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House Convenes

April 8, 2025 ·1:30 PM ·House Chamber ·3:02:02
Video Transcript

Bills discussed (99)
Bill Title Sponsor Status
HCR1010 · 8 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HCR1010 T. Shephard REQUESTING A STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE STATE…”
 REQUESTING A STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTH. T. Shephard Approved by the Governor
HCR1008 · 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HCR1008 McAlindon TO CELEBRATE AND COMMEND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMU…”
 TO CELEBRATE AND COMMEND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S NATIONALLY LEADING AND INDUSTRY-TRANSFORMING BICYCLE ASSEMBLY & … McAlindon Approved by the Governor
HR1102 · 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “please read House resolution 1102. House resolution 1102 by Representative”
 TO HONOR REGINA RENEE HENSON FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF NORTH … Steele READ AND ADOPTED.
SR31 · 4 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…two decades ago, during the eighty-sixth General Assembly. Senate resolution 31 was filed.”
 TO RECOGNIZE MISS AMERICA'S TEEN 2025 PEYTON BOLLING. Hester Sine Die adjournment
HB1332 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…r committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1332, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for time wit…”
 TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO EVALUATE CLAIMS FOR DIAGNOSES FREQUENCY OF OBESITY-RELATED CONDITIONS … Pilkington Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1468 Act 558 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…r committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1468 vaguely report the same consideration here for the same rec…”
 TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS AGAINST HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS, AND SUPPLIERS. Cozart Notification that HB1468 is now Act 558
HB1915 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ommittee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committees and House Bill 1915. House Bill 1961, House Bill 1992. Begly report the same co…”
 TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A BROAD-BASED CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY WAIVER FOR … Eubanks Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1960 Act 1013 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Revenue and taxation, who was a House Bill 1960, Senate Bill 530, Senate Bill 567, Senate Bill 577, vaguely…”
 TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES … Stone Notification that HB1960 is now Act 1013
HB1961 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…c Health, Welfare and Labor Committees and House Bill 1915. House Bill 1961, House Bill 1992. Begly report the same consideration here…”
 TO ALLOW MEDICAL PROVIDERS TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS FROM FEDERAL INFORMATION-BLOCKING REGULATIONS TO SAFEGUARD PATIENTS DURING INFORMATION … Achor Delivered to the Secretary of State
HR1103 · 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1103 Steele TO RECOGNIZE CHARLOTTE THOMAS ON THE OCCASION OF HER…”
 TO RECOGNIZE CHARLOTTE THOMAS ON THE OCCASION OF HER UPCOMING RETIREMENT FOR HER FIFTY-ONE YEARS … Steele READ AND ADOPTED.
SB470 Act 646 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “house for 1986, Centerville 303, Centvie 467, Senate Bill 470, Senate”
 TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO … J. Dotson Notification that SB470 is now Act 646
SB496 Act 700 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…was referred to hospital in 1988, Center 397. Center. 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate Bill 540, Senate Bill 562, vaguely report the same…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PERMITS FOR SPECIAL CARGOES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … Caldwell Notification that SB496 is now Act 700
SB530 Act 701 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Revenue and taxation, who was a House Bill 1960, Senate Bill 530, Senate Bill 567, Senate Bill 577, vaguely reporting the sa…”
 TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT. B. Davis Notification that SB530 is now Act 701
SB540 Act 702 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…hospital in 1988, Center 397. Center. 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate Bill 540, Senate Bill 562, vaguely report the same consideration her…”
 TO LIMIT THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON … M. Johnson Notification that SB540 is now Act 702
SB562 Act 704 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…Center 397. Center. 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate Bill 540, Senate Bill 562, vaguely report the same consideration here for the same re…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT; AND TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT … Hill Notification that SB562 is now Act 704
SB567 Act 719 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…e and taxation, who was a House Bill 1960, Senate Bill 530, Senate Bill 567, Senate Bill 577, vaguely reporting the same consideration…”
 TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING THE APPORTIONMENT OF INCOME DERIVED FROM MULTISTATE OPERATIONS; … Crowell Notification that SB567 is now Act 719
SB572 Act 649 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Bill 515, Senate Bill 572 vaguely reporting the same consideration here for the same…”
 TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … J. Dotson Notification that SB572 is now Act 649
SB577 Act 720 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ho was a House Bill 1960, Senate Bill 530, Senate Bill 567, Senate Bill 577, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for term sam…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT … J. Petty Notification that SB577 is now Act 720
HB10 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Speaker of your Committee on Education, to whom is referred House Bill 10, 17, House Bill 17, 19, House Bill 17, 18, 74, House Bill 1…”
 Pre-2017 bill
HB1003 Act 871 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1003 House Management AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENT…”
 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - STAFF APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … House Management Notification that HB1003 is now Act 871
HB1063 Act 875 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1063 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE…”
 TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS … J. Mayberry Notification that HB1063 is now Act 875
HB1084 Act 884 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Joint Budget Committee, to whom was referred House Bill 1084, House Bill 1086, Houseville 1092, House Bill”
 AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION FOR THE … Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1084 is now Act 884
HB1086 Act 784 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…int Budget Committee, to whom was referred House Bill 1084, House Bill 1086, Houseville 1092, House Bill”
 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1086 is now Act 784
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
HB13 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Speaker of your Committee on Education, to whom is referred House Bill 13, 12, Senate Bill 90. Begley reporting the same consideratio…”
 Pre-2017 bill
HB1303 Act 546 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1303 #1 Jean TO CREATE THE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL INCENTIVE A…”
 TO CREATE THE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL INCENTIVE ACT; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT … Jean Notification that HB1303 is now Act 546
HB1312 Act 909 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r, Mr. Speaker, your committee on Education and who was the House Bill 1312 Senate bill. 90 vaguely reporting the same consideration he…”
 TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. Brooks Notification that HB1312 is now Act 909
HB1433 Act 828 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1433 K. Moore TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS EXECUT…”
 TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS EXECUTING OR SERVING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION … K. Moore Notification that HB1433 is now Act 828
HB1485 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1485 K. Brown TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALES…”
 TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALES TO CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT … K. Brown Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1529 Act 827 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1529 S. Meeks TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATIO…”
 TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL; AND … S. Meeks Notification that HB1529 is now Act 827
HB1627 Act 877 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1627 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AN…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE … Barnett Notification that HB1627 is now Act 877
HB1669 Act 509 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1669 #1 Bentley TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVID…”
 TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR … Bentley Notification that HB1669 is now Act 509
HB1672 Act 800 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1672 McCollum TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE…”
 TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC … McCollum Notification that HB1672 is now Act 800
HB17 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mittee on Education, to whom is referred House Bill 10, 17, House Bill 17, 19, House Bill 17, 18, 74, House Bill 1945, House Bill 196…”
 Pre-2017 bill
HB1724 Act 503 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1724 #1 B. McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOA…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS; AND … B. McKenzie Notification that HB1724 is now Act 503
HB1732 Act 878 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1732 Vaught TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION A…”
 TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION ALLOWED FOR A TEACHER'S CLASSROOM INVESTMENT. Vaught Notification that HB1732 is now Act 878
HB1745 Act 604 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…re Committee on Public Transportation, whom was referred to House Bill 1745, Begley report the same consideration here for time with th…”
 TO REQUIRE CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE HOLDERS TO POSSESS A UNITED STATES WORK AUTHORIZATION; TO … Hawk Notification that HB1745 is now Act 604
HB1790 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1790 B. McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF S…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT. B. McKenzie Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1806 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…aker, we have a committee on education to whom was referred House Bill 1806, House Bill 1919, vaguely reporting the same consideration…”
 TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW … Vaught Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1807 Act 879 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1807 Eaves TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FO…”
 TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL … Eaves Notification that HB1807 is now Act 879
HB1866 Act 908 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1866 Brooks TO CREATE ELI'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHO…”
 TO CREATE ELI'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO INSTALL AN AUDIO RECORDING … Brooks Notification that HB1866 is now Act 908
HB1869 Act 868 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1869 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTE…”
 TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE … L. Johnson Notification that HB1869 is now Act 868
HB1876 Act 927 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1876 R. Scott Richardson REGARDING THE OWNERSHIP OF MODEL TRAINI…”
 REGARDING THE OWNERSHIP OF MODEL TRAINING AND CONTENT GENERATED BY A GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL. R. Scott Richardson Notification that HB1876 is now Act 927
HB1877 Act 977 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1877 S. Meeks CONCERNING CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATED TO POSSESSION…”
 CONCERNING CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATED TO POSSESSION OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL THAT DEPICTS A CHILD; AND … S. Meeks Notification that HB1877 is now Act 977
HB1897 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1897 Painter TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM A…”
 TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND … Painter Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
HB1914 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1914 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER ACT, 1955; AND TO REQUIRE AN … Long Died in House at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1918 Act 810 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1918 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGAL TENDE…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGAL TENDER; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF A … McAlindon Notification that HB1918 is now Act 810
HB1919 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ommittee on education to whom was referred House Bill 1806, House Bill 1919, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for time wit…”
 TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … McAlindon Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1922 Act 881 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1922 Maddox TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO…”
 TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR … Maddox Notification that HB1922 is now Act 881
HB1931 Act 694 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1931 Beaty Jr. TO CREATE THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION SYSTEM WITHIN…”
 TO CREATE THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN … Beaty Jr. Notification that HB1931 is now Act 694
HB1938 Act 807 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1938 Joey Carr TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNI…”
 TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE CREATION OF DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANS AND … Joey Carr Notification that HB1938 is now Act 807
HB1939 Act 808 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1939 Joey Carr TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIVE AND ME…”
 TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIVE AND MERIT PAY; TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE EVALUATIONS; … Joey Carr Notification that HB1939 is now Act 808
HB1941 Act 809 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1941 Joey Carr CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARDS AND COM…”
 CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; AND TO PROTECT ARKANSAS STUDENTS BY ENSURING THE … Joey Carr Notification that HB1941 is now Act 809
HB1944 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1944 Vaught TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF A SPECIAL L…”
 TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT … Vaught Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1945 Act 913 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ouse Bill 10, 17, House Bill 17, 19, House Bill 17, 18, 74, House Bill 1945, House Bill 1966, House Bill 1986, Senate Bill 303, Senate…”
 TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE … McCollum Notification that HB1945 is now Act 913
HB1946 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1946 Bentley TO REQUIRE HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION…”
 TO REQUIRE HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Bentley Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1949 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1949 Schulz TO ADD MEDICAL, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND AMBULANCE SER…”
 TO ADD MEDICAL, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE LIST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR … Schulz Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1951 Act 929 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1951 A. Collins TO SET FORTH AUTHORIZED DOMAIN EXTENSIONS FOR HI…”
 TO SET FORTH AUTHORIZED DOMAIN EXTENSIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES. A. Collins Notification that HB1951 is now Act 929
HB1952 Act 947 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1952 Hawk TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE ATHLETIC COM…”
 TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE STATE … Hawk Notification that HB1952 is now Act 947
HB1964 Act 825 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1964 Brooks TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE…”
 TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE JUVENILE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT … Brooks Notification that HB1964 is now Act 825
HB1966 Act 914 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…House Bill 17, 19, House Bill 17, 18, 74, House Bill 1945, House Bill 1966, House Bill 1986, Senate Bill 303, Senate Bill 467, Senate…”
 TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE … Barnett Notification that HB1966 is now Act 914
HB1976 Act 883 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1976 Nazarenko CONCERNING VERTIPORTS; AND TO CREATE THE OPEN ACC…”
 CONCERNING VERTIPORTS; AND TO CREATE THE OPEN ACCESS TO PUBLIC-USE VERTIPORTS ACT. Nazarenko Notification that HB1976 is now Act 883
HB1981 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1981 Maddox TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF "OUTDOOR RECREATION OPER…”
 TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF "OUTDOOR RECREATION OPERATOR" AND "TRAMWAY OPERATOR UNDER THE LAW CONCERNING … Maddox Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1982 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ees, whom was referred to House Bill 1915, House Bill 1961, House Bill 1982. Begley reported the same consideration here for time with…”
 TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE THE TIRE MANAGEMENT AND … Wooldridge Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1983 Act 1026 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1983 Eubanks TO AMEND ACTS 1973, NO. 167, § 4, CONCERNING THE SA…”
 TO AMEND ACTS 1973, NO. 167, § 4, CONCERNING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO … Eubanks Notification that HB1983 is now Act 1026
HB1986 Act 794 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…9, House Bill 17, 18, 74, House Bill 1945, House Bill 1966, House Bill 1986, Senate Bill 303, Senate Bill 467, Senate Bill 470,”
 CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS. Nazarenko Notification that HB1986 is now Act 794
HB1988 Act 930 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e a committee on public transportation to whom was referred House Bill 1988, Senate Bill 397, Senate Bill 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AUTO AUCTION FEES FOR SALVAGE-TITLED OR PARTS-ONLY … Tosh Notification that HB1988 is now Act 930
HB1992 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…and Labor Committees and House Bill 1915. House Bill 1961, House Bill 1992. Begly report the same consideration here for time with”
 TO REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION FOR DANGEROUS DOGS AND VICIOUS DOGS; AND FOR OTHER … McAlindon WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HR1108 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1108 Schulz TO HONOR UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE BASK…”
 TO HONOR UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE BASKETBALL SCORING STAR IZZY HIGGINBOTTOM. Schulz READ AND ADOPTED.
SB125 Act 611 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB125 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION…”
 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 chapter
Matched: “SB127 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROP…”
 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
SB241 Act 885 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB241 J. Scott Pilkington TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEA…”
 TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO GRANT PAID LEAVE TO … J. Scott Notification that SB241 is now Act 885
SB290 Act 921 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB290 B. Johnson Vaught TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE…”
 TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF … B. Johnson Notification that SB290 is now Act 921
SB303 Act 644 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…18, 74, House Bill 1945, House Bill 1966, House Bill 1986, Senate Bill 303, Senate Bill 467, Senate Bill 470,”
 TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN … Dees Notification that SB303 is now Act 644
SB322 Act 591 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB322 J. Bryant Pilkington TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSTRUCTI…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND TO ALLOW THIRD PARTIES TO PERFORM … J. Bryant Notification that SB322 is now Act 591
SB348 Act 567 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB348 C. Penzo Pilkington TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC…”
 TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND … C. Penzo Notification that SB348 is now Act 567
SB359 Act 613 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB359 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMEN…”
 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
SB37 Act 608 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB37 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB37 is now Act 608
SB39 Act 609 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB39 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF WORKFOR…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE … Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB39 is now Act 609
SB390 Act 695 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB390 J. English Lundstrum TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP…”
 TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY ACT. J. English Notification that SB390 is now Act 695
SB397 Act 931 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…public transportation to whom was referred House Bill 1988, Senate Bill 397, Senate Bill 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate Bill 540, Senate…”
 TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION OF RAIL EMPLOYEES IN REPORTS INVOLVING RAILROAD FATALITIES. D. Wallace Notification that SB397 is now Act 931
SB408 Act 696 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB408 B. Johnson Eaves TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CER…”
 TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PAYMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF … B. Johnson Notification that SB408 is now Act 696
SB464 Act 698 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB464 A. Clark C. Cooper TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RA…”
 TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW MILK; TO ALLOW SALES OF RAW MILK … A. Clark Notification that SB464 is now Act 698
SB467 Act 645 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 1945, House Bill 1966, House Bill 1986, Senate Bill 303, Senate Bill 467, Senate Bill 470,”
 TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS … C. Penzo Notification that SB467 is now Act 645
SB492 Act 699 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…tion to whom was referred House Bill 1988, Senate Bill 397, Senate Bill 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate Bill 540, Senate Bill 562, vaguely…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF UTILITY FACILITIES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW … J. Bryant Notification that SB492 is now Act 699
SB494 Act 717 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB494 J. Bryant Eaton TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERMITS I…”
 TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERMITS ISSUED BY ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL; AND TO … J. Bryant Notification that SB494 is now Act 717
SB495 Act 718 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB495 J. Bryant Eaton TO AMEND DEFINITIONS USED UNDER THE ARKANSA…”
 TO AMEND DEFINITIONS USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977; AND TO … J. Bryant Notification that SB495 is now Act 718
SB510 Act 594 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB510 J. Boyd Gramlich TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUN…”
 TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON … J. Boyd Notification that SB510 is now Act 594
SB515 Act 647 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 515, Senate Bill 572. vaguely important same consideration here…”
 TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN … J. Petty Notification that SB515 is now Act 647
SB522 Act 648 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB522 M. McKee M. Brown TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS S…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND … M. McKee Notification that SB522 is now Act 648
SB523 Act 762 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB523 Irvin Dalby TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES;…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PRIVATE … Irvin Notification that SB523 is now Act 762
SB529 Act 617 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB529 B. Johnson Cavenaugh TO AMEND THE INDEPENDENT TAX APPEALS C…”
 TO AMEND THE INDEPENDENT TAX APPEALS COMMISSION ACT. B. Johnson Notification that SB529 is now Act 617
SB550 Act 703 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB550 Hill Painter TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK A…”
 TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO THE ARKANSAS BOARD … Hill Notification that SB550 is now Act 703
SB552 Act 650 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB552 K. Hammer Eaves TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "PRINCIPAL OFF…”
 TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "PRINCIPAL OFFICE" USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT OF … K. Hammer Notification that SB552 is now Act 650
SB553 Act 671 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB553 K. Hammer Milligan TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTI…”
 TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW; TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF A MUNICIPAL TREASURER; … K. Hammer Notification that SB553 is now Act 671
SB594 Act 705 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB594 M. McKee Milligan TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FO…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR NEW … M. McKee Notification that SB594 is now Act 705
SB88 Act 610 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB88 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE … Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB88 is now Act 610
SB90 Act 902 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mittee on Education, to whom is referred House Bill 13, 12, Senate Bill 90. Begley reporting the same consideration, here for turning…”
 TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT … J. English Notification that SB90 is now Act 902
SB93 Act 1010 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR TH…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB93 is now Act 1010

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October 2, 2026
Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 7:33
I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand. And be led in prayer by house chaplain. The Reverend Benjamin Kane, the 2nd Presbyterian Church of Little Rock guests today of Representative Ashley Hudson, and to remain standing for the Pledge of allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. Would you pray with me? Lord of
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Speaker 9 7:53
all, you have told us what is required of each of us, and that is to do justice, love, kindness, and walk humbly with you. May it be so here at the Capitol where we have gathered as the House of Representatives to do the work of your people, the people of Arkansas. To do justice is to remember that when we entered this room, we carried more than just ourselves. The very fabric of our being is infused with the stories of the people we represent. Their joys and hopes, desires and shortcomings are woven into this very body. May our hearts and minds be cognizant that the decisions we make here have real life ramifications and our reflections of who you are and who you call us to be. To love kindness is to seek the better angels among us by paying close attention to the bills that we bind ourselves together as your people. To love kindness is to seek the betterment of the people and the communities that we represent, to see those local stories and how they can transform a community and also a state. To love kindness is to see that bringing people together with laws means lifting up the lowly, showering the lost with hope and revealing grace that is available to each of us. To walk humbly with you is to recognize that none of this is possible without you. May we see the power to walk side by sides with one another, and by doing so, we reveal something beautiful to this world, something desperately we need to see, and that is a good and loving word. To walk humbly with you is to recognize the weight that is upon the shoulders of those gathered here. It is both an opportunity and a burden, and I pray for each member in this chamber. It is an opportunity for them to do better and be better for you and your people as we seek to be a better state. It is also a burden to remember what we are here is matters here. Lord, We ask that you give us patience to love. Gentleness to hope. And a willingness to see ourselves as a part of your larger story that invites us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Lord, we lift up these prayers, but also a prayer for state government employee. May we offer prayers for miracles and also the prayers that are upon our hearts that we pray in the silence of our hearts right now. all of this is to you and for you. May you shower us with your love. As we gather together as your people. In Christ's name we pray.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 10:47
Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button.
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Speaker 24 11:21
Has everyone indicated their presence. Has everyone indicated their presence. Cast up the ballot.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 11:57
96 members present, chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave, Representative John Carr, for what purpose? Leave, you're recognized. Leave for Representative Duke. I leave granted for Representative Hope Duke. So ordered. Representative Kavanaugh, for what purpose? You're recognized for Representative Barker. His leave granted for Representative Sonia Barker. So ordered. Representative John Eubanks, for what purpose? Leave, you're recognized. Uh, leave for Representative
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 12:28
Shepherd. I leave granted for Representative Matthew Shepherd. So ordered. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Lee for Representative Milligan. I leave
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Speaker 32 12:34
granted for Representative John Milligan. So ordered Representative John Eubank's moves that we dispense at the reading of
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 12:40
the previous day's journal. With no objection so ordered. Madame Clark, you have reports from select committees. You are recognized. Mr. Speaker, we're a Committee on
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Chair Unverified 12:52
Joint Budget Committee, to whom was referred House Bill 1084, House Bill 1086, Houseville 1092, House Bill 1096, house 1101, house 1106, 1107, house 1112, High School 1174. High School 1200, High 1206. High school 1649, vaguely report to consideration and here's return with the same recommendation that do pass respectly submitted Representative Jean, co-chair. Thank you, Madam Clark. You
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 13:13
have reports from standing committees. You're recognized. Mr. Speaker, we're a Committee on
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Chair Unverified 13:18
Revenue and taxation, who was a House Bill 1960, Senate Bill 530, Senate Bill 567, Senate Bill 577, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for term same recommendation that do pass, so please submit it. Representative Kavanaugh, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1332, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for time with the same recommendation that it do pass as amendment number 2, respectfully submitted. Representative Wardlaw, Chair, Mr. Speaker, your committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1468 vaguely report the same consideration here for the same recognition that do pass to concur. Senate Amendment number 1, respectfully submitted. Representative Wardlaw, Chair, Mr. Speaker, we your Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committees and House Bill 1915. House Bill 1961, House Bill 1992. Begly report the same consideration here for time with the same recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted. Representative Wardlaw, Chair, Mr. Speaker, we're a committee on Public Transportation who was referred House 1745 valy report the same consideration here return, the same renation that do pass the concurrence Senate Amendment number 1, respectfully submitted Representative Holcombe, Chair, Mr. Speaker, we're your committee on Public Transportation, who was referred to hospital in 1988, Center 397. Center. 492, Senate Bill 496, Senate Bill 540, Senate Bill 562, vaguely report the same consideration here for the same recommendation that it do pass safely submit it. Representative Holcombe, chair, Mr. Speaker, we your committee on Education and who was referred high school 10 1806, how school 1919. Beg leave reporting the same consideration here for time with the same recommendation that it do passes amendment number one, respectfully submitted. Representative Brooks, Chair, Mr. Speaker, your committee on Education and who was the House Bill 1312 Senate bill. 90 vaguely reporting the same consideration here for returns, the same recommendation that do passing amendment number 2, respectfully submitted. Representative McKenzie, Vice Chair. Mr. Speaker, we're a committee on Education terms of houses 1017, 1719, high school 17, 1874, 1945 houses, 1966, house for 1986, Centerville 303, Centvie 467, Senate Bill 470, Senate Bill 515, Senate Bill 572 vaguely reporting the same consideration here for the same recognition at do pass effectively submitted. Representative Brooks, chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam Clark,
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Speaker 24 15:23
do you have any unfinished business? Any executive communications. Thank you, Madam Clark. Members, I would ask you to rise.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 15:29
I'd like to direct your attention to the back of the chamber we have with us today, Sergeant Corey Ray of the aircraft section and Corporal Trey Keller of the Highway Patrol Administration and our state troopers of the day. Gentlemen, thank you for your service to the state of Arkansas. And to the House of Representatives.
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 15:52
Members also with us in the back of the chamber. We have with us our doctor today
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 15:58
is Shalitha Jones, a family medicine physician from Camden, guest of Representative Wade Andrews today. Doctor Jones, thank you for being here and serving the house also alongside Doctor Jones, we have our nurse, Miss Lee Fazio. Ms. Lee, thank you for being here in your service to the House of Representatives. Members up in the North gallery up above my head today, guest of Representative Tracy Steele. We'd asked uh North
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 16:31
Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick is here with us. Would he please stand and let us recognize him.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 16:46
Representative Aaron Pilkington, for what purpose? a personal privilege. You're recognized, come to the well. Uh, if
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Representative Aaron Pilkington Unverified 16:58
you'll look up to the I assume East Gallery. I can never remember east from west, uh, but these beautiful ladies in a crown we have with us today. They're joining us today are the special guest, the 2024 to 2025 Arkansas State Fair, Queens, Junior Miss Lily Burns from Alpena, Miss Arkansas State Fair, Emerson Green from Sheridan, uh, elite Miss Ashley Walls from Brooklyn. Uh, as ambassadors, these, uh, As ambassadors, these women serve as role models for others. The rule extends beyond just the title that they inspire and uplift their communities while helping to preserve local culture, business, livestocks, exhibition, arts, the crafts, agriculture, and the traditions that make the Arkansas State Fair such a cherished annual celebration. And, uh, with that, I'd just like to send them a round of applause and thank them for being here and all they do for the state of Arkansas.
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Speaker 39 17:57
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative Pilkington. Representative Ashley Hudson, for what purpose? Point of personal
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Representative Ashley Hudson Unverified 18:23
privilege recognized to come to the well. Colleagues, I wanted to take a moment and recognize the AARP members who are here visiting with us today. If anyone in the chamber, if you could stand up for us. They have been doing their day of advocacy, um, and so you may have talked to members from your districts, be sure to say hello to them if you haven't. I also wanted to give a special welcome to former Representative Nancy Blount, who is here visiting us and represented Marianna. So thank you all for being here today.
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 19:15
Madam Clerk, please read House concurrent resolution 1008.
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Chair Unverified 19:19
House concurrent resolution 1008 by Representative Michael Lennon to celebrate and commend Northwest Arkansas Community Colleges nationally led and and industry transforming bi bicycle assembly and repair technician and trial technician programs. Representative McAlinden, you're recognized to explain
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 19:33
your resolution. Mr. Speaker, would you ask the, uh,
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Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified 19:39
representatives from Benton County to come on down. With
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 19:43
the members from Northwest Arkansas, please join
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Speaker 69 19:59
Representative McAloon and well.
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Speaker 72 20:01
Thank you. Colleagues, today I rise with Great enthusiasm to speak for House concurrent resolution
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Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified 20:10
1008, a resolution that celebrates and commends the outstanding achievements of Northwest Arkansas Community College. What we affectionately call NWAC. This resolution recognizes their national leading and industry transforming bicycle. Assembly and repair technician and trail technician programs. As we spoke yesterday, Northwest Arkansas runs on bikes. Northwest Arkansas has long been a beacon of innovation and forward thinking initiatives, but NWAG exemplifies this spirit. Their bicycle assembly and repair technician program is not just about teaching skill. It is about creating opportunities, fostering economic growth and positioning Arkansas as a leader in an industry that both is sustainable and forward-looking. Similarly, the trail technician program reflects our state's commitment to outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and the development of world class trails that attract visitors from across the country and across the world. These programs are more than educational offerings. They are transformative. They equip students with specialized skills that meet the demands of growing industries while simultaneously addressing workforce needs. They also enhance the reputation of our state as a hub for outdoor innovation and sustainability. This resolution is not just about celebrating programs, it's about recognizing the people behind them, the educators who inspire the students who strive for excellence and the community leaders who support these initiatives. So I'd like to recognize Doctor Megan Bolander, executive director of the Trails and Construction Technology Program, and Ben Glenn, director of the bike technician program who are up in the North gallery. Under their leadership, these efforts contribute to our state's economy, our culture, as well as our identity. As we adopt this resolution, we affirm our commitment to supporting institutions like NWAC. Let us continue to champion these programs not only to pair Arkansans for meaningful careers, but also to elevate our state on the national stage. And Speaker, would you please ask the clerk to
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Speaker 60 22:10
read the title. Madam Clark, would you please read the
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Speaker 76 22:12
title of the resolution to celebrate and commend Northwest Arkansas Community College's nationally led and industry transforming bicycle assembly and repair technician and trail technician programs. Representative McAlinden has explained the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 22:21
resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative McAlinden, you're recognized to close for your resolution. I am close to my resolution. I asked for a good vote. Representative McAlin is closed for the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Po nay, the ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative McAlinden, your resolution is adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House concurrent resolution 1010. House concurrent resolution
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Chair Unverified 23:01
1010 by Representative Shepherd requesting a study of ways to
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 23:05
improve the state's juvenile justice system for youth. Representative Shepherd,
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Representative Tara Shephard Unverified 23:24
you're recognized to present your resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. colleagues Nearly two decades ago, during the eighty-sixth General Assembly. Senate resolution 31 was filed. A bold and necessary call to reform Arkansas, Cuvenile justice system. At the heart of this resolution was a powerful recognition. Too many of our young people were being placed in secure confinement for nonviolent. A minor offenses. Subjected to costly and overly punitive responses that did not match their needs or the nature of their actions. From their recognition, political will emerged. And with it, Arkansas embarked on a course of thoughtful and measured reform. Many of the practices and the work groups, we rely on today were born out of that commitment. House concurrent resolution 1010 mirrors Senate resolution 31. And seeks to sustain and build upon its efforts. It's not a partisan issue. It's a moral imperative. And it is the fiscal one as well. We are currently spending $127,000 per child per youth to incarcerate in this state. Let that sinking. $1,027,000. That is more than the cost of a four-year degree at most universities. More than the average salary that a teacher makes. More than the nurse earns, and more than some of us in this chamber, Erns. An analysis as recently as last year, again, found. Too many of our children are being locked away for nonviolent, low-level offenses. Further highlighting that community-based alternatives are limited. An existing resources are stretched thin. And judges are left with limited tools to offer meaningful interventions outside of confinement. Despite the dedicated efforts and heartfelt commitment of judges, advocates, educators, and service providers across our state, the number of youth in secure confinement continues to rise. In fact, as of today, we are witnessing one of the highest census and one of our most secure program in years. This resolution calls on us to renew our commitment to juvenile justice. Not just the justice found in statues, but the justice that reflects our shared values of compassion and accountability. And the belief that every child is worth the investment of hope and opportunity. HRT and 10 is a continued step forward in ensuring our systems work for all youth. I've had many individuals to ask me why didn't I just file a bill or a single statute, because for me, it's not just about a bill or a statue. It's about seeing the entire system reform. And with that, I ask for your support for this res resolution and that we stand together for our children's future. Mr. Speaker, if you can have the Madame clerk read the
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Speaker 60 27:16
resolution and name on it. Madam Clark,
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Chair Unverified 27:20
please read resolution by title. Requesting a study of ways to improve the state's juvenile
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 27:26
justice system for youth. Representative Shepherd has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Shepard is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House concurrent resolution 1010. All those in favor say aye. Po, the ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Shepherd, your resolution is adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House resolution 1102. House resolution 1102 by Representative
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Speaker 94 28:06
Steele to honor Regina Renee Henson for her contributions to the children and adults of North of Iraq through her role as director of Sherman Park Community Center.
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Chair Unverified 28:17
Representative Steele, you're recognized to explain your resolution.
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 28:22
Thank you Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, could you allow me to ask Representative Wing to join
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 28:29
us. Representative Waing, if you would join
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 28:34
Representative Steele in the well. Members, I'm honored today to bring special recognition to a wonderful leader in North Little Rock. Miss Renee, and I'm remember the Regina part. Renee, Regina Henson has been the Sherman Park Center director for the last 38 years. Prior to that, she was the YMCA director. All told she has been involved intimately in the lives of young people in North Little Rock for the last 45 years. She's done an outstanding job. They have young men and young women who have gone, come through the Sherman. Park Recreation Center. And they all laugh better than they came. She's dedicated her life to helping not only the children, but being involved in the community. She loves Sherman Park. As a matter of fact, I probably wouldn't have her here today, but I had to tell her we were having a meeting here at the Capitol on how we can help children. That's the only way I was able to get her to leave Sherman Park. So today, we are glad and we are honored. To pause and pay special recognition.
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Representative Carlton Wing Unverified 29:52
To a wonderful leader. And at this time, I'd like to ask. Anytime someone can make the difference in the lives of youth and to do so for so many years, it deserves to be celebrated and it is wonderful to be able to honor her efforts in our community in central Arkansas, and now to know
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 30:14
for generations it is throughout the state. Renee is known for a lot of things, uh, one of the programs that you may have heard from that she was an architect of is Midnight basketball, which received a lot of acclaim throughout throughout the nation. Uh, midnight basketball was a program that was actually really Not so much about basketball, but it was more about getting kids off the street on weekends and times where Some of our kids would lose their way. She was nationally recognized, this program was known throughout the nation. This program even received a visit from former President William Jefferson Clinton, and our former governor, And today we are honored to pause to recognize a wonderful person, a wonderful leader in the state of Arkansas. Miss Renee Henson. Mr. Speaker, could you ask the clerk to read the
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 31:10
resolution and title only. Madam Park, please read the title of the resolution to honor
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Speaker 94 31:15
Regina Renee Hinson for her contributions to the children and Adults of North Rock through her role as director of Sherman Park Community Center. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 31:24
Steele has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Steele, you recognize close for the resolution. I'm close with the resolution. Re Steele is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House resolution 1102. All those in favor say aye. Osna, the ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Steele, your resolution has been adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1103. 1103
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Chair Unverified 32:12
by Representative Steele to recognize Charlotte Thomas on the occasion of her upcoming retirement for her 51 years of exceptional
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 32:19
service to the city of Northora. Representative Steele,
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 32:24
you're recognized to explain your resolution. Thank you again, uh, Mr. Speaker, members, Also, this is North Little Rock Legends Day. We have a wonderful person who has served our city well. She has served in numerous capacities. She is one of the first African Americans to ever serve in an administrative leadership positions, the city of North Little Rock. And our mayor, Who's here with us today would agree that most of the things you see and experience in North Little Rock. You can rest assured that in Charlotte Thomas had something to do with it. She has served for a number of years. I've heard of people serving 30 years, 35, 45 years. She has served for 51 years and still serving the city of North Little Rockwell. We're going to miss her when she finally retires. And I can say that North Little Rock City Hall would not be the same without seeing her smiling face. I'd like to recognize Representative Wayne again.
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Representative Carlton Wing Unverified 33:45
She's been around since Mayor Hartwick was mayor the first time when he was about 11 years old, so, uh, we're very grateful for your long service and your dedication to our community. Thank you very
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 33:57
much. Representative Steele has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution, Representative Collins, you're recognized speak for the resolution. My first
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Representative Andrew Collins Unverified 34:09
real job was as an intern in the North Little Rock Mayor's office. And so my first real boss was Charlotte, and she was, uh, fabulous, just a wonderful person, uh, kind, helpful, and she was in every other interaction I've ever had with their, uh, congratulations on your
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 34:29
retirement. Representative Collins spoke for the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Steele, you're recognized clothes for your resolution. Representative Steele is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House Resolution 1103. All those in favor say aye. Posna, you have it. Congratulations, Representative Steele. Your resolution has been adopted. Representative Wing, for what
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Speaker 117 35:04
purpose? Point of personal privilege, you're recognized. Well, we're going
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Representative Carlton Wing Unverified 35:08
to keep this North Little Rock theme going, we are able to celebrate some true achievement as well. I'd like to ask for uh Miss Caroline Jones to, uh, step forward. She is the daughter of Judge Paula Jules Jones and the daughter of our Pulaski County prosecuting attorney Will Jones, but she is here today because she knows how to rule on the tennis court. A two-time state champion. 6A and the state overall, she, uh, completed a perfect regular season for the 3rd year in a row. She did all this while maintaining a 4.3 GPA and, uh, incredible academics for the North Little Rock, uh, center of excellence. We are very, very grateful to honor you and your achievements today and I want to introduce as well, she is joined by her mother. Paula Jules Jones, or her grandmother, Laura Jules, her North Little Rock coach, Michael Clutcher, athletic director Caroline Faulkner, and also I believe Thomas Anderson is uh there as well. So thank you for your achievement and for giving us an opportunity to celebrate some success here in Central Arkansas. Thank you. And go charging wildcats.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 36:23
Tidal Town, mister RJ Hawk. Members, we have a request from the Senate to return to the
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 36:42
Senate House Bill 1555. That objection So ordered As the chief clerk to send House Bill 1555 back to the Senate. Members, you'll
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 36:50
notice, up and down the aisleways and down, uh, on the benches in the front, we have a great group of pages here with us today. We appreciate so much their service and willingness to come and help us out. I know many, uh, many of us here in the chamber at one time, including myself, served as pages and so we know that the sacrifice they're making, and we appreciate that very much. If we especially want to recognize one page in particular today. We have with us Miss Josephine Ed. It's Josephine. There she is. Right here.
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Speaker 122 37:27
Ms. Josephine is the bashful daughter of our friend Blake Eddens. Thank you, Josephine, for being
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 37:38
here with us today. Madam Clark, please read House Resolution
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Chair Unverified 37:42
1108. House Resolution 1108 by Representative Schultz to
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Speaker 94 37:45
honor University of Arkansas at Fayetteville basketball, scoring start, Izzy Higginbottom. Representative Schultz,
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 37:52
you recognized to present your resolution.
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Representative Bart Schulz Unverified 38:00
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good I ask Representative Pierce to
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 38:04
join me in the well. Representative Pierce, if you would join
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Representative Bart Schulz Unverified 38:24
Representative Schultz in the well. Colleagues today, it is our distinct honor. To recognize Arkansas Razorback superstar. Izzy Higginbottom. In addition to this resolution, we have Letters from Chancellor Robertson at the UA and we also have, uh, one from Hunter, you're a check, but in the interest of time, I'm not going to read all those, but I do want to say a few words. Today we celebrate not just a remarkable athlete, but an extraordinary young woman who has left an indelible mark on the game of basketball. Izzy Higginbottom, a proud native of Batesville, Arkansas. Has dazzled us with her skills, leadership, and relentless dedication to the sport. Representing the University of Arkansas, Izzy has proven herself to be one of the best scorers in the nation. Averaging an incredible 24.4 points per game. She led the SEC. And ranked 3rd nationally in scoring. Her dominance on the court is undeniable. Leading the entire NCAA in total points in free throws made and ranking among the best free throw percentages and field goals. But beyond the numbers, Izzy is more than just a star player. She's a role model. For every young girl in Arkansas and beyond, who dreams of stepping onto the court. She's proof that hard work, determination, and passion can turn dreams into reality. She carries the heart of her hometown, the spirit of Arkansas. And the inspiration of a generation on her shoulders. This week Izzy took to the national stage once more in the 2025 Lilies Lilly Women's College All-Star Game. She competed among the nation's best and continued to shine just as she has throughout her career. Izzy, we thank you for your dedication, your leadership, And the way you have represented the university in this state with pride. Congratulations on your
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Representative Shad Pearce Unverified 40:34
outstanding achievements, and we cannot wait to see what is next. Thank you, Representative Schultz. Izzy, would you stand for me, please? Izzy, although I have always been so impressed by your athletic ability. There's one thing that highlights that more than athletics. And remembering you watch your, watch you run around West Baptist Church, and you've kept that same godly heart. Not by preaching, but by example. And the example that you are to these young women, that's trying to do. What you're doing. That's amazing to me. And so if you would hold your applause just a second.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 41:54
Mr. Speaker, would you have the clerk read
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Chair Unverified 41:59
the resolution and title only Matic Clark, please read the resolution by title. University of Arkansas Fayetteville basketball
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 42:06
scoring star Easy Higginbottom. Representative Schultz has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 42:12
the resolution. Representative Schultz is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House resolution 1108. Be the machine, or excuse me, all those in favor say aye. Ma,
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 42:24
the eyes have it. Congratulations, your resolution has been adopted. Representative
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 42:41
Jeremiah Moore, for what purpose? Point of personal privilege. You're recognized to come to the well.
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Representative Kendra Moore Unverified 42:58
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, um, I prepared a house memorial resolution 1009, and due to a small clerical clerical error that was due to no one's fault but myself. Uh, that resolution has to run tomorrow, but The family and friends of a dear friend of mine are here today. And so I want to take a moment to express, um, To express my gratitude and friendship and honor and memory of my dear friend, former Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Spinny Petris. Benny was a good friend of mine. In fact, when I first decided I really thought about Running for this office, I called a select few group of people, select. Well respected members of our community. And Mr. Benny was one of them. And since that day, before I even filed for election. Up until the point of his passing, Benny was always there for me. Anytime I needed some advice, anytime I was in a bond between a rock and a hard place, Mr. Benny was there for me. Mr. Benny served in the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2009, holding the position of Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2009. Think about Mr. Benny is that You didn't have to ask him where he stood because he was gonna tell you. I've never met a man that was more straightforward than Benny Petris. His greatest passion was his family. His father, his brothers, his wife, Miss Tammy, and his two sons, Jonathan and Justin. We're in business together and we're very successful in Arkansas County. Uh, whether it was from the farm to the car dealership to being CEO and president of Adam's Manufacturing, which is happens to be the largest fertilizer manufacturing company in North America. Um I'll read you a quote by a former fellow colleague, uh, former state Representative Marvin Childers. Who served with Mr. Benny at the time. He said, Benny just loved helping people. And he was interested in anything agriculture. He took the lead when it came to funding for the community college at Stuttgart. Education was important to him. And Benny worked across the aisle in the House of Representatives, and he didn't care whether you were a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, so long as you would do the right thing. Now, the thing that people will tell you about Mr. Benny back home in Arkansas County is that He helped people, and they had no idea. There are Hundreds of people in Arkansas County that he benefited. At no gain to his own. Moreover, through his work in the legislature, there are millions of people in Arkansas that I can say the exact same things about. I'll end up with saying this, Benny Petris motivates me every day. I like to think that I work hard, and then I call my constituents back and return their emails. But one of the only reasons I do that is because I know my constituents expect me to fill the shoes that Benny Petrus filled so long ago. And every day that motivates me to work as hard as Benny did and to serve his constituents and his people as Mr. Benny did. And so I hope that I honor his memory by serving with you. day and by serving the people of Arkansas. Now, if you will, Please rise and give a round of applause for his family, his friends, his sons, his, and his business partners. Thank you.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 46:45
I think you represented Moore. Members also serving with us here as a page today. Uh, you may recognize the name Jenny Dowden. Uh, Jenny is a communications. We see her around the Capitol a lot. Uh,
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 46:57
her daughter is here today, Miss Rosalind Dow and Roslyn. There you are. Members welcome Rosalind to the House chamber.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 47:31
Morning hour has ended. Members of Representative Mary Bentley recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1669. Madam Clark, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment 1
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Chair Unverified 47:42
to 1669. Representative Bentley, you're recognized to explain
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 47:46
Amendment One. Thank you, Speaker, colleagues, we've got this bill
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Representative Mary Bentley Unverified 47:51
down to the Senate and the AG's office asked for a little amendment to make sure that we're not getting rid of our state's sovereign immunity. So with that, um, that's what we did in the Senate, and my bill and my amendment, I'd appreciate a
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 48:06
good vote. Thank you. Representative Bentley has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Bentley is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is in concurrence. With Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1669. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 73, 17A and 0 present. You have concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1669. Representative Lane Jean recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1303, Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number one. Amendment number 1
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Chair Unverified 48:58
the House Bill 1303. Representative Juni, you're
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 49:03
recognized to explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill that we passed out of here in '91 to 2. This is the aviation fuel bill for South Arkansas, uh, what the Senate did was take out the, uh, uh, the buyback from the state, so the state's out of it on the, uh, tax credits. That's what the bill does. Appreciate it. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 49:24
Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. Fourth Amendment Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. question before the House, his concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1, to House Bill 1303. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With the vote of 83 yes, 1 nay, and 4 present. You've concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1303. Members of Representative Britt McKenzie recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1724. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Senate Amendment, the House vote 1724 Representative
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Chair Unverified 50:12
McKenzie, you're recognized to explain your amendment. Thank you, Mr.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 50:15
Speaker. Um, we got it over to the Senate. We
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 50:17
got this bill over the Senate. We had a few uh of our stakeholders who worked with us in the process to make this a good bill, help us with some of the smaller contingencies that may exist. So first, we covered all situations in which would require a new election for a school board. Uh, we ensure that appointments for vacancies. Serve until the next successor is sworn in, uh, and then we work to align filing start dates and end dates. In addition, we just passed a bill that the governor's already signed to Act 405 that moved our primary date permanently to March, so we just, as opposed to leaving it, uh, not descriptive to the actual month, we codified it with that. So with that, I'd appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 50:54
Representative McKenzie has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative McKenzie is closed for the amendment. Question before the house his concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1724. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 81 e, 3 nays, and 1 present. You have concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1724.
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Chair Unverified 51:37
Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1790. Hop 1790 by Representative McKenzie to amend the law concerning the regulation of short-term
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 51:45
rentals by local government Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to explain
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 51:49
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, this bill's been a long time coming. I'd love to start by saying this, a little old bill that don't do much. But in reality, what this bill is it represents a great deal of compromise. This bill represents 3 years of work. Um, I started this process when I was a candidate for office, not even finishing the, uh, the, the primary process. And it's something that comes directly from constituents. Um, This has been a labor of love for me. Um, it's been something that all stakeholders have been brought to the table on. Um, it's born out of two key principles. One, securing the fundamental rights of property owners around the state of Arkansas. And 2, allowing for local control and promoting flexibility within our municipalities. To ensure that they have the regulations and the power they need to enforce uh ordinances and rules on property owners. This legislation legislation, uh, strikes that impressive balance between protecting those fundamental rights of property owners and offering thoughtful compromises to our municipalities for local local control. It's a win-win for both residents looking to embrace the sharing economy and local governments, aiming to maintain order and safety. But this is not a free for all. Compromises by empowering local governments to regulate short-term rentals sensibly. Municipalities can require permits, licenses, collect fees. Enforce rules like providing owner contact, posting safety notices, and ensuring taxes are paid. As well as the opportunity and power to enforce health, safety and welfare standards. Plus they can revoke permits or for repeat offenders or issues, uh, issues. Or serious issues keeping communities safe and accountable without overreach. This bill also classifies short term rentals as residential for zoning purposes, harmonizing it with, with the neighborhood essence irrespective of his own type. It respects private agreements like homeowners associations, rules or deed restrictions. In short, House Bill 1790 is a forward-thinking bill that champions property rights and economic freedom while giving local governments, the tools they need to manage responsibly. It is a balanced, practical compromise that keeps Arkansas open for business and welcome you to all. So what does this mean? This bill does two things, 2 key principles that I set out and sat with the main stakeholders at play here, the Arkansas Municipal League, before session even started. The two things that I was unwilling to sacrifice to the benefit of our constituents were. Nope, you cannot, municipalities cannot ban nor cap short-term rentals. That is born out of the fact that Article 2 Section 22 of our Arkansas Constitution is clear that the rights to property owners are above all else. Everything else, and I've said this in many meetings across this issue and others is window dressing. And I understand that. I've been referring to the this version of the bill that's before you today for consideration. By my personal standards, by what I believe principally as the fuzzy lollipop bill. It is still a lollipop. It is still something that hopefully we can enjoy, but it's banged around the floorboard for a while. I'm OK with that because at the end of the day, our constituents, your constituents, the 1.8 million Arkansans who own property in the state of Arkansas, need some relief. So I come to you humbly today to say, please consider this bill, and I know I'm, I'm, I want to personally apologize because I've plagued your inboxes for months. But this matter, this issue matters deeply to me. It matters deeply to my constituents, and if you ask enough, it don't matter deeply to yours as well. So
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Speaker 167 55:23
with that, I'd be happy to take any questions. Seeing none.
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Representative Randy Torres Unverified 55:27
Appreciate it. Representative Torres, for what purpose? Question, you recognized Representative McKenzie in communities where there are no caps and so forth. But there is a requirement for people to, you know, come and petition for a special use permit for a short term rental, will that go away Because citizens come to those to voice whether they're for it or against it. Well this bill take that away? No.
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 55:51
It wouldn't take away because a lot of municipalities are using the special use permit within their zoning structure that most have adopted. Um, it probably behooves that municipality to create a permanent with a permanent standing license or permit for them to draw down, but if a municipality wants to keep special use, they can keep it. Any other questions? Appreciate a good vote.
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Speaker 51 56:16
Representative McKenzie has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 56:21
the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative McKenzie is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1790. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 33, 49 nay, and 6 present. The bill
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 56:57
has failed. Members at the request of Representative Wayne Long, we will pass over House Bill 1914 today. Madam Clerk, please
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Chair Unverified 57:06
read House Bill 1944. 1944 by Representative Vault to authorize the issuance and renewal of special license plate to promote and support the Arkansas EMS Foundation and to repeal the Grand Lodge of Arkansas Special license plate.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 57:19
Representative Vaucher recognized to explain your
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 57:22
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, the EMS came to me about doing a foundation, uh, memorial, uh, license plate, um, kind of like what the firefighters have. Anybody can buy those license plates in the state of Arkansas. It's not just for the ones that are EMS, uh, or the firefighters. So it's the same kind. You have to find a license plate, uh, that you would like to see maybe leave the. Give you a couple of license plates you can pick from. The one that I Picked was the one at the top and it happened to be the Grand Lodge Masonic, and Howard's losing his mind over it. Uh, it had 240 active license plates to stay active. You need 500 or more license plates, and that's the reason that one was the one that was chosen. Um, this license plate will again, they've already got 500 of them sold. So, with that, I appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 58:22
Representative Vaugh has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Vaugh is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1944, prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone
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Speaker 153 58:47
voted Because everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 58:56
The vote of 82, 6 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1897 and pass over that today. The request of Representative Painter, we will pass over 1897 today. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1807. That's for 1807 by
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Chair Unverified 59:14
Representative Eads to amend the sales tax exemption for aircraft help for resale and use for rental or charter and to clarify the person's eligibility for the sales tax
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Speaker 94 59:22
exemption for aircraft held for resale and use for rental or charter.
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Representative Les D. Eaves Unverified 59:29
Representative E, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, members current Arkansas, uh, law allows individuals to engage in selling and leasing aircraft the option of either paying sales tax upon the purchase of an aircraft held in inventory or paying the use and use tax on the lease income of that, uh, aircraft. This bill will qualify who, uh, is allowed to have this option and what reimbursements or requirements must be met. So it does two things. It clarifies the long-standing definition of who is in the business of buying and selling aircraft. To include those holding aircraft in inventory. It codifies the generally accepted minimum lease rate of 7.5% of the acquisition cost of the aircraft. Uh, and it, uh, frankly, one of the most important things it does, it will prevent, prevent double taxation, uh, of aircraft that are held for resale or lease. Uh, it's important to note, as I've said once or twice, that our, uh, aviation is Arkansas's leading export. So we want to make sure we take care of this industry. Um, there is currently no fiscal impact, uh, in committee, we had a, uh, report that showed there could be one, but it is only going to be a fiscal impact if we allow DFNA to collect a sales tax. That the Tax Appeals commission said they are not allowed to collect. So this bill would, uh, fix all those issues. I appreciate a good vote. Representative Eaves has explained
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:00:53
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Eaves is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1807. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 89 ya, 1 nay, and one present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
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Chair Unverified 1:01:33
Bill 1869 1869 by Representative Johnson to create the maternal outcomes management systems within the Department of Health and to organize maternal health resources. you're to explain
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 1:01:41
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, members, the first thing I want to say about this bill is it currently doesn't have any funding or appropriation, uh, but it does set up a framework for the Department of Health. We currently have, uh, a need, I think in the state for a statewide system of care around maternal health. This creates the legislation that would create both a Grant cycle program for hospitals that are delivering hospitals that would mirror what we do in trauma. It also sets up the possibility for a call center like we do with trauma to coordinate transfers across the state, and also to help fund a postpartum call center. Again, right now, there's no funding for this, but there was a lot of work done in the interim to kind of come up with this plan. And I'm just want to try to get this framework in place in case we do identify funding at a later
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:02:26
date. I'd be happy to answer any questions on the bill. Representative Ray, for what
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Representative David Ray Unverified 1:02:29
purpose? You're recognized for a question. Representative Johnson, there's been several bills similar to this that create grant programs that don't currently have any funding. What, how much funding would you anticipate a grant program like this would need in order to be successful in your view. It's a great question. So I think
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 1:02:45
some of it depends on the outcomes of how things look once the Medicaid reimbursement fully comes into place. The idea of this, this would be grants for just hospitals that deliver babies, as you know, we put a lot of money into Medicaid to increase reimbursement rates. I think it's yet to be determined how much that's gonna help. We hope that it helps a lot, but it's still possible that some of our low volume delivery centers may need some kind of subs. in the future. What I want to do with this grant program is create the guardrails and conditions of participation like we have in trauma. In trauma, we don't just give away the money. We say, hey, you have to do education in your community. You have to do CME for all of your providers. You have to do, you have to participate in peer review and talk about bad outcomes. And if you're not meeting these criteria, we're not going to give you any grant money. That's what this would set up if the grants were to be available. Like, I, I hope that we don't get in a place where we need to subsidize our, our Low delivery rural delivery hospitals in the future, but if we do, I'd like this framework to be there so that we don't have, so that we have a way to monitor how those grants will be distributed from a price standpoint, I think it just, it depends, you know, I don't know for sure how much the shortfall is going to be right now, when you look at delivery hospitals, it's a volume-based issue. So hospitals that deliver less than 300 babies a year, end up, end up running in a little bit of a deficit. We're hoping that the increased reimbursement will overcome that, but I think there's a chance it might not.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:04:09
Seeing no other questions, I appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Johnson has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Johnson is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1869. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Everyone voted Cast up the ballot. The vote of 78 ya, 7 nay, and 6 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 14333 by Representative Moore
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Chair Unverified 1:04:52
to require a law enforcement officer who is executing or serving an order of protection to serve any outstanding criminal warrants related to domestic violence or offenses involving the petitioner as the victim. Representing more, you're recognized to
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:05:03
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House
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Chair Unverified 1:05:14
Bill 1433 simply adds that a law enforcement officer who is serving an order of protection, checks for active warrants before serving that order of protection. The purpose of this edition is to promote officer, community, and court safety. We vetted this bill through the administrative office of the courts, the judicial council, the Arkansas Police Chiefs Association and the Arkansas Sheriff's Association. That I'll try to answer any questions. Appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:05:45
Representative Moore has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Moore is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1433. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 95 yeah, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please
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Chair Unverified 1:06:22
read House Bill 152959 by Representative Meeks to create the criminal offense of unlawful creation or distribution of deep fake visual
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Speaker 188 1:06:28
material and to establish a cause of action for unlawful creation of deep fake visual material.
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:06:35
Representative makes you recognize to explain your
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Representative Stephen Meeks Unverified 1:06:37
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is, uh, one of the two, AI, uh, bills that I'm running, that these are priority bills for the Attorney General's office. Um, they help supply a lot of the language in here. Um, this first one is to outlaw deep fake visual material, illicit photos made using an identifiable person, um, and, uh, but if you are found guilty of doing it or creating this material, um, first time, it's a Class A misdemeanor after that, it is a felony. Many of you who have joined me as co-sponsors on this because you see the harm that this can potentially do, uh, happy to answer any questions. Seeing no appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:07:20
Representative Meeks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Meeks is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1529. Prepare the machine,
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Speaker 153 1:07:41
Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:07:46
the ballot. The vote of 88, 0 nay, and 2 present, the bill is passed. Madam clerk, please read. House Bill 18777 by
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Chair Unverified 1:07:57
Representative Meeks concerning criminal offenses related to possession of sexually explicit material that picks a
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Speaker 94 1:08:02
child and to include a computer generated image that is in this. distinguishably from the image of
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:08:10
a child to explain your bill.
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Representative Stephen Meeks Unverified 1:08:12
Thank you, colleagues. Again, this language comes from the Attorney General's office. This is to outlaw, um, child sexual assault material, computer generated, um, this has been passed in 30 others, 37 other states with your approval, Arkansas will become 38, um, and even though these images are AI computer generated that, uh, AI model is trained on the images of real children. And so, uh, with that, we'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Meeks has explained the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:08:42
bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Meeks is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1877. Prepare the
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Speaker 153 1:09:04
machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:09:12
up the ballot The vote of 93, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
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Chair Unverified 1:09:20
Bill 193131 by Representative Beatty to create the recidivism, reduction system within the Department of Corrections and to
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:09:26
declare an emergency. Representative Beta, you're
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 1:09:34
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm here to present House Bill 1931 is to create the recidivism reduction system report within the Department of Corrections. Uh, basically, this bill outlines, uh, pro Our proposes the creation of the um Recidivism reduction system at Department of Corrections. Right now, our red recidivism, right? I'm having trouble with that word today. is 48.3%. I'll say that again. 48.3%, and that, uh, re-offenders are cost in this state approximately an estimated $140 million. So what this, what this bill uh pulls together, it stresses the emphasize the importance of re-entry. Uh, preparation for incarcerated individuals, uh, from the first day of their incarceration. The system includes components such as validated risk and needs assessment of each individual, uh, individual case plans for the prisoners, evidence-based programming, incentives for their participation and partnerships with external organizations and also re-entry preparation services for our prisoners. Um, the bill, um, uh, has no known opposition. The Department of Corrections, we, we, we took into account some of their concerns and work with those. So with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. We have to deal with recidivism and, and take care of this issue. Thank you. Representative Beatty has explained the bill. Would anyone like to
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:11:09
speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Beatty is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of House Bill 1931. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 89 0 nay, and 2 present. You have passed the bill and the emergency clause. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1672.
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Chair Unverified 1:11:44
I spell 1672 by Representative McCollum to
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Speaker 76 1:11:46
amend provisions of the Arkansas code to create a more efficient system for public schools of innovation in Arkansas.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:11:53
Representative McCollum, you're recognized to explain your bill.
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Representative Austin McCollum Unverified 1:12:01
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I'm grateful that, uh, Governor asked me to not just work on this bill, but work, work with our community partners and I'm Equally grateful our community partners, uh, came to the table to work towards a solution. Uh, there's been multiple amendments, uh, mostly around the fact that we wanted to take into account our innovative charters that we have, and we didn't want to hurt. Charters specifically virtual charters as well as our dropout prevention folks. So, um, In the end, the gold, the goal of the legislation in front of you. Is to take It's a very good structure that we have. That we've operated under for years and make sure that we continue to have high quality choice options for parents, students, families, we do believe in empowering those parents. At the same time, We want to make sure that we have language. That is so streamlined. And we want What I would say Instead of reading these notes, we want to make it clear, if you're gonna do a charter in the state of Arkansas. We're gonna have a contract. This language, it provides that contract language that we haven't had in the past, essentially says if you're in F school for 3 years in a row. Your contract is new. I believe the terminology that was used in testimony from our agency is, uh, failure factories, but we're not gonna let you stand up and continue to operate
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Representative Denise Garner Unverified 1:13:52
failure factories. Representative Garner, for what purpose the bill again, if a school of innovation, is that correct? Say the last part again. That is correct. By the end of the
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Representative Austin McCollum Unverified 1:14:31
So specifically to those district conversion charter schools, um, they'll have by the end of the 27, 28th school year, so all the charters will have a written contract holding them to those said performers.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:14:52
Thank you. Christina McCollum has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative McCollum is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1672. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
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Speaker 153 1:15:17
So everyone voted. Everyone voted Cast up the ballot. With the vote of
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:15:28
75, 11 nay, and 7 present. The bill is passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill
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Chair Unverified 1:15:37
1876. 1876 by Representative Richardson regarding the ownership of model training and content generated by a generative artificial intelligence tool. Representative Richardson, you
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Speaker 231 1:15:51
were recognized to explain your bill. Speaker, uh, colleagues, uh, House Bill 1876 is another one of those AI bills. It's a good bill. Um, right now, if you, uh, are using or leveraging AI, um, you know that there are essentially 3 different buckets that we, we sort of, uh, work in. One of those buckets is the, is the existing AI software. This could be your chat GTPs or your, uh, Microsoft copilots or all those. other, uh, open AI related, uh, chat, uh, software pieces that you can find out on the web. Then you have what we call your modeling, which is the 2nd bucket, and this is where you put your input in, and that could be anything that you want to do to get a certain set of outcome. And what happens is, when you place that output, or excuse me, that model or that input into the existing uh chat, uh, GTP or co-pilot or whatever. AI solution that you want, it produces a set output. Now, our businesses are spending a lot of time and effort to create modeling. That works well for them to to get a specific type of output, and I use the example, uh, in committee, and I'll use it here of uh leveraging, um, a, a specific set of input to go into chat GTP to produce an output by, by example, um, a survey group might provide specific content from a specific, uh, set of software like uh AutoCAD or MicroStation, and then it produced a specific output like a legal description. Now, the work that it takes to create that model and get that set of, uh, of output needs to be protected so that our businesses continue to to invest and produce a consistent um tool that can provide a, uh, competitive advantage for their businesses. So all this, uh, bill does is it provides protection for what I call that 2nd and 3rd bucket, which is the model training and whatever output. That they're producing. With that, I'm happy to take questions.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:18:06
Representative Richardson has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Richardson is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1876.
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Speaker 153 1:18:28
Prepair the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:18:37
up the ballot. With a vote of 94, 0, nay, and 2 present. The bill is passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1866. 1866 by Representative Brooks to
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Chair Unverified 1:18:46
create Eli's law and require each public school to install an audio recording device
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Speaker 94 1:18:49
in each locker room and dressing room on the public school campus. Representative Brooks, you're recognized to explain your bill.
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:18:59
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues. Normally when I run a bill of, of substance like this, I would normally type it out, make sure that everything I say is, is pretty well put together and, and very clear, and I've spent a lot of time on it. I've spent a lot of time on this, but today I decided just to kind of speak from my heart based upon my experience with these two young men, their families and their experience. In 200 24. A couple of young men in the town of Qhitman, we're trying to enjoy what they perceived to be an upcoming football season. However, their opportunity to compete and frankly, there are opportunity. To just be a kid was interrupted and destroyed when they were sexually assaulted in their school locker room. Most of you and I would know the term baptizing by a very spiritual experience. It's something that most of us have probably taken place in our life, and it was a very positive thing. However, and this is an extremely sensitive topic. In fact, I wouldn't call it scented. I'll call it just awful. And so these are things that you wouldn't want to say from the well, but I'm gonna say them because I think their story needs to be told. To these young men, baptizing was something very different. And folks from the town of Huntsville have experienced this in years past as well, in a very public way. To these young men, and they were aged 12 and 13 at the time, no more than about 95 to 100 pounds. Baptizing was then being held down by older boys in their locker room, while the older boys put their genitals in their mouths. That's not acceptable. We call that sexual assault. We would never stand for that in any situation, especially within our school system where our kids safety should be prioritized above everything else. And so last week in house education, Eli Cash, two very brave young men stood behind their moms as their moms told the story. Their moms bravely gave the details that frankly would make you sick. And their moms told what the experience was like for these two brave young men. And these brave young men got a standing ovation in my committee because of their courage to step out and tell their story. But it's a story that they should never have ever Had the chance to tell because she should never happen on our watch. And so what does Eli's law do? It's actually, frankly, very, very simple. Eli's law just requires that by the 2027 0928 school year, that schools will install audio recording devices in their locker rooms. The reason we put it out for 2027, 28 is to allow us to create funding mechanisms within the next session. It also allows for schools to utilize school safety grants should they find a way to do it. But the goal is to give plenty of time for our school, our schools to step up to the plate. ensure that what their number one priority is, is being upheld, and that's a safety of the young men and women that are on their campuses every single day. So, I know a lot of folks have talked about privacy, have talked about concerns around that, so I want to address that. Uh, and I'll address it by, uh, uh, a gentleman in uh White County Central, Doctor Ferris Smith. Doctor Ferris Smith came and talked about this as well. He had heard of these situations. And so Doctor Smith, small rural school, decided that he was not going to allow this to happen on his watch at his school. And so by his own um motivation in October of last year, he placed audio recording devices in all of his locker. rooms in the school system. It cost them about $1200 per device, and the recording costs uh to, to keep the recording costs about $250 a year. He did it at his cost. But to hear Doctor Smith talk about it, it was more than worth it. He has had zero incidents of bullying. He has had 0 fights, and more than anything else, he's had 0 calls from moms and dads or from students who are concerned about the or concerned about privacy or anything else within their locker room. Quite frankly, what he has done is he has addressed the issue on his own. The reason that I bring you this bill, members, is because I want to ensure that we do not allow this to happen to kids again in the state of Arkansas. Again, we've had multiple situations over the last few years where we know that it's happened. It's likely that it's happened more than that, and kids just don't want to step up and tell because frankly, it's something that's a terrifying thing to talk about. And so again, just to go into the specifics of the bill, it would require that by the 2027, 28 school year, uh, to talk about who can actually request The information, uh, a, at a school administrator would have access to it should there be, um, an allegation of an event that has happened, or a parent or grandparent or someone who is, um, uh, uh, responsible for the child will be able to request those audio device, audio recordings from the locker room. So it's not something that somebody can just go grab because they want to find out, uh, about the other team and what their secrets are. No, you have to have a specific situation. Uh, the audio recordings would have to be kept for a minimum of 90 days, but they can't be kept any longer than a year. So if you're required to destroy the audio recording, uh, so that we protect privacy, frankly. Um, beyond that, That's about the specifics of the bill. But for me more than anything else, I wanted to ensure that the story was told. Because Eli and Cash, you two young men are brave, and I want that to be heard, and I want it to be seen in the state of Arkansas. That two young men are willing to stand up for themselves when they were unable to stand up for themselves and when other people wouldn't. Their screams were there. People heard their screams. The young men who were the perpetrators. Who have all admitted it. They heard their screams, they witnessed their screams, and they did it anyways. Could there have been somebody who could have stopped it? It's entirely possible. Will an audio recording prevent every single situation happening. Frankly, I have no idea. But should it, should it give pause to anyone? It absolutely should. And I want schools to hear this. Administrators, coaches, teachers, moms and dads. In the state of Arkansas, sexually abusing and assaulting a child is never going to stand in this body will not allow it. And so for that, I would appreciate a good vote and I'll be happy to answer any questions.
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Speaker 240 1:25:45
Representative Wooton, for what purpose? You're recognized. I support
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Representative Jim Wooten Unverified 1:25:48
your bill. I think it's question is, and you knew it was coming. Yes sir, I totally expected it happen in private schools. I have no idea if it does. I, I pray to God that it doesn't. And, and certainly, uh Representative
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:26:04
Wootten, and I, I, I absolutely, I should have written down the answer. I probably should have written down the question because I knew it was coming and just told you, uh, and asked it myself. Uh, so, frankly, yes, we are, are requiring public schools to do this because that's within the purview of what we do. Private schools do not, are not in this. However, I would certainly encourage private schools to do it as well and should, uh, those grants be available to them just like the grants are available or public schools, I would
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:26:34
encourage them to do it as well. Thank you. Thank you. Representative Duffield, for
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Representative Matt Duffield Unverified 1:26:37
what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Represent Brooks, I appreciate your passion in protecting our children in our schools. It's, I guess, could you explain a little bit further? I just have, I, I'm having a hard time with, with putting recording devices in locker rooms from someone who, who played sports and was in locker rooms. Guys and girls both, we, we say stuff, we joke around. I understand what happened to these young men was horrific. I've read the story. I mean, it, it makes anybody fight mad to hear this. I'm just not sure this is the right answer. Moving forward for our athletes. I appreciate the
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:27:09
question, and I was an athlete as well and in many locker rooms myself and experience that. So this is, this has nothing to do with locker room talk, goofing around, kids being kids, whatever that might be. I totally respect that. So, someone cannot request this information or these audio recordings unless there's been an allegation of an event that has happened. So it's not just that somebody's going to go in and administrator gets to go in and say, hey, I wonder what the boys are talking about today. It's not that situation. We're talking about a serious allegation. uh, of, of an event that has happened, and, uh, and that's that's the bar that's there, uh, because again, the intent is to, uh, to find a way to protect the kids.
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Representative Matt Duffield Unverified 1:27:48
Representative Duffield, you're recognized for a follow-up, and again, I, I, I appreciate your passion with this. I just think when you, when you use this recording device and you put these recording devices in these locker rooms. I don't know how we can assure that these administrators are not going to listen to these things and I just think it, it may open up a can of worms for, for some more problems.
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:28:09
Shirley appreciate the question. I think it's a fair question. Uh, I would, I would absolutely direct, uh, frankly, I'd direct anybody to Doctor Ferris Smith of White County Central and ask him what his experience has been, you know, we require within the bill to conspicuously, uh, place a notice that it's being recorded. Uh, so everybody knows, so there's no questions about it. Um, I would say that, uh, you know, his experience has been that no one has had any concern. in any way, frankly, from, uh, from his entire school district, whether it be the kids or the parents, uh, or other stakeholders. It's been nothing but positive and it's,
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:28:40
it's prevented a lot of situations in his mind. Representative Carolyn Brown, for what
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Representative Matt Brown Unverified 1:28:44
purpose? You're recognized, um, I heard I was in committee, and I kind of missed part of it, but I think, would you confirm that there are no adults, no coaches, nobody in
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:28:59
the locker. Obviously, every school probably has a different policy in and of themselves, you know, there's no requirement under statute that a an adult being in a locker room, uh, with any, in any specific times and so certainly you'll
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Representative Matt Brown Unverified 1:29:15
have many opportunities where kids are there by themselves. Yes.
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:29:20
I would say that again just based upon the ebb and flow of a typical school day, you could certainly
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Speaker 259 1:29:29
have people who are there without coaches or adults present. Thank
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 1:29:33
you. Representative Steele, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Representatives, so you have no idea what the cost,
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:29:37
this would be and I specified that earlier on, so, uh, a typical so there's no, there is no fiscal impact, uh, that's on this because we're not paying for it from the state perspective. Again, the state has opened up the opportunity to utilize our school safety grants, uh, through the department for this. Uh, when you look at what, uh, the cost was for White County Central who did that. It cost them about $1200 per device. It cost them $250 a year for the maintaining of the audio recording. So all in all, it costs, uh, Doctor Smith at Waikuno Central about $8000. You're recognized.
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 1:30:10
So With these include the locker rooms that have bathrooms within them. As well. You know, some of the smaller schools, not just show, but they have the bathroom in there as
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:30:22
well. It just states that it has to be within the locker room, so it wouldn't necessarily put it in, in a bathroom.
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 1:30:28
It just has to be in the locker room. So each individual locker room because now newer schools, a lot of
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:30:35
them don't have lockers. I, I, I guess maybe there could be some semantics there relative to locker room versus dressing room, but the intent obviously, uh, is a place where kids gather to prepare for Aholic events, uh, you know, changing your room, whatever you might want to call it. Where
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Speaker 269 1:30:48
would the schools get these devices from? They have to be pretty high tech. There's a
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:30:54
number of resources that are out there for devices such as this, you know, I, I find that our schools are pretty, uh, capable of, of, of figuring out what works best for them. Uh, again, I'm sure that, uh, and, and I keep saying his name, but I told him that I would say his name over and over, Doctor, Doctor Smith would probably be more than willing to, um, help his fellow superintendents ensure that it's, it's done successfully.
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 1:31:15
So there was no discussion about putting forth an appropriation bill to pay for these devices. There is no discussion
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:31:19
within this session, but that's why I put it out for the 2027, 28
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 1:31:24
school year, uh, to allow us to have those ongoing discussions to say that you're going to get
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:31:31
something funded in the future. It is not because we're not, uh, we're not funding it, we're not proposing to fund this as a state. We're proposing to fund this through safety grants, uh, and, and work with the local school districts to do that. And again, I'll, I'll, I'll refer back to White County Central, they chose to find $8000. With their school budget to do it, because
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:31:48
it was that important to them. Representative Jay Richardson, for what purpose? You're
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Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified 1:31:51
recognized. Representative Brooks said, I thought in the, in the beginning of your presentation that you said that you, you, you started it back, I guess, in, in the next in the coming years so that we could find funding. To fund this program. Is that not what you said?
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:32:04
Should we, should we want to find an additional funding to have a state appropriation. Yes, we could do that. We can make that decision in the next legislative session. However, there are a number of schools who would like to go ahead and start this process because they think it's very important. I've had a number reach out to me since we presented this in committee. They may want to work with, uh, the school safety grants to start implementing this. There are several federal grants that are available as well. Uh, so, again, for us to have a discussion about perhaps doing an appropriation, uh, as a part of the legislative of session. Certainly, I'll be happy to have that conversation, but that's why I wanted to put the requirement out far enough so we
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Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified 1:32:38
can have that conversation ongoing. So then it is your intention that, that the state does eventually fund it or offer ways for it to be funded.
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:32:44
Should, should schools not, uh, find a way to do that between now and then, uh, that would be my intent in the long run.
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Speaker 277 1:32:51
Yes, sir. OK, thank you. Representative Clowney, for what purpose? You're recognized. Thank you and
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Representative Nicole Clowney Unverified 1:32:56
I apologize, uh, Representative Brooks, if this came up in committee, but I didn't have time to go back and watch it. Um, I, I just want to follow up on Representative Steele's question, because I know that there are often bathrooms that are part of the locker room. If this passes, are we requiring that every bathroom every, every, will there be audio recordings of these little boys and girls using the bathroom just readily available. That's my concern. Can you
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Speaker 281 1:33:18
speak to that? And that would, that would not be the intent in
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:33:22
any way. Uh, the, the intent would be that, that within the locker room changing facility where most kids are gathering on a daily basis in preparation for athletics, that that's where the recording devices would be. If we need to clarify this once it gets to the Senate with additional language, I'm happy to
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:33:38
do that. of Wooldridge for what purpose? Question, recognized. Thank you representative for
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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 1:33:41
bringing this bill. I appreciate your intent as well. Um, as you were talking, I think, answering Representative Richardson's question, you talked about the need for this bill because there are some schools that are wanting to go ahead and do this now, but my understanding is they could do this now, right? Because the school in your district has done this. So not
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:33:58
within my district school has a, yes, they can do it, uh, but again, we know that, uh, just because someone can and sees a value in this and that's mean that, that they will, uh, for me, the situation is far too egregious, uh, and far too, uh, too much of a potential for the destruction of a child's life for us to not pay attention to this. And I want their story to be to be known and heard, uh, which is the primary reason for this bill is to prevent another Eli and cash. I'm glad to know these young men, but I wish I didn't. Seeing that, I appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:34:31
Representative Brooks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill,
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Representative Austin McCollum Unverified 1:34:45
Representative McCollum, you recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I try not to, uh, pile on or come down and add on anymore, I guess, unless I think maybe potentially perhaps I can add some type of value. Um, I was on the committee that, uh, listened to this bill and I heard Representative Duffield's, uh, some of your questions and concerns. I don't know if this will be helpful, uh, to that or not, on the, um, the way some of this technology and the way, um, that it can listen, depending on what type of purchase, uh, they can it can It can pick up on keywords or key sounds, please for help. It doesn't, it's not as though it's constantly, uh, going at any given time in bathrooms or other places, the data wouldn't be openly available. I think that was mentioned. There are parameters on. When they can go after this type of um listening device. There has to be some serious allegations, um, so there are time periods that it's available for, um, And then, uh, I think, I think. There's another question, maybe concern on, um, you know, this is kind of a private space, obviously, I agree with you. Uh, we don't It's for that reason. It's kind of this weird space of we're allowing students to go here, but no adult supervision and unfortunately we've seen the worst case scenario of that, so I do think this could be um Really helpful and being preventative of that nature or at least preventing that cycle of bullying, so appreciate a good
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:36:11
vote. Representative McCollum has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Steele, you recognize to
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Representative Tracy Steele Unverified 1:36:26
speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, I as well think it's certainly uh awful to harm any child, and we should do. What we can to prevent and stop that, but I'm, I, I'm just not comfortable. This is, this is the way, uh, to do that. I'm concerned about the unintended consequences. Of listening to everything and Going into a private space, which is a person's conversation with another person. Everything will be heard if a child is talking on the phone to someone else, their parents or anybody else, that also will be recorded. If a child says someone negative about a teacher or a coach or someone else, that as well is recorded and can be used against them. But we're all held to a standard of when you put something out, if you can pay for it, pay for it. And I guess my main issue is to say that, you know, the past is now, this session, and then after this session in the next session, Then we'll find a way to pay for it. But there's one thing in between this session and the next session. That's called an election. Thank you. Appreciate a no vote. Thecorruption of
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:37:46
steel has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative McKenzie, you reckon I speak for
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 1:37:52
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, For those who weren't in the education committee, um, and, and Representative Brooks hit on it, um. I think it's important to talk about Eli and cash, the two students that this happened to and talk about what the purpose of this bill is, which is the pursuit of justice. Those two boys didn't just stand up to bullies. They didn't go and just tell their parents. They had to sit in the quipman school while Superintendents, while principals and while coaches ignored their pleas for help. I hope that none of this, that nothing remotely like this happens to your children. But when we have a system that doesn't just fail children at the, at the point of impact. But at every step down the line. The cost of this could be tenfold and it wouldn't be enough. So, I would encourage a good vote because this isn't some mythical thing that's happening. We have two boys that have had a transfer from their district. whose lives have been uprooted. And everything about what they expect when they walk into an Arkansas school has failed them. So I'd ask for a good vote. Representative McKenzie has spoke for
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:39:02
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? the bill Representative Brooks is closed
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:39:12
for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1866, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot The vote of 60 days, 12 nays, and 16 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1964. That's
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Speaker 175 1:39:45
for 1964 by Representative Brooks to move the child welfare Ombudsman division and the juvenile ombudsman division
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Chair Unverified 1:39:51
to the Department of Inspector General and to declare an emergency. Representative Brooks, you're
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:39:56
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:40:00
Speaker, a little less serious subject matter. Uh, this bill does nothing more than exactly what it says, which is to move child welfare ombudsman and juvenile ombudsmen and ombudsman, trying to say that a few times, to the Department of the Inspector General, and this is supported by the department. Uh, it's agreed upon and uh yesterday in committee when it was heard, uh, the question was asked about whether a, one of the ombudsman positions would be, uh, terminated in the answer from Secretary Putnam was no. And so with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Brooks
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:40:31
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill. Representative Brooks is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1964. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Does everyone voted? Because everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 89 yeah, 0 nay, and 0 present. You've passed the bill and the emergency clause. Madam
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Chair Unverified 1:41:14
Clerk, please read House Bill 1003. House Bill 1003 by house management and act for Arkansas House of Representatives Staff Appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year.
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 1:41:23
Represent a voucher recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After the pay plan was, uh, passed. It was time for us to put our staff into the categories in which they fit, um, and that's what this does is it just helps us with our play plan on our floor, uh, for our staff members. And with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Vard has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:41:45
the bill? For the bill. Representative Vau is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of House Bill 1003. Members, your one vote is
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Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified 1:42:18
for the bill in the emergency clause. So everyone voted.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:42:24
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 92, 0, nay, and 0 present. You have passed the bill and the emergency clause. Madam Clerk, please read
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Chair Unverified 1:42:41
House Bill 1732.1732 by Representative Volt to increase the amount of the income tax deduction allowed for a teacher's classroom investment.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:42:47
Representative Archer recognized to explain the bill.
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 1:42:50
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, our teachers spend a lot of money in their classrooms, getting prepared for students every year, um, my girls, they always buy water and food and, and necessities that they might would need in a classroom, um, and what we're trying to do is take it from what they have right now up to $1000 of, uh, deductible. Uh, that would be the income tax deductible that would be allowed. So this will just give them a little bit more, uh, deduction for what they're spending, um, to make sure that they bring things into the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:43:27
classroom to help the kids. With that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Vard has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Vaugh is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1732. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 93, yeah, 0, nay, and
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Speaker 44 1:44:03
2 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read
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Chair Unverified 1:44:05
House Bill 1485. That's 1485 by Representative Brown to create a sales and use tax exemption for sales to certain organizations that support
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:44:13
veterans facilities. Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain
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Representative Matt Brown Unverified 1:44:27
your bill. Colleagues, this, um, Thank you mister Speaker. Colleagues, House Bill 1485 is to allow nonprofit organizations that support Um, like the veterans cemeteries and the veterans' homes, facilities that are supported by Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. Ah, this is to allow foundations such as the one I'm most familiar with, the one that supports the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Uh, we're probably The most active one, there's one, another one in Bird Eye for that veterans cemetery, um, but it's anticipated that other 501c3s may become established or there may be a larger umbrella organization that would address the needs of all the, the, uh, veterans facilities. There's often things that are not covered by the budget by the state budget. And, uh, these 501c3s then step up to the plate to provide those additional items or to enhance what the state is doing. For instance, our foundation for the North Little Rock Cemetery. We purchased all the flags that are placed on the graves, uh, for every batch we arrange for the volunteers to put them out, and we teach them how to place them. Then we arrange for the volunteers to come and retrieve them, and we don't throw them away. We saved the ones we can save, we repair the ones we can repair anyhow, we just do that. We're very frugal. Uh, we also purchased the, uh, wreaths for the graves for Christmas time. Um Um, this bill would simply allow those nonprofits to not pay sales tax on the purchases they make to enhance the ADA facilities that we serve. Um, for our foundation, we spent a total of $3000 last year. So it's not a big A big hit on the budget. So with that, uh, I'll answer any questions. And ask for a good boat you all.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:46:40
Representative Brown has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Brown is closed for the bill. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1485, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 93, yeah, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please
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Chair Unverified 1:47:20
read House Bill 106363presentative Mayberry to amend the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program Act and to amend the definition of disability certification and eligibility individual to change disability, onset age from 26 to 46. Representative
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 1:47:33
Mayberry, you're recognized to explain your bill.
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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 1:47:37
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In December of 22, federal law was changed to the IRS Section 529A, which is the AB accounts, achieving a better life Experience Act. It allows a person with a disability to save money and not risk losing some of their services like Social Security and Medicaid. This bill updates our state law so that it matches and will comply with federal law. It changes the age limit The onset of the disability from 26 to 46, this bill will allow a
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:48:18
person with a disability to save money to help them meet their own needs. Mayberry has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Mayberry is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1063. Repair the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 92 ya, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1922. 1922 by
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Chair Unverified 1:48:59
Representative Maddox to amend the consolidated Incentive Act of 2003 to create an income tax credit for relocating corporate headquarters to this state and to encourage corporations to relocate to Arkansas. Repent of Maddox, you're recognized to explain your
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:49:12
bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. So,
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:49:19
This bill This bill is really pretty simple. Um, what it does is it provides some incentives if a corporation will relocate its headquarters to the state of Arkansas. That's really all it does. But I think one thing that really, um, probably the most important thing to think about is it must have a positive cost benefit analysis. So it has to have that to qualify. These incentives are tiered, so the tier being the least wealthiest counties will have the best. shot at getting one, which is exciting to me in my district. So, There are very strict clawback provisions. So if they don't meet the standards to get the incentives, then there's a clawback and it's very strict. This will likely be used
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Speaker 310 1:50:11
very, very rarely, if ever, to be frank. So the testimony
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:50:16
was that in 30 years, we haven't had any corporation choose to relocate to the state of Arkansas. So let me say that again. No one's ever done it. We're just wishing they would. So what a great win it would be if a corporation from Texas or California says we're gonna come to your district and bring 300 jobs, which is one of the minimum qualifications. So, very, very rarely if ever used, if it is used, it'd be a huge win, um. It's just another tool in the very competitive incentive race we're in with other states. So that's all it is. This is obviously a commerce department bill. This is, um, supported by AEDC and I got a text about, and I'm the governor's office his message to me is they're strongly supportive of this
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Speaker 117 1:51:04
bill, so. Um I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative McKenzie, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Uh, so is your assertion
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 1:51:10
or the assertion here in testimony that the no corporations have moved to Arkansas in 30 years or no corporations have moved to Arkansas in 30 years and accepted. This tax abatement.
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:51:23
So, no corporation, my understanding, the testimony from the Commerce Department was no existing corporation with a headquarters located in another state has chosen to move their corporate headquarters to the state of Arkansas. Follow
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 1:51:36
up. You're recognized. Uh, I noticed the triggers for the different tiers are based on, uh, total payroll, um, was there any thought process, and again, I know this is an older bill. Any thought process to uh size of employment or uh impact on
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:51:53
community and not just. Yeah, that's a good question. So was there thought process behind it? Is that the question? So, to be frank, this is a Commerce Department bill. Um, I have faith that they put a lot of thought behind it, um. Tier one's 300 positions. So that's for your wealthier counties at 150% of the county or state average and it just tears down. So, I would say yes, there was thought process behind it. Ray, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Representative Maddox, I asked
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Representative David Ray Unverified 1:52:24
you this question in committee and I'm just going to ask it for the benefit of folks who didn't hear it. So, The way this bill is arranged is a company that relocates here and qualifies for one of these incentives, it's not gonna pay, they're going to pay zero corporate income tax for the 1st 5 years, and then they'll have a very reduced rate for the next 5 years. So for 10 years, they're going to receive a very substantial benefit. If a company moves to Arkansas and they compete directly. With the company here, the homegrown company that started here, expanded here, is loyal to the state. Isn't this going to give that company a major advantage over the company they're competing with here. So
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:53:08
that, that's a great question. Um, the incentives are, it provides up to a 50% income tax credit on the payroll of new full-time permanent employees. Again, and we had a very robust and a very good discussion in Reverend Tax. I think everyone should go and watch it. It was, it was really good. So anyway, um, the most important thing is it must have a positive cost benefit analysis. Has to be positive for the state. They have to be here 10 years or we get a full clawback. Um So, your question, and I think my answer last time was, is it an incentive? Yes. Do we give incentives every day to companies to come here. Yes. As a person, I guess to be frank, who owns a small business who's an entrepreneur who is invested in other small businesses in Arkansas. No, I don't get any of those. And I guess it could hurt me, but I think if we could build, if we could bring a corporate headquarters back to the state of Arkansas, it would be a great win. I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:54:12
Maddox has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you,
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 1:54:22
Mr. Speaker. Simply put, um, Representative Pilkey makes this example a lot. If you can measure it, you can make it more accountable. We've measured this for 30 years. No one's used it. So what we could do is sweeten the pot and create some more corporate welfare, or we could say, let's find an incentive base that works for existing companies in the state of Arkansas, um, with that I'd be a no vote and a court.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:54:44
Representative McKenzie who spoke against the bill. Would anyone like speak for the bill, Representative McClure, you're to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um.
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Representative Rick McClure Unverified 1:54:59
Let me just break this down very simply. If you have something that hasn't been working. You repackage it. The question that uh Representative Ray brought about competitiveness is a very real question. It's a very valid question. That's the reason when you read this bill, it's full of maize. There is discretions in this. I would hope that the Department of Commerce and our economic development team would not do this with a company that is, uh, coming into directly compete with a, a company already established here. So I think we have those protections already in it. This is not unusual. States around us offer all types of different things. I've worked on projects that were similar to this, not exactly like this. Uh, but this is reserved for corporate headquarter. And when you look at the payroll, It's not only the size of the payroll, but in tier one, I believe it's 150% of what the average wage is there. So the bar is, uh, set extremely, extremely high. Let's give them a chance to continue to recruit good corporate companies to our state. Thank you. Representative McClure has spoke
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:56:12
for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? the bill Represent thematics, you recognized the clothes for your bill. Thank you, Representative Mc Clure. You said
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:56:27
it much better than I did. Um, so I just want to be real clear, all we're giving our Department of Commerce is one more tool, one more opportunity to compete with other states. In a perfect world, in a perfect world, we wouldn't give incentives. But unfortunately, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, they roll out the red carpet. They give more incentives than we do, and they win a lot. So all this does is give us one more chance to win, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Maddox is closed for the bill. The
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:56:58
question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1922, prepare the machine, Madam clerk.
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Speaker 153 1:57:11
So everyone voted. As everyone voted, Cast up the ballot. With
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:57:22
a vote of 67, 18 nay, and 5 present, the bill is passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill
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Chair Unverified 1:57:29
1918 by Representative Michaelinon to amend the law concerning species or legal tenders to authorize
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Speaker 94 1:57:34
the use of bouillon depository and to allow for a precious metals backed electronic system.
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Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified 1:57:46
Representative McAlinden, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Speaker. Um, colleagues, this is House Bill 1918 and the primary objective of it is to provide our candidates in with the secure and efficient means to store and use precious metals as a form of payment. So to do that, this bill does two things. The first thing it does is it authorizes the option. To create a state-run depository in the future. Um, it does not mandate its creation. It does not require its creation. It just gives the state the option to do this. Uh, Texas established the first state-run depository back in 2015. Allowing individuals, businesses, and even the government entities to store gold and silver. Tennessee has adopted a similar provision is actually working on a depository. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida are also considering similar legislation. Um, second, gold and silver are already recognized in Arkansas as legal tender, but there is no mechanism to allow people to use that legal tender. Um, so therefore, the next logical step is a system that enables its practical use. By implementing a precious metals backed electronic transaction system, we can modernize commerce, allow seamless asset asset-backed exchanges for those who used to want to use gold or silver. Um, and so basically what it is, if you think of it like a credit card, if I sto store my gold down in Texas, and then I go into a store in Arkansas, I can use my credit card to buy something. Then digitally that store is gonna travel down to Texas, pull gold out of my depository that Gold will be translated into dollars and those dollars will be given to the merchant here in Arkansas. Obviously, all that's digitally. So I am using my gold to buy the product, but the stores receiving it in dollars. So it doesn't force anybody to exchange in gold. It just gives the person who wants to hold gold, a way to utilize their goal by using the credit card that is back through the depository. Right now, probably in Texas or wherever they choose to use it. Um, this initiative positions Arkansas as a leader and financial institution. s giving residents an alternative, stable, and reliable means of conducting transactions if they choose. Uh, this bill was written in conjunction with the treasurer's office, so they're very comfortable with this bill, and the responsibility for promulgating rules on this lies with the CFO. And with that, I'd ask for a good vote. Representative McAloon has explained
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:00:09
the bill. Would anyone would like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative McAlinden is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1918, prepare the
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Speaker 153 2:00:35
machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. Severone voted. Cast up the ballot. The
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:00:43
vote of 89, 1 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read House
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Chair Unverified 2:00:49
Bill 1941. 1941 by Representative Carr concerning Department of Education Boards and commissions and to protect Arkansas students by ensuring the efficient deposition of ethics complaints
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:01:00
against teachers. Representative Carr, you're recognized
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Speaker 329 2:01:04
to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Representative John P. Carr Unverified 2:01:06
House Bill 1941 does that. It reorganizes the division of Ed boards, and what that does, it's to, uh, handle, uh, the ethics complaints in a more streamlined fashion, and also, uh, with the organization of who receives it also the fact that they now allow electronic submissions of ethic complaints. With that, I'd entertain any questions. If not, thank
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:01:31
you. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Carr has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Carr is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1941, prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted.
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Speaker 153 2:01:55
As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With the vote of 89, 0 nay, and 1
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:02:03
present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read House Bill 193993 Representative Carr to
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Chair Unverified 2:02:09
amend eligibility for teacher incentive and may pay to amend requirements for semantic evaluations and so men school district requirements under the merit Teacher incentive Fund program. Representative Carr, you're recognized to explain
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:02:20
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House
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Representative John P. Carr Unverified 2:02:26
Bill 1939, what this does, this ties the formative or the summative observations that are conducted by the instructional leaders to the national board payment or also the teacher merit pay. With that I entertain any questions. Representative Collins,
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:02:41
for what purpose? Question. You recognized. Thank you, uh, and
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Representative Andrew Collins Unverified 2:02:44
I, I was wondering if you were going to address it, but I just, can you tell me what this first section does where it looks like it's saying that teachers won't get yearly incentive bonuses for, uh, if they're certified under a certain board or did you leave the well? Sorry. Oh, which section? Section one right at the beginning. It says a person shall not be qualified to receive funds, bonus funds, uh, Uh, if they have not satisfied the requirements by This year and what, what this
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Speaker 338 2:03:15
does, this is ensures that the administrators
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Representative John P. Carr Unverified 2:03:18
are doing those summative or the formatives. It it's already in law that they do that, and this is just to connect those, to tie that and to ensure that they're doing that to make sure in order for those, and then that, what that does, that's the qualifying
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:03:42
factor. Any other questions? Representative Carr has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Carr is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1939, prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
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Speaker 153 2:04:03
So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 86, 0, nay, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk,
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:04:18
please read House Bill 1938. That's 1938 by Representative Carr
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Chair Unverified 2:04:23
to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code concerning the creation of district strategic plans, and the responsibility of the division of Elementary and Secondary Education. Representative Carr, you're
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Representative John P. Carr Unverified 2:04:33
recognized to explain the bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1938, this is another streamlined bill. What this does, it reorganizes and it also realigns the district plans instead of having 10 to 12 different plans that they upload individually, the, uh, department to set this up to where they can do that in one plant, it's one upload that will prevent, uh, duplication. It also will tie in their Title One and other federal funding to the actions in their budget, where it's all streamlined and just makes it a better process. for district schools. Entertain any questions. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:05:12
Representative Carr has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Carr is closed for the bill. Questioned before the House is the passage of House Bill 1938, repair the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast at the ballot with a vote of 93 0 nay, and zero present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1946 1946presentative Bentley to require human
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Chair Unverified 2:05:49
growth and development instruction in public schools. Representative Bentley, you're recognized to explain your bill.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:05:55
Thank you Speaker. Colleagues, the very first
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Representative Mary Bentley Unverified 2:06:02
week of session or maybe the 2nd week, we passed a bill that I was very passionate about, the baby Olivia act, and we passed it with 70 votes and sent it to the Senate, and it stuck in an education committee, I amended the bill twice and it still wasn't quite enough. So here I bring you a brand new bill today that completely removes anything to do with live action video or the baby Olivia video. Now this bill will require, um, when our schools after the 6th grade teach human biology will include a human development of video showing a high definition ultrasound as well as a video that shows the major markers in the development from conception to birth. I think it's a great bill. I think Ba Libra will still be shown in school. It's a good compromise, and I'd appreciate
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:06:52
a good vote. Thank you. Representative Bentley has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? When anyone I speak for the bill. Representative Bentley is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1946, Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
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Speaker 153 2:07:17
Everyone voted As everyone voted. Cast
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:07:24
up the ballot. The vote of 76, 14 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1983
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Chair Unverified 2:07:34
resentative Eubanks to amend Acts 1973, number 167, Section 4 concerning the sale of certain property to the Westark Area Council Incorporated Boy Scouts of America. Representative Eubanks,
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Speaker 343 2:07:44
you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh,
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Representative Jon S. Eubanks Unverified 2:07:50
members back in 1973, the state, uh, donated approximately 2800. Acres to the uh Boy Scouts to put a scout reservation in southern Logan County. It's down Highway 23 south of Boonville, almost over the highway 71. Included in the deed was, uh, some the a It had to convey back to the state if they were ever to quit using the land for a scout purposes. Uh They don't want to do that, but they would like to do something with part of the land to help them maintain the, uh, the part that they, they're a legal description of approximately 250 acres in the deed now and use part of that land, possibly a sale or for some other purposes, generate income to help maintain Roger Scout reservation plus Camp Bore up on the Buffalo River. Now, uh, My boys were in Scouts. They've been to Rogers, they've been to Campo. Uh, there's been other groups that have used this facility. There's a, a pavilion on it. There's a lake on it and that sort of thing. So the purpose of this bill was to allow them to Keep the two approximately 250 acres that they've. Outlined here in the legal description and then use the, the funds from Whatever purpose Whether it's a sale or, uh, whatever they are allowed to do with the rest of the land to maintain those, those two counts. Scout camps. Representative Ward
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:09:33
Law, for what purpose? You're recognized. Represented Eubanks, were you there in that negotiation?
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Representative Jeff Wardlaw Unverified 2:09:38
in 1973. No, I missed it by 3 years. Just 3 or just
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Speaker 191 2:09:45
3? OK. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? You're
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Speaker 349 2:09:48
recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, uh, no problems
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Representative Stephen Meeks Unverified 2:09:55
with the intent of the bill. My concern is the constitutionality of it, um, having served on the auditing committee for for many years, uh, so many times our cities get dinged for, you know, they donate a fire truck and the, the Arkansas State Constitution outlaws the donating of lands and things for non-governmental purposes, um, I may not be remembering that correctly, but I do know that that's been an issue. So, uh, Just wondering if you were aware of that concern or had any
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Representative Jon S. Eubanks Unverified 2:10:26
thoughts on that or am I out in left field maybe? Well, in the research that went into all of this in 1973 because it was revisited in 19, the legislature went back in 1991 to try to, uh, adjust some of this. None of that has ever come up, so. Representative War law for what purpose? Follow up. You're
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:10:45
recognized for a follow-up. was this question out there, and I can't figure
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Representative Jeff Wardlaw Unverified 2:10:49
out what we're gonna do, but you think we could build a prison there? You know, uh,
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Representative Jon S. Eubanks Unverified 2:10:58
That's actually been suggested because if we could get I-49 completed from Fort Smith to Texarkana, this piece of property would be closer to an interstate than the piece of property that has been identified currently. I'd appreciate a good boat. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:11:18
Eubanks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? the bill Representative Eubanks is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1983, prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 84 ye, 3 nays, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk,
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Chair Unverified 2:12:03
Please read House Bill 1976 representative Nazarenko concerning murderports and the. The open access to public useer reports at
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:12:12
Representative Nazarenko, you're recognized to explain your bill.
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Representative Jason Nazarenko Unverified 2:12:19
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and, uh, colleagues, excited to bring you a House Bill 1976 today. It's the uh Vertiport Open access bill. So this bill is a fair market bill, Foster's open competition and encourages investors to look at Arkansas when they're considering a place to invest into. House Bill 1976 avoids public use, vertiport mon monopolization and promotes competition and equity of access, positions Arkansas for future advanced air mobility. All FAA regulations will become, uh, complied with. You can see that in the bill as well. Uh, and then also we can expect as this moves forward that those rules will even become more stringent, uh, so that there's no confusion. I want to take a few minutes just to give a couple definitions of what a vertiport is and kind of how it's being used, so that there's no confusion. I know that this is a futuristic bill when you're looking at it, you're probably thinking of the Jetsons, but I will warn you, this is closer than you think. Uh, so first, a vertiport we'll talk about What a vertiport is. You know what an airport is? A vertiport has to do with EVAs, that's EVO T V T O L, that's an electronic vertical takeoff or landing aircraft. So think of a helicopter electronically powered takeoffs vertically, goes, uh, takes off horizontally goes, or excuse me, vertically goes horizontally and then comes back down. So just like a helicopter, smaller footprint than a, uh, an airport and then for use thereof. So, Where we could see these like in theory where this could end up being helpful is if you could imagine going over to Fayetteville, jumping on an EV tall, and then cruising over to Bentonville or Harrison jumping on an EB tall and Harrison, getting yourself to Fayetteville and then over to Bentonville. So again, this is a futuristic concept. It is, there is not anything in motion right now, but what this does is sets it up so that we can position ourselves, Arkansas can position ourselves so that when companies do start looking at, uh, investor friendly areas, uh, we could be one of those that they would consider. As we all know, Hyundai has, has, uh, said they're gonna work about $20 billion into the US economy and Hyundai is somebody that is out in the space that's doing some research on that. So, uh, lots of great things, uh, coming in the future, and I know that this would be uh one way that Arkansas can stay, uh, positioned. So we do, so that you know there are, uh, airports currently right now in Arkansas airport managers that are looking at vertiports and how they can pos po s ition themselves because right now an airport will be the first thing that's used until a vertiport is actually set up. So, no see, no questions. I asked for a good vote. Thank you.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:15:04
Representative Nazarenko has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like speak for the bill. Representative Nazarenko is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1976, Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 94, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed.
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Chair Unverified 2:15:42
Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1627 Representative Barnett to amend the law concerning property tax relief and require counties to provide notice to taxpayers concerning certain property tax relief
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:15:54
offered under Arkansas law. Representative Barnett, you're
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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 2:16:00
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Speaker. Hello fellow members. I'm before you today to present House Bill 1627. The intent of this bill is to ensure that all taxpaying Arkansas citizens are made aware of the existing relief that is available to them, in particular, the tax relief that is available to taxpayers who have a disability or are 65 years of age or older, otherwise known as the Arkansas Constitution Amendment number 79. Most recently, we passed Senate bill. 263, now at 3:30, which increases the homestead tax credit. This legislation was passed with overwhelming support in large part because we want to help and provide increased tax relief to the most vulnerable of our Arkansas taxpayers, those who are differently abled, having a disability and our state elders and senior citizens. House Bill 1627 ensures that all Arkansas taxpayers are given notice of that. benefit when they receive their annual tax statement from their county tax collectors. In the process of developing this bill. I work with members of the Arkansas County Tax Collectors Association to develop a bill that would be easily implemented, ensuring that each tax collector can give annual notice to their respective taxpayers of the tax relief available to them. You will see on pages, on page one, line 32 to 34, the bill provides options for how the tax collector can give notice. It can be either printed in bold print on the statement. It can be printed and highlighted on the statement, or it can be included as an insert with the statement. These options were agreeable to the county tax collectors Association based upon the capabilities of the varying billing templates and software used by the collectors. The option of including the insert was suggested by the Tax Collectors Associate. ation House Bill 1627 would require for the notice to be given and clearly state the requirements for a taxpayer to be eligible for the property tax relief. The intent of this bill is simple, and it ensures that all tax collectors across the state are providing notice to the benefit of all Arkansas taxpayers with the hopes that more of our eligible constituents will take advantage of the tax relief that is available to them. I thank you for your time, and I would entertain any questions if
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:18:38
there are. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? You're recognized for a question.
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Representative Stephen Meeks Unverified 2:18:43
Thank you, Representative, uh, uh, no real concerns with the bill, kind of just thinking into the future. Um, you said it requires like inserts and mail pieces and a lot of areas we've been doing away with that, um, would this allow for these notifications to be done online, through email, through electronic format to try to prepare and open those, uh, notices
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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 2:19:06
for, for future currently, um, most tax notices are being Milt, and so this only speaks to those mail notification, those mailed statements. All right, thank you.
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 2:19:19
Representative Beatty, for what purpose? A question. You're recognized Representative Barnett, was, was there a problem with this in the, in the process that our collectors were, uh, because I, I'm I'd just like to know because I'm not aware of
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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 2:19:33
there's a lack of consistency across the board. So what I did find out is that most tax collectors are already notifying, but not all of them are. And so there were gaps there, so this bill would help us have that consistency across the board.
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 2:19:49
Follow up. You recognized for a follow-up. So in working with this bill now are all the tax collectors and
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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 2:19:58
the association, they're support of your bill, or is there still some opt to all of them, the representatives that I spoke with, they don't have an issue with the bill now that it includes those options, and that option that they recommended adding was to add the insert. The concerns that were raised earlier with the bold print or the highlighted print is that some of the temp that they use do not allow for them to alter in that way. And so the insert would help cover ground. Representative Scott Richardson,
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:20:30
for what purpose? Question? You're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh,
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Speaker 231 2:20:34
Representative Barnett, I appreciate the bill. I like it a lot. Would you agree that, uh, if in the event that we move away from, uh, hard copy, paper copy, mailed copies of these, uh, statements you could still highlight and or bold on the statement that the information that
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:20:53
you're requesting. OK, thank you. Lindstrom for what purpose? You're recognized our
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Representative Robin Lundstrum Unverified 2:20:57
assessors and collectors are, there's so many of them that are already doing this because they're running for office. They want to talk to their constituents. Don't most do this anyway? So it's a shared earlier when responding.
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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 2:21:10
We do know that most are, but there are gaps and some are not. OK, thank you. Representative Ward Law for what purpose? You're recognized for a question? The first question is which ones are not? So, I can't give you the full account of all, but I can tell you that Pulaski County clerk does not. Um, on their statement, it does not list those requirements to be eligible, nor does it list the um information about Amendment 79, and that's one that I know for sure that does not County. I've seen their text so in the course of me communicating with Arkansas tax collector, um, I've spoke primarily with their um President, former President Ellen Foote, that is representing them and she Made contact with other tax collectors to see whether or not they were doing it and how they were doing it. And so in that process, we found
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Speaker 51 2:22:26
out that not Representative Beatty for what purpose? Representative Barnett has left
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:22:31
the well. Representative Barnett has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill, Representative Beatty. You're speaking against the bill. Representative Beatty is recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you,
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 2:22:43
Mr. Speaker. Members, uh, looking at this bill and the intent of, of representing Barnett, um, I can understand a little bit, but, you know, a lot of times it's a single county or one issue, and based on his comments today, we've got one county that he identified that's a problem. We're about to set a rule out for all of our, all of our counties. And I think that's wrong. Most of these folks are already doing this, and I think this rule is unnecessary. So I'll be voting against and encourage you to do
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:23:10
the same. Representative Beatty has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for? Bill, Representative Collins, you recognized speak for the bill. Thank you
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Representative Andrew Collins Unverified 2:23:23
Mr. Speaker. To be clear, it's not necessarily just one county. I, I just don't think he has a copy of all the different tax statements. All this bill does is make it easier for people to pay less in taxes. This is property tax relief they're entitled to, and all this bill does is it makes sure that they can clearly see they're entitled to it. They have to request it. They don't know to request it, they don't get it. So this will let people be paying less taxes, which I think, especially when it comes to property taxes, it's something we can all agree on. So I'm for the bill. Thank you. Representative Collin just spoke for the bill. Would
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Speaker 334 2:23:53
anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:24:00
Representative Barnett, you're recognized to close for your
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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 2:24:04
bill. Again, colleagues, I would like for your support in this bill. It just brings consistency across the board and ensures that all taxpayers are being made aware of the tax relief that is available to them. Thank you. Representative Barnett
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:24:18
is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1627, prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
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Speaker 153 2:24:35
Has everyone voted. As everyone voted, Cast
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:24:41
up the ballot. With about a 58, 17 nay, 6 present. The bill is passed.
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Chair Unverified 2:25:19
Madam Clark Reed House Bill 1981. High school 1981 by Representative Maddox to amend the definitions of outdoor recreation operator and tramway operator under
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:25:31
the law concerning recreational tramways. Representative Maddox, you
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 2:25:35
recognized to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This one's really easy. It truly is. Um, I would characterize this as a cleanup bill. So earlier this session, we ran some legislation regarding tramways for mountain bike parks. Um, so an issue came up that there was a concern that we may have somehow jeopardized to immunity for our cities and counties that certainly wasn't the intent and we're just clarifying that our cities and counties will continue to have toward immunity in these areas. So that's all this does. I'll
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Speaker 310 2:26:03
be glad to take any questions. Thank you. Appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:26:11
Representative Maddox has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill. Anyone for the bill. Representative Maddox. Close with you, Bill. Representative Maddox has closed with his bill. Madam Clark, prepared the machine. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted. Cast down, cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 90. Yes, and Tonas, the bill has passed, Madam Clerk. Call House Bill 1949 1949 by Representative Schultz to add medical
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Chair Unverified 2:27:04
emergency medical and ambulance services to the list of professional services for purposes of procurement. Represent Schultz you
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:27:13
recognize, present your bill. Good afternoon, colleagues.
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Representative Bart Schulz Unverified 2:27:25
Two years ago, we basically passed this. Bill unanimously out of this chamber. When it got to the Senate end, it got mired down and it didn't make it out. After that, upon review of the title, It really wasn't written all that well, so there was quite a bit of confusion. So we retooled the title. And we're bringing it back. Basically, what this does, If a political subdivision such as the Corn Court. wants to contract with an ambulance service. Just say a doctor in their jail. They simply go with lowest bidder. That's the only option. So, From my personal perspective, if I'm looking for someone to so already in Arkansas law, If a political subdivision wants to contract with a financial advisor. An architect, an engineer. A construction manager. Land serving a professionals or other consultants. There's a process in place. All we're proposing to do with this bill, I take this medical piece out of just a strict lowest bidder and put it into this process with all these Seeing none, I'd appreciate a good vote. A
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:28:53
no question when anyone like to speak for the bill. Against the bill Representative Schulzer recognized the clothes we bill representative Schultz is closed with his bill. question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1949, Madam Clerk, prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted. With a vote of 78. cast up the ballots, madam clerk. With a vote of 79 years, 6 nays, 3 presents. The bill has passed. Madam Clerk, call House Bill 19. 51 1951 by Representative Collins
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Chair Unverified 2:29:44
to set forth authorized domain extensions for higher education and government websites. Representative Collins, you recognize, present your
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:29:51
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So this
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Representative Andrew Collins Unverified 2:29:56
bill is just a cybersecurity bill that sets forth, uh, the authorized domain extensions for government websites, Domain extension or a top level domain is what happens after the last dots, so dot com or .net.gov is supposed to be what's reserved for government websites. And the reason that there's a difference is that a government website actually you have to apply and get that, not just anyone can sign up and get that. And there's some other security protocols associated with. But the most important thing that it does is it prevents fishing. So you know that when you visit a .gov website, it's a legitimate website. It's a government website. You can't just sign up, uh, as someone and say as Arkansas government.com and uh send a message and then you can fleece the public. It's as you called phishing scams. So it's kind of a best practice in cybersecurity to move toward .gov in the case of educational institutions EDU military.mil. This would just say state, city, and higher. education, we need to move to it by 2026. There's an extension in there, municipal league requested to go toward, uh, 6 months later, the beginning of 2027 for cities smaller than 10,000, no cost to register a .gov domain. Uh, this is something that most states and the federal government have moved to requiring, and it'll just secure um our cybersecurity and the public. Happy to take any questions. Collins has explained
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:31:24
the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill? Or the bill Question before the house is. Yes, Madam clerk, prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Madam Clark cast up the ballot. With the vote of 86 years, zero nays and 3 presents. The bill has passed. Madam Clerk Call House Bill 1952. Has 1952 by representative Ho
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Chair Unverified 2:32:06
to assist the administration of the state Athletic Commission to provide funding to the state Athletic Commission to continue its mission to promote a robust,
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Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified 2:32:15
healthy and safe combative sports industry. Representative Hall, you recognize to
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Representative RJ Hawk Unverified 2:32:22
present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill was brought to me by our athletic commission and, uh, we talked about this at length last night, uh, right now, the commission is losing money and we, there's not an appropriation, nor do they want an appropriation from this body to help fund that commission, but what they do want to be is, is to be made whole and that's by getting the reimbursement by whenever they have to send out an inspector or something to one of these events that they're able to then build that event for the inspectors needed. What we're talking about in the in the uh. Uh, the funding is like, uh, the hourly rate for the inspector, the lodging, the mileage, things like that. Right now, it's $125 per inspector that we send out or that they send out, uh, they're losing on average $225 per inspector for each one of these uh these events. So all we're doing in this bill is allowing for them to set rules through the athletic commission to reimburse the commission themselves to be made whole. One thing you'll also see in the bill, and after I spoke with Representative Tosh about this. If you remember a couple sessions ago, we took wrestling away from the athletic commission. That was a big deal at the time. And so we have added it back, but we are protecting our small towns. So what we're saying is that if you're a small town in Arkansas and you want to put on a wrestling event that has an attendance less than 1500 people, then you're not going to be sanctioned by the athletic commission. That was something Representative Tosh and I talked about at length. that was because a lot of our small towns, this is a, a driver for those communities and we didn't want them to have to be sanctioned. What we are doing though is with the 1500, we are really sanctioning the, the WWEs or the UFCs, things like that that want to come in. I was talking with the commissioner of the athletic commission, and he had, uh, a representative from the WWE call and we got on a conference call and he said, you know what, we will not come back to Arkansas unless there's a sanctioning body like the athletic commission to do. blood test to check rings and things like that. And so at the end of the day, this is allowing for economic development by having this, by having this sanctioning body, because if we don't have that, not only do we not get the WWE, but if we ever want to have like a, a mixed martial art like the UFC or something like that to come to Arkansas, one of those big events. They are also wanting sanctioning as a second set of eyes for their rings, for their fighters, and things of that nature. And with that I'll take any questions.
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Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified 2:34:49
Representative Kavanaugh, for what purpose? You're recognized, I'm having deja vu. Did we not cover this like the last session, something very similar to this, asking for an increase. So if you remember,
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Representative RJ Hawk Unverified 2:35:04
I don't know if this I don't remember doing it this last session. If you remember when Governor Hutchinson was here, he gave down, um, some rainy day funds out of his, out of his funding to give. It was like $300 million or something like that to the athletic commission, but we've never appropriated any money to the athletic commission. That is what was told to me anyways. Or maybe not 3, but Asa gave him the money. I, I, I, it was maybe it was. 300,000, excuse me, not millions, 300,000. I apologize. I said million, I meant 300,000. I, that's my apologies. Thank you, Representative Jean. Yes, ma'am.
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Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified 2:35:44
You're recognized. OK. For, just for some reason, this is all very familiar conversation that we're having that we've had this discussion before and for Several of us think we've had this discussion before, so we're having like this group deja vu, but anyway, but you don't remember us raising this or So according to the
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Representative RJ Hawk Unverified 2:36:02
commissioner, um, Mr. Bob Edmonds, he said that he's been trying to get somebody to run some legislation for a couple of sessions now and they've not had any attempt to, to do that. And he told me that this was the first time that any type of legislation for the Athletic commission has been done.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:36:21
Seeing no more questions, I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Hawke has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative
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Representative David Ray Unverified 2:36:39
Ray, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill came through state agencies. That's why I'm speaking on it. I think it's good for a couple of reasons. Um, number one is financial. So, um, when Representative Hawke and I were talking about this bill, um, I was really interested in the topic. And so, um, I actually asked BLR to do a 10-year look back on the finances for the state Athletic Commission. This is an agency that operates at a deficit every single year. They routinely bring in somewhere in the range of $40,000 their expenditures are about $80,000. And so the reason for that is because they can't charge promoters an amount that's commensurate with what they have to pay the inspectors to come and work, a professional boxing match or a professional MMA match or something like that. So, uh, that's why they operated a deficit. When they do that, you know, who has to fill in that gap? Well, it's it's other money from the agency or as Representative Hawke said, it's rainy day funds or surplus funds or something like that. This is not something that you or I as the taxpayer, ought to be subsidizing. They ought to be able to recoup their costs so that taxpayers aren't paying for their budget with, with, um, sales tax revenue or income tax revenue or anything like that. The second reason that I think this is a, a good bill is because we need a functioning state athletic commission. I'm a big sports fan. It's just a reality based on our population, Arkansas is probably never going to have an MLB team or an NBA team or an NFL team, but the one thing that we could get, we could get some really good and interesting standalone events, you know, last year I went to professional bull riding at Simmons Bank Arena, you know, they, they have, uh, monster truck events there, that's not under the athletic commission, but these are the kind of events I'm talking about. And so I think we could get more, um, professional boxing matches, MMA events, wrestling events, things like that. If we had, you know, a, a functioning state athletic commission. So I appreciate. Representative Rayes spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:38:47
against the bill? the bill Representative Hawk, you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank you, colleagues. Once
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Representative RJ Hawk Unverified 2:38:58
again, very rarely do we, do we have something where there's not an appropriation tied to it, and I'm proud to say that, you know, talking with the, the athletic association, they, they're not asking for an appropriation. They're not asking for the governor to send them funds. They're just wanting to be able to be reimbursed for sending out these inspectors to do these, these events and, and really make it Arkansas a safe place to be able to hold events in Arkansas and bring good events as Representative Ray said. And so with that, I would appreciate a good vote.
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Speaker 398 2:39:23
Representative Hawke is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:39:35
House Bill 1952. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 89 ye, 3 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Members want to go
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 2:39:53
to the yellow budget calendar. Representative Gene, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues,
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 2:40:06
We have a Senate Bill 93. This is the Department of Education. That's the appropriation. We've still got some members working with the department to clarify some answers, so we, we will skip over that today and put it on tomorrow's calendar. We're gonna start off with uh house build 1265. This is the University of Arkansas, Little Rocks Appropriation. Any questions? Uh, sing no, your one vote is for the bill, the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:40:39
Ma clerk read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill, wouldn't like to speak against the bill. For the bill, Representative McAlinden, you recognized speak for the
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Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified 2:41:00
bill. Good afternoon, colleagues. Uh, full disclosure, I've pretty much voted against this bill every time it's come up, but my name was mentioned yesterday. And so I just wanted to kind of come down and explain what I've been doing with the universities to try and help assuage some of the concerns that I have about what's going on and the the policies that I have issue with. And so if you recall, I ran a bill. A few weeks ago that set a requisite core that requires universities or everyone attending a 2 year and a 4-year school to uh take US history as well as US government. And I've also worked with higher ed, and they are working to tighten up the other courses that are allowed to be taken within the humanities and social science, um. Electives that are also part of the general core. And then beyond that, I ran an ISP this morning in um in the education committee and I worked with higher ed to create that and that ISP is to study the majors that we have in our liberal arts to make sure that those majors are solid, that we're getting a return on those and to make sure that what our job is, is to make sure that those public funds are being spent in a wise way and uh higher ed will work with us over the next year and a half to make sure that happens. So anyways, I just wanted to update you on what I have done to try and solve some of those issues and hopefully get the universities funded. Thank you.
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Speaker 398 2:42:16
Represson Maclin spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:42:22
the bill? For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1265. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So
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Speaker 153 2:42:40
everyone voted. So everyone voted, cast up the ballot.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:42:47
When voters for the bill in the emergency clause. About a 78, 11 nays, and 1 present. You have passed the bill and the emergency clause. Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 2:42:58
The next item we're gonna take up is, uh, Senate Bill 127. That's the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Appropriation. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill of mercy clause. Mr. Speaker, at the clerk read the bill for the 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:43:18
Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 127. Repair the machine, Madam Clerk. your
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Speaker 406 2:43:41
one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause, everyone voted. So everyone voted.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:43:49
cast up the ballot. vote of 82, 7 nay, and 3 present,
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Speaker 135 2:43:54
building in the emergency clause has passed. Representative Jean. Thank
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 2:44:00
you, Mr. Speaker. The next one is Senate Bill 125, University of Central Arkansas Appropriation. Any questioning none, your one vote is for the bill, the mergy clause. Mr. Speaker, had the clerk read the bill for the 3rd time. OK.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:44:21
And clerk read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill, and anyone would like to speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 125. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Members, your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause. Is everyone voted? Cast up the ballot.
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Speaker 135 2:44:55
A vote of 81, 10 nay, and 2 present, be on the emergency
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 2:45:07
clauses passed, Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Without objection, Give you time to look at them. We're going to batch Senate Bill 25, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 39. And Senate Bill 88. These are appropriations that, uh, Senate Bill 25, which is insurance department has no general revenue, uh, the other general revenue is flat, with the exception of, of the pay raise that we just voted in. Any questions on any of these four and do I need to pull any of these out of the batch for any reason. Sing no to build 25, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 39, and Senate Bill 88, your one vote is for the bills and the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bills for
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Chair Unverified 2:45:56
the 3rd time. 25, 37, Senate Bill 39, Senate Bill
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:46:08
88. A the machine, madam clerk. Members of your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause of each bill in the batch. Everyone voted, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot Vote of 92, 0, nay, and 1 present.
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Speaker 135 2:46:22
You passed the bill in the emerged clause of each bill
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 2:46:28
in the batch. Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last bill on the agenda for today, the Senate Bill 359 comes from Senator Petty. Uh, this is, uh, an out of school, after school grant program for 3.9 million. Uh, it's out a cash funds, which means he would have to get a letter. Uh, over the interim from the governor and, uh, ALC would have to approve it, but it's for 3.9 million. It's not funded at this time, but have to go through cash funds and had to get a support, uh, from ALC. had the emergency clause, the one bill is for the bill and the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:47:18
Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 359. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. members your one
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Speaker 406 2:47:39
vote is for the bill in the emergency clause. So everyone voted.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:47:47
So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 80s, 4 nays, and 7 present. Bill in the emergency clause has passed.
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Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified 2:48:01
Members will go back to the red calendar. Madam Clerk, please read
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Speaker 175 2:48:07
Senate Bill 322. Senate Bill 322 by Representative Pilkington to amend the law concerning construction and development and allow third parties to
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:48:15
perform plan reviews and site inspections. Representative Pilkington, you're
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Representative Aaron Pilkington Unverified 2:48:19
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, this is pretty simple bill as the title says, it allows third parties to perform plant perform plan reviews and site inspections. Uh, this bill comes from a piece of policy that's out of Georgia. Uh, we work at the municipal League to get it, uh, to where it worked for them. And essentially what it just does is if there's a project, the developer at their own expense can go out, hire a third party to go in, do the site review, or do the third party inspection, uh, during the Senate, uh, testimony, um. There was a question about uh certificate of occupancy that's still at the city, the plan still has to be reviewed by the city. All the safety mechanisms are still in place, um, and of course, like I said, all the cost is on the developer, not the city. And so, uh, also in case that this third party, if there's ever two reviews that get rejected, uh, then these third parties are no longer eligible to do this, and that's also a safety mechanism, um, and so there was unanimous support on the Senate floor, and I hope to see it here too and that I appreciate
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:49:19
a good vote. Thank you. Representative Pilkington has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Pilkington is closed for the bill. Questioned before the House is the passage
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Speaker 153 2:49:41
of Senate Bill 322. Prepare the machine, madam
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:49:49
clerk. So everyone voted? So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 80 e, 10 nays, and 1 present.
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Chair Unverified 2:49:59
The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read Senate Bill 510. Graham to allow for cross-ization of municipal county, state, and tribal law enforcement on federally recognized tribal land within the state. Representative Gramlich, you're
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Representative Zack Gramlich Unverified 2:50:13
recognized to explain your bill. Speaker. Senate Bill 510, uh, Allows for a very, very, very specific problem in our state to be fixed. In February, uh, tribal land was officially recognized. If you walk outside of the casino and Pocola, Oklahoma and enter into the parking lot, you enter into the state of Arkansas. In February, like I said, there is a trust, uh, that the state has recognized, saying that that parking lot is a tribal land in the Choctaw Nation. What has happened is now we're in this really weird gray area where their tribal police doesn't know if they can enter into our state, and patrol their parking lot to help provide safety. And Fort Smith Police, Sebastian County Sheriff and state police don't know if they have the ability to actually enter into tribal land and also protect, you know, and provide that area. So what this does is it allows for the conversations that we think should already be happening to actually happen and protect our citizens and other individuals who are in that
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Representative Jim Wooten Unverified 2:51:27
area. And with that, I'll answer any questions. Representative Wootten, for what purpose? I, I understand the bill, but I don't understand. Well, a very nice land of the tribe.
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Representative Zack Gramlich Unverified 2:51:46
Well, so, so it really just allows for the Cro deputization agreements actually in conversations to happen. Um, I agree. I think they should be able to enter into their own tribal land. It is their land, um, but what it also does is allows, OK, so when we do come into this area, you know, what is actually happening, who does what? And it just allows for a lot more clarity to protect the citizens of the area. And I appreciate a good vote. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:52:13
Gramlich has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? the bill Representative Gramlich is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 510, repair the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 90s, 2 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 241. 241
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Speaker 175 2:52:52
by Representative Ferguson to amend the uniform attendance and Leave Policy Act and to
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Chair Unverified 2:52:56
grant paid leave to public employees in the event of the death of a public employee's family member, or child Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:53:02
Pilkington, you're recognized to explain your bill. Uh, thank
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Representative Aaron Pilkington Unverified 2:53:07
you, Mr. Speaker. Um, this bill comes from collaboration with me and Senator Scott in the governor's office, uh, early in the session, um, me and Senator Scott wanted to work on a piece of legislation together, uh, as we typically do every session, and, uh, we wanted to have a, have to create leave in case of the death of a child. Uh, we brought this to the governor's office, they actually found that their bereavement policy for all the different departments is kind of all over the map. And so they, they wanted to standardize it uh for all the departments so that it would be consistent and also give some clarity because some departments were doing things differently. Uh, and of course the leave actually comes from the catastrophic fund. So when, uh, certain leave is not used, it goes into a fund and then that's used to to to pay for this, but just to read it so you understand it, it goes, as in this section, immediate family members means father, mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, child, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild and in-laws. And then for child, we include a biological child, an unborn child, a stepchild, an adopted child, or a child in foster care. in place in the home of that employee. Uh, that's what the bill does and appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:54:14
Pilkington has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Pilkington is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 241. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 75 ya, 12 nays, and 3 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 348.
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Chair Unverified 2:54:54
348 by Representative Pilkington to amend the annual cap for diagnostic laboratory services within the Arkansas Medicaid program and to declare an
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:55:02
emergency. Representative Pilkington, you're recognized to explain your
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Representative Aaron Pilkington Unverified 2:55:06
bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Uh, this does exactly what the title says, uh, we're raising the cap from 500 or adding this $1800 for those who are not familiar with this program, uh, oftentimes we're treating people for addiction or using a map program and we have to check them to make sure that they're not using other drugs. Uh, unfortunately, because of what's happening is they're hitting this cap and we're not able to pay for that additional, uh, diagnostic labs. And so what's happening is because we can't do that, we can't continue the program, they relapse. go to the hospital, it actually costs us way more money. Uh, so this, uh, is just to increase that cap because now Matt exists when this virtually came in my understanding is it did not exist. So that's why the cap was said is low. So we're just raising the cap a little bit. Appreciate good. Representative Pilkington has explained the bill.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:55:55
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Pilin is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 348. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. members your one
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Speaker 406 2:56:17
vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. So everyone voted. Cause everyone voted.
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Speaker 153 2:56:27
Cast up the ballot. Vote of 69, 8
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:56:32
nay, and 11 present to be in the emergency clause is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 523. about 5:23 by
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Speaker 175 2:56:40
Representative Dalby to amend the law regarding alcoholic beverages and to remove the requirement that a private club be a nonprofit
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:56:49
organization. Representative Day, you're recognized to explain your bill.
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Representative Carol Dalby Unverified 2:56:53
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, several weeks ago, uh, I ran a bill taking away the requirement that there would be a nonprofit before you have a private club, ABC looked at it, they wanted to add some others to it, members down on the Senate also in that first bill ran as, so all this is doing is it's taking the requirement for the form, taking away the requirement for the formation of a nonprofit to operate a private club in a dry county. That's all it does. It eliminates those multiple tax returns that we talked about the last. It does not change the structure, everything, if you're gonna have a private club, you gotta go through all the hoops that you always have to. All the county ordinances, all the votes and everything. So all the requirements remain the same, and that's, it's a mirror bill to what I ran just a few weeks ago. And with that, I'd appreciate it. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:57:45
Darby has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. the bill Representative Dalby is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 523.
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Speaker 153 2:58:04
Prepair the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:58:14
voted As everyone voted. Cast at the ballot. A vote of 70, 8 nay, and 8 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read Senate Bill
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Chair Unverified 2:58:26
529. Bill 529 by Representative Kavanaugh to amend the independent Tax Appeals Commission Act.
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Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified 2:58:34
Representative Kavanaugh, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, this is just a, um, language that's gonna set up a small claims, um, process for the Independent Tax Commission and puts in a definition of who else can serve on the commission. And with that, I'd take any questions. and that I appreciate a good boat. Representative
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Speaker 291 2:58:58
Kavanaugh has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:59:07
Representative Kavanaugh is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 529. Prepare the
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Speaker 153 2:59:22
machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 88 ya,
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Speaker 135 2:59:33
2 nay, and 1 present. Bill is passed.
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Representative Stephen Meeks Unverified 2:59:37
Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Motion I hear your motion pursuant to Rule 33M. I
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Speaker 325 2:59:47
move we adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon. That's a proper motion. It's non-debatable. All those in
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 2:59:55
favor say aye. Pona. You have it. Any announcements from committees. Representative Jean,
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 3:00:01
for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. Joint budget will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Big Mac A.
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Speaker 433 3:00:10
Representative Lynch, for what purpose? A meet tomorrow at
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 3:00:16
10 a.m., room 138. Representative Underwood, for what purpose? You're recognized
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Speaker 436 3:00:19
Judiciary will meet immediately after we leave
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 3:00:23
here. Representative Eubanks, for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized. House rules will meet tomorrow at Noon and Big Mac B. Representative Gonzalez, for what purpose? You're recognized. Representative Kavanaugh just reminded
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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 3:00:36
me that City County locals meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. might be.
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Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified 3:00:42
Representative Gazaway, for what purpose? You're recognized
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Speaker 329 3:00:45
agencies will meet tomorrow morning 10 a.m.,
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 3:00:48
room 151. Representative Ward Law, for what purpose?
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Representative Jeff Wardlaw Unverified 3:00:51
You're recognized. It's the last chance to run the House bills, public health me immediately upon
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Speaker 47 3:00:58
adjournment, Senate bills will follow. Representative
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Representative Mike Holcomb Unverified 3:01:00
Holcomb, for what purpose? Announcement, you're recognized. Public transportation, we'll meet tomorrow in MaCA. After adjournment of joint budget. Representative Brooks, for what purpose?
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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 3:01:14
Announcement, you're recognized. House education will be 15 minutes upon adjournment, we are going to clear out the rest of the house bills this
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Speaker 442 3:01:22
afternoon. Representative Pilkington, for what purpose? Announcement. You're recognized.
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Representative Aaron Pilkington Unverified 3:01:24
Tomorrow morning 8 a.m. we have Pier in Mackay. Representative Va for what purpose? You're
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 3:01:33
recognized will meet in the morning at 10 a.m. in room 130.
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Chair Unverified 3:01:38
Representative Maddox, for what purpose you're recognized. Insurance and commerce made at 9:30 in the morning at room 149.
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 3:01:47
Any other committee announcements if we missed any other committee announcements. Seeing none of the desk
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 3:01:53
will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourned resolution. The house will be adjourned.
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Agenda

Call to order

7:19
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Prayer

7:21
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Pledge

7:24
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Roll Call

10:58
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Morning Hour

RESOLUTIONS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HCR1008 McAlindon TO CELEBRATE AND COMMEND NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S NATIONALLY LEADING AND INDUSTRY-TRANSFORMING BICYCLE ASSEMBLY & REPAIR TECHNICIAN AND TRAIL TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS.

19:20
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HCR1010 T. Shephard REQUESTING A STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTH.

23:03
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HR1102 Steele TO HONOR REGINA RENEE HENSON FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK THROUGH HER ROLE AS DIRECTOR OF SHERMAN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER.

28:11
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HR1103 Steele TO RECOGNIZE CHARLOTTE THOMAS ON THE OCCASION OF HER UPCOMING RETIREMENT FOR HER FIFTY-ONE YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE CITY OF NORTH LITTLE ROCK.

32:11
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HR1108 Schulz TO HONOR UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE BASKETBALL SCORING STAR IZZY HIGGINBOTTOM.

37:46
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End of Morning Hour

47:31
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CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1669 #1 Bentley TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

48:29
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HB1303 #1 Jean TO CREATE THE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL INCENTIVE ACT; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL.

49:20
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HB1724 #1 B. McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS; AND TO AMEND THE DATE ON WHICH AN ELECTION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS HELD.

50:15
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REGULAR BILLS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1790 B. McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

51:42
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HB1914 Long TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS MOTOR CARRIER ACT, 1955; AND TO REQUIRE AN OPERATOR OF A COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TO HAVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.

HB1944 Vaught TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE AND RENEWAL OF A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT THE ARKANSAS EMS FOUNDATION; AND TO REPEAL THE GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE.

57:12
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HB1897 Painter TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY REFORM AND EFFICIENCY ACT OF 2025; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS TOWING AND RECOVERY BOARD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

HB1807 Eaves TO AMEND THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL OR CHARTER; AND TO CLARIFY THE PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT HELD FOR RESALE AND USED FOR RENTAL OR CHARTER.

59:13
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HB1869 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE MATERNAL OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND TO ORGANIZE MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

1:01:43
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HB1433 K. Moore TO REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO IS EXECUTING OR SERVING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION TO SERVE ANY OUTSTANDING CRIMINAL WARRANTS RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR OFFENSES INVOLVING THE PETITIONER AS THE VICTIM.

1:04:55
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HB1529 S. Meeks TO CREATE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL CREATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL; AND TO ESTABLISH A CAUSE OF ACTION FOR UNLAWFUL CREATION OF DEEPFAKE VISUAL MATERIAL.

1:07:48
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HB1877 S. Meeks CONCERNING CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATED TO POSSESSION OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL THAT DEPICTS A CHILD; AND TO INCLUDE A COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGE THAT IS INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE IMAGE OF A CHILD.

1:07:59
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HB1931 Beaty Jr. TO CREATE THE RECIDIVISM REDUCTION SYSTEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

1:09:29
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HB1672 McCollum TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF INNOVATION IN ARKANSAS.

1:11:47
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HB1876 R. Scott Richardson REGARDING THE OWNERSHIP OF MODEL TRAINING AND CONTENT GENERATED BY A GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL.r

1:15:37
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HB1866 Brooks 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.

1:18:50
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HB1964 Brooks TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE JUVENILE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.b

1:40:58
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HB1003 House Management AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - STAFF APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

1:41:16
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HB1732 Vaught TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION ALLOWED FOR A TEACHER'S CLASSROOM INVESTMENT.

1:42:51
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HB1485 K. Brown TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALES TO CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT VETERANS' FACILITIES.

HB1063 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF "DISABILITY CERTIFICATION" AND "ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL" TO CHANGE DISABILITY ONSET AGE FROM TWENTY-SIX TO FORTY-SIX.

1:47:39
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HB1922 Maddox TO AMEND THE CONSOLIDATED INCENTIVE ACT OF 2003; TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR RELOCATING CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO THIS STATE; AND TO ENCOURAGE CORPORATIONS TO RELOCATE TO ARKANSAS.

1:49:09
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HB1918 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGAL TENDER; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF A BULLION DEPOSITORY; AND TO ALLOW FOR A PRECIOUS METALS-BACKED ELECTRONIC SYSTEM.

1:57:33
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HB1941 Joey Carr CONCERNING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; AND TO PROTECT ARKANSAS STUDENTS BY ENSURING THE EFFICIENT DISPOSITION OF ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST TEACHERS.

2:01:01
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HB1939 Joey Carr TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIVE AND MERIT PAY; TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE EVALUATIONS; AND TO AMEND SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE MERIT TEACHER INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM.

2:02:11
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HB1938 Joey Carr TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE CREATION OF DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.

2:04:26
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HB1946 Bentley TO REQUIRE HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

2:05:53
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HB1983 Eubanks TO AMEND ACTS 1973, NO. 167, § 4, CONCERNING THE SALE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO THE WESTARK AREA COUNCIL, INC., BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.

2:08:53
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HB1976 Nazarenko CONCERNING VERTIPORTS; AND TO CREATE THE OPEN ACCESS TO PUBLIC-USE VERTIPORTS ACT.

HB1627 Barnett TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF; AND TO REQUIRE COUNTIES TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS CONCERNING CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF OFFERED UNDER ARKANSAS LAW.

2:16:21
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HB1981 Maddox TO AMEND THE DEFINITIONS OF "OUTDOOR RECREATION OPERATOR" AND "TRAMWAY OPERATOR UNDER THE LAW CONCERNING RECREATIONAL TRAMWAYS".

2:25:21
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HB1949 Schulz TO ADD MEDICAL, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE LIST OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PURPOSES OF PROCUREMENT.

2:27:06
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HB1951 A. Collins TO SET FORTH AUTHORIZED DOMAIN EXTENSIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES.

2:29:41
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HB1952 Hawk TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION TO CONTINUE ITS MISSION TO PROMOTE A ROBUST, HEALTHY, AND SAFE COMBATIVE SPORTS INDUSTRY.

2:32:09
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REGULAR SENATE BILLS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

SB322 J. Bryant Pilkington TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND TO ALLOW THIRD PARTIES TO PERFORM PLAN REVIEWS AND SITE INSPECTIONS.

2:48:23
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SB510 J. Boyd Gramlich TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIBAL LAND WITHIN THE STATE.

2:49:59
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SB241 J. Scott Pilkington TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO GRANT PAID LEAVE TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S FAMILY MEMBER OR CHILD.

2:52:55
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SB348 C. Penzo Pilkington TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

2:54:59
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SB523 Irvin Dalby TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PRIVATE CLUB BE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

2:56:42
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SB529 B. Johnson Cavenaugh TO AMEND THE INDEPENDENT TAX APPEALS COMMISSION ACT.

2:58:35
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SB494 J. Bryant Eaton TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERMITS ISSUED BY ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL; AND TO CONSOLIDATE SEVERAL PERMITS INTO A SINGLE PERMIT UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO

PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977.

SB495 J. Bryant Eaton TO AMEND DEFINITIONS USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "INVOICE" AND THE DEFINITION OF "INVOICE PRICE" USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX ACT OF 1977.

SB408 B. Johnson Eaves TO PROVIDE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PAYMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

SB594 M. McKee Milligan TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION TO SUPPLY A PUBLIC SERVICE OR TO EXTEND A PUBLIC SERVICE.

SB552 K. Hammer Eaves TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "PRINCIPAL OFFICE" USED UNDER THE ARKANSAS BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT OF 1987 AND THE UNIFORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT.

SB390 J. English Lundstrum TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY ACT.

SB553 K. Hammer Milligan TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW; TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF A MUNICIPAL TREASURER; AND TO REQUIRE TRAINING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CHARGED WITH DUTIES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTING LAW.

SB290 B. Johnson Vaught TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER.

SB550 Hill Painter TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH.

SB464 A. Clark C. Cooper TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW MILK; TO ALLOW SALES OF RAW MILK AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE FARM WHERE THE RAW MILK OR RAW MILK PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

SB522 M. McKee M. Brown TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE TUITION AND FEES PAID BY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE ONLINE PROGRAMS.

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.

2:40:23
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SB25AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:45:28
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SB37 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:45:17
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SB39 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:45:20
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SB88 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:45:22
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SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

SB125 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:44:09
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SB127 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:43:01
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Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Senators

SB359 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM GRANTS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

2:46:53
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Motion to Adjourn

2:59:48
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Announcements

Adjourn

Documents

No documents posted.

Speakers

Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified
218 segments
Speaker 9
6 segments
Speaker 24
2 segments
Chair (Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.) Unverified
20 segments
Speaker 32
1 segment
Chair Unverified
57 segments
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified
16 segments
Representative Aaron Pilkington Unverified
11 segments
Speaker 39
1 segment
Representative Ashley Hudson Unverified
2 segments
Representative Mindy McAlindon Unverified
19 segments
Speaker 69
1 segment
Speaker 72
1 segment
Speaker 60
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Speaker 76
2 segments
Representative Tara Shephard Unverified
8 segments
Speaker 94
7 segments
Representative Tracy Steele Unverified
24 segments
Representative Carlton Wing Unverified
5 segments
Representative Andrew Collins Unverified
13 segments
Speaker 117
2 segments
Speaker 122
1 segment
Representative Bart Schulz Unverified
9 segments
Representative Shad Pearce Unverified
2 segments
Representative Kendra Moore Unverified
7 segments
Representative Mary Bentley Unverified
5 segments
Representative Lane Jean Unverified
10 segments
Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified
21 segments
Speaker 167
1 segment
Representative Randy Torres Unverified
2 segments
Speaker 51
2 segments
Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified
8 segments
Speaker 153
16 segments
Representative Les D. Eaves Unverified
3 segments
Representative Lee Johnson Unverified
6 segments
Representative David Ray Unverified
9 segments
Speaker 188
1 segment
Representative Stephen Meeks Unverified
8 segments
Representative Austin McCollum Unverified
10 segments
Representative Denise Garner Unverified
2 segments
Speaker 231
7 segments
Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified
47 segments
Speaker 240
1 segment
Representative Jim Wooten Unverified
3 segments
Representative Matt Duffield Unverified
4 segments
Representative Matt Brown Unverified
8 segments
Speaker 259
1 segment
Speaker 269
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Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified
4 segments
Speaker 277
1 segment
Representative Nicole Clowney Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 281
1 segment
Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified
2 segments
Speaker 175
4 segments
Speaker 44
1 segment
Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified
2 segments
Representative John Maddox Unverified
18 segments
Speaker 310
2 segments
Representative Rick McClure Unverified
3 segments
Speaker 329
2 segments
Representative John P. Carr Unverified
7 segments
Speaker 338
1 segment
Speaker 343
2 segments
Representative Jon S. Eubanks Unverified
6 segments
Representative Jeff Wardlaw Unverified
3 segments
Speaker 191
1 segment
Speaker 349
1 segment
Representative Jason Nazarenko Unverified
6 segments
Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified
19 segments
Representative Robin Lundstrum Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 334
1 segment
Representative Dwight Tosh Chair Unverified
12 segments
Representative RJ Hawk Unverified
9 segments
Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified
5 segments
Speaker 398
2 segments
Speaker 406
3 segments
Speaker 135
4 segments
Representative Zack Gramlich Unverified
4 segments
Representative Carol Dalby Unverified
3 segments
Speaker 291
1 segment
Speaker 325
1 segment
Speaker 433
1 segment
Speaker 436
1 segment
Speaker 47
1 segment
Representative Mike Holcomb Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 442
1 segment