas and to transfer any remaining duties of the Information Network of Arkansas to the Division of Information Systems. Senator Dismayne, you're recognized, sir. Members,
the bill does exactly what the title says. It
It abolishes or eliminates the information network of Arkansas. That was established in 1995 when the Internet was new and unknown and no one knew what to do with it. As a program, we've moved past that. At this point, charges fees that are out of line with anything else you can find in the private sector. So this is going to move everything over to DIS. It should create efficiencies and also some more competitions that these products can be bid for currently that is just sole source
Speaker 1124
9:55:59
through INA. Anybody have any questions for Senator Dismang?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:56:03
anyone okay no question okay anyone want to speak against this bill anyone want to speak for this bill senator disbang is closed aren't you senator
disbang you are closed okay is there any objection is there any objection rolling the vote okay please roll the vote now members were to you like to you checking this board to make sure you don't want to change your vote does Anyone want to change your vote? Senator King is non-voting.
Anyone else? Anyone else want to do anything? You want to change your vote?
Okay, cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays, 1 non-voting. House Bill 1896 is passed. Please return to the House. Members, I
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:56:53
believe this might be our last one.
Not to say we might not have something else here, but we have House Bill 1931 by
Senator Gilmour. House Bill 1931 by Senator Gilmour to create the recidivism reduction system
within the Department of Corrections and to declare an emergency. Senator
Gilmour, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, you've already heard this bill, Senate Bill 590, the House Companion Bill. I appreciate a good vote. Any questions for Senator Gilmour? Anyone wish to speak
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:57:23
against this bill? Anyone want to speak for this
bill? Senator Gilmour has indicated that he is closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:57:37
vote. Back to the same thing. Does any member wish to change their vote?
Anyone want to change their vote? Last time, I'm not seeing anybody cast up the
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:57:51
ballot. We have 35 yeas, 0 nays. House Bill 1931. and its corresponding emergency calls are both passed. Please return to the
House. Okay, do we have some other business?
Notice the passage of Senate Bill 397 from the House as amended. Refer to transportation. Refer to transportation.
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
9:58:40
Okay, we're going to have a whole lot of stuff to read across the desk. Is there any other motions or
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
9:58:48
anything that need to be made? Senator Hester has indicated that we're going to be back in at one
o'clock tomorrow. We're going to be at one o'clock. I will say that revenue and tax revenue and tax is meeting at 8.15 in the morning. So let me go
Chair
Unverified
9:59:05
ahead and make that announcement also. And then Senator Hester, you're recognized, sir. Well, similar to what I said last night, we've been here
a long time. We get to get up and move around and stuff. Certainly law enforcement in the back, our staff, who have been amazing two days in a row. Thank you
so much. You're welcome. You know, we've got 90 bills.
Speaker 501
9:59:38
I don't think we're going to get out of here. We've got two minutes. Oh, well, good deal. Senate Bill 9,
return from the House has passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 302 from the House has passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 303 from the House has passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 314 from the House has passed.
Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 375 from the House has passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 390 from the House has passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 408 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 426 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 427 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 428 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 429 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 430 from the House is passed.
Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 442 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 446 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 449 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 464 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 467 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 470 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 485 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 492 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 494 from the House is passed. Enroll it.
Return of Senate Bill 495 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 496 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 497 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 515 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 522 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 530 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 540 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 550 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 552 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 553 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 562 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return Ascent Bill 562 from the House is passed.
Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 567 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 572 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 576 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 577 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 594 from the House is passed. Enroll it.
Speaker 1237
10:02:06
Okay. We'll start with Tim. Yes, ma'am.
House Bill 1017 by Senator Davis to amend the law regarding paid maternity leave for public school
employees. Require the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to pay for incurred costs for approved
paid maternity leave. House Bill 1017. Education. House Bill 1084 by Joint Budget, an act for the Arkansas Legislative Audit of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1084.
Calendar. House Bill 1086 by joint budget, an act for the Arkansas Court of Appeals Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1086.
Calendar. House Bill 1092 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Human Services, Division of Provider Services, and Quality Assurance Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1092. Calendar. House Bill 1096 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Human Services, Medicaid Tobacco Settlement Program Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
House Bill 1096. Calendar. House Bill 1101 by joint budget, an act for the Arkansas Governor's Mansion Commission Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1101. Calendar. House Bill 1107 by Joint Budget, an act for the Department of Human Services, Division of County Operations, Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, House Bill 1107. Calendar. House Bill 1112 by Joint Budget, an act for the Office of the Treasurer of State, City, County Tourism, Tourist Meeting and Entertainment Facilities Assistance, Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, House Bill 1112.
Calendar. House Bill 1174 by Joint Budget and Act for the Department of Corrections, Division of Correction Appropriation for 2025-2026. Epistle year, House
Bill 1174. Calendar. House Bill 1178 by Senator Wallace. 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, House Bill
1178. Judiciary. House Bill 1200, by joint budget, an act for the Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
House Bill 1200. Calendar. House Bill 1206, by joint budget, an act for the Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Public School Fund Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1206. Calendar. House Bill 1632 by Representative Wardlow, to require reimbursement to the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission for a fee or
discounted hunting and fishing license, House Bill 1632.
That's an ag. We skipped one. Do you need to pick it up? Yeah, that one was there, but we didn't do this one. Is it together? Oh, we read that one. He said you've gotten 1242. I don't have that bill. He's got a cap. We may have read it.
Speaker 283
10:05:50
Okay, just lay that aside. Yep. We'll go back. Okay. Okay. 1632. No, we read these. That's what you read? Yes, ma'am. Yes, 1632. We've already read it. Okay, we've already read it. Is it in the machine? Yeah. We're on my house full. That's not it.
Speaker 58
10:06:20
It's this one. This is the one we're looking for. I have a cap of green. I have a
cap of 42. Was it red if you've got it? House Bill 1242 by Representative Mayberry to amend the mechanism by which school nurses are compensated House Bill 1242.
Speaker 252
10:06:57
That's fine. House Bill 1632, we read it. We read
Speaker 1254
10:07:03
it. We're on 1649 now. Okay. House Bill
1649, my representative brought an act for the Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission on Appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1649. Calendar. House Bill 1719 by Senator Davis to amend the days included in the total number of maternity
leave days approved by the school that offers maternity leave. Houseville 1719. Education. Houseville 1832 by Senator Hester to amend the rules of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals of the State of Arkansas to amend the rule of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals under the authority granted by the Arkansas Constitution, Houseville 1832. Judiciary. Houseville 1894 by Senator Gilmore to establish a method of evaluation for real property used for affordable housing and to establish a method of evaluation for certain real property
under Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, Section 5, House Bill 1894. I don't know what else I got. Reverend Tax. House Bill 1903 by Senator English to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code to provide school districts with flexibility regarding alternative learning environments. House Bill 1903. Education. House Bill 1915 by Senator Dismane 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, House Bill 1915. Public Health. House Bill 1916. But Senator Clark 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, House Bill 1916. Judiciary. House Bill 1917. Senator Hesher to amend the Arkansas Student Athletic Publicity Rights Act and to amend the law
related to athletic program funding, House Bill 1917. Insurance and Commerce. House Bill 1926 with Senator Bryant to amend the law concerning the suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of a person's driver's license or failure to pay a court-ordered fine and to amend the law concerning a defendant's inability to pay a court-ordered fine, House Bill 1926. Judiciary. House Bill 1935, Senator Gilmore, to create a modernization and automation tax credit
to encourage investment by existing business within the state, House Bill 1935. Reverend Tex. House Bill 1945, Senator Davis, 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. House Bill 1945. Education. House Bill 1961 by Senator Boyd. To allow medical providers temporary exemptions from federal information blocking regulations
to safeguard patients during information disclosure and declare an emergency. House Bill 1961. Public Health. House Bill 1979 by Senator Blake Johnson. an act to amend Arkansas law to allow warrantless searches by a law enforcement officer of a person placed on suspended in position of sentence and for other purposes, House Bill 1979. Judiciary. House Bill 1982 by Senator Davis to amend the Used Tower Recycling and Accountability Act
to create the Tower Management and Recycling Act to repeal the Used Tower Recycling Fund and to create the Waste Tower Abatement Fund, House Bill 1982. Public Health. House Bill 1984 by Senator Davis to create a designation for a registered sex offender on a driver's license or identification card, House Bill 1984. Judiciary. House Bill 1986 by Senator Wallace concerning excused absences for children or fallen service members
and children of fallen first responders, House Bill 1986. Education. House Bill 1987 by Senator Wallace to amend the law concerning the State Board of Embalmers, Funeral Directors, Cemeteries, and Burial Services, and to increase the civil penalty for violation of a licensee, House Bill 1987. Public Health. Thank you. The end. So we can adjourn, huh?
Chair (Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr)
Unverified
10:11:30
All right, we're adjourned till, did he say one tomorrow? All right, we're adjourned till one o'clock tomorrow.
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Call
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions of Senate Pages
Announcements
Doctor of the Day
Announcements
Items to be Read Across the Desk
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SCR7 J. Scott TO RECOGNIZE THE MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL COMETS BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS.
SCR8 J. Scott TO RECOGNIZE THE MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL LADY COMETS BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 4A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS AND TO REMEMBER HEAD COACH JOE GREGORY'S WIFE, CYNTHIA GREGORY.
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND CONCURRENCE
HCR1008 McAlindon Dotson TO CELEBRATE AND COMMEND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S NATIONALLY LEADING AND INDUSTRY-TRANSFORMING BICYCLE ASSEMBLY & REPAIR TECHNICIAN AND TRAIL TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS.
HCR1011 McAlindon Hester TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN CYCLING AND ITS TITLE AS THE MOUNTAIN BIKING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SR54 Crowell TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL LADY TIGERS SOFTBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONS.
SR55 Crowell TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS BASEBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONS.
SB400 - Motion to withdrawal SB400 for purpose of amendment.
SR56 Crowell TO CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS OF MURFREESBORO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEIR VICTORIES IN COMPETITIVE COMPUTERIZED NUMERIC CONTROL METAL, WOOD, AND LASER DESIGN.
SR64 B. Johnson TO URGE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS.
SB614 - Motion to withdrawal SB614 for purpose of amendment.
HB1837 - Motion to withdrawal HB1837 for purpose of amendment.
SR66 B. Davis TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY ROBOTICS CLUB FOR WINNING THE TOURNAMENT CHAMPION AND INNOVATE AWARDS AT THE 2025 TEXAS STATE VEX U TOURNAMENT.
SENATE BILLS TO CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS
SB568 - Motion to withdrawal SB 568 for purpose of amendment.
SB371 #1 J. Scott Scott TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE SEARCH OF MISSING CHILDREN WHO DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION OF THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM.
HB1679 - Motion to withdrawal HB 1679 for purpose of amendment.
SB568 - Motion to withdrawal SB 568 for purpose of amendment.
SB460 #1 Irvin Irvin TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO REPEAL THE MARKETING RECYCLABLES PROGRAM OF THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HOUSE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB1957 #1 S. Meeks English TO AMEND THE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT ELECTRONIC MAIL PREVENTION ACT TO INCLUDE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXT MESSAGES.
Motion to add amendment SB??
HB1642 Motion to withdrawal for purpose of amendment.
HB1812 Motion to withdrawal for purpose of amendment.
HB1866 Motion to withdrawal for purpose of amendment.
HB1958 #1 S. Meeks English TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CREATE A POLICY CONCERNING THE AUTHORIZED USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB149 J. English TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.
SB538 Gilmore TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PROCUREMENT LAW.
SB600 C. Tucker TO REGULATE CONTRACTS; TO MANDATE CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTS; AND TO CLARIFY PROPER JURISDICTION FOR CERTAIN CONTACTS.
Motion HB 1797 on second reading for amendment.
SB621 Irvin TO CLARIFY ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS AGAINST A HEALTHCARE INSURER; TO RETROACTIVELY APPLY TO A HEALTHCARE CONTRACT FOR THE BENEFIT OF A TEMPORARY HOSPITAL FACILITY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB623 J. Scott CONCERNING THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE INMATES AND DETAINEES IN CORRECTIONAL OR DETENTION FACILITIES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF AN INMATE OR DETAINEE WHO IS PREGNANT OR HAS RECENTLY DELIVERED A CHILD.
SB632 F. Love TO AMEND THE FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT; AND TO REQUIRE WARNING LABELS FOR HAIR RELAXERS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN CHEMICALS.
HB1243 Underwood Penzo TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; TO AMEND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING AND PROTECT ELECTION INTEGRITY; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.
HB1336 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE SURVIVORS' BENEFIT OPTIONS UNDER THE STATE POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO AMEND THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE TIER TWO DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN UNDER THE STATE POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
HB1889 Pilkington Bryant TO AMEND THE LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO A DISPENSARY OR CULTIVATION FACILITY; AND TO AUTHORIZE A DISPENSARY TO DELIVER ORDERS VIA A DELIVERY VEHICLE OR VIA A DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW.
HB1131 Pilkington Penzo TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO DELEGATE CERTAIN TASKS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND OTHER UNLICENSED STAFF.
HB1150 J. Moore Hammer TO PROHIBIT A PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER FROM OBTAINING CERTAIN PHARMACY PERMITS.
Motion to place SB634 at the end of the calendar
Recess
Reconvene
HB1656 - Motion HB 1656 to add to calendar
HB1171 K. Moore Irvin TO MODIFY THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO AUTHORIZE AN ABBREVIATED INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT FOR CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES ENROLLED IN A RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION.
HB1277 Gramlich Boyd TO AMEND PAYMENTS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION REGARDING PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS.
HB1320 Wooldridge Tucker TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS AND HEALTHCARE INSURERS.
HB1416 L. Johnson Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AND TO ALLOW A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICING UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY TO LEVY DUES.
HB1440 Bentley Wallace TO AMEND THE MASSAGE THERAPY ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH REGISTRATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS.
HB1454 Bentley Irvin TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; TO ALLOW THIRD-PARTY EMPLOYEE EVALUATION SERVICES TO PERFORM CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS; AND TO INCLUDE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.
HB1476 B. McKenzie Hester TO AMEND THE DIRECT SHIPMENT OF VINOUS LIQUOR ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A WINE DIRECT SHIPPER LICENSE.
HB 1484 - Withdrawal HB1484 for purpose of amendment.
SB585 add to today's calendar.
Motion by Gilmore to Suspend to add 4 house bills to supp calendar HB1931, HB1872, HB1891, HB1896
Motion to SB615 for second reading purpose for amendment.
Senator Justin Boyd: Motion HB1963 adopt amendment - Motion carried
Senator Breanne Davis: Motion adopt amendment to HB1801 - carried
Motion to SB591 for second reading purpose for amendment.
SB615 bottom of supplemental calendar today after in returned from engrossing.
Sen. David - HB1756 adopt amendment - carried
SB591 bottom of supplemental calendar today after in returned from engrossing.
HB1543 Underwood Irvin TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.
HB1559 McGrew Boyd TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR COVERAGE FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.
HB1572 Ladyman McKee TO CREATE A TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY STUDY ON NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY GENERATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1582 McAlindon English TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW.
HB1589 Schulz Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS OF A COUNTY; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ANNUAL COUNTY FINANCIAL REPORT.
HB1615 Lundstrum Stubblefield TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RELIGIOUS NONDISCRIMINATION.
HB1619 Gramlich Irvin TO SET ADMINISTRATION FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR IMMUNIZATIONS AND MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS DISEASE; AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY.
HB1622 Gramlich Boyd TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ADVERSE DECISION" UNDER THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RECONSIDERATION UNDER THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT.
HB1653 Cavenaugh Irvin TO SET STANDARDS FOR LICENSING AND REGULATION OF PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1657 Beck Davis TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT.
HB1666 S. Meeks Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SELF-FUNDED CYBER RESPONSE PROGRAM.
HB1677 Bentley Payton TO AUTHORIZE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY MEDICATION KITS.
HB1679 M. Brown Irvin TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT; TO ALLOW CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS TO REVOKE OR AMEND AN ANATOMICAL GIFT UPON THE DEATH OF THE DONOR; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING OF PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS.
Motion to change roll of the vote to auto on screen then change vote accordingly.
Recess
Reconvene
HB1692 M. Brown Petty TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS AND VOICE STRESS ANALYSIS EXAMINERS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS AND PRIVATE SECURITY AGENCIES.
RECESS
RECONVENE
HB1695 J. Richardson Crowell TO CLARIFY THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS FOR PROPERTY SUBJECT TO A MUNICIPAL LIEN; TO ALLOW A MUNICIPALITY TO PETITION TO SET ASIDE THE SALE OF PROPERTY TO CERTAIN PERSONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRIORITY OF UNRECORDED MUNICIPAL LIENS.
HB1712 Joey Carr Scott TO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN THIS STATE.
HB1717 Gramlich Boyd TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN AND TEENS' ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT.
HB1729 R. Burkes Bryant TO AMEND THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE THAT A HOMESTEAD OWNED BY A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1734 Childress Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DEATH CERTIFICATES; AND TO CLARIFY THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY SIGN A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH AND PRONOUNCE DEATH OF A PATIENT.
HB1749 M. Brown Dees TO ADOPT THE UNIFORM TRUST DECANTING ACT.
HB1751 Underwood Bryant TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM BENEFITS TO ENGAGE IN JOB SEARCH ACTIVITIES WHILE THE APPLICATION IS BEING PROCESSED.
HB1752 Maddox Boyd TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SAVINGS PLANS FROM THE EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT.
SB623 - Motion to move the bill to interim committee
HB1758 Gramlich Hill TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF DISPENSING HEARING INSTRUMENTS".
Motion to expunge the vote on SB629
SB629 - TO ALLOW AN OFFICER OF A CLOSELY HELD CORPORATION TO REPRESENT THE CORPORATION IN COURT FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVICTION PROCEEDINGS AND UNLAWFUL DETAINER PROCEEDINGS.
HB1763 Underwood Bryant TO AMEND THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT OF 2013; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL USE OF A COMMUNICATION DEVICE DURING THE COMMISSION OF A HUMAN TRAFFICKING OFFENSE.
Motion to Withdrawal HB1746 for purpose of amendment.
Motion to put amendment on SB441 put on calendar Thursday.
HB1777 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF SEXUALLY GROOMING A CHILD; AND TO INCLUDE BRIBING OR ATTEMPTING TO BRIBE A CHILD IN THE OFFENSE OF SEXUALLY GROOMING A CHILD.
HB1778 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF STALKING TO INCLUDE PLACING A PERSON IN FEAR OF SEXUAL ACTS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF COURSE OF CONDUCT WITH RESPECT TO STALKING.
HB1779 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THEFT OF PROPERTY; AND ENHANCE THE OFFENSE CLASSIFICATION FOR THE THEFT OF A POSTAL PACKAGE DELIVERED TO A PERSON'S RESIDENCE AND LEFT WITHIN THE CURTILAGE OF THE RESIDENCE.
HB1780 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RETENTION OF PROPERTY RELATED TO A FELONY INVESTIGATION.
HB1782 Hudson Scott TO PROHIBIT OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS FROM BEING SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE FURNISHED TO A PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
HB1150 - Motion for immediate consideration
HB1796 Beaty Jr. B. Johnson TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF GENDER INFORMATION ON AN ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.
HB1799 Vaught Tucker TO AMEND THE PERMISSIBLE METHODS OF REPORTING UNDER THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT.
HB1810 Joey Carr English TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1815 Perry Wallace TO AMEND THE STATE'S JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL LANDS; AND TO RETAIN JUVENILE JUSTICE JURISDICTION BY THE STATE.
HB1555 Hester - Motion Expunge vote by which bill passed to amend. Amendment adopted
HB1685 Amendment by Hester adopted
HB1824 Duffield Clark TO CREATE THE DOG AND CAT RESCUE ACT: DAISY'S LAW.
HB1830 M. Shepherd Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE PROCUREMENT OF CONTINGENCY FEE CONTRACTS BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
HB1960 withdraw from committee for Stone amendment to add Stone as sponsor
Motion by Tucker to refer SB67? back to JBC
HB1831 M. Shepherd Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF SETTLEMENT FUNDS BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
HB1835 Dalby Dees CONCERNING SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS; AND TO UPDATE AND CLARIFY THE LAW CONCERNING DRUG COURT, MENTAL HEALTH COURT, VETERANS COURT, AND DWI/BWI SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS.
HB1838 Dalby Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROBATE ACTIONS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ADOPTION AND GUARDIANSHIP.
HB1839 Dalby Clark TO AMEND THE PROCEDURES FOR THE DECLARATION OF LEGAL DEATH OF A MISSING PERSON.
HB1844 Tosh Wallace TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF FLEEING BY MEANS OF A VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE; AND TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR A PERSON WHO JUMPS FROM A MOVING VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE WHILE FLEEING.
HB1851 Jean Crowell TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR FOOD, FOOD INGREDIENTS, AND PREPARED FOOD SOLD IN A PUBLIC, COMMON, HIGH SCHOOL, OR COLLEGE CAFETERIA OR DINING FACILITY.
HB1854 Bentley Flippo TO EXEMPT A HOME CAREGIVER FROM HOME CAREGIVER TRAINING IF HE OR SHE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED TRAINING.
Motion to make am amendment on SB625
Scott Motion to suspend rules approved to add SB to supp calendar for concurrance in amendment
HB1887 Pearce Petty TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATEWIDE CHILD ABDUCTION RESPONSE TEAMS.
HB1934 McAlindon Gilmore TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE ACT; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS FORWARD ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP.
Sound on the Ballot on HB1934
Budget Bills to be Amended
SB67 #1 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC DEFENDER COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Budget Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
SB32 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB33 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB34 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB35 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB36 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB40 AN ACT FOR THE BUREAU OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB41 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB51 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR COORDINATOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB52 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - OPERATIONS AND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB54 AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 20252026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB55 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB71 AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS - COURT PERSONNEL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB81 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM DIVISIONS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB106 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB124 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 20252026 FISCAL YEAR.
Batch Vote on Senate Budget Bills
Budget Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
HB1265 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Items to be read across the desk
Motion for a clincher for HB1934
Adjourn
RECESS
RECONVENE
SENATE BILLS
SB 400 – IRVINTO AMEND THE FAIR-FUNDING PROGRAM.
SB 441 – HESTER TO CREATE THE JUNK LAWSUIT PREVENTION ACT OF 2025.
SOUND THE BALLOT
SB 568 – CROWELLTO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TAXES APPLICABLE TO LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND DEVELOPMENT; TO PROVIDE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR LITHIUM RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SEVERANCE TAX ON LITHIUM.
SB 585 – LEDINGTO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR.
SB 591 – PENZOTO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE; AND TO CREATE THE RACE DISCRIMINATION BY ABORTION PROHIBITION ACT.
SB 614 – TUCKER TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS.
SB 615 – PENZO TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ENERGY; AND TO REGULATE NONEXPORT FACILITIES.
SB 634 – M. JOHNSONTO CREATE THE DIVISION OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
HB 1131 (AS AMENDED #1 & #2) – PENZO TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO DELEGATE CERTAIN TASKS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND OTHER UNLICENSED STAFF.
HB 1642 (AS AMENDED #1) – BOYD TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT IS NOT COUNTED AS A DROPOUT FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING A SCHOOL-LEVEL GRADUATION RATE IF THE STUDENT PASSES A GED TEST.
HB 1656 (AS AMENDED #1 & #2) – DAVISTO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION.
HB 1797 (AS AMENDED #1 & #2) – GILMORETO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB 1812 (AS AMENDED #1 & #2) – BOYD TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST; AND TO AMEND THE SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GED TEST.
HB 1841 (AS AMENDED #1) – IRVIN TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) ACT; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) FUND FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCIES.
HB 1866 (AS AMENDED #1) – DOTSON TO CREATE ELI'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO INSTALL AN AUDIO RECORDING DEVICE IN EACH LOCKER ROOM AND DRESSING ROOM ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS.
HB 1872 – GILMORETO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FEES THAT MAY BE COLLECTED BY A COUNTY SHERIFF; AND TO ALLOW A COUNTY SHERIFF TO COLLECT FEES FOR ATTEMPTED SERVICE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB 1891 – GILMORE TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS AN APPOINTEE IN THAT POSITION TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX WHEN FILING AS A CANDIDATE.
HB 1896 – DISMANGTO CREATE THE JUNK FEE ELIMINATING ACT OF 2025; TO ABOLISH THE INFORMATION NETWORK OF ARKANSAS; AND TO TRANSFER ANY REMAINING DUTIES OF THE INFORMATION NETWORK OF ARKANSAS TO THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
HB 1931 – GILMORE TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS AN APPOINTEE IN THAT POSITION TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX WHEN FILING AS A CANDIDATE.
RULES COMMITTEE REPORT GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS
Documents
No documents posted.
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