House Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (112)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB571
Act 1002
· 7 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Members of Representative Chad Perrier moves that we place Senate Bill 571 back on second”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ZONING REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY … | J. Petty | Notification that SB571 is now Act 1002 |
|
HCR1004
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “to amend. Now move to resolutions. Madam Clerk, please read House concurrent resolution 1004.”
|
TO CONGRATULATE GAME WARDEN AUSTIN POWELL ON RECEIVING THE MONTY CARMIKLE OFFICER OF THE YEAR … | Wardlaw | Approved by the Governor |
|
SB238
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB238 #1 J. Payton Gonzales TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. | J. Payton | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HR1045
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1045 Wardlaw TO COMMEMORATE THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE…”
|
TO COMMEMORATE THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM AS PART OF THE … | Wardlaw | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HB1003
Act 871
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…were your committee on house management for Homes and fired House Bill 1003, House Resolution 1102, House Resolution 1103. House resolu…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - STAFF APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | House Management | Notification that HB1003 is now Act 871 |
|
HB1288
Act 423
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…from regular session of the ninety-fifth General Assembly. House Bill 1288 at 423 hospitals 1167 Act 431. House 12:45. Act 432. House…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ACT; AND TO REQUIRE A HEALTHCARE INSURER TO … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1288 is now Act 423 |
|
HB1669
Act 509
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ldren and Youth and Legislative Affairs to who was referred House Bill 1669,”
|
TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR … | Bentley | Notification that HB1669 is now Act 509 |
|
HB1917
Act 839
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…are a committee onsurance and commerce to whom was referred House Bill 1917, House Bill 1918. Senate Bill 594, bigly report the same co…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1917 is now Act 839 |
|
HB1918
Act 810
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…nsurance and commerce to whom was referred House Bill 1917, House Bill 1918. Senate Bill 594, bigly report the same consideration here…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SPECIE OR LEGAL TENDER; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF A … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1918 is now Act 810 |
|
HB1964
Act 825
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Youth and Legislative Affairs, to whom the House Bill 1964 House concurrent resolution 1010. beg leave portany. And th…”
|
TO MOVE THE CHILD WELFARE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION AND THE JUVENILE OMBUDSMAN DIVISION TO THE DEPARTMENT … | Brooks | Notification that HB1964 is now Act 825 |
|
HCR1010
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Youth and Legislative Affairs, to whom the House Bill 1964 House concurrent resolution 1010. beg leave portany. And the same consideration here for”
|
REQUESTING A STUDY OF WAYS TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOUTH. | T. Shephard | Approved by the Governor |
|
HR1102
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ee on house management for Homes and fired House Bill 1003, House Resolution 1102, House Resolution 1103. House resolution 1104. House resolu…”
|
TO HONOR REGINA RENEE HENSON FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF NORTH … | Steele | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1104
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…se Bill 1003, House Resolution 1102, House Resolution 1103. House resolution 1104. House resolution 1105. House resolution 1106. House Resolu…”
|
TO HONOR LARRY WALTHER FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO … | Beaty Jr. | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HR1105
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1102, House Resolution 1103. House resolution 1104. House resolution 1105. House resolution 1106. House Resolution 1107, House Resolu…”
|
TO PROCLAIM APRIL 9, 2025, AS ARKANSAS LINEWORKER APPRECIATION DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND … | Pearce | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1106
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1103. House resolution 1104. House resolution 1105. House resolution 1106. House Resolution 1107, House Resolution 1108. House Memori…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE ARKANSAS STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION GAME WARDEN BRADY SMITH AS THE NATIONAL … | Pearce | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1107
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1104. House resolution 1105. House resolution 1106. House Resolution 1107, House Resolution 1108. House Memorial resolution 1009 Hous…”
|
TO PROCLAIM APRIL 24, 2025, AS TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY IN ARKANSAS. | Torres | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1108
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1105. House resolution 1106. House Resolution 1107, House Resolution 1108. House Memorial resolution 1009 House Memorial resolution 1…”
|
TO HONOR UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE BASKETBALL SCORING STAR IZZY HIGGINBOTTOM. | Schulz | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
SB594
Act 705
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…erce to whom was referred House Bill 1917, House Bill 1918. Senate Bill 594, bigly report the same consideration here return the same r…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EXEMPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR NEW … | M. McKee | Notification that SB594 is now Act 705 |
|
HB1084
Act 884
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1084 AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JO…”
|
AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1084 is now Act 884 |
|
HB1086
Act 784
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1086 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1086 is now Act 784 |
|
HB1089
Act 618
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1089 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - ARKANSAS WATERWAYS…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1089 is now Act 618 |
|
HB1101
Act 787
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1101 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION COMMISSION APPRO…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1101 is now Act 787 |
|
HB1106
Act 872
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1106 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATI…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1106 is now Act 872 |
|
HB1164
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1164 J. Mayberry TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO…”
|
TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO OFFER COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS; AND … | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1191
Act 619
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1191 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY APPROPRIATION FO…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1191 is now Act 619 |
|
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 |
|
HB1283
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1283 J. Mayberry TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECON…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO INCLUDE DIGITAL MEDIA STANDARDS IN … | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1444
Act 548
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1444 #1 Pilkington TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS. | Pilkington | Notification that HB1444 is now Act 548 |
|
HB1483
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1483 Gramlich TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUN…”
|
TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUNDS TO PAY FOR AN ADULT … | Gramlich | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1484
Act 910
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1484 Gramlich TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAI…”
|
TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1484 is now Act 910 |
|
HB1491
Act 874
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1491 Wardlaw CONCERNING THE EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE;…”
|
CONCERNING THE EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE; TO CREATE AN EXCISE TAX CREDIT … | Wardlaw | Notification that HB1491 is now Act 874 |
|
HB1504
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1504 S. Meeks TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF MANUFACTURING, MODIFYING,…”
|
TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF MANUFACTURING, MODIFYING, SELLING, TRANSFERRING, OR OPERATING A ROBOTIC DEVICE OR … | S. Meeks | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1580
Act 801
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1580 Gramlich TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION…”
|
TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1580 is now Act 801 |
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HB1590
Act 454
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…o 1327 Act 451. That 1509 Act 452. How to spell 1574 A 453. House Bill 1590, Act 454, House 5 91 Act 455. House Bill 1597 Act 456 House…”
|
TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN WOODRUFF COUNTY. | J. Moore | Notification that HB1590 is now Act 454 |
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HB1636
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1636 Ray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED B…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 1 OF … | Ray | Recommended for study in the Interim by the … |
|
HB1642
Act 916
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1642 Gramlich TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1642 is now Act 916 |
|
HB1648
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1648 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTM…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS; TO ALLOW A MEMBER OF A MUNICIPAL … | S. Meeks | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1683
Act 924
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1683 McAlindon TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENT…”
|
TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR A COMPONENT … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1683 is now Act 924 |
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HB1685
Act 1008
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1685 Underwood TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND TH…”
|
TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND … | Underwood | Notification that HB1685 is now Act 1008 |
|
HB1693
Act 458
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1693 Act 458. Sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Ark…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS; AND TO ALLOW THE STATE BOARD … | Hawk | Notification that HB1693 is now Act 458 |
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HB1728
Act 906
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1728 Ennett TO REQUIRE REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEI…”
|
TO REQUIRE REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEIVING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A DISABILITY AT INSTITUTIONS … | Ennett | Notification that HB1728 is now Act 906 |
|
HB1756
Act 803
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1756 Vaught TO ALLOW A PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR PERSON STANDIN…”
|
TO ALLOW A PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR PERSON STANDING IN LOCO PARENTIS TO A STUDENT … | Vaught | Notification that HB1756 is now Act 803 |
|
HB1766
Act 907
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1766 Ennett TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RESPOND, INNOVATE, SUCCEED, A…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RESPOND, INNOVATE, SUCCEED, AND EMPOWER (RISE) ACT. | Ennett | Notification that HB1766 is now Act 907 |
|
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. |
|
HB1793
Act 804
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1793 Duke TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS. | Duke | Notification that HB1793 is now Act 804 |
|
HB1805
Act 805
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1805 Childress TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND TO CRE…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND TO CREATE A PROCESS WHEREBY A PUBLIC SCHOOL … | Childress | Notification that HB1805 is now Act 805 |
|
HB1809
Act 880
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1809 Warren TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED…”
|
TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO QUALIFY … | Warren | Notification that HB1809 is now Act 880 |
|
HB1837
Act 999
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1837 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTER…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTERS REFERRED TO VOTERS; AND TO BAN FOREIGN … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1837 is now Act 999 |
|
HB1846
Act 946
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1846 S. Meeks TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS 2036 COMMISSION.”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS 2036 COMMISSION. | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1846 is now Act 946 |
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HB1852
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1852 J. Moore TO ESTABLISH A RIGHT TO REPAIR FOR CERTAIN AGRICUL…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A RIGHT TO REPAIR FOR CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT. | J. Moore | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1870
Act 840
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1870 Wing CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLOW THE…”
|
CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE A VOTER … | Wing | Notification that HB1870 is now Act 840 |
|
HB1879
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1879 Lundstrum TO REQUIRE ALL CITY COUNCILS AND COUNTY QUORUM CO…”
|
TO REQUIRE ALL CITY COUNCILS AND COUNTY QUORUM COURTS TO POST VIDEO RECORDINGS OF PUBLIC … | Lundstrum | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1893
Act 819
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1893 M. Brown TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER TO BAN AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1893 is now Act 819 |
|
HB1895
Act 843
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1895 Dalby TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION TO EM…”
|
TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION TO EMPLOY IN-HOUSE ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT AFFILIATES OF … | Dalby | Notification that HB1895 is now Act 843 |
|
HB1913
Act 928
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1913 J. Moore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DRIVER'S LICENSES; AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DRIVER'S LICENSES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE QUALIFICATIONS … | J. Moore | Notification that HB1913 is now Act 928 |
|
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. |
|
HB1921
Act 824
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1921 Torres TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO…”
|
TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO AMEND THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS … | Torres | Notification that HB1921 is now Act 824 |
|
HB1925
Act 846
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1925 Beaty Jr. AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLO…”
|
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; TO AMEND THE ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTER … | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1925 is now Act 846 |
|
HB1929
Act 797
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1929 McAlindon TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT;…”
|
TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1929 is now Act 797 |
|
HB1937
Act 821
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1937 Jean TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL RIGHTS UN…”
|
TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL RIGHTS UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § … | Jean | Notification that HB1937 is now Act 821 |
|
HB1943
Act 962
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1943 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1943 is now Act 962 |
|
HB1954
Act 869
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1954 Andrews TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATIO…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER … | Andrews | Notification that HB1954 is now Act 869 |
|
HB1957
Act 847
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1957 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY E…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT ELECTRONIC MAIL PREVENTION ACT TO INCLUDE UNSOLICITED … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1957 is now Act 847 |
|
HB1958
Act 848
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1958 S. Meeks TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CREATE A POLICY CONC…”
|
TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CREATE A POLICY CONCERNING THE AUTHORIZED USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1958 is now Act 848 |
|
HB1963
Act 963
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1963 Gonzales TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NU…”
|
TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A … | Gonzales | Notification that HB1963 is now Act 963 |
|
HB1965
Act 870
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1965 McCullough TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT O…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES … | McCullough | Notification that HB1965 is now Act 870 |
|
HB1969
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1969 L. Johnson TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE ACCESS; TO…”
|
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE ACCESS; TO AMEND THE ASSESSMENT FEES ON HOSPITALS; AND … | L. Johnson | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HCR1011
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HCR1011 McAlindon TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN CYCLING…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN CYCLING AND ITS TITLE AS THE MOUNTAIN BIKING CAPITAL OF … | McAlindon | Approved by the Governor |
|
HJR1018
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HJR1018 Ray THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT.”
|
THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT. | Ray | Approved by the Governor |
|
HR1098
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1098 Beck TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE ENERGY COUNCIL ON THE OCC…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE ENERGY COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. | Beck | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1100
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HR1100 Henley TO CELEBRATE THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF HOPE, ARKANSAS.”
|
TO CELEBRATE THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF HOPE, ARKANSAS. | Henley | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
HR1103
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…for Homes and fired House Bill 1003, House Resolution 1102, House Resolution 1103. House resolution 1104. House resolution 1105. House resolu…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE CHARLOTTE THOMAS ON THE OCCASION OF HER UPCOMING RETIREMENT FOR HER FIFTY-ONE YEARS … | Steele | READ AND ADOPTED. |
|
SB123
Act 553
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB123 G. Leding Vaught TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR M…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS. | G. Leding | Notification that SB123 is now Act 553 |
|
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 |
|
SB128
Act 533
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB128 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB128 is now Act 533 |
|
SB130
Act 534
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB130 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION FOR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB130 is now Act 534 |
|
SB148
Act 587
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB148 J. English Achor TO ESTABLISH THE CREATING AN INVESTMENT OP…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE CREATING AN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKERS ACT OF 2025. | J. English | Notification that SB148 is now Act 587 |
|
SB153
Act 588
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB153 J. Dotson Warren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VARIOUS PROVIS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF TITLE 24 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE; AND … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB153 is now Act 588 |
|
SB157
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB157 J. Dotson Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BENEFITS UNDER…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BENEFITS UNDER THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS. | J. Dotson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB160
Act 589
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB160 J. Dotson Warren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. | J. Dotson | Notification that SB160 is now Act 589 |
|
SB237
Act 554
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB237 J. Boyd Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING A…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CAPTIVE INSURERS. | J. Boyd | Notification that SB237 is now Act 554 |
|
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 |
|
SB252
Act 590
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB252 J. Dismang Wardlaw TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAU…”
|
TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY VAPOR PRODUCTS AND E-LIQUID PRODUCTS; AND … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB252 is now Act 590 |
|
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 |
|
SB332
Act 536
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB332 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMEN…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION SEXUAL … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB332 is now Act 536 |
|
SB343
Act 734
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB343 Irvin Clowney TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC PROPERTY; … | Irvin | Notification that SB343 is now Act 734 |
|
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 |
|
SB351
Act 592
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB351 J. Dismang Eaves TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CAM…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB351 is now Act 592 |
|
SB357
Act 572
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB357 J. Bryant Unger TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE P…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO APPLY MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB357 is now Act 572 |
|
SB361
Act 576
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB361 Dees Beaty, Jr. TO CREATE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHOR…”
|
TO CREATE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES EXPANSION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF … | Dees | Notification that SB361 is now Act 576 |
|
SB371
Act 653
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB371 J. Scott Brooks TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID I…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE SEARCH OF MISSING CHILDREN WHO DO … | J. Scott | Notification that SB371 is now Act 653 |
|
SB374
Act 751
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB374 B. Davis Wing TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CIVIL SERVICE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM. | B. Davis | Notification that SB374 is now Act 751 |
|
SB405
Act 555
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB405 J. Dismang Maddox TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER…”
|
TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER INFORM ACT. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB405 is now Act 555 |
|
SB407
Act 577
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB407 Gilmore Beaty, Jr. TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987. | Gilmore | Notification that SB407 is now Act 577 |
|
SB412
Act 614
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB412 J. Boyd McClure TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SET THE PER-MILE AMOUNT FOR THE … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB412 is now Act 614 |
|
SB421
Act 578
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB421 Hester Beaty, Jr. TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT … | Hester | Notification that SB421 is now Act 578 |
|
SB422
Act 615
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB422 C. Tucker K. Brown TO ALLOW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO CONT…”
|
TO ALLOW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A NEW OR EXISTING ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB422 is now Act 615 |
|
SB433
Act 573
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB433 J. Dotson A. Brown REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MO…”
|
REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. | J. Dotson | Notification that SB433 is now Act 573 |
|
SB440
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB440 D. Wallace Rye TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS AND FU…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS; TO REGULATE THE USE OF ALKALINE … | D. Wallace | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB448
Act 579
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB448 J. Petty Lundstrum TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFF…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, AND … | J. Petty | Notification that SB448 is now Act 579 |
|
SB460
Act 697
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB460 Irvin Gramlich TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO…”
|
TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO REPEAL THE MARKETING RECYCLABLES PROGRAM OF THE COMPLIANCE … | Irvin | Notification that SB460 is now Act 697 |
|
SB463
Act 580
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB463 M. McKee M. Brown TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE CO…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DENY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CLOSING … | M. McKee | Notification that SB463 is now Act 580 |
|
SB479
Act 593
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB479 K. Hammer Hawk TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB479 is now Act 593 |
|
SB498
Act 581
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB498 J. Petty N. Burkes TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE O…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS AND TO PROTECT DRIVER … | J. Petty | Notification that SB498 is now Act 581 |
|
SB503
Act 616
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB503 Crowell Eaton TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AN EMPLOYER…”
|
TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AN EMPLOYER MUST HAVE TO BE MANDATED TO FILE … | Crowell | Notification that SB503 is now Act 616 |
|
SB505
Act 595
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB505 J. Bryant McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PL…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PLANNING; AND TO REQUIRE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR CHANGES … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB505 is now Act 595 |
|
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 |
|
SB545
Act 564
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB545 M. Johnson Dalby TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE PROPERTY A…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE PROPERTY AND FINANCES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER … | M. Johnson | Notification that SB545 is now Act 564 |
|
SB564
Act 596
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB564 Flippo M. Brown TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BEER" TO CHANGE…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BEER" TO CHANGE THE ALLOWABLE ALCOHOLIC CONTENT AND TO INCLUDE … | Flippo | Notification that SB564 is now Act 596 |
|
SB64
Act 532
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB64 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVI…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB64 is now Act 532 |
|
SB93
Act 1010
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB93 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR TH…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB93 is now Act 1010 |
Machine transcript
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
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- October 2, 2026
Speaker 7
6:52
I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to
stand and be led in prayer today by Pastor Anthony King of the Faith International Ministries of West Memphis guests today of Representative Jesse McGruder and Representative Lincoln Barnett and to remain standing for
the Pledge of allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. Let us pray. Dear Heavenly
Speaker 13
7:16
Father, in Jesus' name, we thank You for this day that you have given to us. Today, we ask for
your grace, your mercy. We lift up our governor, we lift up all the state representatives that's representing this wonderful state of Arkansas. Father, we pray that you will continue to be our strength and our God, as we've been through the weekend of flood waters. We pray that you will give wisdom, grace, and maneuvering through this ordeal that we're facing. We pray for the family members of every representative. here, House Speaker. We pray that you strengthen them, give them the uh uh communication skills to be able to work
together to do a great work in this
Speaker 15
8:05
wonderful city of Arkansas. Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your
Speaker 20
8:59
As everyone indicated their presence. Cast up the ballot.
There are 99 members present, chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Furman, for what purpose? Leave, you're recognized. Representative Milligan is leave granted for Representative John Milligan. So ordered Representative Matthew Shepherd moves that
we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal.
Chair
Unverified
9:31
Representative Pierce, for what purpose?
leave granted for Representative Dwight Tosh. So ordered. Any others?
Representative Matthew Shepherd moves, we dispensed the reading the previous day's journal. No objections. So ordered. Madam Claire, do you have reports from select committees, you are
Chair
Unverified
10:14
recognized. Mr. Speaker, were your committee on house management for Homes and fired House Bill 1003, House Resolution 1102, House Resolution 1103. House resolution 1104. House resolution 1105. House resolution 1106. House Resolution 1107, House Resolution 1108. House Memorial resolution 1009 House Memorial resolution 1010, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for time for the same recognition that do pass effectively submitted Representative Volt, chair.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Do you have reports of standing committees, you're recognized.
Mr. Speaker, we your committee on Aging Children and
Youth and Legislative Affairs, to whom the House Bill 1964 House concurrent resolution 1010. beg leave portany. And the same consideration here for
terms of the same recommendations that do pass effectfully submitted Representative Eubank's chair. Mr. Speaker, we Committee on Aging Children and Youth and Legislative Affairs to who was referred House Bill 1669,
bigly reporting the same consideration here with the same recommendation that they do pass the concurrence in Amendment
number one, respectfully submitted Representative Eubanks Barker, chair. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee onsurance and commerce to whom was referred House Bill 1917, House Bill 1918. Senate Bill 594, bigly report the same consideration here return the same recommendation that do pass effectively submitted. Representative Maddox,
chair. Thank you, Madam Clark. Do you have any
Speaker 42
11:25
unfinished business? Any executive communications. Please read the letter from the governor. April 4, 2025 to the Speaker
Speaker 44
11:32
of the House. Dear Mr. Speaker, this informed me that on April 3, 2025, I reviewed and approved
Chair
Unverified
11:37
the following measures from regular session of the ninety-fifth General Assembly. House Bill 1288 at 423 hospitals 1167 Act 431. House 12:45. Act 432. House Bill 1254. Act 433. House 1257 Act 434 House 1258 Act 435 hospital 1673 Act 436. Hos 1268 Act 450, Ho 1327 Act 451. That 1509 Act 452. How to spell 1574 A 453. House Bill 1590, Act 454, House 5 91 Act 455. House Bill 1597 Act 456 House Bill 1637 Act 457,
House Bill 1693 Act 458. Sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Members, if I could draw your attention to the back of the chamber, we have with us today. Lieutenant Tiffany Dykes of the regulatory Services Division and Corporal Trey Keller of the Highway Patrol Administration.
Thank you very much for your service to Arkansas and the House of Representatives.
Speaker 48
12:42
Also, uh, members also with us in the back of the chamber with us. We have our
doctor of the day, Doctor Shaundra Singh, a rheumatologist from Cersei, guest of Representative Les Eaves today. Serving alongside Doctor Singh today,
our nurse, Ms. Lee Fazio. Ms. Lee, thank you for your service to the house. Members, we have a lot of guests
here with us today. We're very blessed to have them, uh, here, be a part of, of, uh, our work today. I direct your attention, uh, to the North Gallery up over my shoulder with us today. If I could have them to stand. We
have members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. We have the interim Game and Fish commission director, Chris Ray. We have Colonel Brad Young, senior Corporal Ryan Nast, Commissioner Chris Caldwell, Commissioner Brandon Adams, Game
wardens Brady Smith and Austin Powell. They are guests today of Representative Chad Pierce. Would you please make them
welcome? Over in the West gallery, to my right, we have with us the economic developer, the, the head of economic
development for the city of Clarksville, uh, Mr. Steven Hauserman, guest of Representative Aaron Pilkington. Stephen?
Also down along the front walls on both sides underneath the voting boards today we have a number of pages here serving with us. We thank them for their
interest in the house and for the work they're gonna do for us. Uh, would you please make them welcome? Representative Bless Eaves.
Speaker 64
14:53
what purpose? point of personal privilege. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
15:12
Speaker, colleagues, one of the coolest things we get to do here is recognize folks from back in our district, and I have a
group here in the East Gallery. I want to tell you just a little bit about it's this, uh, Cersei Lady
Lions wrestling team. Uh, the lady Lions wrestling team finished the season undefeated in duels 23 and 0. They have not lost a duel since 2021. They were the 5A girls dual state champions, the 5A North Regional champions and the 5 A Girls state tournament champions, and check this out. This is the 4th state championship in a row for these girls. Uh, they have won 5 out of 6 state champions since the creation of girls wrestling in Arkansas in 2020. So they're doing pretty incredible. This
year, they had 4 individual state champions of Valeria Moreno, Gracie Webb, Emerson Pulley and Isabella Penson. They also had 4 other Allstate athletes, McKenna. like her, Elizabeth Bogan, Katie Nave, and Tory Seymour. If you would join me please and give this wonderful group of athletes, a House of Representatives, standing ovation, please. Thank you.
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
16:26
Representative Torres, for what purpose? What a personal privilege. You're recognized to go to the well. Thank you Mr. Speaker and House members, I'm delighted to have some distinguished students here from John Brown University, political science majors,
if you could help me welcome them to our house today, that'd be great.
Members of Representative Chad Perrier moves that we place Senate Bill 571 back on second
reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection. So ordered. Madam clerk, please read amendment number 1. Amendment 1 is Senate
Bill 571. Representative Perrier, you're recognized to explain amendment number one to Senate Bill 571. Mr. Speaker,
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
17:30
this simply adds me as the co-sponsor. Representative Perrier has
explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment?
For the amendment Representative Perrier is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is a passage of amendment number one to Senate Bill 571. All in favor say aye. Po nay. You guys have it. The amendment is adopted. Please send the bill as amended to engrossing.
Members of Representative Justin Gonzalez moves that we play Senate bill 238 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment.
That objection, so ordered. Madam Clark, please read amendment number one.
Chair
Unverified
18:30
Amendment 1 is Senate Bill 238. Members were going to pass over. That motion
to amend. Now move to resolutions. Madam Clerk, please read House concurrent resolution 1004.
Chair
Unverified
18:50
House concurrent resolution 1004 by Representative Wardlaw to congratulate game warden Austin Powell on receiving the Monte Carmike Officer of the Year award in the 2024 Robert M. Brantley Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. Representative Ward Law, you're recognized to explain
your resolution. Mr. Speaker, can I ask permission for Representative Pierce to join
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
19:08
me. Representative Pierce, if you would join Representative Ward Law in the well.
Members It's been a long session. And a lot of
this session. We have an appreciated the work. That the game of fish actually does for Arkansas. There's been some bills aimed at, at slowing down their ability to do their job. And I want to use today being the day the sportsman's Caucus has his fish fry to highlight some of the good things that these officers do for us and
protecting the wildlife that we hold near and dear. To our hearts. Um Mr. Austin Powell. Who's up above me here standing. Has Has been one of the leaders at just 26 years old and becoming a state game warden of the year. He went on to become the, the national game warden of the year with the, uh, Southeast. Association of Game and fish agencies.
This young man has put his heart and soul into protecting the wildlife. That we all hold near and dear. And I just think it's very important that we highlight these things. He's also one of the guys that you love to see at the boat ramp when you come out because you know you're gonna be greeted courteously and professionally by a young man like Mr. Powell. And that's what we're asking for out of our game wards today is that they stand out there and they protect our game, but they do it in a way where the public can feel comfortable pulling up to them
and talking to them, where the outlaws try to
run and hide, and I promise you they're not gonna hide very far from Mr. Powell. So, Representative Pierce,
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
21:05
do you have anything to add? I just want you to understand what an accomplishment this is for this young
man, uh, many cannot say that they have been able to do this before in this profession. And to be, to be recognized nationally after, I don't know how many states, I'm sure the Southeastern, so somewhere around 25 states we competed against 26. So, Congratulations.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
21:28
If you guys would join me in, uh, sending him off well with the congratulations from the
House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, if you would have clerk read the uh resolution title only.
Speaker 103
21:47
Madam Clark, please read the resolution by title. To
Chair
Unverified
21:49
congratulate game warden Austin Powell on receiving the Monte Car Mic Officer of the Year award in 2024, Robert M. Brantley, law enforcement Officer of the Year Award.
Speaker 105
21:58
Representative Wardlaw has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak
against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Wardlaw is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House concurrent resolution 1004. All those in favor say aye.
Speaker 48
22:17
nay, the ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Wardlaw. The resolution is adopted.
Madam Clark, please read House Resolution 1045. 1045 by
Chair
Unverified
22:39
Representative Wardlaw to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the sportfish restoration program as part of the American system of conservation funding. Representative Wardlaw,
you're recognized to explain the resolution Mr. Speaker, if
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
22:49
you don't mind, I'd have Representative Pierce to join me again. Yes. Thank you. So, ladies and gentlemen, there was a uh national tax put in place 75 years ago this year.
Um hit my mind straight. I've had my mind on hospitals and insurance. Called the American system. That's not right. Anyway, Dingle Johnson funds, we're gonna go redneck on it. The neat thing about the Dingle Johnson funds is we only started collecting data in 2007. So I
want you to remember that when I go through some of these numbers. So according to the 2022 US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Survey of Fishing, hunting and wildlife recreation, 97,000 residents and non-resident anglers spent 13.6 million days fishing in Arkansas, and 3. $8 billion on fishery related expenses. So folks, this thing's been in place for 75 years, that data is only back to 2007. So imagine what that looks like
over the whole 75 year period. Arkansas has 600,000 acres of lakes, 90,000 miles of streams and more than 30 species of sport fish. Arkansas has a network of more than 450 boat ramps to to help hunters, to help anglers access fishing opportunities. Arkansas. has been a appropriated $207 million in sporting fish restoration funds since 1952. If it wasn't for taxes like this.
You wouldn't be able to access the water that you're able to
access today. It's what gives us the ability to put our boats in the lakes. It's what gives us
the ability to access what we love to do every single day. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Representative Pierce. Representative
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
24:54
Pierce. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, colleagues, this, uh, the SFR, which is a, a sport, uh, fishing restoration. It has put in since
Like Representative Wardlaw said, we've only been keeping data. They've only been keeping data since 2007. And one of the, one of the facts that I found, I thought was interesting, over $27 million they have, they have give us appropriated for Arkansas in this category to build these things to take care of our fish hatcheries, our, our, our net pins, all the things like this, and to put millions of fish back in the waters. There's over 35 sport fish, to my knowledge in the state of Arkansas. And this is what this does. So
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I'd ask that the
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
25:43
clerk read to resolution title only. Madam Clark, please read the
Chair
Unverified
25:47
resolution by title commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary
of the sportfish restoration program as part of the American system of conservation funding. Representative Wardlaw has explained the resolution.
What do you want like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Wardlaw is closed for the resolution, question
before the House is the passage of House resolution 1045. All in favor say aye. nay You guys have it. Congratulations, Representative Wardlaw. The resolution is adopted. Representative Pierce, for what purpose? You're recognized to come to the well.
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
26:46
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could I have, Mr. Speaker, could I have, uh, Representative Brown and Representative Wardlaw to join
me in the well, please. He's joined Representative. Pearson
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
27:01
well, please. Colleagues, another national recognition. Today we have with us Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Brady. Uh, game warden Brady Smith with District C1, which is in Cleveland County, and that is in Ms. Lisa's district, so I'm
gonna let her take it from here
and, uh, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Representative for bringing this. We are really proud in Cleburne County to have officer Smith serving us. He attended the National Turkey Federation forty-ninth annual convention and one game warden of the Year award. But not only that, he had to compete against 26 of his peers here in the state of Arkansas to be nominated for this, and then he went to
compete against 26 other states, excuse me, 26 other states. So we're honored, uh, that he exemplifies all of the skills set to win this achievement. And so if y'all would join us in congratulating Officer Brady Smith for all his service to the state, uh, we just want to honor him here today.
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
28:20
OK, with that on this resolution, I think this is where I explained, this is forthcoming for,
for Warden Brady, uh, for Warren Smith. And so, with that, thank you for congratulating and his, uh, certificate will be coming, you know, we'll be forthcoming. So thank
you. Members, Representative Justin Gonzalez moves that we place Senate Bill 238 back on second reading
for the purpose of amendment. That objection. So ordered, Madam Clark, please read amendment number 1, Senate
Bill 238. Amendment number 1 to Senate Bill 238. Representative Gonzalez, you are recognized
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
29:07
to explain the amendment. Senator Payton's bill, my amendment, and I appreciate a good vote. Y'all get a chance
to see it again. Representative Gonzalez has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment. For the amendment Representative Gonzalez is closed for the amendment. The
question before the House, it's passage of Amendment number 1 to Senate Bill 238, all in favor say aye. Po, Posne, I have it. Me is adopted. Please
send the bill as amended to engrossing. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
Unverified
29:41
concurrent resolution 1011. House concurrent resolution 1011 to recognize Bentonville's investment in cycling and its title as the
mountain biking Capital of the World. Representative McAlinden, you're
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
29:55
recognized to explain your resolution. Representative Scott
Richardson to join me. Representative Richardson, if
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
30:05
you'll join her in the well. Colleagues, today I rise to present you with House Concurrent resolution, uh, 1011, recognizing something truly remarkable. Um, it's for Bentonville, but it's also for the entire state. Bitonville has been recognized as a mountain biking capital of the world. And this is more than just a title, it's the result of intentional investment, tireless innovation, and community-wide commitment to
excellence. Bentonville and Visit Bentonville have built more than just trails. They've built a global destination with over 80 miles of local trails connected to regional network of more than 40. 00 miles of trails. We are witnessing the power of vision brought to life on two wheels. And why does this matter? Because cycling in Bentonville isn't just recreation, it's economic development. It's tourism, it's health and wellness. It's a catalyst for community connection through collaboration with groups like the City of Bentonville Parks and Rec, Runway Group, Trail
Blazers, Friends of Arkansas, single track and our local businesses, the city has transformed into a thriving hub for outdoor adventure innovation. lead athletes from around the world come to Bentonville. The US Olympic mountain biking women's team trained in Bentonville and the US College mountain biking championships were held in Bentonville as well. Families are drawn to the energy and the beauty of our trails. In fact, our success is now inspiring other cities both across the US and nationally to follow in our tracks. This resolution is a tribute to
the trail builders, the volunteers, the businesses, and the city leaders who dared to dream big and to work even harder. They've shown what's possible when you combine Arkansas grit with creative ambition. So let's continue to build on this momentum and ensure that future generations inherent in Arkansas where outdoor recreation, community wellness, and economic prosperity go hand in hand. Please recognize Bentonville's place on the world stage as a mountain biking capital of the world. Uh, Mr. Speaker, would you please ask the clerk to read the title. Madam Clark, please read the resolution by title.
Chair
Unverified
32:00
To recognize Bentonville's investment in cycling and its title as the mountain biking Capital of the
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
32:06
World. I would just like to recognize before we vote that, um, the woman behind all of this, Kaylene Griffin, is in the North gallery.
Representative McAlinden has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative McLennon his closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House concurrent
resolution 1011, all those in favor say aye. Pona. You guys have it.
Speaker 154
32:49
Congratulations, Representative McAlinden. The resolution is adopted. Madam Clark, please read House
Chair
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Resolution 1, 1100. House Resolution 1100 by Representative Henley to celebrate the subsequential of Hope, Arkansas.
Representative Dolly Henley
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Representative Henley, you're recognized to explain your resolution. Thank
you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm honored to present House Resolution 1100 to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Hope, Arkansas. Hope will set out on the Cairo and Fulton railroad and was named in honor of the railroad commissioner's youngest daughter, Hope.
Hope was incorporated on April 8th, 1875, and is celebrating 150 years, thriving on the backs of citizens past and present who have and do instill a sense of community pride. Hope has been the birthplace of many who have achieved prominence in this great state, nationally and internationally. Most notably, former Arkansas Governor and president of the United States, the Honorable
William Jefferson Bill Clinton. And the former Arkansas governor and current US ambassador to Israel, the Honorable Michael Dale, Mike Huckabee. Always striving to improve the quality of life, the citizens of hope are successfully reviving their downtown and recently voted for improvements to the town's parks and construction of an indoor recreational facility. collaboration between Hope
Public Schools and the University of Arkansas, Hope, Texarkana, has resulted in more Hope High School seniors graduating with associate degrees than any other city in Arkansas, which serves as a role model for the rest of the state. For much of its history, hope has been known as the home of the world's largest watermelons. In the north gallery, please make welcome Hope's leadership
that could be with us today. Board member Reginald Easter, assistant city manager Daniel Shelman in Parks and tourism director Summer Chambers. With that, I would appreciate a good vote for hope. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the resolution by title only.
Chair
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title of the resolution centennial of Hope, Arkansas. Representative Henley
has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution. Representative Henley is closed for the resolution,
question before the House is the passage of House resolution 1100. All those in favor say aye. Posne, you have it. Congratulations, Representative Henley, resolution is adopted.
Madam Clerk, please House resolution 1,098. House Resolution 1098 by
Chair
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Representative Beck to recognize and commend the Energy Council on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Representative
Beck, you're recognized to explain your resolution. Thank
Representative Rick Beck
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you, Mr. Chair. Uh, folks, this is the 50th anniversary of the Energy Council, uh, started in 1975, which you may not know about the Energy Council is that
Arkansas was one of 5 of the founding states that started the Energy Council. The Energy Council is the function of the energy council is really just to inform lawmakers of the ever changing energy market and the new innovations that are coming for making um. Recommendations to to Washington concerning those changes. Uh, since that time, there's the Energy Council is now 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces, and
with that, I would ask for a good vote. Mr. Speaker, please have the resolution read
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and title. And then Clark, please read resolution
Chair
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by title and commend the Energy Council of the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Representative Beck has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. For the resolution? Representative Beck is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage
of House resolution 1098. All those in favor say aye. Pona Ya's habit. Congratulations, Representative Beck, your resolution is adopted. Adam Clark, please read House Joint resolution. 1018. House
Chair
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Joint Resolution 1018 by Representative Ray, the citizens only voting amendment. Representative Ray,
you're recognized to explain the resolution.
Representative David Ray
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, House Joint
resolution 1018 is the proposed constitutional amendment that was referred out of the House state agencies Committee for your consideration. It's a proposed constitutional amendment that would ensure that only United States citizens can vote in our state and local elections. It amends Article 3, Section 1 of the Arkansas Constitution, which deals with the qualifications of electors, and that is all that the amendment does. I start from the simple premise that Arkansans should determine
the future of Arkansas, and Americans should determine the future of America. And yet there are 4 states plus the District of Columbia which allow for non-citizen voting in certain local elections. And in those 4 states, there are 21 municipalities, some of which are major American cities like Oakland, San Francisco, and sadly, even our nation's capital that allow for non-citizen voting. In their elections.
Chicago, a city home to 2.7 million people allows for non-citizen voting in their school board elections. Most states, when they establish their state constitutions, they use language such as every citizen who is of 18 years of age or older may vote or is eligible to vote. Arkansas's constitution uses the phrase any citizen instead of every citizen. Other states use the phrase all citizens, but whether you're using the phrase
every citizen, all citizens. Or every citizen, none of those phrases are sufficient because they constitute a floor rather than a ceiling. Language that says any citizen can vote protects your right and my right as a as a citizen, but it's insufficient, um, it's, it leaves room for other people to be added to that list, specifically, the legalized voting of non-citizens. So by moving to the only citizen language, we're setting a ceiling for eligibility.
It is exclusive, unambiguous, and absolute. A couple of things that I want to mention about this measure. We all have voters in our districts and across the state who are concerned about the crisis of illegal immigration. They want us to do something about it. And while our federal government ultimately holds the final responsibility for enforcing our border, um, the states can and should take measures to help. But the main thrust of this amendment is trying to address
non legalized non-citizen voting in the states. Allowing non-citizens to vote undermines the importance of citizenship. Voting is a fundamental right of US citizens and allowing non-citizen voting dilutes the votes of legal. Citizens Because of this effort in many states, other states are pushing back. There's now a nationwide movement on this issue, and we have the opportunity to either be part of it or to be left behind. There are 2 states across the country that dictate
citizen only voting, and 15 of those 20 states have passed the citizens only voting amendment that you have before you today. In fact, in the last election in 2024, our neighbors in Oklahoma and Missouri amended their state constitution in this regard, along with Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin all on the same day. In 2022, voters in Ohio and Louisiana passed this amendment. And in 2020, Alabama, Colorado,
and Florida adopted this amendment. So there's a recognition around the country that this needs to happen, firmly believe that if we refer this amendment to the voters of Arkansas, they will approve it. As I mentioned, every citizen only voting amendment that has ever been referred to the voters has passed, and they passed with at least 63% support. Some states, such as South Carolina, Approved theirs with as much as 86% support. The average level
of support for this measure across the states is 73.5%. And recent polling shows that it's supported by more than 70% of our Kansans. You know, over the weekend, uh, our newspaper editorialized that this measure wasn't necessary. What they failed to recognize is that we live in an era and time in which radical ideas can gain steam very quickly due to the fast transmission of information. For example, if You had told me 10 years ago that there would be a nationwide
movement adopted by some of our national leaders to actually defund the police, I would have told you that was crazy, that that would never happen. And likewise, if I had told you 10 years ago that half of our nation's politicians would embrace the, the idea that biological men should compete in women's sports, you, you would have thought I was crazy. But that's here, that's where we are. So, similarly with the issue of non-citizen voting, we're in a position where we can get in front of this, 15 other states
have already have. Non-citizen voting. Laws have been challenged 4 different times in courts, and they've actually been upheld 3 of the 4 times. Because many constitutions were not written strongly enough to prevent this, so I don't want to wait 10 more years and just cross our fingers and hope that this idea doesn't become mainstream. And I certainly don't want to leave it up to the courts to decide. So, in closing, I just want to thank all of the members of the House state agencies Committee for their support of this
measure, and I'd be happy to answer any questions. Seeing none, would appreciate a good vote. Representative Ray has
explained the resolution. Would anyone like speak against the resolution. Would anyone like Representative Gonzalez Worthen, you're recognized to speak against the
Representative Justin Gonzales
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resolution. Thank you, Speaker. We have no evidence of
non-citizen non-citizen voting in Arkansas. It is against the law. I mentioned this previously. No immigrant would risk their opportunity of ever becoming a citizen. By voting and they're not citizens. They would not do that. They're on the verge of becoming citizens, and so they would not risk their chance of ever becoming a citizen to vote.
In my community of Springdale, we have a lot of support. For, for individuals that are on their pathway to citizenship, to encourage them once they become citizens to register to vote and to vote. Are naturalized citizens we have a lot of them on the path to becoming naturalized citizens, and they are in that process. Um, I mentioned also that I was part of a naturalized citizen
ceremony and at the University of Arkansas recently and all of those individuals voted. So I will vote against this. I will vote against this resolution because there simply is no evidence of non-citizens voting in Arkansas. It is against the law and it will remain against the law. Thank you. Representative Gonzalez Worthen has spoke against the
resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution?
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
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Representative Beatty, you're recognized to speak for the resolution. Members, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate being recognized. I wasn't going to speak, uh, for this resolution, but after, um, after hearing the comments that were just made, I, I just want to drive home the fact that, that this is a great resolution, something we need to lean into. If it's illegal and, and non-immigrants aren't voting, it shouldn't be a problem. It shouldn't be an issue. And if there's just one that's voting, then it's a huge issue, just not
for regular, um, for, for citizens and registered voters. But for the, the immigrants that that strive to obtain voting rights and strive for citizenship. It's just as important to them, and that's why we should vote for this resolution.
If it's just one in the state, that's too many. Representative
Beatty has spoke for the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution, Representative
Ray, you're recognized to close with the resolution. Colleagues, I appreciate the
Representative David Ray
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debate. I, I never Um, I never inferred that this was non-citizen voting was rampant in Arkansas. The purpose of this measure is to prevent legalized non-citizen voting. As I stated in my presentation, there are municipalities and states around the country that are, that are legalizing non-citizen voting in their local elections. I cited many examples, one of which was
Chicago, a city of nearly 3 million people. that legally allows non-citizens to vote in their elections. So that's what this is designed to prevent that from ever happening in Arkansas, or the, the current language in our Constitution, the way it was constructed is not sufficiently strong to prevent that. If someone tried to allow it. And so
that is the purpose of this amendment. I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Ray is closed for
the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Joint resolution 1018. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 82 ya, 6 nay, and 3 present.
Resolution is adopted. Morning hour has ended. Members, we're gonna go to the yellow budget calendar first. Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1084, back on second
reading for the purpose of amendment, that objection. So, I ordered, Madam Clerk, please read amendment number one to House Bill 1084. Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1084. Representative Jean, you're recognized to explain Amendment
One. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is the uh leg audit. This is the
pay plan that we just passed $139 million pay plan. This is now getting in here. This is what this amendment does for their operation budget. Any question on the amendment? Appreciate a good vote. Repent Jean has explained the amendment. Would
anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment
Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is the passage of amendment number 1 to House Bill 1084. All those in favor say
aye. nay, the eyes have it. The amendment is adopted. Please send the bill as amended to engrossing. Representative Jeanne Moos we play House Bill 1086 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. That objection, so ordered. Madam Clerk, please read amendment number 1 to House Bill 1086. Amendment number 1 to
1086. Representative Jean, you're recognized to explain the amendment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the same thing for The Court of Appeals. This includes the pay plan into their ops budget. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the budget, on
the amendment. Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the
amendment? For the amendment Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is a passage of Amendment number 1 to House Bill
1086. All those in favor say aye. Pona You
have it. Amendment is adopted, placed in the bill is amended to engrossing. Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1101 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. That objection. So ordered, Madam clerk, please read amendment number 1 to House Bill 1101. Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1101. Representative Jean, you're recognized. Thank you,
Mr. Speaker. Same thing on the governor's mansion, this, this
ties in the pay plan that we just passed into
their budget. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the, on the amendment.
Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the
amendment? For the amendment Representative Jean is closed for the amendment question before the House is the passage of Amendment number one to House Bill 1101. All in favor say
aye. Pona You guys have it. Your amendment is adopted, please send the bill as amended to engrossing.
Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1106 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, so ordered. Madam Clark, please read amendment number 1 to House Bill 1106 to 1106. Gene, you're recognized. Thank you Mr. Speaker, this is
the office's treasurer, this, this includes the, uh, pay raises that were tied to the pay plan. Any questions? Thank you. Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? I didn't even like to speak for the
amendment. Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is the passage of Amendment number one to House Bill 1106. All in favor say aye. Pose
nay You guys have it. The amendment is adopted. Please send the bill as amended to engrossing. Representative Junior recognized to present the
budget calendar. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, after a lot of discussion with members. Uh,
I'm gonna just batch two bills, the rest of them we're gonna take one by one. that's where a lot of the members felt comfortable the first two, the Department of, uh, Commerce, Arkansas Waterways and the Department of Public Safety. I've been wanting to batch those two bills to be House Bill 1089 and House Bill 1191. Any questions? Or do I need to separate these two? Singan, you're
one vote is for the bail and emergency clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk with the bill 3rd time.
Unknown speaker
53:33
Matt Clark, read the bills for the 3rd time.
High school 1089. High school 1191. Members, your one vote is for the
bill and the emergency clause on each bill. So everyone voted. So everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot. Vote of 95, yeah, 0, nay, and 1 present. You passed the bill and the
emergence clause, both bills in the batch. Representative
Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, the last House bill is House Bill 1265, this is the
University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Uh, this is the only bill. They'll have to go down to the Senate. So folks that have been voting against it, we got to allow a few more days because you got to go to the Senate. Uh, keep that in mind.
I don't want to be back for a special session. But anyway, any questions on this bill? Your one vote
is for the bill, the mergy clause. Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam clerk read
the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Rose, you're speak against the bill.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
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55:56
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Good afternoon. Just wanted to share a couple of thoughts, and I appreciate Mr. Budget Chair's, uh, desire to not return for a special session, neither do I. Just a couple of quick thoughts on, um, a couple of these appropriations, UALRs, UCAs and UFA, but I'll keep this specific to one since that's what I'm standing on right now. There are programs that exist at some of these universities, uh, that are titled Gender Studies Programs, which are divisive,
ideology-driven, and they have narratives, uh, That most taxpayers wouldn't agree with, yet they're having to fund and pay for. I've had respectful meetings with leadership at these institutions. President's provosts, government relations, and they've been cordial, but also unwilling to Make any meaningful reforms. Uh, for these programs that At best send out students for low paying jobs.
Uh, I'm grateful for the work that has been done on access and what it will do. And I'm grateful for Representative McAlinden. She's working on a, what I believe will be an interim study that will give us great tools a year from now. But my belief is that we never truly get to the negotiating table, and, uh, if we pass these appropriations without those negotiations, we failed to appropriately, uh, hold these institutions' feet to the fire to actually negotiate on the areas that many of you have been supportive of. and I'm appreciative of that
support and with that, I'll be a no vote and I encourage
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you to be as well. Thank you. Representative Rose has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like
to speak for the bill? And we like to speak against the
bill. Representative Jean, Clothes for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1265. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot With a 670, 18A, and
4 present, the bill has
failed. Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we've done this Several times. Senate Bill 64, Department of Education, AETN,
any questions? Seeing no, your one vote is for the bill, the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam
Clark, read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like
to speak against the bill? for the bill? Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 64. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
Everyone voted As everyone voted cast up the ballot. Your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause, the vote of 76, 17 nay and one present. You've passed the bill in the emergency clause. Representative Jean.
At the request of uh several members, uh, we're gonna pass over the Department of Education. Uh, just kind of at the Department of Education knows some members have asked for some clarity and some issues. I don't know what they are, but I've, I told these members we'll pass over them today to give an opportunity, so we're gonna pass over, uh, Senate Bill 93 and put it on tomorrow's calendar. And our next bill will be Senate Bill 125. This is the University of Central Arkansas.
Up, uh, any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause, the speaker, the clerk read the bill a
3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 125. Bre the Machine, Madam Clerk.
So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot With about a 71, 18 nay, and 5 present.
The bill has failed. Representative Jean. Thank you Mr. Speaker, next appropriation is the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Senate Bill 127.
Any questions? Singing none, your one vote is for the bill and the mercy clause, but Speaker, the clerk read the bill 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for
the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the
bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
Senate Bill 127. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Is everyone
voted? As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. vote of 74, 12 nay, and 8 present bill has failed. Madam
Clerk, uh, Representative Jean, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. be 128. This is the, uh, UAMS operation budget.
Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk pay the bill a 3rd time. Madam
Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time. 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 128. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
Has everyone voted? everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote
of 96, 0, nay, and 1 present. The bill in the emergency clause has passed. Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Senate Bill 130, this is Arkansas State University Appropriation. Any questions?
Your one vote is for the bill, the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, had the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read
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1:03:29
the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill. For the bill Representative Jean is closed with the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 130. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Members, your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause.
So everyone voted. Everyone voted Cast up
the ballot. By a vote of 91, 4 nay, and 0 present. The bill in emergency
clause is passed. Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. The last bill comes from Senator Dodson, Representative Lundstrom, and Representative Bentley. This is a $4 million appropriation only. They'll have
to find the funding inside the, uh, agency. It's, uh, I guess they, uh, secondary education. trying to find the right word. Avoidance. And we go, I didn't want to use the other word, avoidance program, uh, that is, uh, but it's not, it's not guaranteed funded of the, if the department wants to fund it, it can fund it on its own, just appropriation only. Any questions? Singing none, your one vote is
for the bill, emergency clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam
Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time 332. Representative Jean has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? And I like to speak for the bill, Representative Bentley, you recognized speak
Representative Mary Bentley
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1:05:20
for the bill. I just wanna real quickly say these ladies, this group is doing Healthy connections doing an outstanding job in the
counties they've been, they have decreased teen pregnancy by over 50%. Do an awesome job. It's been in place sinceike Huckabee was here, a great group, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Representative Bentley has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Speaker 18
1:05:42
Representative Jean is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of Senate bill 332. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Members, your one vote is for the bill in the emergency clause. Everyone voted As everyone voted. Cast
up the ballot. The vote of 83, 4 nay, and 2 present. You have passed the bill in the emergency clause. We'll go back to the red calendar.
Representative Pilkington recommends that we concur in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1444. Madam clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1. Amendment number one to House Bill 1444
Chair
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1:06:39
Pilkington, you're recognized to explain Senate Amendment number
one. Hi, this is just some cleanup language, the Department of Commerce asked us
Representative Aaron Pilkington
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1:06:46
to include in the bill and so we made that change and that's for a good vote. Thank you. Representative Pilkington has explained
the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment
Representative Pilkington closed for the amendment question before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment number one,
the House Bill 1444, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted, so everyone
Speaker 193
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voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of
76, 9 nay, and 5 present. You have concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to
House Bill 1444. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1491. Hospital 1491 by
Chair
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1:07:41
Representative Woodlaw concerning the excise tax on certain beer and sake to create an exercise tax credit for certain
beer and sai produced using Arkansas rice and for other purposes. Representative Law, you're to
explain your bill. Some members The farming
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
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1:07:55
world is Something's near and dear to me, uh.
When I started in the House of Representatives, I had pine trees and tomato fields. I'm gonna end out this place with rice fields, a few pine trees, and still got the tomato fields. But those rice fields have always been near and dear to me my whole life because that's where the ducks like to, uh, to come south to. And right now we're in uncertain world. Rice prices across the world are the lowest they've been in a long time. This bill's not gonna help the pricing, but what this bill does is secure the number one
customer for Arkansas rice. And the way we're doing it is we're keeping all the money in the state of Arkansas. So if you make alcohol with rice, which is the number one customer of rice, as I've already said. The distributor gets a tax cut on the excise tax up to the percentage of the ingredient. And we did that for sake. We've done it for beer. This bill does it for alcohol. So it, it, any
alcohol manufacturer from beer all the way up. Gets this tax cut. And it goes to make sure that we keep Arkansas rice first. We've already seen bills like this all over the nation just this year to
help different products that are farmed in their state. With that, Mr. Chair, I'll take
any questions. Representative Painter, for what purpose? Question. Recognized for a question. Can you
Speaker 262
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Is it soy? Just a question. Mr. Speaker, I don't really know what you do with people like that. It is sake. Appreciate a good vote. Right. Representative Wardlaw has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? And would like to speak for the bill.
Represent War law is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill
1491. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. My vote of 55, 27 nay, and 7 present. The bill is passed.
At the request of Representative Britt McKenzie. We will pass over House Bill 1790 today.
Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1879. That's about
Chair
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1:10:49
1879 by representative Langstrom to require all city councils in county quorum courts to post video recordings of public meetings and to require all public meetings of city councils or county quorum courts to be recorded in video format.
Representative Blundstrom, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Robin Lundstrum
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1:11:04
Thank you, Speaker Evans. This bill is about promoting transparency. Every single day that we come down here, our
citizens can see exactly what we do. They can look back at that beautiful bean footage for years and know exactly what we do. Same within the Senate, and we survived when the Senate got on camera too. A lot of cities already do this, so it isn't a big lift, but this gives them a year to be able to understand one, how to post something on Facebook. And how to have transparency in their city. It is not a cost. They can use their cell phone and set it up where they can do the video right there, so it isn't an unfunded mandate, but
it does give citizens transparency, and they can see exactly what's happening an informed citizenry is how we all got here and I would appreciate a
good vote. Representative Lindstrom has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill, for the bill? Representative Lundstream is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1879. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk.
So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot The vote of 57, 23 nay, and 7 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill
Chair
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1:12:37
1852. 1852 by Representative Moore to establish a right to repair for certain agricultural equipment. Representative Moore, you're recognized
to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues.
Representative Kendra Moore
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1:12:55
Many of you may have heard the term right, uh, but to put it in simple layman's terms. I'll give you a very brief example. If your car or vehicle. And has its check engine light come on. You can take that car or vehicle to a dealership and and see what codes have been thrown and see exactly what's wrong with your car. But you can also take your car to an O'Reilly Auto parts. You can take it to an auto zone. Heck, you can take it to an independent mechanic or even your own home if you have the
technology that gives you the ability to read what code has been thrown. You have the right to repair your own vehicle. American farmers have been repairing their own equipment since the birth of our country. Just because technology improves, that does not mean that farmers shouldn't have the access to the specialty tools and software to replace their own equip equipment costs more than ever, and in some instances, cotton pickers cost around a million dollars. Combines cost upwards of half a million dollars. These
investments cost more than the average American home. Citing specific needs to address this issue. American Farm Bureau Federation came to an agreement with the 6 major manufacturers of ag equipment. They, along with John Deere, KIH, Klaus Kubota, etc. signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 that they ought to provide the software and specialty tools to farmers and independent mechanics at a fair and reasonable price. This does not infringe upon patents or force the manufacturers to give away their
products for free. The problem is that MOU is non-binding. What, 1852 does is it plucks that language from the MOU that these manufacturers have already signed. And puts it in state law. And this would help ensure that these farmers continue to have access at a fair and reasonable rate to this software and specialty equipment. This bill does not affect warranty work or even keep the manufacturer from voiding warranty should a farmer end up tearing into his own equipment and making the matters even
worse. Fixing your own equipment is a part of the American ideal of self-sufficiency, and it must be preserved for our farmers. This bill will will primarily be used for older equipment that's out of warranty. And the bottom line is that this bill, 1852, Ensures that our Arkansas farmers will not and cannot be made to take their equipment into a dealership to be repaired. And with that, I'll take any questions. Representative
Eaves, for what purpose? Question. You're recognized.
Representative Les D. Eaves
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1:15:30
Representative in reading some of the language in the bill, are you requiring the manufacturer to provide specialty tools and other proprietary information to these independent farmers or is it something they go to a dealership and use some
Representative Kendra Moore
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1:15:46
kind of walk me through how that's gonna work. So the manufacturers themselves have that proprietary information, and then they offer both that information or that software or specialty tools, um, I'm assuming they could offer it
Representative Les D. Eaves
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1:16:03
direct, but if I had to guess, it would go through the. You're recognized. So a John Deere dealership, would they be required to provide specialty
Representative Kendra Moore
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1:16:13
tools to a farmer so that he can repair his machine. If that farmer needed that, those tools, they may not have to have them in stock at that particular dealership, but the manufacturer would have to shows and specialty equipment available to
Representative Les D. Eaves
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1:16:25
that farmer, but you're putting the burden seems like on the dealership. The official dealership of, like, say, John Deere, for example, of.
Keeping those tools in stock and providing them. Either for free or at a fair and reasonable rate to these folks who want to repair their own machinery. Now they, I guess that's the question, are they? Is the dealership being required to keep those tools in stock to let them
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:16:51
do that on their own. So, the dealerships are not going to necessarily be required to keep anything in stock, even their equipment that they have advertised for sale in the dealerships, but the burden
would be on the manufacturer to make sure that those clients to Achieve. I mean, they could order them online for all I care. But the simple fact of the matter is, If you need a particular piece of software or a particular piece of specialty tool or equipment in order to change a fuel injector or She even read a code that was thrown on your On your tractor saying check engine, you ought to have the right to be able to acquire that information and acquire those tools at a fair and reasonable rate, not free.
They can still charge for it, but at a, at
Chair
Unverified
1:17:41
a fair and reasonable rate. Representative Duffield, for what purpose?
Representative Matt Duffield
Unverified
1:17:45
Question, you're recognized represented more just to clarify, I didn't get to speak with you about this beforehand. Does this bill include, like, for example, in, in, in my industry, front end loaders, track hoes, things of that
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:17:57
nature as well. So I've made a couple of amendments to this bill. This bill does not include ATVs or UTVs, and the 2nd amendment I made was purely
for construction equipment, excavators, uh, things that were not primarily used for agriculture. description of Kavanaugh, for what purpose? You're recognized. Represented
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
1:18:19
a more And thank you for covering about the warranty because, you know, as you and I talked, that was one of my big concerns is that we're not going to make it where they void a warranty. Um, the other question I have is when you talk to Farm Bureau, they talk about how this MOU that they have changes every 6 months. And when we put in
statute, we won't have the most current language. Is that, how is that going
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:18:44
to be addressed. So what I would say is that the MOU between American Farm Bureau and these manufacturers is. One thing and they can continue to modify and adjust that MOU. But what this bill does is it takes some of that language from that MOU that the dealership, well, not the dealerships, the manufacturers have already signed off on American Farm Bureau's already signed off on
this, this is a good idea for these farmers. That's not going to change. That simple concept of Being able to access these tools and the software. That is what we need
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
1:19:25
to enshrine in state law. Follow up, Mr. Speaker, you're recognized. OK, I appreciate that. Also, when we're talking about fair and reasonable pricing. So our is someone who is a dealer. I'm forced to pay whatever price the manufacturer tells me. It's
the farthest from free market, um, because we have one supplier, we pay their price, there's no negotiation, there's nothing. They do that also with their software update. They do that with their special tools. So are we going to get into a position where these businesses that have invested all this money to actually be a dealership are going to be charged higher than someone that's repairing it on their own. I don't
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:20:05
think that's what this bill does. And if that's what the man of the fire. OK, thank you.
Chair
Unverified
1:20:13
Representative Wooldridge, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized.
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
1:20:16
Representative Kavanaugh kind of asked my question, uh, but to that point, who,
who determines or decides what a fair and reasonable rate is for Representative Wooldridge.
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:20:27
It's a very good question, and When I spoke with John Deere about this, they pushed back on me on fair and reasonable, and I assured them that we passed as a, as a legislative body. We pass Legislation quite regularly with
those terms and far be it from me to put a percentage point or put a God forbid, line item markup on these particular tools. And so fair and reasonable is common terminology that I think is Recognized. Thank you and I appreciate that and I, and I think that
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
1:21:00
I agree with you. Um, my concern would be, and I guess I'd like to know if you
agree with this or not. Do you think this puts maybe the dealer and their customers at odds and lets
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:21:14
the manufacturer kind of hide behind that a little bit. So I would state that this would put the manufacturer and customers at odds. The dealers' hands, they're tied. I mean, they have an MSRP and that suggested a retail price comes from the top down, uh, not from the dealership
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
1:21:28
itself. So it's your belief that the manufacturer would set the rate Representatives, you're
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
1:21:35
recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, you said construction equipment, does that include trailers? Uh,
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:21:41
this wouldn't, the language that I have in my bill.
Defines Agricultural equipment. Includes without limitation to the following pieces
of equipment, tractor, combine harvesting equipment, tillage equipment, planting, irrigation, or cultivating implements, uh. And other offerers and I would Argue that
When you sell a trailer, to my knowledge, they do not get the tax
Representative Les D. Eaves
Unverified
1:22:31
exempt status for sales tax. Uh, follow up. You're recognized. I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, but I'll go with you on that one. Um, under manufacturers' obligations. When you're talking about Their obligations in providing tools and data to for the farmer, for example, is that something that the farmer would get direct from the manufacturer, or do they have to
go to, uh, in the case of John Deere, a
John Deere dealer, and then that puts the burden on the John Deere dealer
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:23:01
to provide all of those things to the So that will be left, uh, uh, it's not specified in this bill. But I will say this. And what this bill really, the, the essence of this bill is if you buy a lot of money, That's a lot of money that your
business, your crops, and the simple idea that we don't have anything in in law that protects you, that says, for this piece of equipment, if it breaks down, You don't have
to be held hostage by a dealership or a manufacturer. And not, I hate even using the word dealership because it's all top-down. Uh, the, the, um, but if John Deere or Case or Kubota, and I don't want to single out any one manufacturer, but if they're withholding that
Software that keeps people from actually reading or if they're withholding a specialty tool that keeps you from changing your oil or do something simple, uh, or even something more complex. And your tractor is no longer under warranty, and you have to take it into that dealership. To me, That just seems on our hands and on our mayor, un-American. Um, the MOU has done a great job. But everybody agrees that The manufacturers
Should provide These tools and these this software at a fair and reasonable rate to the farmers. Seeing no other questions, I would appreciate a good
Speaker 273
1:24:34
bit. 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
Speaker 193
1:25:00
House Bill 1852, repair the machine, Madam Clerk.
Everyone voted Has everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 67, 17 nay, 5 present. Bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
Unverified
1:25:21
Bill 1937 1937 by Representative Jean to amend the method of evaluation for mineral rights under Arkansas Constitution Article 16, Section 5, and to clarify the method of
evaluation for all and gas, oil production equipment. Representative Jean, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is a, uh, a bill that came from the industry 4 years ago, we did an evaluation on the, what the assessment and the assessors can assess all equipment, all this does is taking gas equipment at the wellhead on, on clarifies what, uh, the equipment there
can be assessed at. The Arkansas Associated Counties is OK with it. The assessors association's OK with it, and it has no known opposition. Any questions? I appreciate a good
vote. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the
passage of House Bill 1937, repair the machine, madam clerk.
Everyone voted Because everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 92, 0, nay, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam
Chair
Unverified
1:26:55
Clark, please read House Bill 1921. 1921 by Representative Torres to amend the Child Welfare Agency Licensing Act to amend the training and certification process for foster parents and to streamline the process of training and certifying relatives as foster parents
Representative Torres, you're recognized to explain
Representative Randy Torres
Unverified
1:27:09
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, House members, House Bill 1921. This bill aims to
make it easier for people, especially relatives to become foster parents in Arkansas by capping the training requirements. Uh, the bell caps, the number of training hours required for foster parents to 15 hours of initial training to get approved and 6 hours of training each year to stay approved, the division of
Children and Family Services can lower these requirements if needed. Uh, DCFS is already working on this and rules and has made progress. This bill simply places their current standards and statute and gives them the flexibility to continue working to get more foster families certified in the state. With that, I'll take any questions. Seeing that I'd appreciate a good boat. Representative Torres has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Torres is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage
of House Bill 1921. Repair the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted Everyone voted. Cast up the
ballot. The vote of 97, 0, nay, and 0 present. Bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1870.
Chair
Unverified
1:28:39
That's 1870 by Representative Wing concerning voter registration lists to allow the Secretary of State to provide a voter registration list of federal courts. Representative
Waing you're recognized to explain your bill.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. This bill, uh, is brought to us by the Secretary of State. It's after some model legislation in
Tennessee and all this does is very simply, it allows us to provide voter rolls to the federal courts, the federal courts could then in turn provide some information to us
with regards to when they, um, take, take somebody off of jury duty for something that might also affect their ability to be a registered voter. So things like if they have deceased, if they um don't live in Arkansas. anymore if they're convicted of a felon, those are, that's information that could be valuable to us as well. It's such a good cleaning the voter rolls bill, and, uh, happy to answer any questions. See you then. Appreciate a
good vote. Thank you. Representative Wing has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill Representative Wing is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1870. Prepare the machine, madam
Speaker 193
1:30:00
clerk. So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up
the ballot. The vote of 96 e, zero nay, and
0 present. The bill is passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1837. That's
Chair
Unverified
1:30:18
about 1837 by Representative McAlinden to amend
the law concerning disclosure for matters referred to voters and to ban foreign funding for ballot measures
to amend portions of Arkansas code that resulted from initiated Act 1 of 1996. Representative McAlinden, you
recognize to explain your bill. Good afternoon, colleagues. This
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
1:30:43
is House Bill 1837. It's a critical piece of
legislation that is designed to protect the integrity of our democratic process and to safeguard Arkansas voters from undue foreign influence. It seeks to amend existing laws concerning disclosure for matters for voters,
and most importantly, bans foreign funding for ballot measures. It is a loophole currently in our And our, um, law that foreign people cannot donate to elections or to candidates, but they can donate to ballot measures. And this seeks to close that loophole. Arkansas
has a proud tradition of direct democracy through ballot measures. It allows citizens to shape laws that directly affect their
lives, but this process is very vulnerable. This addresses that vulnerability by prohibiting foreign funding and ensuring that decisions about Arkansas's future are made by our Arkansans, not by external interests. And
Speaker 330
1:31:29
with that, I would ask for a good vote.
Representative Pilkington, for what purpose? You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um,
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
1:31:38
and I'm sorry I was traveling the weekend so I wasn't able to review this, but I just noticed
this and I'm curious if you could, uh, explain the difference to me. If you're a member of like the Choctaw Nation or Cherokee Nation, they would still be able to fund ballot measures, right? Those are not considered foreign nations under your law. OK, thank you. That's just near that
clarification. Thank you. Thank you. Representative McAlinden has explained the bill, would anyone like to
speak against the bill? For the bill Representative McAlinden is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1837, repair the machine, Madam clerk.
Has everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The
vote of 81, 10 nay, and 0 present. Bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1683.83 by
Chair
Unverified
1:32:40
Representative McAlinden to prohibit the procurement by a governmental entity of an electric vehicle or a component of an electric vehicle that was manufactured in whole or in part using forced labor. Representative McAlinden, you're
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
1:32:54
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you. Um,
so House Bill 1863 is a critical measure to ensure that Arkansas taxpayers do not support industries that are built on forced labor. This bill specifically prohibits governmental entities from procuring electric vehicles or the components if they are manufactured using forced labor. This is not a hypothetical issue. It is happening right now. A significant portion of the world's cobalt, a mineral essential for electric vehicle batteries is mined using children as young as 4 years
old, according to a congressional commission. In the Congo, these children spend up to 12 hours a day and dangerous gravel fields or in perilous mine shafts, not by choice, but by force, because the demand of cobalt has skyrocketed, driven largely by the global push for more batteries. Likewise, in China, where over 60% of the world's lithium and coal water refined, Uighurs and other ethnic minorities are subjected to forced labor under labor transfer programs.
These programs involve coercion, mass detentions, constant surveillance with workers forced into mining and refinding operations for critical mineral minerals. I'm a firm believer in the free market. An educated market can and should regulate itself. But there are moral lines we should never cross. One of those lines is allowing children to be exploited for the sake of electric vehicle production, especially when ethical alternatives exist. Just like the diamond industry took steps to eliminate blood diamonds, automakers are working
to source minerals responsibly. Many leading manufacturers are shifting towards battery technologies that reduce or eliminate the need for cobalt. Tesla uses a lithium ion phosphate battery and some models which require absolutely no cobalt. General Motors is transitioning to a nickel magnesium, cobalt aluminum, as well as the LFP battery chemistries, which significantly reduce the cobalt. Ribian is also working to ethically source and develop battery technologies that again reduce our reliance on cobalt. Federal guidelines are already
encouraged the shift. By 2025, at least 60% of battery components will be manufactured or assembled in the US. Critical minerals must be sourced from the US or free trade partners. According to federal guidelines as well. So this transition is already underway. In HB 1683 ensures that Arkansas leads by example. As legislators, we are entrusted with taxpayer dollars, and we have a duty to spend them wisely and ethically. This means ensuring that we do not fund an industry that exploits and enslaves children.
HB 1683 upholds Arkansas's commitment to human rights and moral responsibility. The Auto Alliance has engaged in extensively on this discussion and has no, is neutral on the bill. They have no objections. And the governor's office also supports it. And with that, I ask for your support on HP 1863 to ensure that Arkansas does not contribute to forced labor in the electric vehicle vote. Thank you. Representative
McAlinden has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Collins, you're
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
1:35:59
reckon I speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, of course it goes without saying everybody in this chamber is against forced labor, obviously that's something that we all would love to have a hand in stopping or, or avoid participating in any kind of market that supports it. But there are some real issues with this bill, and Representative McEllin and I have talked about these, but I want to make sure that everyone knows exactly
these two big issue areas of this bill. First of all, there are penalties here against state agencies, as well as individual state employees or city employees who engage in a contract to buy an electric vehicle. This is really unusual. Um, I have yet to find any example of where we've done this anywhere else in law, um, and the other aspect of it is, would it go to a court or would it go to, uh, an agency to assess the fun. If it goes to a court, you've got sovereign immunity.
The state is usually immune from suit in its courts. So that would be a waiver of sovereign immunity by the state in violation of our existing law. So that would be a huge legal problem with this. If it's an administrative agency, then you've got due process as a problem. So you've got an agency finding that there was some sort of an issue and in finding a state employee or a city employee for buying an electric vehicle. It's just, it, it's all a little bit vague, and then you
have another issue related to all this, which is that they're the fine can actually be assessed against a car manufacturer or dealer as well. So does that go to an agency? What agency has jurisdiction to assess that fine. And if it's a court, who's gonna sue? Because there's no private right of action in the bill. I realize this is all probably just a lot of, of legalese for some people and it may not move your vote, but for me, it's a huge concern. And I, I think that I don't think the Attorney General's office is
totally res. on this bill either, although they can speak for themselves. The other thing I want to mention is who came and testified for this bill in committee. It is a, uh, fringe group that is really noted for their climate change denial. They were famous for putting up billboards of the Unabomber and when they were asked about it, they said, uh, people who have supported climate change or some of the most vile, you know, people who have existed, etc. That's not a direct quote. But if you look at the bill and what
it's doing. To make it a lot more difficult to buy electric vehicles. And if you look at who's behind the bill, it's an anti-climate change group or I guess pro-climate change group. Maybe that's fine with you, maybe you like it for that reason. That's fine. I just feel like we should be aware of what we're doing and if we're saying that it's about forced labor, we should acknowledge that the group behind this bill as a an agenda that goes way beyond forced labor, and for these reasons, I'll be in now. Thanks. Representative Collins has spoke
against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill. Representative
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
1:39:14
McAlinden, you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank you.
Well, Representative Collins did bring up those issues in committee, and they were somewhat resolved. He did speak with the Attorney General's office. I spoke with the attorney General's office. After that, we made an amendment based on some of his changes, and they were very comfortable with where we are and how this process will go through. And so, myself not being a lawyer, I
fully trust their ability to handle that in the legal side of that, so I feel very comfortable about that. As far as the people who came and testified, I did not get the bill from them. I got the bill from somewhere else, um, where I feel like like it was a really important issue to me. I feel like we can do something about that in our state. We have the ability to make a very small change that can mean a lot to a lot of young children. So I think that's really important. The fact that someone came and testified on forced labor and electric vehicles, but has other opinions is
irrelevant. It doesn't matter. I didn't ask them to come and speak about any climate change. I don't care what their opinions are on climate change. I, I cared about this woman's expertise. In the area of forced labor, and that's what I asked her to come and testify on, and that's what matters as far as this bill goes. So with that, I would ask for a good vote. Representative McAlinden is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage
Speaker 193
1:40:39
of House Bill 1683, prepare the machine, Madam Clark.
So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 74, 14 nay, and 5 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1846. Representative
Chair
Unverified
1:40:58
Meeks to create the Arkansas 2036 commission. Representative Meeks you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. So, uh, colleagues, when I was a freshman lawmaker, one of the
pieces of vices I got from a congressman was that the difference between a politician and a statesman, is that a politician is only concerned about his next election, whereas a statesman is worried about the next generation. And that's kind of the genesis of this bill. Uh, I've been the senior member of this body for the last, I don't know, 12 years or so. Uh, my time is coming to an end, and so I wanted to do uh one last thing, if you will. A gift to the next generation and that's what this genesis of this bill is and especially to the freshman class, as you can
see, uh, the Arkansas 2036, that's our 200th birthday as a state. And so the freshman class, they will be the senior class for our state's 200th birthday. Now, I've had the opportunity to to travel across our country. We've got a beautiful country. And I, I, I noticed that if we go back 100 years, people that lived there, they were building all sorts of wonderful things. We have the arch in Saint Louis. We have the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Mount Rushmore, the, the Space Needle
in Seattle, all these icons of our country. We haven't done any of that lately. What is our generation going to leave so that when our state celebrates our 300th birthday. day, they'll have something that we've left our 100th birthday, we had this great capital. So what comes next? So obviously, we're gonna do all the normal things you would do for the celebration of a state, but I want us to go beyond that, and I want to cast a vision. What could we build that would be amazing that would cause people to say, hey, you've got to go to Arkansas and see this thing, and
I have no idea what that is, but what my hope is, is that with the establishment of this commission that uh we would send out that challenge to all the East labs. across the state to all the architectural firms across the state. Send us your best ideas about what we could do as a state to uh build the whatever this great thing is, and I don't know what this is. One idea, uh, could possibly be a state museum. Uh, I don't know if any of you have ever been down to the Department of Heritage. We have all sorts of wonderful state artifacts down there that
nobody ever gets to see because they're stored away and there's nowhere to show them to the public. Uh, you know, if I were to ask you, have you ever seen the US Constitution? You can go to the National Archives, you can see an original copy of the US Constitution. Has anybody in this body ever seen the original Arkansas Constitution. It's somewhere stored, but it's not out there for the public to see, right? And so, uh, that is one idea. A lot of states do this. Tennessee's got a beautiful one. Representative Ray told me about one in, uh, was it Alaska that has one, State of Illinois has one. Again, I don't know that it is a
state museum. I'm just saying, let's explore these ideas, so as we get ready for our 200th birthday, uh, maybe we can celebrate the grand opening of something fabulous for our state. Um, this sets up a commission in the Department of heritage, they're on board with it. They're ready to get going. Um, it says the people who are on this commission don't receive compensation. They're doing it for volunteer and, uh, with that,
I will have to take any questions. Seeing no, appreciate a good vote. 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 1846, Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 84 yeah, 4 nay, and 7 present. The bill is passed.
Chair
Unverified
1:44:54
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1925presentative Beatty to amend the law concerning absentee ballots and to requiring an oath for
an absentee ballot. Representative Beatty, you're recognized
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
1:45:06
to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm here to present House Bill 1925, which is an amendment concerning absentee ballots. Basically, the amendment to, um, strengthen the integrity of absentee ballots by emphasizing
the importance of accurate information, confirming, uh, voter identity and introducing a witness requirement on the absentee ballot for verification. That I appreciate a good vote. Representative Beatty has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Beatty is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
House Bill 1925, prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 78, yeah, 17 nay, 0
present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read
Chair
Unverified
1:46:09
House Bill 1929. Representative McAlinden to create the Recognizing Judea and Samariah acts and
to prohibit state agencies from using the term West Bank and official government materials.
Representative Mindy McAlindon
Unverified
1:46:21
Representative McAlinden, you're recognized to explain your bill. Alright, last one today, I promise. Um, House
Bill 1929 recognizes Judea and Samaria. It's not really just language. It's a matter of historical accuracy. It also reflects Arkansas's enduring relationship with Israel, a partnership that is built on shared values, mutual respect, and economic cooperation. Arkansas has a long standing connection with Israel that transcends politics. Since 1948, Arkansas has been a friend to Israel, recognizing the
importance as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. This relationship has been strengthened through trade agreements, cultural exchanges, and partnerships and innovation. The connection between Arkansas and the area of Judean Samaria is deeply rooted in cultural heritage that is shared. Cities across Arkansas bear the names of inspired biblical locations in Judea, Samaria, Bethel. Hebron, Shiloh, Salem. Highlighting how these regions resonate with Arkansans on a spiritual and historical level. By recognizing these areas by
their historical name rather than lost my place. His name rather than political charge term like the West Bank, we honor the shared heritage, and we affirm the importance of these regions to millions of people worldwide. Arkansas has demonstrated its commitment to supporting Israel through legislation like Act 710, which prohibits state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel. This act reflects Arkansas's stance against economic discrimination targeting one of our closest allies. This bill continues the tradition by ensuring that
official state materials use a language that respects the historical truth rather than perpetuating politically motivated terminology. Um, this, this legislation is not about taking sides in an international dispute. Instead, it represents an opportunity for Arkansas to lead with integrity, honoring the history while building a brighter future alongside Israel. And with that, I asked for a good vote. Representative McAlinden has explained the
bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill Representative McAlinden is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1929, prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 79, 11 nay, and 1 present. The bill is
passed. Members at the request of Representative Wayne Long, we will pass over House Bill 1914 today. Really Madam Clark, please read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
1:49:08
1913. 13 Representative Moore to amend the law concerning driver's licenses and to amend the law concerning the qualifications for an immediate driver's license. You're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Kendra Moore
Unverified
1:49:32
bigger my apologies. Um, house built in 1913. This
bill was brought to me because a dear friend of mine has a son who had his learner's permit. At that time, he got into a slight fender bender. He did everything by the book. His mother was with him in insurance. Uh, they called the cops to issue a police report and everything was fine. In fact, it did more damage to his car than, uh, the person that he bumped into.
Fast forward, this 17 year old now turns 18. Goes into the revenue office and takes his, uh, driver's license exam, both the written and the skills portion. And tries to get his license. Turns out, that he was turned down because he has to wait a year from the point of that accident before he can get his license. Now What's kind of funny
is that if he had taken the exams before his 18th birthday when he was still
17, he would have been eligible for what's called an
intermediate driver's license. Now, intermediate driver's license has a curfew on it, I believe, and it, you can only have one other minor in the vehicle, but it still helps you get from point A
to point B. So if he had taken his exams before his 18th birthday, when he goes off to college this fall, he would still be able to drive himself from point A to point B. But because he simply turned 18. The state is now punishing him
for doing the right thing. This bill, 1913 fixes that and allows anybody to achieve their intermediate
driver's license while still waiting a full year to get their full-fledged driver's license. Well that'll
take any questions. Thing that I would appreciate a good vote. Representative
Moore has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Moore is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1913, repair the machine, Madam Clerk.
So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 96, 0 nay, and 1 present. Bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
1:51:57
1809. 10 by Representative Warren to allow for property owned by a trust or a limited liability companies to qualify as homestead for purposes of the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in certain circumstances.
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
1:52:11
Warn you're recognized to explain the. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill is being presented at the request of the tax collectors throughout the state. There has been an issue for disabled veterans with respect to the homestead exemption on their primary residence. Uh, for a multitude of reasons, the disabled veterans primary res residents can be held in irrevocable trust, and irrevocable trust for an LLC. As long as the trust or LLC names the disabled veteran as
the beneficiary or sole member, the disabled veteran will be able to claim the homestead exemption for their primary residence. The questions I'll be glad to ask. I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill Representative Warren is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1809. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
Everyone voted Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 94 ya, 0 nay,
and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
1:53:36
1685. 1685 by Representative Underwood to create the grocery Tax Relief Act to amend the law concerning the sales and use
tax levied on food and food ingredients as a farmed by
referred Act 19 of 1958 into exempt groceries from
state sales tax sales and use taxes. Representative
Underwood, recognize to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
1:53:54
Speaker. Colleagues, this is the grocery Tax Relief Act that eliminates, uh, the state grocery tax in Arkansas. I do want to thank, uh, the members of Reventax who
voted to pass this out of committee. I appreciate that. This bill aims to provide a little more relief to all of our constituents in an effort to combat historic inflation and rising costs nationally in recent years. Um, as many of you you know, we are number one in the low low cost of living, but
a recent study that I read in the news recently, um, said the Arkansas ranked 3rd in the percentage of income. That's spent on groceries. And this is also an effort by Governor Sanders' administration to cut overburdensome taxes. So quickly, I just want to go over some things that the bill does. It only eliminates the state sales and use tax on food and food ingredients, while maintaining, uh, local government's ability to tax those items. Uh, municipal League and the counties, uh, suggested some amendments. I accepted every single one of their amendments. So they were, uh, fine with the bill. I also
want to note that prepared foods like dining out and candy, soda, alcohol. tobacco, those are not included in the exemption. So they'll still be subject to taxation, and foods that are simply cut, repackaged, or pasteurized are exempt from taxes. So that essentially means, means meat, produce, and of
Speaker 370
1:55:05
course, eggs. Um, happy to take any questions. Saying none, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Underwood has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Underwood is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1685. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast at the ballot The vote of 96 ya, 2 nay, and zero present. Bill is passed.
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1636 Representative Ray
Speaker 363
1:55:56
to amend the Arkansas soft drink Tax Act as affirmed by referred Act 1 of 1994
Chair
Unverified
1:56:01
and to phase out the soft drink tax based on sales tax collections from sales of soft drinks. Representative Ray, you're recognized to explain your
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is
Representative David Ray
Unverified
1:56:13
House Bill 1636, a bill to phase out the excise tax on soft drinks. So I know a lot of you have been lobbied on this bill. You've received a lot of email, so I
want to try to do my best to go into as much detail as I can. I want to start with I see, Representative Shepard laughing back there, maybe I shouldn't go into so much detail. Um, I wanted to start with how in the world did we get into this mess where we have a soft drink tax. In 1992, there was a special session called at the behest of Governor Jim Guy Tucker. And it was to address a one-time budget shortfall in the Medicaid budget.
And part of what they did to address that was they passed this soft drink tax. So even though we had a temporary one-time problem. The tax never went away. 33 years later, we still have the tax. It's sort of like President Reagan said, there's nothing quite so permanent as a temporary government program. In 1994, there was an unsuccessful referendum on the tax. Uh, that is why it takes a 2/3 vote to do anything related to this measure. If it were not for that referendum, uh, I have
a good feeling this tax would have gone away a long time ago. So fast forward to 2017, Governor Hutchinson at the time decided he wanted to exempt the the military retirement income from the income tax, but he didn't want to do just a straight income tax cut. He wanted to include payors with that. So one of the things that was included in that bill. Was it removed soda soft drinks from the definition of grocery. So at that point in time, starting in 2017, soft drinks
were subject to double taxation. Once on the excise tax, which is substantial in its own right. And second, you pay full freight on the sales tax, which is also substantial since we have the 3rd highest combined state and local sales tax in the entire country. And if that's not bad enough, the excise, the, the soda excise tax is literally a tax on, on top of a tax because it's levied on the full on the final cost of the product, which includes the sales tax. So of the $42.8
million a year that the soda tax brings in, uh, uh, several million dollars of that is literally just the excise tax being applied to the sales tax. So in that sense, it's a tax on a tax on a tax. To give you some context of just how much the soft drink tax is, uh, I was trying to get, I was trying to think of a comparison. You can't really compare it to any other states because we're the only state that has it, but it's a tax that's levied per gallon on the finished product. And so I turned to beer taxes
because every state has an excise tax on beer. And if you were to rank all of the state's excise taxes on beer, you would find that Arkansas taxes soda more than 22 different states tax beer. On a per gallon basis. Um, the money generated from this tax does not go into general revenue. It is special revenue. It's one of 6 funding sources that go into the Medicaid Trust Fund. So here we are today, Arkansas is the only state that has this
tax. So how would this bill work? The bill is set up in a way to initiate a minimum of a five-year phase out of this tax, decreasing it gradually each year until it's finally phased out. And I think that's important to mention because the phase out. is a method that we've used successfully on a lot of different taxes. It was used successfully during uh Governor Beebe's years on the grocery
tax, except for the last part that we just got rid of. Um, we used it last session with Representative Beatty's bill on the throwback rule, phasing it out over time. Uh, it's basically the same way we have done income taxes in the state over the last 10 or 12 years, gradually reducing them bit by bit. But that's, uh, the, the other thing I want to mention is this legislation contains revenue triggers to ensure that the money going away from the elimination of the excise tax is fully replaced by the sales tax portion of the soft drink coming
in to general revenue. Um, this will be certified each year in an annual report by DFNA. And the bill is set up to ensure that no more than one step of the phase down can occur in any given year. Um, it could take 6 years to phase out. It could take 7 years to phase out, but there's no scenario in which it would phase out sooner than, uh, 5 years. So a couple of things I want to mention about this. Arkansas is
the last state in the country to have this onerous tax. Since we passed this tax in 1992, Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Maine, Washington State, and finally last year, West Virginia repealed their soda tax. So we're in extreme outlier in this area of policy and not in a good way. Also, I mentioned this before, but this is, this is double taxation. It's totally unfair what we are doing to these
businesses, businesses that invest in our state and create jobs for our citizens. No one in here would want their business and the input products in it to be double taxed, um, We often talk about government picking winners and losers. And usually when we say that, it's a reference to government picking winners, subsidizing favored industries or giving them special sweetheart deals in the tax code. But that, that's not the case in what we're doing here. Um, these folks aren't asking for some sort of special credit or carve out.
These businesses are only asking for their product to be treated the same way we treat. All other similar products, which is to tax at once at the final stage of production on a consumption tax. We know this tax is economically damaging. The, the beverage industry in Arkansas employs over 1600 Arkansans, including hundreds of people in the soft drink and distribution jobs and just 6 months ago, the industry invested $25 million in an expansion in West Memphis,
creating more workers and expanding their footprint. Um, the number of employees indirectly impacted. By this business it's also uh substantial. Hospitality is the 2nd biggest industry in our state. Passing this bill would help our grocery stores, our convenience stores, the restaurants and all of our towns, as well as consumers who enjoy these products. Um Uh, it's also worth mentioning that the soda tax is extremely regressive. The Tax Foundation
has a report on this that shows that 3/4 of soda tax is paid by families that make under $100,000. So your, your poorer Arkansans are shouldering a larger share of the burden than upper income families. And that's why, uh, because it's so regressive, a lot of Even progressive politicians nationally have opposed soda taxes. This tax also has a lot of downstream effects that people don't often think about. It is so poorly constructed that it
captures way more than just full calorie soda. It captures diet soda, it captures bottled and canned tea, bottled and canned coffee, uh, even fruit juice if it doesn't have just the right amount that the government prescribes. It includes exercise drinks like Gatorade, Powerade, vitamin water, even Propel, which is basically just water with electrolytes added. Um, and another point I would make is that voters do not want these sorts of taxes. Shortly after the tax was passed in 1992, it was subject to a
referendum that was unsuccessful. And so because there was a referendum, 33 years ago, there are some people who will try to claim that it's the will of the voters that we have this tax. The reality is that was 33 years ago at a time when our state was dramatically different, and we were politically different and we were in the shadow of that 1992 budget crisis. nothing at all like the situation we find ourselves in today. And when this, this issue has been subject to a referendum in other states, uh, it has
prevailed overwhelmingly. In fact, in 2009, when Congress was debating Obamacare, there were some people that wanted a national soda tax to be included as part of that. That idea was so unpopular that President Obama even rejected it out of hand. So, I know. The issue that has been brought to everybody's attention is what effect will this legislation have on Medicaid. I know that's what you've all been lobbied on and contacted about. Most Medicaid is funded out of
general revenue, and it's category A funding. It is, it, it receives the highest priority in our budget, just like our public schools, just like our state police, the idea that we are not going to fully fund Medicaid. It's just not a realistic suggestion. Um, I've mentioned several times that we're the only state in America that has this tax. There's 50 states in America. They all have Medicaid programs and they all fund their Medicaid programs and there's 49 other states that fund their Medicaid programs
without this tax. To believe that the only way we can fund Medicaid in Arkansas is to have this special tax that no one else has, is preposterous. Um, You know, we spend well over $2 billion a year on Medicaid. This tax is $45 million. So you can do the math. And because of these concerns that have been expressed to you is precisely the way, the reason that the bill's been structured this way. Those of you who are here in 2021, remember Representative Lanny Fight's
proposal that was a 3-year phase out of the soda tax. This bill is a five-year phase out. So it is even more gradual, more incremental, including revenue triggers designed in a way to lessen the impact to the budget as much
as possible. Um I think that explains the bill? And with
Speaker 376
2:06:28
that, I'll take questions. Description Ward law for what purpose?
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
2:06:32
Question. You're recognized. That's the same so I ask you, if
you go to Springfield, Missouri, and you buy a Coke at a McDonald's. You come to Harrison, Arkansas, you buy a coke at McDonald's. The price is the same. So when we cut the sales tax, who gets the money? Does the consumer get it? Or does
the guy that owns McDonald's is paying the actual syrup tax to get
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:06:55
it. That's a fair question, and what I would tell you is that all taxes on business are eventually
borne by the consumer. Um You know, it was, it was asked in committee, you know, what
will this do to the price of a can of Coke. You know, what I can tell you is that when we lower taxes on our, on our hardworking businesses in the state. It enables them to hire more workers to pay their workers more, to pay their workers overtime, um, maybe to expand, invest in their business, open a new location, and yes, even sometimes lowering their prices to be more competitive. Um, I know that there, you've gotten emails because I've gotten them too, that sort of
ridicule the amount of tax that's placed on this product. That's a tactic that we often hear in this chamber, every time we try to cut income taxes, there's somebody that takes the overall amount of the tax cut, and then they divide it by the number of days in a year and try to say, oh, well, it's only, you're only saving $1.16 a day or something like that. Um. If we don't think that lowering Onerous taxes on businesses ends up helping consumers. I don't know why anybody in this chamber ever voted to lower the corporate income tax. So we know
That lowering our tax burden makes us more economically
Speaker 332
2:08:14
competitive. Pilkington for what purpose? You're recognized. David, um, Thank
Representative Aaron Pilkington
Unverified
2:08:19
you, Mr. Speaker. Um, my understanding is obviously we use state revenue to bring in a certain amount of federal dollars. There's the match. Obviously, when this first idea was out there, I was in favor of it. The FAP looked good, but things have changed and now that our, our match is different. There's concerns about the
Medicaid Trust Fund and insolvency. Can you speak to that insolvency issue with the Medicaid Trust fund, and then also shed some light on how many federal dollars we'll be turning away if
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:08:50
we pass this. Thank you. Yeah, so. Thank you for the question. We're talking about the match. Money, money,
Medicaid gets the match when it's spent on Medicaid. It doesn't just get matched when it's put into the trust fund. There's nothing magical about the trust fund that happens when money goes in there, and then, you know, manna from heaven rains down from
Washington. It's, it's matched, it's matched when it's spent on that Medicaid purpose. So, you know, like I said a moment ago in my presentation, the idea that we would not fund Medicaid, um, which is one of the highest
priorities in our budget. It's just not a realistic scenario. So I have full confidence in that.
Representative Allen, for what purpose? You're recognized. Thank you, Representative
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
2:09:32
Ray, for your bill. We are talking about cutting the proximately $40 million. Is that correct?
Yes, yes, sir. When you cut $40 million. Out of our budget. Some services will be reduced or eliminated. So what services will be
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:09:55
cut? I, I don't anticipate any services being cut. The bill is structured in
a way so that the only way that the tax is phased out or phased down is if the sales tax portion of the soft drink tax meets or exceeds, uh,
Representative Fred Allen
Unverified
2:10:12
exceeds the amount that's being reduced. So explain to me how can you cut $40 million out of
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:10:22
my budget. And nothing will be cut. Well, the same way in that, in, you know, we've cut income taxes
3 times over the last, uh, two years, and it has totaled several hundreds of millions of dollars, probably close to half a billion dollars, and I'm not aware of any services that we have cut as a result of lowering those taxes. So in the same manner that I just described. Representative Wooldridge for
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
2:10:43
what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I kind of want to follow up to Representative Pilking, and I think originally, you know, I, I felt good about this as well and, uh, to follow up on Representative Wardlaw, if we were passing this directly to the consumer, that's a different situation for me, but with the climate that we're in now, the changes, the uncertainty of Medicaid, the FMAP, as he mentioned, you know, those dollars that are in the trust fund are spent and they are returned back. So I guess you solution to that or the, the argument would be that we'll just spend that.
of general revenue and there's not going to be a loss in revenue to that program? Is that
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:11:19
what you're saying or you're understanding would be? Yeah, so the soft drink, the, the sales tax on soft drinks does go into general revenue, um, and that is the amount, the bill is set up in a way to ensure that the amount that's going in, Far exceeds the amount that's being phased down. So the, the excise tax will not go away unless that revenue is replaced. As far as, um, you know, you're concerned about the timing and what might happen with FMAP and those other sorts of things, you
know, I would say that This tax has been on the books for 33 years. There's, there's never going to be a perfect time. To do the right thing. I think that This tax has gone on long enough. We're at a point where, you know, when we passed it in 1992, we were one of, I think, 12 states that had it. We're now the only state that has it. There will never be a perfect time to make hard decisions like this, but,
you know, 33 years is long enough to fix a one-time
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
2:12:14
problem that occurred in 1992. Follow up You're recognized. Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. I understand that, yes, there is no uh good time to make a hard decision. So a lot of folks in this chamber, and I know you've been part of discussions to working to help get some additional funding for senior citizens
and things like that. Do you feel like that, that with the elimination of this tax that we put any of that funding in jeopardy.
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:12:36
I don't think it's gonna put it in jeopardy at all. And in fact, in revenue and tax this morning, we passed out a bill that, um, Representative McClure's bill that I think
sends $7 million additional dollars to our senior centers.
Speaker 386
2:12:50
Thank you. Saying that Representative Lynch, for what purpose? You're
Representative Roger D. Lynch
Unverified
2:12:54
recognized. Representative Ray, how can you guarantee That the money is lost in this special revenue. Will be
replaced out of general revenue. It's in the bill.
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:13:05
And there, there's a mechanism in the the bill stipulates that DFNA will cert will, will, I don't know what the bill stipulates is I'm not gonna
argue with you. You asked a question and I'm going to provide you an
Representative Roger D. Lynch
Unverified
2:13:21
answer. Will you, uh, repeat your question. OK. So how can you guarantee that the dollars that are replacing the money that's being lost that are going into general revenue. will then be placed back in Medicaid to support those programs that this tax is currently
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:13:36
supporting, because the only way, the only way there would ever be, um, an issue funding Medicaid is if the members of this body for some inexplicable reason, decided to make it an issue. So
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
2:13:46
Thank you. Representative Rye, for what purpose, sir. You're recognized. Represent David what I'm concerned about is they've all been set. Can you, can you hold your mic a little bit OK. You're
Speaker 396
2:14:08
talking about $40 million. OK, but then you've got matching funds from
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
2:14:18
the feds. Well, I mean, David, the, the, uh, excuse me, uh, budgets have basically been almost set. And I'm concerned about that because this is a mass amount of money that we're possibly have not got a replacement for it this time. Representative
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:14:32
Bryan, as I mentioned in response to a previous question, the money is not matched when it's put into the trust fund. That's not the way it works. There's, there's nothing magical about it when it goes into the trust fund. The money's matched when it's spent on, on Medicaid. Um, as far as
the replacement revenue goes, I, I've mentioned the, the bill is structured in a way that the the the total amount of the tax, if it was fully phased out, would be $42.8 million. The amount that last revenue trigger will not kick in until there's north of 50 million in in soft drink sales tax revenue coming in. So that's built into the bill. Representative
Speaker 399
2:15:12
McKenzie, for what purpose? Question you're recognized. Thank you, Speaker. Um, Representative Ray, I just
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
2:15:19
want to make sure we're not losing the forest for the trees. Um, can you help me understand more about these triggers. There's a lot to be said about the match that's going on right now and what happens with general revenue? Can you, can you just, I know it's in the bill, but I want to understand $40 million does provide sticker shock, but it seems through a five-year phase out, you've done some work to help alleviate that. And and how did you get to that uh per annum basis? OK. So the
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:15:43
way the triggers will work is at the end of the fiscal
year, the legislation tasks DFNA with certifying through a report the amount of sales tax revenue that is generated through soft drinks. When that amount, uh, when that amount meets the meets meets the benchmarks set out in the legislation that will initiate one step of a phase down in the, in the tax, in the excise tax. There can be no more than one step down in a fiscal year. So if the trigger is not met, then
the tax will not be reduced if the trigger is met, then the tax is reduced for that year, and then
we move on to the next year. That's how
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
Unverified
2:16:31
it works. Representative Kavanaugh, for what purpose? You're recognized, thanks
for taking all the questions. And I just want to clarify, when the trigger happens and the reduction happens in the soda tax, and we talk about the sales tax on soda drinks. There's nothing in the bill directs that that sales tax on
the sodas goes to the trust fund, it just still stays in general revenue, correct?
Speaker 405
2:16:56
That's correct. It goes into general revenue and as I
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:17:00
mentioned, The vast majority of Medicaid is funded out of general revenue. This very few states actually have a Medicaid trust fund. We're one of 7 or 8 states that do. And those trust funds in other states are not meant to be a slush fund for all sorts of monies that go in. They are in other states intended to collect provider fees. Uh, various and a sundry
provider fees to sort of keep them from being commingled with general funds to ensure that they're used on the purposes that they were levied for. So, that's
Chair
Unverified
2:17:35
the reason that the bill is Representative Carolyn Brown, for what
purpose? You're for this uh soda tax is not the only source of revenue. That's correct. There's 6 different
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:17:47
revenue sources in the trust fund. It also includes
ambulance license, license fees, Medicaid transport provider assessment fees, quality assurance receipts, intermediate care facility fee receipts, and hospital assessment fees. So all these other balance is $524 million. It's over a half a
billion dollars I am, I am certain of that.
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:18:06
Thank you. All right. With that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Ray has explained
Speaker 132
2:18:23
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Wootton. Are you
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:18:36
speaking He's speaking against the bill. After that, I can hardly walk over here. Yes Let me share with you. My position. As be it That if the funds were replaced. That I would be for doing away with the tax.
There's no guarantee. In this bill. None whatsoever. 880,000 people in Arkansas depend. On the trust fund. I don't care whether you call it federally or state funded. But 880,000, 420,000 of them are children. They didn't, they didn't ask to be a part of that.
They didn't ask to be a part of the federal funding part of the bill. But they are. And we owe them the responsibility. To take care of them. Uh, let me share with you something else you need to consider. The stock market is down 6000 points. Today Not, not in total, but over the past week, It's down to about 34,000.
Let me also share with you. There's no guarantee on the federal funds right now. $179 million has already been taken away from the health department and the Department of Human Services. 179 million. 139 million for a new pay plan. He had those numbers up. It doesn't take you long.
To see and to get to a billion dollars. Perhaps There could be taken away from Arkansas. We need to keep that in mind. And I'm surprised. I'm gonna refreshed. Representatives race. 30 years before 1992, I appeared before the revenue and taxation.
Committee in the Marion Hotel with a petition. In favor of a soft drink tax for higher education in this state to be able to build buildings. 30 years before 1992. And we enacted it in the wisdom of the legislature because the state was in dire straits. And we enacted it.
We may be the only state, but that doesn't mean we're, we're wrong. It's just the fact that we have a soda drink tax. And if you think for one minute. That that industry, is going to cut the bill. Or the convenience stores and I'm, I'm part of that industry. I own them all over the state. Had truck stops.
I can almost guarantee you. That you won't see a reduction in the cost of your soldier right. And, and Representative Ray. In the last two. Efforts By the revenue and taxation committee. To support a $3 billion industry coming into Southwest Arkansas. And a $50 billion remodel and
crafts, Arkansas Kraft or Green Bay Packing. He voted against it. And he's down here today asking you to take a tax away. And did you just well sit down because I'm not gonna.
Speaker 419
2:22:52
Representative Rose, what purpose? Point of order. I'll hear your point of order.
Representative Ryan A. Rose
Unverified
2:22:57
would request that the representative. Keep his comments to the bill and not the bill sponsor and other related bills or unrelated bills. Representative Wooton, if you
would, um, speaker. Speak against the bill.
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:23:11
Not against the member or the bill sponsor. What I said was true. We owe it to the disabled. We owe it to the children. Of the state. To give them a guarantee. They will be funded and it's not in this bill.
The money will not be replaced. And we've already lost. 179 million. I'm repeating myself because I think that's a critical point. That we all need to be aware of. This is a serious matter. The needs your total attention. And you don't need to be confused. By the fact that the general revenues will be used.
And you don't need to be confused by Someone trying to force me out of the well. Thank you. Representative Wooton
has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Hawk, you recognized speak for the
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
2:24:35
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and look, I, I understand this can be a very challenging thing, uh, when we're talking about
the Medicaid and, and the money, but Representative Ray is already outlined multiple times that
we're not cutting the funds out of the Medicaid Trust fund. He has said that multiple times and it's stated in the bill, it's gonna come out of the general fund. And look, anytime that we go to, to do a corporate tax, almost everybody in this room voted for the corporate tax, the last go around. In fact, I believe this morning we we also did a bill on rice to to give a tax exemption on that, to help businesses in Arkansas. Look, Coca-Cola bottling Company right here in Little Rock just made a $25 million investment in West
Memphis, Arkansas to expand here in Arkansas. If we cut that tax off of them, that's gonna allow them to to give back to Arkansas. I was thinking about what, uh, Representative Wardlaw said earlier today about the, the McDonald's Coke going from Missouri to, to Arkansas. I actually went and spoke to Coca-Cola bottling Company. Had an in-depth conversation and with the rise of inflation right now, if they didn't have this tax, they would be able to bring down cost. Whether you, whether you see it immediately or not, but those bottles of Coke that are that
are distributed out of Little Rock or West Memphis, they could bring those costs down by not having not one but both of these taxes. And so with that, this is this is an economic development deal as much as anything else, and I'll be voting yes on this.
Chair
Unverified
2:26:02
Thank you. Representative Hawk has spoke for the bill. I'd like to speak against the bill, Representative Mayberry, you recognized speak against the bill. Thank
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
2:26:15
you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Representative Ray.
I, I know that you're, you're trying to cut taxes. I just think this is the wrong tax. I think we need to continue to work on the income tax. I thought that's what our goal was, was to eliminate the income tax and by getting rid of this, it's gonna make it a lot harder to do that. Let's rewind the clock a little bit to why we got this tax to begin with. Back in the early 90s. The voters in the state of Arkansas voted for this tax, and
I believe it's because it aligns with their values. They know that this tax is helping the most vulnerable people in the state of Arkansas. They know that it's helping the elderly. They know it's helping those with disabilities. They know it's helping children. That's why we don't want to get rid of this tax. This is a safety net. There was Problems in the early 90s. Not really clear if they were
gonna be able to pay the bills. And I think we can all agree that there's a lot of stuff going on nationally. And I think we want to make sure we can pay our bills here in the state of Arkansas, and this is gonna make it harder. Let me tell you what happens if this passes. You're gonna go back to your community. And I doubt you're gonna have anybody come up to you and say, oh yay, my coke was cheaper. My
soda was cheaper. Thank you. You're not gonna hear that. But what you are gonna hear is you're gonna get emails, you're gonna get phone calls, you're gonna get stopped in the grocery store. You're gonna have someone sitting next to you at church. And they're gonna come up and tell you. That they are not able to get the services that they used to be able to get. You're gonna have senior citizens, grandparents, coming and talking to you about those problems.
You're gonna have families with children with disabilities who already struggle to get what they need covered right now. We have in the state of Arkansas, dentist, all over the state who have not had a raise. And their rates in 18 years for Medicaid, 18 years. What they're getting for Medicaid patient right now in their dental clinic is exactly what it was 18 years ago, yet we know that everything
has gone up in price. We know that minimum wage has gone up significantly. They are dropping Medicaid patients. They're not accepting Medicaid anymore. Because it's so low. Getting rid of this tax is not going to help us. Get dental care. For our kids. I'd appreciate a notebook. Representative Mayberry spoke
against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill
Representative David Ray
Unverified
2:29:35
Representative Ray, you're recognized clothes for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this tax was initiated 33 years ago in response to a specific problem. That problem has gone away. But the taxes remained. It has for decades punished our businesses, our restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores. And our consumers.
You know, we just, we just passed a bill earlier today. To provide a tax break. And a sweetheart arrangement for beer and and whiskey manufacturers. I'm not asking for any sort of sweetheart deal. I'm only asking that this product not be subject to the most anti-competitive laws of any state in the country. Not asking for special treatment. I'm just asking that we don't double tax this product in a way that we don't, we don't
do this to any other similar product, and no other state does this. You know, for over a decade, We ridiculed the big government nanny state policies of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for pushing just this sort of policy all across the country, but Arkansas laid out the blueprint for him. We were doing it decades before he started doing it. You know, and this might sound corny to some of you, but, you know, our, the people that started this country, our founders literally revolted
against their colonizers over a beverage tax. And if we can't bring ourselves to eliminate this ridiculous double tax and phase it out responsibly, gradually, incrementally over time with revenue triggers in place, then That gives me a lot of concern for where we're going to be in terms of our economic competitiveness as a state. I appreciate the debate today and I appreciate, I know it's going along. I appreciate a good
vote. Representative Ray is closed for the bill. Question before the
house is the passage of House Bill 1636. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So
everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up
the ballot. With a vote of 49 e, 38 nays, to present. Bill has failed.
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 18931893 by
Chair
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2:32:03
Representative Brown to authorize a private property owner or business owners to ban an emotional support animal from the private property or the business premises and to regulate liability on private property related to emotional support animals. Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Don't worry, y'all,
no puns this time. Uh, this bill does
exactly what the title says. You may recall last session we passed a bill to help landlords out with the abuse that they're having with emotional support animals. This bill simply provides two things.
Number 1, if you have a private business such as a restaurant, you can ban some emotional support animals from your business, putting a sign on the door. I noticed this session that several of the restaurants here in Little Rock have had to start doing that. This simply gives a little bit of legal effect to that in the background. Uh, second thing this thing does is if you are a business that, whether you ban them or not and somebody brings in an emotional support animal and it bites someone. The business is not on the hook for that unless the business acted with gross negligence. With that, I appreciate
a good vote. Representative Brown has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Brown is closed for the bill, question before the
House is the passage of House Bill 1893, prepare the machine, Madam clerk.
So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 91, 1 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
Unverified
2:33:32
Bill 1954 by Representative Andrews to create the Arkansas Behavior Analysts Registration Act and to include qualified behavior
analysts under the Arkansas Behavioral Analysts Registration Act. Representative Andres,
you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you,
Representative Wade Andrews
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2:33:45
Mr. Speaker, colleagues, this is a pretty simple bill. Um, it's pretty much identical to the one representative Clowney ran a while back. All it does is add qualified applied behavioral analysis credentialing board to the bill. Besides, that's the same one that we passed earlier. that I hope for a good vote.
Representative Andrews has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill,
Representative Andrews is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1954, prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted Everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot. The vote of 69 yeah, 16 nay, and 9 present. The bill is
passed. Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1943.
Chair
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2:34:47
Gospel 1943 by Representative Johnson to amend the Medicaid provider-led organized care acts to improve the enrollment and selection process and risk-based provider organizations and
to empower the beneficiaries with information. Representative Johnson, you're recognized to explain your
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, what we're
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:35:01
trying to do with this bill is improve the enrollment
process for individuals going into passes. So right now, if you get diagnosed with tier 2, tier 3 behavioral condition and or you get a place on the waiver waitlist, you get uh enrolled into a pass. There's a 90-day open enrollment period, but there's not a lot of great information out there to differentiate the four different passes we have. So what we're doing with this bill is we're requiring the passes to create a rating system based on satisfaction, follow up, multiple different factors. The passes then have to post that rating system online. We're also requiring the passes to post
their network providers online, so that if you do, are trying to look into which path you might want to be into. You can see, does your provider belong to this pass or maybe a different pass. We're also currently we have an budsman, uh, in the Department of Human Services, 4 passes, but now we're gonna require that ombudsman to be able to provide information to individuals about the rating system, about
the provider networks, and how to navigate the websites on these passes. Happy to answer any questions on the spill. Thank you. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Johnson has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill
Representative Johnson is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1943. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted Cast up the ballot, Madam C clerk.
By a vote of 83 yes, 2 nay, and 9 present the bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
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2:36:45
Bill 1965 representative McCullough to create the Arkansas Healthy Food Retail Act of 2025 and
to provide financial incentives for healthy food retailers in underserved communitiespresentative McCulloch, you are
recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. I'm here to present HB 1965, known as the Healthy Food Retail Act. It addresses the issue of food
deserts in our state, 2 years ago, I filed a similar bill, um, late in the session and put it into interim study. And I've worked on it since. I've met with agencies, department secretaries, associations, um, affiliated with grocers. I'm glad to have Senator Hammer as the Senate sponsor. The first two pages addressed important information about why the bill is. needed. I'm not gonna go through all of that. I'd only make a couple of points. The lack of access to healthy food contributes to diet-related
diseases that are way too prevalent in our state. And we have considered and acted favorably on several bills that focuses on healthy food here in the chamber. The next sections deal with the program's administration. This was a stumbling block a couple of years ago. The bill allows an outside entity like a community development financial institution to manage the program, meeting with Secretary McDonald and others at AEDC, um, helped me to improve the bill in
this way. Secretary Putnam and the wholesale and retail. Grocers Association also offered suggestions, which we've incorporated. This bill clearly states that imple implementation will only occur as funds are available. The bill list what funds can and can't be used, what they can and can't be used for and provides details about the process to create the program and about reporting. Most everyone in this room has an area in their district that would be considered a food desert,
creating this program would be an important first step and is not without precedent. It's an important issue without a one size fits all answer, as shown in this bill. Representative Underwood,
for what purpose? You're recognized Representative McCullough, I watched the committee testimony
Representative Kendon Underwood
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2:38:57
on this bill, and I think you had mentioned, and I don't know if you said it today, but you mentioned that some of the money could be used for getting a grant or a loan to open like a brick and mortar grocery store.
Tell me if I'm wrong on that, but if that's the case, with those grocery stores be competing with private? Industry, grocery stores. Um I mean, I
would say no. Honestly, the amount of money that it takes to do a brick and mortar grocery store to have some type of grocery store that's like that, that could actually compete with a Kroger and Edwards or Walmart would be very difficult to put together. If there was any type of grocery store that would be applied for
in this program, and that would be granted funds. It would be funds that would be from loans and grants or stacked loans and grants, and it would be such a small community type place that It wouldn't be competing with any of those stores. As a matter of fact, probably to stock a little community store, people would use vehicles and go to one of our, our ready brick and mortar stores, that's a way, um, would, would also apply for money maybe for that transportation to take it from
there and bring it back. So actually, I think it would help, um, our, our established grocery
Representative Kendon Underwood
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2:40:22
stores. Follow up. I guess. Maybe you've addressed this some, but I, you did mention that they would take out a loan or they could get a loan to open a grocery store when it's a small grocery store. What happens if somebody can't pay back the loan or if, you know, they're being propped up by government funds. Is the government going to have to
continually permanently fund those things to keep them running.
Now, that's a good question. Um, thank you for that. No, that, that wouldn't happen. I mean, when you apply for it, you have to prove sustainability that you would be able to sustain that type of thing and that you would be able to pay back, um, loans and would use grants in a In a way that, um, would be credible, so that shouldn't
Speaker 469
2:41:07
happen. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Do you recognized. Thank you. So, um, my, my
concern about the bill and it maybe just to follow up to what he was saying here. It says that the healthy food retail program would provide funding directly or indirectly to the, um, retailers, um, so I guess my twofold question is, what is the source of that funding and then does government Do this in other cases. I mean, is this a, you know, what you would
Speaker 470
2:41:38
consider a, um, good use of taxpayer money. Well
I don't know about government doing it in other ways,
but this program would be strictly if we had funds available and those would, I mean, those could come for money here, um, in general revenue or something, but that's, there's nothing set up for that right now, it would strictly come from grants that we, we would try to find to start out with. Representative
Beatty, for what purpose? You're recognized. Representative McCulloch, do we have an
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
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2:42:09
estimate of what the needs are and what this, what potential funding, um, is needed for this program.
The needs for the program estimate of what would, what
the need is. Yeah, I, I don't have an estimate, but I, I think the need is, I think if we, if we really put together what we needed, I think that would be very high. This would merely be a way to start. Most of these areas are economically depressed. There's elderly, there's children, there are people with good transportation to travel to where they would have to, to a grocery store. So I, I think this would just be a, a mere start.
Speaker 475
2:42:49
I think the need is much, much greater follow up. You're recognized. Do you
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
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2:42:54
have businesses in philanthropic organizations that are just standing in wait for this bill to pass to contribute and donate to. Yes, sir. I, I, I
mean, I, I don't know. I'm not sure about that. I know that we have a lot of food pantries. I know we've had all of those things and those haven't quite solved our, this particular type of problem, but, um, I mean, that would be a place obviously to reach out to, but no, I haven't explored that. Thank you.
Appreciate a good vote. Representative McCullough has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Underwood, you
Representative Kendon Underwood
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2:43:35
are recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate Representative McCullough's intention on this bill. I think it's
well-intentioned, but I think my concern with the bill is, is that a lot of these government programs are well-intentioned, and then over time, they balloon and they become more liabilities
for the government to fund. And so they'll, it'll never go away if we pass this and, you know, I think that if you take out a loan or you get a grant and you're starting a little community grocery store, that's great, but now, you're gonna be dependent on the government to make sure that those things are. Funded so that it can continue to go on, and I think I might have been um Representative Beatty who mentioned uh asked the question that alluded to General revenue being used for this. So I think that's likely what's going to happen at some point. Um, and so ultimately, you know, if somebody doesn't pay back a loan or whatever the
situation is, the taxpayers are going to be on the hook for this. And I will say too, my wife, she works for Walmart and um I often hear the executives they are saying that 90% of America lives within 10 miles of a Walmart. And so I just don't think this is necessary and I would ask for to vote against this
bill. Representative Underwood has spoken against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against
the bill. Representative McCullough, would you like to close for your bill? You're recognized.
Um, thank you, Representative Underwood, for bringing up some of those issues. I think a government program is really strong language for this bills. We would be applying for grants that are already out there, not taking any, anything from anywhere else, trying to get those kind. And yes, there are Walmarts within 10 miles, probably from everybody, but, um, 10 miles is an extreme hardship for some people to get to that don't have any, um, transportation as a matter of fact, that's one of the definitions. If you live over
5 miles in a rural area from a grocery store of some kind, you live in a food desert, um, but we would just be existing, using existing grant money that's already out there. This, this has been done, done all across the South, these types of programs, a lot of them have been done in conjunction with Kroger at Dunning conjunction with Edward's Foods done in conjunction with Walmart. So this is, this is something that I think will help everybody with that, appreciate a good vote. Representative McCullough has
closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1965. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. As everyone voted As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. With 58 years, 28 nays, and 5
present. The bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill
Chair
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2:46:28
1963presentative Gonzalez to clarify that an advanced practice registered nurse who prescribes
a stimulant may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication. Representative Gonzalez here recognized to explain the bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this
Representative Justin Gonzales
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2:46:43
is not a 100% self-serving bill, but it will make my wife's life easier, which therefore makes my life somewhat easier. So
Uh, Representative Johnson and I had worked on this bill a few years ago and got the original version of it passed. Uh, there were some misinterpretation, I think at the nursing board on how they can operate. This just clarifies that, uh, nurse practitioner can continue the prescriptions that were started by a physician, um, if, as long as those drugs are in the same. Therapeutic class of medication, uh, Representative Johnson has asked for an amendment on this that we will work on in the Senate and if he, uh, is just adamant that we do so. I think
it's unnecessary, but, you know, uh, if he wants it on there, it doesn't, it doesn't hurt anything, uh, just makes it a little more cumbersome. We'll, we'll get it done if that's what he wants. So anyway, I'd appreciate a good vote on this.
Representative Gonzalez has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak
against the bill? For the bill Representative Johnson, you are recognized to speak for the bill. Appreciate that representative Gonzales,
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:47:52
and yes, I am in favor of this bill in principle, and
yes, I do think we can have the opportunity to make it even better bill to provide continuity care through our nurse practitioners and our primary care physicians on the other end of the Senate. And so I'll look forward to those discussions, but I think this is a reasonable thing that he's trying to do and I do think it'll help Karen, so I hope y'all vote in support of the
bill. Thank you. Representative Johnson has spoken in favor of the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill? For the bill Representative Gonzalez is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1963. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
Has everyone voted? As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. With 85 years, 4 nays, and 3 present, the bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1164 Representative Mayberry to
Chair
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2:48:49
allow a physician or healthcare providers to offer cognitive assessments for certain patients and to mandate that insurance policies
cover assessments for cognitive function for certain patients. Representative Mayberry, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Julie Mayberry
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2:49:05
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, the Department of Health brought to us the Alzheimer's disease and dementia advisory council, something to add into our 2024 annual report, and it was an idea to make sure that we are getting cognitive testing at the earliest of stages, as we've discussed, there's new medicine that's out there to treat Alzheimer's, but you have to have that diagnosis at a really early stage. So, um, we worked with the Department of Health.
We worked with the Arkansas Medical society on this bill. We worked with Blue Cross on this bill and with DHS, um, And it does allow our doctors to offer cognitive testing. It is a May, not a shall. I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Mayberry has explained the bill. Would
anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Mayberry is
closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1164. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. With 72 years, 17 nays, and 7 present, the bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1969.
Chair
Unverified
2:50:38
That's 1969 by Representative Johnson to improve the quality of healthcare access to amend the assessment fees on hospitals and to create the hospital directed payment
assessment. Represent, you are recognized to explain the bill.
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:50:49
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, uh, I want to start by talking about what supplemental payment programs are. Some of you may know already, a supplemental payment program is a program set in place by the federal government to try to help hospital providers, compensate for undercompensated pay through Medicaid patients. So we have currently in the state,
A supplemental payment program. It's called the Upper Payment limits. This is the program that's set in place federally for fee for service Medicaid, which is what we have in our state right now. Um, that program helps, uh, hospitals, hospitals have a provider tax that they pay, that tax then is the state portion of the match and then the federal moneys drawn down and then that money gets distributed to hospitals, uh, in a, in a way that's proportional to their burden of medicate patients. What this
bill does is this bill creates a mirror program. As a just in case, just in case we end up putting more populations in, in managed care. Currently in our state, the only managed care programs we have is the passes. But there's been discussions throughout the session, and there's even been legislation introduced that would allow our governor to move more people. Into managed care. Now, whether you're for managed care against managed care, this is the program we would need in place to provide supplemental payments if we move to managed care.
Again, this bill does nothing to move people into managed care. It doesn't encourage managed care. It just recognizes that there is a possibility in the future. The populations might be moved into managed care, and if they are, This is the program that would replace our upper payment limit program. Uh, the bill in particular also accounts for the premium tax if we ever move people into managed care, there will be based on law already, at 2.5% premium tax. It creates an allotment of that premium tax. It would put 50%
towards an incentive program to try to provide better care currently in this bill's version, it would be around primary care and around obstetrics and maternity care. It puts 10% into graduate medical education and then 40% would just go into general revenue. All of the things in this bill are flexible. Nothing in this thing in this bill is locked in place. If we ever move people in managed care, this would, there would be opportunity to come into this bill and discuss different factions of this bill, if we wanted to try to change some of these apportionments. Um, I know it's a complicated topic. I know there's gonna be a few
questions. I know not everyone here in this room is in favor of this particular bill for different reasons, but I'd be happy to try to answer questions
if people have some. Representative Wooldridge, for what purpose? Do
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
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2:53:27
you recognized, and thank you, Representative Johnson. Uh, you and I agree most all of the time, unfortunately, we don't
agree on this. Um, I definitely am not supportive of us moving towards managed care. I think that no one cares for our patients, uh, better than the state of Arkansas could. Do you consider this necessary, uh, if I know if
we were to go into managed care, and we talked about this a little bit in committee. I mean, that would have to be in a special session or in a session. Couldn't a bill like this be done at that time. Um, don't you consider
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:53:57
this to be unnecessary currently. I, I don't, and I'll tell you why. I mean, I think there's, there's two reasons. One is, I
don't know for sure. That we would have to have a special session for the governor of the administration to move populations into managed care. I do know that we'd have to have legislation in place for this to happen. The second thing is, there is a lot of
unpredictability federally. You know, these state directed payment permit programs are under scrutiny. There's absolutely a possibility at some point in the future, that there's a moratorium on any future state-directed payment plans. If our plan was in place, it would be exempt under that moratorium, which is why I think it's important to take advantage and get it in place now. Follow up. You're recognized and
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
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2:54:35
that was my second question. So I have looked at some of the
things that, that talk about these being under scrutiny, but I've not seen where anybody that's currently working would be, uh, grandfathered in under a
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:54:46
moratorium. Yeah, I don't know that it would, right? It's speculative, but I think you could certainly see a case where in the future, they said, hey, look, starting on this day, we're gonna put a moratorium on it. We're not gonna allow any more state-directed payment programs passed July of 2025. If that were to happen, our planegram would be in place and it would be, uh,
exempt. From that moratorium. Representative Lundstrom, for what purpose? You're recognized. I'm
Representative Robin Lundstrum
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2:55:12
completely confused. You can, I'm sure you can tell by my
face, I am completely confused and concerned um, does this mean that we're committing to covering adults, even if something happens on
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:55:25
the federal level. No, there's no commitment. So the last page of this bill is the trigger language. The only way this bill would go into effect is if new populations are moved into managed care. If new populations were moved into managed care, then it would create the supplemental payment program. So this bill does nothing. Until the time in which managed care patients are moved into managed care. And if that never happens, the bills just sit
Representative Robin Lundstrum
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2:55:49
there. It really is truly a trigger bill it would also cover able-bodied adults. That was one of my
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:55:55
other questions. It would depend on which populations were moved into the managed care. So, if QHPs at some point moving bandaged care, then yes. If, if, if, let's say there were discussions around traumatic brain injuries being moved into the passes. If that population was moved into the passes, it would be, so it would depend on what populations were moved in. OK, thank you. Representative Wooton, for what purpose? You're recognized
Representative Jim Wooten
Unverified
2:56:22
Representative Johnson will, will this make managed care better for hospitals. And again, you know,
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:56:27
the, the hospital association at the table said they were opposed
to managed care, but if in the future, We have to go to managed care in some capacity beyond the current space, then yes, this would absolutely help hospitals get better reimbursement through state-directed payments. So are we incentivizing
Representative Jim Wooten
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2:56:46
them to do better or to if, if we ever go
Representative Lee Johnson
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2:56:53
to a plan like this, there's a portion of this money that could directly be used to incentivize better performance through value-based payments. But again, this all would be dependent on at some
point in the future, managed care expanding in the state of Arkansas. Members, I'll just say,
you know, there is unpredictability. We know this. We know that managed care
is something many states are moving towards, whatever your opinion on managed
care is, I think, I think having a supplemental payment program is, is essential if we're ever gonna be people who managed care. I don't think anyone's disagreed with that. It's just about the timing of whether it's important to do now or wait and do it later. I, I would vote for being prepared and reassure everyone there's trigger language in there so that this won't go into effect, only if we move people into managed care at some point. Thank you. I appreciate it. good about. Representative Johnson has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
2:57:54
Representative Wooldridge, you recognize to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Um, this is
my first time to speak against the bill, and I hope that for some of you, that'll mean something. Uh, I try not to come down here and speak unless that I feel like that there's something specifically that I have a little bit of knowledge that I can share with you. I've worked in this space for a long time as Representative Johnson has, and the state, state directed payments that we're talking about, that is under scrutiny. There's no guarantee at the federal level that there's going to be anything
that's grandfathered in, I, I feel like this bill is unnecessary. If we move to managed care, um, that is definitely not a step in the direction that we have chosen to do with the state of Arkansas. So we have felt like that we take care of patients or our patients, our Kansans, better than a company out of Minnesota or Chicago could, uh, this opens the door for a possibility there, I believe. I think that this is preemptive. There's no reason for us to pass a bill like this right now. We cannot go into a managed care system without being called back
into a special session or a voted. this body to do so. We have had a bill, this session that was filed to allow the executive branch to move populations into managed care that did not pass. Uh, so I definitely think that there's no way that we could go and move a population into that managed care system without a vote of this body, for that reason and many others, I would ask you to vote no. I think this is something that we could deal with in the future if we ever got put into a situation where we needed to. I don't know why we would need a 2-page bill to
obligate. or tie our hands to an ever-changing system. We don't know what this will look like in the future if we're put in this position, that would be the time for us to pass a bill like this, and it would need to be tailored and focused to the current situation that we're in. With that, I'm voting no, and I'd ask you to do the same. Representative
Wooldridge has spoken against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Pilkington, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Uh, thank you, everyone. Thank
Representative Aaron Pilkington
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2:59:57
you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn't planning to, to speak to this, but I do want to address a few things. Uh, currently, you can already move the tier one population into the past programs. It's my understanding. So that is one group of population that can be moved. Uh, and the, the legislation of the past as well also included that ALC approval would have to be part of that. And so if that's the direction to go, but some of this too, we write a federal waiver. That we hope the feds will renew. If they do not, because we have, who knows what the feds do? It's always good to have some things in place. And I think if we have a situation
where our expansion is denied through the rejection of our latest waiver, and we have to come in and we're trying to keep people still covered. There could be a possibility that we could have managed care and it'd be better to have this in place in case we are in a situation like that to make sure our hospitals get taken care of. Now granted, the reason why the legislature around the past was around it so that we can prevent a company from out. site management that we have a provider-led organization here in Arkansas that's already operating, but that's a different matter on a different bill. Um, but I do want to say I think this is a good bill. I think this is about protecting us and with the uncertainty
that's going on at a federal level right now. I just think it's better to have some triggers an option. And so that's why I say this is a
good vote and I appreciate a yes vote. Thank you. Thank you. Representative Pilkington has spoken in favor of the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Wardlaw, you're
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
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3:01:18
recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker, I'll start this off with a light joke, but now that Representative Woolridge has found out this
is easy, maybe he'll do it more often. Um. Now, members, we, we've fought
for years, almost my whole career against Medicaid moving towards managed care. And I look at this like it's a baby step in that direction. One of the problems of managed care, is there, call your friends in Tennessee. They'll tell you you real quick. The managed care is absolutely Not the right way to go for your Medicaid population. Providers left
Tennessee when 10are was enacted back in the early 2000s. And the reason they left, and I was one of those that left, is because you couldn't get paid and there was
no one to call. When your constituents call you under managed care. Who are you calling? You can't call the department because the department gave all those duties off to a private company. And they have no, you have no leverage to get them to do anything for your constituent or for your constituent's family. This is just a baby step in that direction. And
I'm telling you right now, it's not a, it's not a step you want to take. So with that, I'd ask for a no vote. Representative Wardlaw has
spoken against the bill. Would anyone like to speak in favor of the bill? Against
Representative Lee Johnson
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3:02:40
the bill Represent Johnson, he recognized a close for your bill. Thank you, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, colleagues, I understand the concerns about lower reimbursement through Medicare Manage managed care through Medicaid. The purpose of state-directed payments is to try to offset that lower reimbursement. These programs came into place in 2016. Uh, and since that time, you've
seen in states that have managed care that have been active state
directed payments. You've seen improvement of reimbursement back to healthcare providers. And you've also put control back in the states through the state directed payments. We have some control with state directed. payments over how providers are reimbursed and over important quality metrics around how they may perform. Again, this is not about are you for managed care? Are you against managed care. This is about if we have managed care, are you for a state-directed payment system. I don't know if any state that has a managed care system in place that doesn't have a
state-directed system in place because it's a great way to help control costs. It's a great way to help offset costs through federal funding, and it, and it costs no general revenue. This is all mo der led assessments. Um, this is an important piece of legislation to have in place. And again, I understand why now. I think one of the most important why now is because we don't know the future of state-directed payments. We don't know the future of Medicaid in Arkansas. But there is a possibility, good or bad, that we may have to extend to more managed care in the future. And if we don't have this in
place now, it may not be an option to put in place in the future. So with all of that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Hope you can pass this for
us. Thank you. Representative Johnson has closed for the bill the question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1969, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted.
casts up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With 18 years, 48 nays, and 18 present, the bill has failed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1957
Chair
Unverified
3:04:48
Representative Meeks to amend the unsolicited commercial and sexually explicit electronic male prevention Act
to include unsolicited commercial and sexually explicit text messages. Represent to explain the bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So colleagues, I got the
next 4 bills with a brief intermission by uh Representative Dalby and all, and 3 of these 4 are actually preparing us for the future. So this first one, if you're you're old enough, you may remember back in the early days of the internet, you get home from school or work, you, you'd dial up the internet and after some various tones, you'd hear those three magical words, you've got mail. And you remember how exciting it was because you'd get an email from a friend or grandparent. Now days, you can't hardly use your email because it's so full of
all sorts of junk and it now becomes more of a, a chore. What this bill does is, I'm afraid we're going down the same road with text messaging. Right now in Arkansas law, it is currently against the law for you to receive unsolicited commercial or sexually explicit emails. Any commercial, uh, emails that you get must include an opt out. So basically, all I'm doing with this first one is I'm adding text messaging to that. So,
If this is passed, it will be against the law to receive unsolicited commercial text messages, any commercial text messages you have, it must clearly define who it's coming from, have an opt-out provision, and it will make it against the law if you receive unsolicited sexual messages. Uh, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Saying no, appreciate
a good vote. Representative Meeks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill, Representative
Meeks is closed for the bill. The question for the house is the passage of House Bill 1957. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone voted? As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With 94 years, zero nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1958
Chair
Unverified
3:07:05
by Representative Meeks to require public entities to create a policy concerning the authorized use of artificial intelligence to
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, colleagues, um, last session, y'all help me pass a bill that
requires state agencies to have a technology use policy in place and what we're doing with this bill is we are updating that technology use bill to make sure we include artificial intelligence intelligence, so stated to employees know when we do and do not use artificial intelligence. Here's where the concern is
that. If a state employee uploads information to an artificial intelligence to get information or answers. What is uploaded then actually becomes part of the property of that of that AI so it can create issues there with, uh, security. Uh, the other thing that we want though is we want state employees to be able to use artificial intelligence though, where appropriate to be able to improve service and make their jobs more efficient. So this bill would require training and guardrails. And I think the most important
aspect of this bill is it will require that regardless of what an artificial intelligence uh comes up with as far as the decision that a final decision will always be made by human. So we're not gonna have a situation where a computer is making a final decision on anything. It's always going to be a computer or excuse me, we're gonna make sure that a human always has the final decision on any decision that is made. Happy to answer any questions. Saying none. Appreciate your vote. 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 1958. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted Cast up the ballot. The vote of 93, 0, nay, and 2 present, the bill is passed.
Chair
Unverified
3:09:08
Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1895 by Representative Dalby to allow a corporation or voluntary association to employ in-house attorneys to represent affiliates of the corporation or voluntary
association. Representative Do, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
3:09:26
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill does exactly what the title says it does. It's going to allow corporation or voluntary association to imply employ in-house counsel to represent their affiliates. It's all it does. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Darby has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the
bill Representative Day is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1895. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With the vote of 96, 0 nay, and zero present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read
Chair
Unverified
3:10:18
House Bill 1504 1504 by Representative Meeks to create the offense of manufacturing, modifying, selling, transferring, or operating a robotic device or an uncrewed aircraft that is equipped or mounted with
a weapon. Representative Meeks, you're recognized to explain
your bill. All right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Back
again. This is again another future-looking bill. So, uh, this last summer, I had the opportunity again to, uh, attend one of these AI
sessions and a group from Boston Dynamics gave a talk about some of the technologies that are coming, uh, especially as related to humanoid robots, and one of their concerns is that as humanoid robots start to become more commonplace in society, uh, and I have very little doubt that by the time the freshmen, by the time y'all are the senior class, they'll be humanoid robots walking around the Capitol helping you do your job. That's how close we are to this. Um, last, um, a couple of weeks, uh, Tesla has put out information
saying that, uh, as early as next year for $300 to $400 a month, you can rent a humanoid robot that will do all your chores. We'll cook dinner and have it ready for you when you get home. We'll tutor your students. We'll help you answer questions, you know, what's the score? What's the weather like? And we'll guard your house at night. I mean, who wouldn't want to pay $400 to have all that taken care of, right? So, we're going to see a proliferation of these things. They're, they're geared up to provide 10,000 of these in the next year. Other manufacturers are doing the same
thing. So the concern that these manufacturers have is as these become more commonplace is that somebody is going to arm them or place a bomb on them and send them into a school or, uh, you know, movie theater, what have you. And so these man factors have requested that states start passing legislation to outlaw that, and that's what this does. Um, I worked with the, uh, state police, uh, the local sheriffs and so forth, um, they are, although they don't have a official position on the
bill, the officers I've spoke to are all supportive of what we're trying to do here. Uh, I'll be
Chair
Unverified
3:12:22
happy to answer any questions. Representative Beatty, for what purpose? You're
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:12:26
recognized. Represented Meeks. I, I understand what you're trying to
do here, but if we do pass this bill, does this bill guarantee that bad actors won't use the latest technology
to do the exact, um, attacks or, or that, that your bill is to that. Uh, well, the answer would be
no. Um, uh, but I, I'm gonna, I'm, but
I, but here, but I, but let, let me finish my, let me finish my thought here. OK? Let me, let me finish my thought here. We outlaw murder. People still commit murder. We outlaw theft. People still commit theft. Every single law that we do down here, someone's gonna violate at some point. And that's why we have a punishment attached to it. This is what this bill does because without this, what would happen is if someone put a bomb, say, on a, uh, they, they've got
these new robot, uh, dog things. If
someone put a bomb on that, as of right now, that's legal, and it would not become illegal until it in and Exploded
and killed people. So what we're trying to do is to stop it before it becomes a tragedy. Give law enforcement the tools that they need, uh, uh, and then another very important component that we did and Representative Richardson helped me with this one is we also make it legal for them to take the programming and modify the programming because these
robots are strong enough that in and of themselves, they don't necessarily need a weapon where
Chair
Unverified
3:13:53
they could go and harm somebody. Representative Richmond, for what purpose?
Question, you're recognized. Representative Meeks on page 4, beginning with line 29. Basically, it says that a person may not bring a, any type of lawsuit or something like that against law enforcement or an accredited bomb squad. Uh, if, if they're acting in good faith. Why is this included? I know in your next bill, you intend to
give arrest authority to, uh, bomb squads. But why
do you think that these people should be, you know, free from that type of thing. So
this was actually the, at the request of the law enforcement, um, this is the, the, uh, immunity that they typically have in the course of their duties. So if a law enforcement officer acting in the, the goodwill faith in the course of their duties. If they do something that somebody doesn't like, Then they have certain immunities there, and this is to
make sure those immunities carry over. Represent for what purpose? You, they could still bring a
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
3:14:59
lawsuit against the department. So just let, make sure that that's still out there. Question, you're recognized. So Representative Meeks, you know, there are some drones that have like a flamethrower on it to do control burns and things like that under this bill,
those, those would be out outlawed, correct, incorrect. So, um, the, the way the bill is defined, I know there's some confusion on
this. Uh, the way the law is defined is it has to be either,
uh, fully or partially automated. So if there's a human fully
in control of it, it does not, uh, is not captured by this. Follow up,
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
3:15:26
recognized. On page 3, when you talk about the exceptions and talk about for use for robotic competitions. What kind of competition would involve
a weapon that would need a drone or a robot that had a weapon. What kind of competition would that be? So we actually just passed that bill,
uh, just a couple of days, what was the last week to uh do the grant
program for this. So this is uh uh that, honestly, that was not even on my radar when I filed this bill. Uh, that's one of the amendments I did, uh, but it's these battle about competitions that they do for, um, like educational purposes. OK,
Chair
Unverified
3:16:04
thank you. Representative Purrier, for what purpose? You're recognized. So, uh, kind
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
3:16:09
of catch me up to this. So these accredited bomb squad members, are they required to be police officers certified. So, um, uh,
the, the next bill is actually gonna get into that
a, a little bit. So the vast majority of the bomb squad technicians within the state are certified law enforcement officers. So that, that part's already handled. Um, there are about 20 members of local bomb squads that are firefighters, um, and the bill that we're about to do next, uh, would give them arrest authority if they undergo, um, police training. They'll have to have 120 hours. I'll, I'll get into all That, but, uh, but, and know that case, yes, but the vast
majority of the bomb squads in the state are certified law enforcement officers.
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
3:16:56
You're recognized they've already, if they went through that certification, why would, so this is to safeguard the ones that don't want to go through the certification and allow them Let me just
restate that. So why would we give them the same powers and liability protections we give police officers that are certified. Um,
because the, the main users right now of this, of these robots are the bomb squad guys because they're the ones
who, uh, whenever there's a bomb threat, they will send these robots into to assess the situation and maybe dispose of the ordinance. And so
Chair
Unverified
3:17:31
that's why they're, they're mentioned. Representative Richardson, for what purpose?
Representative R. Scott Richardson
Unverified
3:17:35
You're recognized. Representative Meeks, we've discussed this bill a number of times and, and I appreciate you making modifications to the bill as we kind of went through it. I still have some concerns around what the, uh, your definition associated with, um, partially modify, or excuse me, um. automated.
Speaker 541
3:17:54
Um, a robotic device means fully or partially automated mechanical device. What is, what is a partially Automated Mechanical. So, I, I, I would see that
Speaker 543
3:18:07
as, um, someone programs it. And then sends it off to do its thing. So, the,
a human has input to what it does, but then sends it off to do its thing, whereas a fully automated uh robot, uh, there's no human programming it. It just when it
arrives from the factory, it, you know, responds to
Speaker 541
3:18:31
simuli stuff that it sees. Follow up, Mr. Chair. You're recognized. Would you agree that a drone that has automated systems for establishing stability, maintaining high landing, a lot of other functions that are built into our current drone devices would be considered, um, partially automated. Not for what we're trying
to do here. So, uh, uh, and I know that some attention
has gotten here. Well, what I'm trying to capture with drones is if someone were to put a make, say, a Molotov cocktail on that drone with the intention of dropping it on your house because they didn't like a bill you passed that this would allow law enforcement officers to stop that, uh, from happening. OK. So, um, I'm, I'm just gonna make my closing comments here because I know it's been a long day. Uh, uh, colleagues, this technology is coming to our state, and it's gonna be here sooner rather than later. And I
have no doubt that over time that this will need to be changed and adjusted as the situation occurs, but we're in a situation where either we're gonna have these tools in place for our law enforcement officers be able to deal with this on the front end or Not. And so what I'm hoping to do is make sure they have the tools that they need to keep us safe if these devices are misused. Uh, so with that, I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Meeks has explained the bill. Would anyone
like to speak against the bill, Representative Richmond, you're recognized to speak against
the bill. I think I understand what Representative Meeks is trying to do, but again, my concern comes back to the fact that, uh, More immunity, you know, protection of law enforcement. Yeah, I'm for that. But we keep expanding that seems
like, and, and I can't get past the fact that here a year or so ago, I think it was a year ago, I'm getting old, I can't keep up, but a year or so ago, right here in Little Rock, we had law enforcement. Basically dress up in their battle rattle, show up at a house to serve a search warrant and everybody goes, well, he was a bad guy. Well, if he was such a bad guy, why didn't they show up with an arrest warrant. And they ended up gunning that guy down. And I think it's good for law enforcement to have something in the back of their mind at all
times that, Am I in the right? Other than having coverage to be able to say, hey, I'm acting in good faith. I mean, not even your military. can get away with going, gunning somebody down in a combat zone, and say, well, I was acting in good faith. We have restrictions as well. We always do. And there's a lot of people walking around today, still walking around. That in my mind,
There's a lot of things I would have liked to have done to them. Personally. But I couldn't. So again That's why I'm gonna be a no on this. I'm just Concerned about us. The civilians out here. Giving more and more power to law enforcement. And them not thinking things through. You don't show up with battle rattle to serve a search warrant. In the dark, that may never happen here. But because that did happen,
It bothers me. Representative Richmond has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Would anyone like
to speak against the bill? Representative Beatty.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
3:22:20
Ren speak against the bill. Members, uh, we heard this bill in
committee. I, I, I believe in, in all sincerity that represented Meeks is well intended with what he's, what
he's trying to do with this bill. You can tell by the number of amendments that were made on it that he was trying to make folks happy with the bill. My, my problem is, uh, All the things that it's to protect us about his answer here in the well was no, it's not going to protect us. So, I think it's a bill that right now is unnecessary and that we don't need, and I'm all for less regulations, less rules on the books that we don't need at this time. So I just
ask. Representative Beatty, you spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill, Representative
Meeks, you're recognized clothes for your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and obviously, I have great respect for the two gentlemen that, uh, came up here and, and, uh, spoke on this bill. So, um, to, uh, Representative Richmond, um, the, um, Immunity that this provides is only in a civil action. So if they do something that they're not supposed to be able to, the attorney General, the prosecutors can still bring action against that law enforcement as an individual, uh, I as a citizen of the state,
if they do something acting, uh, you know, negligently, I can still bring a lawsuit against that department. So I think that civil protection is that, is still there. Um, a lot of times when these guys are making decisions, these are highly charged, uh, Um, situations and I don't want them to not take the actions that they need to because they're afraid someone's gonna sue them in the future. So that's the reason why this is in here. And again, Representative Beatty is correct. These robots are not
roaming around out in society now. The Arkansas State Police just acquired the first one of these robots here in the last, I don't know, couple of weeks or so, um, they're fairly expensive, but y'all know what's going to happen over time. Uh, these are going to become more common. They're gonna be proliferated, and so, uh, y'all understand kind of what I'm after here. I wanna put protections in our place, uh, for our citizens. Uh, if y'all deem that this is the right time to do that. I would highly encourage a yes vote. So our law
enforcement officers have the tools that they need to be able to deal with this new technology, uh, again, if you all think we need to wait and leave no protections in place, then, uh, we'll have no protections in place. But as you Technology chair, I'm trying to prepare the state for the future and, uh, we'll just ask that, uh, you would help me do so in this instance and appreciate a good vote.
Representative Meeks is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of
House Bill 1504. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot. The vote of 1465 nay, and 9 present. The bill has failed. Madam Clerk, please read
Chair
Unverified
3:25:34
House Bill 1648 by Representative Meeks to amend the law concerning municipal fire departments to allow a member of a municipal fire department
bomb squad to make arrests under certain circumstances and to declare an emergency.
Representatives, you're recognized. All right, colleagues, one last one for me for today. Um, this one
I hope will be a lot less controversial. Um, so the the issue that, uh, we're trying to fix with this is right now in Arkansas, as I had mentioned when speaking with Mr. uh, Representative Perrier here just a minute ago in the Arkansas, we have some of our bomb squads are organized under the, uh, police, and we have some of our bomb
squads that are organized under fire departments. And the issue that has come up is the US Marshal Service requires that our bomb technicians be given arrest authority so that they can be marshalized by the, uh, US, uh, Marshal Service. They have to have that deputization for a number of reasons. Number one is in the, uh, you know, God forbid we have another Oklahoma City bombing or Nashville bombing. It allows our members to go into
those states to provide back up and uh bring extra resources. More importantly, what it does is it allows our members of our bomb squad to receive the FBI training that they need enabled, to be able to fulfill their duties. So without that arrest authority, we can't help neighboring states, and these guys cannot receive the FBI secret level training that they need in order to fulfill their duties. So what this bill does in a a narrower scope as
possible, and I appreciate Representative Tosh, who helped me get this all worked out. What this bill does is requires our bomb squad technicians to get 120 hours of law enforcement training, uh, according to the law enforcement standard training academy. It's similar to what a reserve deputy law enforcement officer would, uh, be required to get and then they would have that arrest authority only in the very narrow circumstance when they're, um, uh, responding to a
bomb-related threat. Uh, they can hold the perpetrator until The regular law enforcement arrives to actually, uh, finish out the, uh, arrest. Um, worked with all the various stakeholders, agencies, everybody's good with the bill. No, no opposition that I know of. Uh, but again, this just allows, um, our bomb guys to be able to fulfill their duties. So, uh, happy to take any questions, seeing none, but I appreciate a good vote. Oh wait, no, you got a couple Perrier,
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
3:28:18
you're recognized. Recognized. So, so again, if, if they've got to go through all these parameters to do this, why would they not just go be a certified. So,
this is a kind of a crazy situation that we ended up. So back in the, as I understand the story back in the early 2000s when the FBI right after 9/11 when the FBI approached the state of Arkansas about setting up bomb squads within the state. The original intent was is that this be done
through law enforcement agencies. Well, in 3 of the municipalities they designated, so we want a bomb squad, uh, Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Conway were the three. The, uh, sheriffs at that time didn't want the responsibility. So the uh fire department said that we'll do it and so we ended up with 3 fire department bomb squads located across the state. And, um, so that's kind of how we end up where we're at. So if we
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
3:29:15
pass, sorry follow up you're recognized. So if we pass
this legislation, we'll circumvent that authority and allow these fire department bomb squad members to have arrest authority without going through. No, they'll have to go through the police offer training.
That, that's 120 hours of certified training that they'll have to go through and I'll quit. So you're if
Representative Chad Puryear
Unverified
3:29:34
they did all that, they would be law enforcement officers and they would have arrest author. Is that correct? Yes or no? No, not as I understand
it, because they have to, they, as I understand it, again,
I'm not an expert in this field. They would
have to be deputized like under a sheriff or somebody in order to have arrest authority. Um, so in this case, they would be working under the purview of the city. Uh, and, and, and, and for what it's worth right now, fire marshals within the state have arrest authority and they actually have more arrest authority than what we're asking for here, and they work under the fire department. Representative Hawke, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. So if, if you're a
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
3:30:14
bomb squad guy, wouldn't you, why wouldn't you just go become a reserve officer or something
like that to be able to get that accreditation. I mean, it seems like you you're going through the same steps as what
the reserve officers are, right? Just about, um, the difference is, is that, um, these bomb squad guys, they're not gonna be making
traffic stops. They're, they're not gonna be involved in domestic disputes, or so they're not gonna be involved in a lot of things that your traditional reserve deputy or police officer. will be involved in, uh, and so we, we had discussions about, should we just make it the full deal, um, but it, it, it becomes
a waste of time because the, the techni, these guys, they're, they're not going to use any of that stuff. And so it becomes a waste of,
uh, you know, tax dollars and all that to send these guys for training that they're not gonna need. Recognized. So
Representative RJ Hawk
Unverified
3:31:04
will the bomb squad member be carrying a gun once they are able to make arrests. They can already do that. OK,
Speaker 518
3:31:11
cool. Yeah, so we won't be adding, um, that, they can already do that. Representative Nazarenko, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. Thank you, Speaker. I thank you, uh, Representative
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
3:31:20
Meeks. I appreciate the, uh, the intent of this. I just, my question is, I understand 120
hours of initial requirement, then they're gonna be making those, they can make those arrests for this bill. Uh, what about their clut requirements? This wasn't covered at all in the bill, but Uh, I know if we don't have lust, uh, training, uh, what I'm concerned about is if they make an arrest, how will that hold up in court? Will there be any issues, uh, down the road in court. So if you can address that, please, thank you, it is class training.
They're the ones that developed the course and All that.
Representative Jason Nazarenko
Unverified
3:31:52
You're recognized for a follow-up. So the clutch training that you're talking about, that's the initial 120 though, correct? So there's
an annual requirement. Is that because that wasn't covered in the bill at all. So
would there be an annual requirement to this as well. Not that I know of. It would just be the initial 120
hour clu requirement. Um, if there is any additional training, I'm not aware of that. Um, obviously, um, these men are, you know, they're gonna be, um, Assuming we do this, they're
gonna be deputized through the US Marshal Service and they will continue to receive training through the FBI and through these other services. So it's not like a, a one and done
with this. Thank you. Representative Duffield, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized. uh, Representative Meeks earlier said that
Representative Matt Duffield
Unverified
3:32:35
fire marshals currently have. Um, the ability to arrest people, but it's my understanding that they have to do that in conjunction with law enforcement. Is that correct? Uh, I don't know, I know. Yeah. And, and, and I would say
kind of along these lines, and remember this is gonna be a situations where if you say you've got a county and there's only one deputy who's on, um, call at that point. And there is a call that comes in related to, uh, an explosive device and that deputy is elsewhere in the county handling something. This allows the bomb technician to go assess the situation and if there's a perpetrator there, allows them to hold that perpetrator until the Deputy arrives, um, the reason
why we need that is otherwise, the, that perpetrator can then run free.
Representative Pierce, for what purpose? You're recognized Did I hear you
Representative Shad Pearce
Unverified
3:33:36
right when you said, after the initial training, they will no longer have to take any more training as far as qualifications, yearly like a certified officer has to do, so they qualify one time, and so they're good for I don't know the full answer to that one,
unfortunately, that this is the first time that question's been brought up to me.
Yeah, but I, I will, I will find an answer to that for you. All right, so I'll get out of the way and see if there's any
before or against, and then I'll come back and close. Representative Meeks has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Meeks recognized clothes
for the bill. So, colleagues, again, not to, uh, belabor this, but we need to do this in order for our uh bomb squad guys. So these are some of the best of the best for them to receive the training that they
need in order for us to be, uh, protected, and it's only an extremely limited circumstances. So, uh, with that, uh, I hope you can join me in supporting our guys out in the field as they work to keep us safe. And with that, I appreciate a good vote.
Representative Meeks is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1648. Prepare the machine, madam clerk.
So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast
up the ballot. The vote of 30 days, 41 nays, and 18 present. The bill has failed.
Chair
Unverified
3:35:16
Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1805. 1805 by Representative Childress to amend the definition of bullying and to create a process whereby a public school may conduct multiple simultaneously investigations
into the same allegation of bullying under certain circumstances. Representative Childers, you're
Representative Paul Childress
Unverified
3:35:31
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, House Bill 1805 adds three additional definitions to the current bullying law. It also allows public schools while investigating a bullying incident. They discover another violation of a state or federal law like a Title IX violation, then the investigation can investigate all the potential violations at one time instead of having to get 2 or 3 different investigations. Uh, the Department of Education helped write this bill, the school board association and the
Superintendents Association supports the bill, and I'm gonna borrow a statement from Representative Kozart. If this bill saves the life of one student, then it's a good deal. Thank you and I'd appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
3:36:16
Representative Childress. I explained to Bill, would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the
bill Representative Childers is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1805.
Repair the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The
vote of 83 yes, 3 nays, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark,
Chair
Unverified
3:37:02
please read House Bill 12831283 by Representative Maberry to require the division of elementary and secondary education to include digital media standards in kindergarten through grade 12 library media standards.
Representative Julie Mayberry
Unverified
3:37:13
Representative Mayberry, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, there's a lot of power. in this little device in our hand. There's also a lot of power and the Chromebook that our kids hold, the iPad that our kids hold. Yet we do very
little to actually educate them on how to use that properly.
This bill will allow the division of elementary and secondary education to revise standards, library, media standards to include digital media standards. We need to help educate our students on how to use these devices. 21 states have already passed comprehensive media literacy. 9 states have pending legislation.
Excel and Ed, chaired by Jeb Bush, is pushing this because they understand the need to help educate our students and give them the tools that they need to know about the positive and negative effects of social media to understand personal security online, cyberbullying, cybersecurity, human trafficking, artificial intelligence. These are all new things that we need to help give our students the tools to understand.
I will also add that in part of this, it says to ensure digital media standards required under this section are age-appropriate. So no, we're not teaching kindergartners how to go online and use social media. Um, another aspect in here is that library media standards shall be taught in collaboration with content areas and classroom teachers. So what they're learning through the library standards would also corresponding, correspond to what they're learning in the
classroom. I would, would appreciate a great vote to help keep our kids safe online. Thank you. Representative
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 1283. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up
the ballot. With a vote of 65, 15 nays, and 9 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1580 1580 by Representative
Chair
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3:40:03
Graham Lake to require schools to provide certain information on type 1 and type 2 diabetes when other health information is provided. Representative Gramlich, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Zack Gramlich
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3:40:16
Thank you Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1580 aims to help, um, early detection diabetes in our uh student population, essentially, if a school district provides information on immunizations in infectious diseases, medications, our school health issues, uh, information about type 2 diabetes will be provided and to make clear, uh, this is for educational information only. Um, it is not to be considered, um
Representative Gramli has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the
bill Representative Gramlich is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of House
Speaker 242
3:40:59
Bill 1580. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone
voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 91 ya, 2 nays, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill
Chair
Unverified
3:41:26
1483 18 Gramling to allow a public school district to use state funds to pay for an adult education program with
which it contracts. Representative Gramlick, you're recognized to
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
3:41:37
explain the bill Mr. Speaker. Last week out of this house, we passed a bill that allows schools to have, uh, in-school GED programs by changing the compulsory ED law, what this would allow uh school districts to do is if there are
funds available, can help pay for an in-school GED program with those funds is just not mandate it. It just helps make it a little bit
Speaker 27
3:42:03
easier. Representative. Collins, for what purpose? You're recognized. Uh, sorry for
Representative Andrew Collins
Unverified
3:42:07
not asking this earlier. So do you said in school, so is this only for public, uh, programs or
Speaker 581
3:42:15
is this private as well? I would say that was the intent.
Representative Gramlich has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill Representative Gramlich is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of House Bill 1483. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 91, 2 nays, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please
Chair
Unverified
3:42:59
read House Bill 164242 by Representative Gramling to
amend the measures considered when calculating a school rating and to ensure a student is not counted as a dropout for
purposes of calculating a school level graduation rate if the student passes a GED test.
Representative Gramlich, you recognize to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Representative Zack Gramlich
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3:43:15
Speaker. Uh, last week, uh, we, we passed out the same bill I talk about, talked about previously, that, uh, changed a little bit of the compulsory E law to talk about
how we rate uh GEDs with school ratings, uh, rankings. This is another part of the law that needed to be. Representative Gramlich has explained the bill. Would anyone
like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Gramlich is
closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage
of House Bill 1642. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted, so everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 92, 0, nay, and 3 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
Unverified
3:44:14
Bill 14841484 by Representative Graham to limit the number of credits a student may obtain and of course, credit recovery program.
Representative Gramlich, you're recognized to explain your bill. Speaker.
Representative Zack Gramlich
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3:44:32
Uh, what House Bill 1484 aims to do is to limit the, we've, uh, some issues in the state where there are some students who I've heard in certain districts that are of the 22 required credits, they need to graduate are attempting 18 of those credits online in their, uh, so they're essentially packing in years' worth of work into uh online programs, um, and to be fully transparent, uh, a number of years ago when we had a, a, um, 9th s on our campus. Uh, I got to help with some of these credit
recovery programs and not all of them are bad, but many of them are quite literally go online, search up the question, get the answer, put it down and move on. And so kids are able to accomplish a year's worth of algebra one in about 3 weeks, maybe a month, um, with no, no real understanding of the to show that they understand what's going on. And so what I'm trying to do today is to Strengthen the value of our high school diplomas by ensuring that there is a minimum amount of, uh, standards that a student has
to meet to be able to earn their diploma legitimately. Now, just as a note, uh, that I do have a number of exemptions for students to fill various, various needs, uh, foster care student, um, homeless students, long-term placements, pregnant pregnant students, high-risk tier 3. So it's, and I plan on making another amendment on the way over to the Senate. Um, but that's the goal, um, just to drink this. And I would say one thing. You know,
This only affects 9th graders going into next year and to We, we've passed a number of bills out of this house now that will allow a GED program to be set up during the school day. So if a student doesn't meet this credit recovery limit or they go over the limit, then they still have a pathway to be successful. Hopefully, schools will choose to set up these GED programs so these these students can still have a piece of paper and go on and live a
Speaker 585
3:46:34
successful. Representative Perrier, for what purpose? AE programs? Could you elaborate
Speaker 574
3:46:39
on that? Yes, so it, it still would apply to ALE programs. However, when I've worked with
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
3:46:43
an ALE director, um, who's also worked with a number of directors and talking about this language and made some amendments based on that. Uh, one of the big pieces is that if an Ailey student is in an ALE because of one of these numerous um exclusions that they're gonna fall under that. So it's not just simply being in an ALE program that credit recovery limit. So It really depends why as a student in an ALE program. To answer that question.
And with that, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Gramlich has explained the bill. Would
anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Gramlich is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1484. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted So everyone voted.
Cast at the ballot. By a vote of 81 ya, 6 nay, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read
Chair
Unverified
3:47:54
House Bill 1793. 1793 by Representative Duke to amend the law concerning the use of positive behavioral supports in public school districts. Representative Duke, you're recognized
to explain your bill. Uh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll
Representative Hope Duke
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3:48:04
try to keep this short. I know we're going late. Um, this is just a really common sense bill to bring local control back to our school districts when it comes to discipline pro uh,
procedures and behavior policies. So PBIS is a framework. There are lots of frameworks out there. What this will do, we'll take it out of code to where they don't have to be required as districts are right now, to use this specific framework, they're not going to be prohibited from using it either. They're gonna just have the choice because as we all know, our, all of our districts look different. Our school districts look different and for them to be able to use a variety of tools in their tool wealth, I think is really super important. So I just wanna reiterate, it's um just making it local control. It
is not saying you can't use PBIS. It's just saying that if you want to use it, you can. If you don't want to use it, you don't have to. The choice is up to yours. It is a local control issue. And so with that, I will be happy to take some questions. Representative Perrier, for
what purpose? Did you say, did I hear you say you support local control of the
school districts did hear me say that. Thank you, Representative Ferrier. See, no more questions, I would ask for a good book. Representative Duke has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill. For the bill Representative Duke is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1793, repair the machine, Madam Clark. So everyone voted Because everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 83, 5 nay, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
Chair
Unverified
3:49:53
Bill 175656 by Representative Volt to
allow a parent legal guardian or person standing in loco parentis to a student to a document and maintain the community
service hours the student obtains, to explain
Representative DeAnn Vaught
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3:50:05
your bill, Mr. Speaker. All this is gonna do is allow the parent or the legal guardian or the local parents, uh, to keep up with the documents of the service hours
in which they're, uh, collecting to graduate from the. learns action. So, or learns Bill, sorry, not action. Um, and with that, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative
Vaugh has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill Representative Vaut is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1756. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 84, yeah, 2 nay, and 7 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1728. 128 by Representative
Chair
Unverified
3:51:09
Enne to require reporting on the number of students receiving accommodations for a disability at institutions of higher education. Representative in it, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Sorry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, many of you know that
I have a child with special needs, and he's a twin, and he And his sister or 16, so With my constituent Allison Guthrie, who's up there in the
gallery, when she came to me with this bill. I was like, this is something that we need here in Arkansas, um, as parents, we all want our kids to do the best that they can do. And in higher ed, and so this bill, I'm sorry, my notes are all scattered right now. Um, This bill But currently Arkansas. Reports to NCES.
But they don't report here, don't, they don't report to any. They don't report the information about disability, students with disabilities to any organizations here in Arkansas. So this bill right here is to strengthen that, to make sure we capture all the documentation, all the things we'd need. So our kids with special needs
can thrive in higher ed institutions. And with that, I'll take any questions.
Representative Bennett has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Bennet, you're recognized to close for the bill. I asked for
a good vote. Thank you. Representative En it is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1728. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 89,
1 nay, and 5 present. The bill is passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1766
Chair
Unverified
3:53:58
Enit to create the Arkansas Respond, Innovate, succeed, and empower, Rise Act. Representative Bennet, you're recognized to
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hospital 1766, the RISE Act, respond, innovate, succeed in the power. This legislation is to further strengthen our commitment to providing quality higher education for students with disabilities. HB 1766 is designed to enhance existing programs and resources, ensuring that students who face unique challenges are given every opportunity to succeed in a rigorous academic environment.
House Bill 1766. Um, sorry. We'll create greater transparency. Describing processes of accommodations and plain English. disseminate such information during the application process, student orientation, academic catalogs, and on institution public websites provide a list of reasonable accommodations and resources to applicants, students, parents, and
facilities in plain English. Again, um, my constituent helped me with this bill as well. Um, As parents with Students with special needs, we want to see our kids do the very best in this bill right here will help ensure that we can make sure our students are successful in life. Thank you. Representative Bennet has explained the bill
would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for
the bill? Representative Bennett. closed for the bill. question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1766. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 80, 1 nay, and 9
present. The bill is passed. Members We're about to go into recess. We have some committees
that need to meet this afternoon. So, we will go into recess for committees to meet. The House will stand in recess until 8 p.m. It's time we will come back and hear Senate bills. If you have a Senate bill on the
red calendar today that you want to pass over, please let us know. So that we can get it on tomorrow's calendar. House will stand in recess until 8 p.m. Do I have
any announcements from committees. Representative Gazaway, for what purpose? You're recognized for an announcement. State agencies will be 15
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
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3:57:12
minutes of following this recess, please be advised that if you have a House bill that you want to run and it's on the
agenda, you better run it tonight. Thank
Representative Roger D. Lynch
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3:57:24
you Representative Lynch, for what purpose? The committee will meet upon 15 minutes
upon recess in room 138. I room in 15 minutes I Representative Gonzalez, what purpose?
You're recognized will meet in 5 minutes, might be. City County Local, 5 minutes, Mac B, Representative Underwood, what purpose? You're recognized. I guess I could announce this later, but
Representative Kendon Underwood
Unverified
3:57:43
House Judiciary will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m.
Speaker 603
3:57:53
Representative Maddox for what purpose? Announcement, you're recognized. Insurance and commerce will made in 15 minutes room 149. Insurance and commerce, 15 minutes, 1:49. Representative Brooks, what purpose?
Chair
Unverified
3:58:02
Announcement recognized House education in 15 minutes, room 1:30
Representative Keith Brooks
Unverified
3:58:04
to hear one bill. House education. One Room 130 to hear
one bill. Representative Jean, for what purpose? You're recognized for an announcement Joint budget we'll meet tomorrow morning at 9:00
a.m. Big Mac A joint budget tomorrow morning. Any other committee announcements? Madam Clerk Oh, we got another one. Representative Johnson, what purpose? Announcement you're recognized budget special
Representative Lee Johnson
Unverified
3:58:35
language will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30 and Big
Representative Frances Cavenaugh
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3:58:42
Mac. Got it. Representative Kavanaugh, what purpose you recognize 10 a.m.
Speaker 50
3:58:48
tomorrow morning, room 151. Anyone else Committee meetings tonight. Committee meetings right now. Any others.
Speaker 608
3:58:56
Like Madam Clark, please read committee reports Mr. Speaker,
Chair
Unverified
3:59:00
on Insurance and Commerce and who was referredenate Bill 552 vaguely report the same consideration here for time with the same
recommendation they do pass respectly submitted Representative Daby chair. Mr. Speaker, we are committee on Education and who the House 1724 Ba reporting the same consideration here for the same recommendation that it do pass concur in Senate Amendment number 1, respectfully submitted. Representative Brooks, Chair. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Education whom ad House Bill 1938, House Bill 1939, House Bill 1941,
Houseville 1946. Beg leave to Report the same consideration here, retire with the same recommendations that do pass respectfully submitted. Representative Brooks, Chair. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred house 1935, 1920 Begley reports the same consideration here for terms the same recommendation that do pass as amendment number one, respectfully submit it. Representative Kavanaugh, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we your Committee on Revenue and tax to the House Bill 1303 vaguely important to the same consideration here, return with the same recommendation that do pass this amendment in Senate Amendment
number 1, respectfully submitted. Representative our chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your Committee on Revenue and tax. To whom was referred to high school 1063, house 1485, house 1732, House Bill 1922. City bill 408, Senate Bill 494 Senate Bill 495, Senate Bill 529, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for terms with the same renation that it do pass respectfully submitted Representative Kavanaugh, chair. Mr. Speaker, we your committee on Education and who was to Senate Bill 390 beg leave for some consideration here for the same recommendation that do pass effectly submit it. Representative McKenzie, vice chair.
The house will come to order. Read the bills, Mr. Clark. Do
Speaker 479
6:35:30
you have any committee reports? Read the committee reports. Mr.
Chair
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6:35:38
Speaker, we are committed to agriculture for economic development and. To whom was refer referred House Bill in 1981, Senate Bill 290, Senate Bill 464, 550. I beg to report that we've had the same consideration and you return the same with the recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted Roger Lynch, chair. Mr. Speaker, we are committee on
Insurance and commerce student was referred House Bill 1930. Big leap to report that we've had the same under consideration here the turn the same with the recommendation that you passed number one restrictively submitted trades Steinwa vice chair. Mr. Speaker, we are a committee on Insurance commerce, to whom it was referred to house in 1949. Be be leave to report that we've had the same consideration here at the term the same recommendation that you pass. Mr Leman and John Maddox chair. Mr. Speaker, we are on Education to who was referred to the Bill 522 beg me to report that we've had the same under consideration. And here was the turn to say with the recommendation that you pass
directly Keith Brooks chair. Mr. Speaker, we're a committee on City County and Local team was referred House Bill 19. 84 to report that we've had the same under consideration here at the turn the same with the recommendation they do pass is submitted, number one, respectfully submitted. Scott Richardson, vice chair. Mr. Speaker, we're a committee on City County Local2 and was referred Houseville. 1983, 1976, Hopi 1927, Senate Bill 553 vaguely to report that we've had the same same. Under consideration. And here's
the recommendation they do pass directly submitted Scott Richardson, vice chair. Read the bills, Mr. Clark. House 1991. Without objection, read the bill a second
time 1991. City County Local House 1992 without objection, read the bill a second time. City County Local hospitals 1993. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Public transportation. 1994. That objection. Read the
bill a second time. 1994 Insurance and commerce 19. Without objection, read the bill a second time City County Local 1996. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Public health in 1997. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Aging children and youth 1998 Without objection, read the bill a second time. Public health. 1999. Without objection, read the bill a second time Education 2000.
Without objection, read the bill a second time. Education 2001. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Public transportation. House resolution 1109. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 110.
Speaker 741
6:38:10
House management resolution 1110. Without objection, read the
resolution a second time. House resolution 110. House Resolution 11/11. Without objection, read the resolution a
second time. House Resolution 1111. House management. House Resolution 1112. Without objection, read the resolution a second time. Resolution 1112. House Resolution 1011 objection House Memorial resolution 10:11 without objection,
Speaker 743
6:38:54
read House Memorial resolution a second time.solution 1011 House management. House Resolution
1012. How's resolution 112. Without objection, read House of
Speaker 743
6:39:00
Memorial resolution a second time Resolution 1012. Citabel 25.
Without objection, read the bill a second time 2 calendar. Senate Bill 37. That objection. Read the bill a second time. 37 calendar 39. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Calendar 88. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 8 calendar Citadel 120 that objection. Read the bill a second time. 120 Public health 347. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 347 Public health. Citadel 359. Without objection,
read the bill a second time Calendar Citadel 406 without objection, read the bill a second time 40 City County. 43 that objection, read the bill a second time. Insurance and commerce Without objection, read the bill a second time. State agencies. Seel 447. Without objection, read the bill a second time 4 rules about 475. That objection. Read the bill a second time surance and commerce.
Without objection, read the bill a second time 45 Judiciary about 488 without objection, read the bill a second time Judiciary. Citadel 492. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 492 Public transportation. Citadel 496. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Public transportation 497 objection. Read the bill a second time.
Public health 516. Without objection, read the bill a second time 516. State agencies I said about 5:34. Without objection, read the bill a second time about 534 public healthel 540 without objection. Read the bill a second time. 540 Public transportation 52. That objection, read the bill a second time 562 public transportation. 565. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Well, 565 state agencies 567. That objection. Read the bill a second time. 567
revenue and tax 573 without objection, the bill a second time. 573 Agriculture. Is it number 575. Without objection, read the bill a second time 5 Judiciary without objection, read the bill a second time. 576 public health. So 577. That objection. Read the bill a second time. 577 revenue and tax. 578. Without objection, read the bill a second time. State agencies.
Cinema 580. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 50 County Local 583. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 583. Insurance and commerce 590 that objection. Read the bill a second time. 590 Judiciary 596. Without objection, read the bill a second time. 596. Insurance and commerce 597. Without objection, read the bill a second time to the 597. Judiciary to 60. Without objection, read the bill a second time.
Public Citadel 605. Without objection, read the bill a second time. Revenue and tax. 611 without objection, read the
Speaker 479
6:42:21
bill a second time. Insurance and commerce.
Speaker 217
6:43:07
Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 460.
Chair
Unverified
6:43:14
for 60 members represent the Grambling. To modify
the client's advisory panel to repeal the marketing recyclables program with the compliance advisory panel and to declare an
Speaker 577
6:43:23
emergency. Representative Gramlich, you are recognized to explain
Representative Zack Gramlich
Unverified
6:43:26
your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 460 amends the compliance advisory panel small business stationary source technical, environmental compliance assistance program, marketing and recyclable, recyclable program known as CAP. This
changes reduce the CAP to reflect the requirements of Federal Clean Air Act converts the current panel of 9 to 7 members in line with the Clean Air Act. This continues a grant fund and marketing recycles as difficult to administer and generate interest in. It redirects current funding to CAP support a small business compliance with federal and state environmental laws and rules. And with that,
I appreciate a good vote. Representative Gramlich has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Gramlich is closed for
the bill. Question before the house is the passage
of Senate Bill 460. Brendan machine, Mr. Clark. Members
your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. So everyone voted. It's everyone voted. Cast up the ballot with a vote of 89, 0 nay, and 4 present. You have passed the
bill and the emergency clause. Members at the request of Representative Aaron Pilkington, we will pass over Senate Bill
322. You don't see Representative McKenzie. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 407,421.
Chair
Unverified
6:45:16
C 421 by Representative Beatty Junior to authorize the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue general obligation bonds for the development of wet water waste disposal and
pollution abatement projects. Representative Beatty, you're recognized to
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
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6:45:40
explain your bill. I guess I should. Uh, Senate Bill 421, uh, is to authorize
the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission issued general obligation bonds for the development of water, uh, water disposal. Basically since January 21st, um, there've been 477 water and wastewater projects totaling $2.5 billion in all 75 counties throughout our state. Current estimates that the wastewater, uh, needs are about $13 billion over the next 20 years. Uh
Remaining bond authority will be exhausted in 2027. Basically, Senate Bill 2, 421 seeks 500 million and general obligation bond authority, uh, the maximum utilization amount per biennium would be $60 million. In ensuring the continuation of the program 32043. Debt service would be financed right now out of the 14.8 million in general revenue and current future loan repayments. Projects funded through the uh geo bond Authority are primarily
low interest loans that must be repaid plus state match requirements for federal water and wastewater programs. Uh, 421 would set a limit of 165 million, or about 33% of the 500 million for financial assistance, assistance for irrigation projects. Uh, upon passage of 421 and signature of the governor. The issue of general obligation bonds would be placed back on a statewide ballot general election in November 26 for a vote of the people.
In additional authority, if additional authority is approved by the people of the state of Arkansas, the Department of Ag would prepare work plans every 2 years that would be presented to the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission, the Chief Fiscal Officer of the state, the Arkansas Legislative Council and the governor for approval prior to utilization of uh bond proceeds. So we approved this bill, it passes, it goes back to the voters to, uh, approve, uh, The general obligation bonds.
So no questions, I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Beatty has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Represented Beatty is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 421. the machine, Mr. Clark. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 86 ye, 3 nays, and 5 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark,
Chair
Unverified
6:48:36
please read Senate Bill 407. 407 by Representative Betty Junior to repeal the Arkansas catfish Processor Fair Practices Act
of 1987. Representative Beatty, you're recognized to
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
6:48:46
explain your biller. Members, Senate Bill 407, uh, the title explains it all. It's to repeal the Arkansas catfish Processor Fair Practice Act of 1987, um, and that's what the bill does. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Beatty has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Beatty
is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 407 repair the machine, Mr. Clark. So
Speaker 242
6:49:13
everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
vote of 95, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please
Chair
Unverified
6:49:47
read Senate Bill 361. about 361 by representative Beatty Junior. To create the industrial development authorities expansion Act to provide the creation of industrial Development authorities to secure and develop industry and foster economic development.
Representative Beatty, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
Unverified
6:50:07
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I've been called far worse today than Junior. Basically, Senate Bill 361 uh is to create the industrial Development Authority expansion Act. Basically, our metropolitan Port Authority Act that we all have with the nine ports in the state. Uh, we want to create an additional, um, uh, an additional tool that would, would help us, um, in industrial development, economic development in the state and facilitate job growth and
creation and mimic and and model the success we've had with Metropolitan Port Authority. So what we've done is we've, we've taken that, created a new section to create an entity called an industrial Development Authority has the same powers, um, that the Metropolitan Port Authorities would have. It's just not located on water. And with that, I'd see if there are any questions, and I'd appreciate
a good vote. Representative Beatty has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill. Representative Beatty is closed for the bill, question before
the House is the passage of Senate Bill 361, prayer of the
Machine, Mr. Clark. So everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up
the ballot. The vote of 75 yeah, 3 nay, and
15 present. Bill is passed. Members were going to go back, Senate Bill 505. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 505.
Chair
Unverified
6:51:36
Suitable 505 Representative McKenzie to amend the law concerning municipal planning and to require an administrative procedure for changes to
the zoning of district designation of property in certain instances.
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
6:51:46
Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I bring to you today Senate Bill 505. It's a very simple bill allows developers and landowners and administrative process to follow city land use maps. It's a permiss it's a permissive bill. It's endorsed by the Arkansas Municipal League, Urban Planners Association, and then Garver based out of uh Little Rock, um, this is a good way of, uh, having this planning and zoning
go through without losing community engagement. With that, I appreciate a
good vote. Representative McKenzie has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill? For the bill Representative McKenzie is closed for the bill, question before the House is the passage of Senate
Speaker 757
6:52:24
Bill 505. Prepair the machine. Mr. Clark. Everyone voted
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 82 ya, 4 nay, and 4 present, the bill is passed. Members at the request of Representative Zach Gramlich, we
will pass over Senate Bill 510 today. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 433.
Chair
Unverified
6:52:59
Senate Bill 433 by Representative Melissa Brown regarding the display of national motto in the 10 Commandments. Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members SB 433 amends the National Mono Display Act to include the 10 Commandments. In recent Supreme Court cases like the American Legion and even more recently, the coach Kennedy versus Bremerton School District case. We know that the Supreme Court has rejected the lemon test. They've rejected the former secular women test, and they now use a long-standing history and tradition test to rule on issues.
of constitutionality um for public display and on religion. So the 10 Commandments without a doubt, will pass this long-standing history and and tradition test as it pertains to American history and the foundation and development of our law, you cannot separate the two. And if you think displaying the 10 commandments in an Arkansas courthouse, uh, is unconstitutional. I will remind you that if you go to the highest court in our land. The United States
Supreme Court, you will not see one, but multiple displays of the 10 commandments there. We send our school kids to DC to learn about our history, where they will go to places like the National Archives. They will see a display of the 10 Commandments. When they go to the library of Congress, they will see a display of the 10 Commandments. And if you stand on the floor of the United States House chambers, the representative House chamber, you will see in the back of the
chamber, a depiction of Moses and the 10 Commandments. You cannot separate the history of our nation and the development of moral law from the 10 Commandments. And I would urge you that nor should we. 80% of this body campaigned on conservative values, and even more than that, I think all of us agree that we want the next generation to grow up and be Arkansans who care about law and order, no matter their religious belief, the 10 Commandments are good law and order.
So I hope you join me in voting for this bill. Thank you.
Representative Brown has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Unger, you're recognized to speak against the bill. You're surprised. I cannot tell you.
Representative Steve Unger
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6:55:49
How much I would rather not
come down here. And speak against this bill. No offense against anybody here, but I'm going to explain why I can't support it. Some, some may speak against this bill for legal reasons. I'm speaking against this bill strictly as an evangelical believer. Who, as a chaplain spent 25 years doing ministry to the
young agnostics who were raised in cultural. Now first, let me say, I don't have any problems at all with the American Heritage aspect of this bill. In fact, I wished every school had an American Heritage corner in the library that displayed the 10 Commandments, the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence and so on. And also please understand I wish every school kid in Arkansas could access the 10 Commandments. To that end, I wish a loving mother and father.
Would handwrite the text of Exodus 20 on card stock and put it in their kids's backpack. That would be a treasured keepsake, coming from the very people who God charged in Proverbs 22, with training up the way they should go. But a poster in a classroom with no buy-in from the teacher. I'm afraid what this does is take something that should be holy and make it trivial. Now, the second reason I'm
against this is a little more complex. Actions like this emphasize the simple Outward trappings of holiness. Like a poster on a wall. The very kind of things that Amos chapter 5 talks about. Over and above the sublime demands for changed heart. Let's talk about the outward trappings of holiness versus a changed heart. Two gospel stories.
Matthew 19 tells of the rich young ruler. Who asked Jesus to validate his righteousness, and why not? The young man acts rightly. He has kept all the commandments. No small thing. I wish I could say that. And then the Lord says, so all you have and give the money to the poor. The young man can't. His unchanged heart loves money more than God. Mark 2 tells of the Paralyzed man lured through the hole in the roof to a room where Jesus is teaching.
Jesus looks at him and says, your sins are forgiven. I usually repentance has to come before forgiveness, but this man hasn't said a word. He didn't have to. The Lord knew his heart. Now, you may ask, what is the harm? the outward trappings of holiness. So what is the harm of the outward trappings of holiness, which is exactly what this is. Well, in the gospels it was the only thing that made Jesus angry.
In the Gospels we see Jesus being so kind and understanding to the prostitutes, tax collectors, and Roman soldiers. The guys who got on his last nerve were the people who cared about the outward trappings of holiness, more than a changed heart, the Pharisees. In Matthew 23, he calls them whitewashed tombs. They look good on the outside, but the inside is full of death and decay. In the past few years,
We have seen a sad parade of celebrity pastors and mega church ministries fall victim to the outward trappings of holiness more than a changed heart. Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill. Bill Heibels at Willow Creek, Bill Gothard, Rabbi Zacharias, I could go on, but you get the point. From the outside looking in, everything looked great. Until it all collapsed. People wondered how could that happen? I have to say it could not turn out any other way.
It turns out the lies and the internal rot had been going on for years. Whitewashed tombs. When Thomas Jefferson said was self-promotion, the internal rot begins. He got that line from Jesus, whether he knew it or not. Now, what did I need to come down and speak against this? Because our own national whitewashed tomb is cultural Christianity. And what is cultural Christianity? In the South, cultural
Christianity is a part of the air that we breathe. It's like the Homo mosquitoes. Friday Night Football, saying sir and ma'am. Sweet tea, black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It proves that we're from the South. Every part of the country has its own version of cultural Christianity. I'm just describing ours. And it goes without saying that the football game and the public meeting will open with prayer. Maybe a long prayer. Sometimes a long prayer.
Cultural Christianity, this becomes part of the The sweetness And the gentleness of life. Kind of like the sampler on the wall that grandma made that says, God bless our home. It's been there so long, you've barely noticed it. Cultural Christianity is just part of the national background scenery. And that's the problem. 21 years ago, this May, just next month. I was sent from my unit just
outside Baghdad to do ministry to the First Marine Division just after what came to be known, the first Battle of Fallujah. Their battalion chaplains were great guys, but overwhelmed. The Iraqi army garrison in Fallujah had been overrun by a well-coordinated insurgent attack. By the forces of Abu Musab al-Zakari. With many of them captured alive. That was a mistake. Al Zakari is a nickname from his own people was the Sultan of Slaughter.
For the first Marine division, the fighting was street to street and house to house. But for many Marines, the aftermath was just as bad or worse. And that involved the recovery of the dead. On the streets, starving dogs fed on charred corpses. Inside civilian homes where the remains of many Iraqi soldiers and police kitchen tables and basements had been used as
makeshift torture chambers. I won't say anymore. When you go into the infantry, you train for combat, but nothing can prepare a young American for this. I was not in the city. I was just across the Euphrates River at Camp Blue Diamond. Where our guys came to rearm and refit. I'm mostly, I mostly hung out in the smoking area. A lot of guys did not want to eat, but they really did like a smoke, handling dead bodies will do that to you. In a pastoral sense, you learn
that in a situation like this, there's no words. The best you can do is just be present. I approached a young marine who appeared to be in a trance, just to say hi. And he said, Sir, no disrespect against you. But after what I saw on the streets of Fallujah, I don't believe in God anymore. So I gave him some space, but I did come back later and I asked him, tell me more about this guy you used to believe in. And he did And he opened up.
I ended up asking that same question a lot in the days, weeks, and years to come from Iraq, Afghanistan, or my stateside office. Were these old young men after 5 or 10 years of alcohol, or maybe a younger wife had not numb the pain. And whether they were relapsed Baptists from the hills of Georgia. Relapsed Catholic from Jersey City. The answer was the same. The sweet, gentle cultural Christianity of their youth had
left them unarmed in the face of real evil. The martyrs of Hebrews chapter 11 did not flinch in the face of evil. But for cultural Christians, their faith melts like a snowball on a hot stove. You see, emphasizing the outward trappings of holiness, more than a changed heart is not just a harmless foible that we need to overlook. It's an indication of a fatal disease. You see, the real enemy of an authentic life-changing, heart-changing union with Christ.
It's not forces from the outside, like sex and drugs and rock and roll. The enemy that a poster on the wall or the Bible on the coffee table can't stop. is the scary thing on the inside. It's a threat from my own heart. My justification was completed by the work of Christ on the cross. But my sanctification can only be advanced daily by daily obedience and sabotaged only by my own orris. Some days in my heart it's house to house fighting.
That only ends when I surrender to God and ask forgiveness every day that I have left until I meet him. And see, that is the kind of faith that needs to be modeled to a kid by somebody that loves them, not a poster. Have you ever confessed your sins to a teenager. You're a teenager, awkward. But it takes guts, but it has to be done. Cultural of Christianity doesn't change anybody, but it does do a good job of inoculating young people against a life-changing
encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. The imitation has inoculated them from the real thing. There's a great little book that came out in 2019 called the Unsafe Christian by Dean and Sarah, that does a better job of explaining the problem than I ever could. When I was in seminary, my favorite Old Testament professor, Doctor Al Bean once said that in the Old Testament, the Hebrews didn't really worship idols. But what they did worship, was Yahweh as if he were an idol.
And it's true. How do we do this today? Well, it's when we do stuff like that, like this. And that friends is why a man who did a career in military ministry is a
no. Thank you for hearing me out. Representative Unger has spoke against the bill.
Chair
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7:06:34
Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Crawford, you reckon I speak for the bill.
Representative Cindy Crawford
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7:06:54
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hello, friends. Let's go home. I'm ready. I did not want to come down here. And I said to myself, if nobody spoke against the bill, I would stay in my seat. But Mine won't be that long, I promise. Do you know in the Bible, there is a compass and it's John 10:10. And it says, Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and
God comes to give life. And to give it more abundantly. Review a timeline with me. Some of you are old enough to remember some of this and some Vietnam War began with our troops in 1955. It was escalating. 1962, prayer was taken out of 163, the 10 Commandments were
officially taken from schools due to what was cited as an establishment clause of the subsequently, the free love social movement of the 60s. Challenge norms around sexual issues, including marriage, birth control, and adultery. Therefore, there, thereby paving the way for abortion. 1966. The first school shooting. In Austin.
In 1973, abortion was in the Vietnam soldiers were returning home to an ungrateful nation. This marked the decline of a nation, characterized by apathy, free love, drugs, abortion, because our country had lost in the 70s, a sitcom called Leave It to Beaver, portrayed an allies and A family, a suburban family from
the 50s and 60s, where the biggest issues would have been bullying. Wally Cleaver. Beaver, talking back to his mother. Another sitcom, Happy Days, was also depicted in a simpler life in the 50s with poodle skirts, t-shirts, leather jackets, and the bonds. The 70s sitcoms were created to lure Americans to sleep. By showing them how wonderful and peaceful life was at home.
Without discussing the political scene, except for the 6 o'clock news. That only lasted 30 minutes. Not a continual feed like what if? Putting the 10 Commandments in a school. Could be the beginning of our moral compass. Being reinstated. What if A young person Or to read the 10 Commandments. On a school wall. And realize that killing was
wrong. Not what the gang leaders had told him. He should do. It's not wrong to tell the truth of how the United States began. Let's put the compass back in the classrooms for our nation. Please vote for SB 433. Representative Crawford has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to
Chair
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7:10:29
speak against the bill? When I speak for the bill.
Representative McClure, you're reckon I speak for the
Representative Rick McClure
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7:10:47
bill. Well, I hoped we would not get stuck on this, but since we were here. First Representative Brown, thank
you for bringing the bill. It's not as easy as most people think. Representative Unger, thank you for your service to our country and your ministry to literally probably thousands of people seeing things that none of us want to see and having to deal
with things that any of us want to see. While many of us have watched movies about the 10 Commandments. Most people think that the 10th Amendments were strictly Christian. You stop and think about what you have seen, the 10 Commandments. As Moses brought him down from the mountain. was given to a group of wandering Jews. From that point on, civil law begin to be made. Things that we're all very, very
Familiar with My wife was a teacher, she's retired as a teacher, and I remember one over the years, one of the curriculums that Uh, they used was called Common Core. In Common Core, they had the pillars of, of different things. And if you looked, You could take almost each one of those pillars while there was not 10 of them, you could take most of those and line them up with the team commandments. I wished every home. And every parent was involved.
I wished every father and mother was involved with their children and teaching them right from wrong. As they go to school, they see lots of different things. And it Representative Brown has already mentioned the 10 Commandments is posted. widely across our nation and our nation's capital. The thing is this. Those 10 commandments. That most civil law hangs on. It's not going to hurt anyone.
One might say, well, reaffirms one particular religion. I'm not going to get into all the religious debate, but I will tell you this and studying other religions, you will see threads of the 10 Commandments through almost. Worldwide religions. Historically, it has stood the test of time. It supports Most of what we do here. There's nothing that's going to keep a parent. From
Talking to their child about what they read on a wall. At school. If that parent disagrees, that parent can teach their particular belief system or why it's wrong. But for a child that may have lost their way. And they simply see Don't steal. Don't kill. And we can go on. A plant seed. They plant seed of civil
Law of the way that we live. Our forefathers Who came to this nation, many of them abided by these. I think keeping it away from the kids does much more danger than it does the question always comes up on these subjects are, what about the teacher? What if there's a disagreement? Well, listen, at some point in time, there is going to be someone that brings up the religious question in a classroom, whether
it's elementary, high school, or college, it's going to this just simply. Lets them see a foundation doesn't promote. Last time I checked my 10 commandments says, if mine doesn't say thou must except Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Now, I, I would like to add that to it, but that's not what it says. It gives the tenants. And let it say what it says. And let the teacher teach, let the kids be kids, let the parents be parents.
And let's go on. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative McClure spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? You know I speak for the bill. Representative Bro. Representative Richmond,
Speaker 252
7:15:07
for what purpose? Motion. I'll hear your motion. I move for immediate consideration.
Speaker 785
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But right after I say a couple of things.
Representative Richmond, that's a proper motion. It's non-debatable. All those in favor of immediate consideration say aye. Rosne. Guys have it.
Speaker 757
7:15:31
I Mr. Clark, prepare the machine. So everyone voted.
So everyone voted, casts up the ballot. The vote of 71, 20 nays, and 2 present. Bill is passed.
Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 405.
Chair
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7:16:07
Citadel 405 by Representative Badocks to amend the online marketplace consumer and format. Representative
Maddox, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you,
Representative John Maddox
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7:16:16
Mr. Speaker, colleagues, this is a very simple bill. In 2021, we passed something called the Inform Act.
Subsequent to that, 20 other states passed very similar legislation. The legislation was so good that Congress passed the Federal Inform Act in 2023. And so this bill just makes it consistent with the federal law. So that's all this bill does, and I'd appreciate a
good vote. Representative Maddox has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
Speaker 28
7:16:41
the bill. You would like to speak for the bill. Representative Maddox
is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
Senate Bill 405. Prepare the machine, Mr.
Clark. So everyone voted. Everyone voted.
Cast up the ballot. The vote of 83, 6 nay, and 5 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 463.
Chair
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7:17:28
463 by Representative Matt Brown to require the Arkansas Public Service Commission to approve or deny settlement agreements concerning closing or eliminating electric generation units or transmission assets. Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you
Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill does exactly what the
uh title says, as y'all may recall, there was some consent decrees that ended up in North Arkansas to close some of our coal plants. Uh, the AG tried to get involved in that case, and the AEG was told that state and I have standing, this bill fixes that. It simply provides that the public Service commission does have to have a seat at the table and can
approve or deny any settlement agreement that the utilators into with a third party such as the EPA etc. where they closed down a power plant. No known opposition and this bill is a bipartisan support, came out of the Senate unanimously, and I'm not going to say at the Senate always gets it right, but it is true that a stop clock is right twice a day. Appreciate
a good vote. Representative Brown has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
Representative Brown is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
Senate Bill 463. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark.
Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 94, 0, nay, and 2 present, the bill is passed. Mr. Clerk,
Chair
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7:18:55
please read Senate Bill 123. Citadel 123 by Representative to amend the law concerning coverage for mammograms and breast
ultrasounds. Representative, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
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7:19:06
Over the last several years, Senator Ed Leding and I have passed numbers, numerous number of bills amid, um, giving Arkansans better access to the tools they need to diagnose and treat cancer. And that's, uh, exactly what we're trying to do with Senate Bill 123. Sometimes, depending on a person's family history or other factors that increase their risk for breast cancer, a doctor will recommend a supplemental screening, uh, defined in the bill.
has medically necessary and appropriate examination. Over the last several years, I've had to actually do these types of examinations, um, and they have been a lifesaver for me, um, catching my cancer, uh, which I'm a high risk for, um, at this time. Um, we also know that if we invest upfront, it's worth it. The earlier that we're able to detect cancer, the more lives we're able to save. And the less expensive it is
to treat. So that's where the, we're. Doing downstream savings. And nobody spoke against this bill in committee on the Senate Insurance and commerce, um, and it was recommended unanimous unanimously, and the bill cleared the Senate floor, 34 to 0. Representative Ward Law,
Chair
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7:20:31
for what purpose? You're recognized. Representative, what's the
Representative DeAnn Vaught
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7:20:38
average cost of this bill? What's the impact? So they say the impact is around $700,000 but that's if you calculate a large number of people. Um, they didn't factor in the fact that this is a supplemental examinations and they only recommended for small percentages of the
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
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7:20:57
population who are at high risk. You're recognized for a follow-up. to cover and a certain
Representative DeAnn Vaught
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7:21:03
charge, correct? It mandates that they pay by the way.
Yeah, yeah, it does. It mandates that they, uh, Pay for the supplemental screening, yes. Thank you. Seeing
no other questions. I appreciate a good vote. Representative Vaugh
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill, Representative Rose, you recognize to
Chair
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7:21:28
speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank
Representative Ryan A. Rose
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7:21:40
you, colleagues. I'll be quick. Just want to say thank you to Representative, Senator Leding for running this bill, uh, as Representative Vaut said this will save lives and stave off, uh, more difficult and more expensive treatment, uh, down the line. So I appreciate a good vote. Representative Rose
who spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Rye.
Representative Johnny Rye
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7:22:14
Reckon I speak for the bill. Well, I'll say this much, this will not affect me, but I, I can tell you this. It would have affected my wife. It sure would have. And, and I don't think you can put a cost on that. And I think we need to, I think we need to vote for this. Thank
you all. Representative Rice spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill?
For the bill, Representative Vo is closed for the bill.
Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 123.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. So everyone
Speaker 193
7:22:54
voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The
vote of 92 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 448. Citel
Chair
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7:23:11
448 by Representative Lindstrom to authorize the financing of energy efficient
improvements, alternative energy improvements, building resiliency improvements, and water conservation improvements. Representative Lindstrom, you're
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you,
Representative Robin Lundstrum
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7:23:26
Mr. Speaker. CPAce is a process by which financing is done on renovation projects. We passed this bill 12 years ago and since then, 42 other states have also used this alternative financing process, including Texas and Oklahoma, which together have seen 900 million project investments. It's fully voluntary, and I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Lundstrom has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Lustrom is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 448 repair the machine, Madam clerk. Every everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 95 ya, 1 nay, and 0 present. Bill
Speaker 799
7:24:30
is passed. Far, please read Senate Bill 237. So 237 by Representative Steinel to amend the law concerning
the licensing and regulation of captive insurers. Representative
Representative Steiner
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7:24:40
Steiner, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, let me start with this, uh, no way interferes whatsoever with the captive, uh, agent bill that we passed that in K through
12 schools. So I just want to be clear on that. So what this does, this will bring us in line with, uh, other states to create a more captive or competitive captive, uh, program, and we all know that the competition usually and can breed lower prices. So with that, They know I asked for a good vote. Representative Steel has explained the bill. Would
Speaker 28
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anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Starmel is.
Closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 237.pa the machine, Mr. Clark. So
everyone voted. Does everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 95, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate
Chair
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7:25:53
Bill 351. Cinabel 351 by Representative. Ray to in the law concerning the ethics of campaign finance to the portions of initiated Act 1 of 1990 and to win the portions of initiated Act 1 of 1996. Representative Ray, you're
recognized to explain the bill. All right. Thank you, Mr.
Representative David Ray
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7:26:24
Speaker. I was not paying attention and lost my notes. So Senate Bill 351. is mostly A cleanup bill from the Arkansas Ethics Commission, a lot of what it does is if you'll remember in 2021, uh, Speaker Evans ran a bill that, um, did away with the carryover law that we had and replaced it with a remaining campaign fund uh law which we
operate under now, um, in that bill, uh, although it was a very good bill, there were, uh, a few sections of that bill, um, where we missed, uh, section. code. And so, a lot of this is clean up for that. Um, you also may remember 2 years ago, um, Representative Shepherd and Senator Hester had a campaign finance bill that changed a bunch of things, uh, and so most of this is clean up. There are a few substantive things in here, although I will tell you that, uh, of the substantive changes, I do not believe any of them to
be controversial, but I would be happy to answer any questions about this
bill, if anyone has any. Seeing the white flag in the back. I appreciate a
good vote. Representative Ray has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Ray is closed for
the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 351. Where a machine, Mr. Clark.
Everyone voted So everyone voted, cast up the
ballot. The vote of 97, yeah, zero nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 357.
Chair
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7:28:20
Citadel 357 by Representative Anker to amend the uniform attendance and Leave Policy Act to follow a military service credit to a public employee's total service time for an annual leave, accrual.
Representative Steve Unger
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7:28:34
Representative Bunker, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues,
uh, Mr. Wardlaw, I got this one down under 30 minutes. Uh, Senate Bill 357 is about recognizing and valuing. Our service of our veterans and current members of the National Guard and Reserve who are employed by the state of Arkansas. This bill allows their documented military service to count towards the accrual rate of annual leave, essentially acknowledging the time they've already served in uniform for the state and the nation when
calculating how quickly they earn annual leave as state employees. It is important to clarify this bill does not provide additional leave. It simply credits relevant military service towards annual leave accrual. Senate Bill 357 helps Arkansas stay competitive with the federal government, which already credits military service this way. A new federal employee with 5 years of military service, starts out accruing annual leave at the same rate as a 19-year state employee.
It sends a stout strong message that we value discipline, dedication, and military experience, and it will help us both attract and retain high quality public servants. This bill explicitly prohibits double counting service time with the individual was simultaneously a state employee and in the military. It also outlines the proportional method to credit National Guard and reserve members based on their accrued points. Ensuring fairness and consistency with active duty service.
This bill passed in the Senate with broad support, 31 yes votes and has the endorsement of Attorney General Tim Griffith. I
ask for your support and a good vote. Thank you. Representative Unger has explained
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? anyone likes to speak for the bill. Representative Richmond,
do you reckon I speak for the bill?
Not 4 against Bill, simply when you come in and close uh just wanna know, does this increase the cost to the state, and if so, do you have any figures? Representative
Richmond spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? We
need more like to speak for the bill. Representative Unger, you're recognized to close for your bill. Thank you, Representative
Representative Steve Unger
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7:31:15
Richman. I don't particularly have an answer to your questions, but this will help us, uh, attract
and retain good employees. And for that, I asked for a good vote.
Thank you. Representative Unger is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 357. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. Everyone voted. Everyone voted.
Cased up the ballot. With a vote of 93, 0, nay, and 2
present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 479.
Chair
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7:32:11
479 by Representative Hawke to amend the law concerning voter assistance and to require
a person assisting a voter with a disability to present
identification. Representative Hawk, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Speaker 154
7:32:25
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill was brought to you by the state Board of Election commissioners, and it's a pretty simple bill. Uh, if somebody with a disability goes to vote, all they have to do is show an identification when they are serving as the voter for that person with a disability. If they are under the age of 18, they have to just be logged in the logbook
Representative RJ Hawk
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7:32:44
for that, uh, polling site. You have to put your name, address, phone number
or address and that way it's logged for uh the general public to see, and that's all the bill does.
Speaker 560
7:32:55
And with that, I'll take any questions. Seeing
none, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Hawk has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill? For the bill Representative Hawk is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 479. Prepair the machine, Mr. Clark.
Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of 82, 8 nay, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark,
Chair
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7:33:37
please read Senate Bill 148. Citadel 148 by Representative Acre to establish the creating an investment opportunity for early childhood Workers Act
of 2025. Representative Baker, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker
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7:33:47
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, um, sentiment 148 is
a bill that allows early childcare employers to enroll enroll their early child care caregivers in the Arkansas teacher retirement system. Um, it's important to note that the employer gets the choice of whether to opt their employees in or not. It is not mandatory and it has no fiscal impact to the state. The employers would pay the employer portion and the employee would pay the employee portion. Uh, this is a good way to allow these early childhood educators and their employers to participate in. ATRS and with that, I'd welcome any questions.
Seeing none, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Acer has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
the bill? For the bill. Representative Bakker is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 148 for the machine, Mr. Clark.
Everyone voted, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 78, 10 nays, and 6 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 153. So a 153 by
Chair
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7:35:09
Representative Warren, to amend the law concerning various provisions of Title 24 of the Arkansas Code and to amend the law regarding the payment of retirement benefits to various city officials. Representative Warren, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Les Warren
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7:35:24
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, this is a part of the code that deals with city retirement funds. And what it's citing stating is cities must pay for any city retirement plans from its general fund account. We're removing those last five words from its general fund account. Cities are still responsible for taking care of the retirement payments, uh, it just does not have to come from that specific fund. be glad to enter, appreciate a good vote.
Representative Warren has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Warren is
closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 153. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. Everyone voted So everyone voted, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 97 yeah, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed.
Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 160.
Chair
Unverified
7:36:34
So about 160 by Representative Warren to amend the law concerning the administration of the Arkansas Public Employees
Retirement System. Representative Warren, you're recognized to
Representative Les Warren
Unverified
7:36:45
explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this was the last Shell bill that we had for ARS. It does two things. First of all, it adds 2 members to the Aper's retirement Board. It's adding the Secretary of the Department of shared
Administrative Services, and it's putting the state banking commissioner back on. The second thing that it does is it's codifying the ADFA is a legitimate participant in the APR system. They're already in there, but we realized the code didn't have it in there, so we're codifying that. I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren has explained the bill. Would
anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Warren is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
Senate Bill 160. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. Everyone voted Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
The vote of 97, yeah, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Clark, please read
Chair
Unverified
7:37:59
Senate Bill 371. Citadel 371 by Representative Brooks to establish a standardized system to aid in the search of missing children who do not meet the criteria for activation of the Arkansas Amber Alert system.
Representative Brooks, you're recognized to explain your
Representative Keith Brooks
Unverified
7:38:12
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, uh, Senate Bill 371 comes to us from our friends in the Arkansas State Police. Uh, the goal here is to deal with children who may not meet the uh specific standards of an Amber Alert. So, uh, in the summer of last year, Senator Jamie Scott had a principal reach out to her, uh, because of a student with a disability that went missing but did not qualify for an Amber Alert. So the goal of this bill is to establish a standardized missing child alert
system in Arkansas for cases don't meet the strict. criteria of an Amber Alert. So that strict criteria, the limitations for an amber alert require evidence of an abduction and proof that the child is in immediate danger. So obviously many missing children don't meet that strict qualifications. What this bill does, creates a new alert system for missing children who don't qualify for Amber Alert. It's a statewide notification process. It has the alerts, much to what you would see with a silver alert. So through law enforcement, media, and digital, uh, highway signage. The qualifications, the criteria child must be under the
age of 18. Law enforcement must determine that the child is missing and the whereabouts are unknown. The child must be believed to be in potential danger, even if abduction is not suspected. Uh, there's no fiscal impact to it, and I'll be happy to take any questions. See you no, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Brooks has
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Brooks is closed
for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of
Senate Bill 371. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted Cast up the ballot The vote of 96 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate
Chair
Unverified
7:40:04
Bill 252. Senate Bill 252 by Representative Wardlaw, to inform the public of health risks caused by vapor products and e-liquid products and to ensure the safety of Arkansas youth. Representative Ward Law recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
7:40:22
And there's been a long day, hadn't it? We did get hospital funding out of committee, by the way. So This bill waving my own
flag at me. This is a bad deal. So it's little Bill takes care of a problem in the vaping world. We were in rules about a month
ago and a young lady testified on a different bill than this one that she sent a single-use vape ingredients off to have them
analyzed. They came back and they had heavy metal in them. They had led That traces she thought of fit and all. And the answer at that time was the band single for a single use vape pieces. The problem with that is it's a great idea. It's solves the immediate problem, but the UK already did that. And what happened was the very people in China that make the single-use vapes started making multi-use vapes. So you still put the same
ingredients right back into a different bait, ship it right back over here in our youth and, and our adults sit there and suck that down and get stuck with all that. So what this bill does. Is it for them to either apply or be registered at the FDA so that those ingredients can be tested. We already know through independent testing, it is not safe under its current form. We know that things are being made
in China. I try my best not to this bill will prevent those type of ingredients are being sold. Representative Wardlaw has explained the bill. Would anyone
Speaker 104
7:42:05
like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Wardlaw is closed
for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 252.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. So everyone voted. Every everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The
vote of 87, yeah, 3 nay, and 3 present. Bill is passed. Mr. Clerk, please read Senate Bill 374. Senate Bill 374 by Representative Wing to
Chair
Unverified
7:42:46
amend the law concerning the civil service system. Representative Wing, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, all this bill simply does is it works with the cities that just have civil service systems. This
is brought to us by those cities who want to give more flexibility to the police chiefs and the fire chiefs in terms of setting their exams. Now this law was passed originally in 1987. And back then, they just set times in April and October to do these exams to hire their new batch of recruits. Well, times have changed and they don't have the same demand that they used to have back then. And so they need to hold them more frequently.
or at least when they get some good applicants. And so what this bill does is it gives that flexibility to those police and fire chiefs. It also adds 6 months on the probationary period on the police side. This is
something that the police chiefs asked for, police and fire in support of this. Happy to answer any questions. Appreciate a good vote. Thank
you. Representative Wing has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
the bill Representative Waiging is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of
Senate Bill 374. Prepare the machine,
Mr. Clark. Everyone voted Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. With a vote of 91, 1 nay, and 2
present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 343. 343 by Representative
Chair
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7:44:26
Clowney, to in the law concerning state-owned motor vehicles to amend the law
concerning public property and to amend the automobile and pickup truck acquisition Act from
the state of Arkansas. Representative Clowney, you're
Representative Nicole Clowney
Unverified
7:44:41
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, Senate Bill 343 comes out of the governor's Arkansas Forward Initiative. It's meant to increase efficiencies in Arkansas's government. This bill particularly works with, um, a small piece of this that has to do with state-owned vehicles. So currently, the entire fleet of state-owned vehicles, um, it's kind of
handled individually piecemeal by each agency that owns the vehicles. Um, this bill consolidates control of the entire state fleet under the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, and it helps, um, do a better job increasing efficiencies through things like digital, uh, entry of use of. vehicles, logging miles, that kind of thing, as well as some digital monitoring. Uh, this, the McKenzie study estimated that this would save the state about $3 million a year, uh, if implemented with that, I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative Clowney has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Clowney
is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 343. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. Has everyone voted? So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot.
With a vote of 93, 0, nay, and
0 present. The bill is passed. Members at the request of Representative Aaron Pilkington, we'll pass over Senate Bill 241 tonight. Mr. Clark,
Speaker 752
7:46:21
please read Senate Bill 498. Citel 498 by
Chair
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7:46:25
Representative Burks to amend the law concerning disclosure of driver and vehicle records and to protect driver and vehicle records from public disclosure.
Representative Burks, you're recognized to explain your bill. Your first bill.
Representative Rebecca Burkes
Unverified
7:46:38
Yes. Thank you for the warm welcome, everybody. Uh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. SB 498 is a bill from DFNA that cleans up Arkansas motor vehicle and driver record laws to ensure that privacy protections, uh, while still allowing access for law enforcement and other authorized entities. This bill aligns Arkansas law with federal regulations, uh, resolving a conflict where our current law treats these records as accessible to the public while federal law requires
stricter protections. SB 498 also streamlines the process across the code for releasing these records. And lastly, it allows the digital driver's license photos to be used by law enforcement and courts. Currently, they can only be disclosed by the driver's approval. I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Burks
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? for the bill.
Representative Burks is closed for the bill, questioned before the House is the passage of
Senate Bill 498. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. So everyone voted, so
everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. Vote of 92 ya, 1 nay, and 2 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 422.
Speaker 738
7:48:11
Citadel 422 by Representative Brown to allow nonprofit organizations to contribute to a new
Chair
Unverified
7:48:15
or existing Arkansas Brighter Future and fun playing account and to require the treasurer of State to facilitate contributions by a nonprofit organization.
Representative Brown, you're recognized to explain your
bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, colleagues, I am really pleased to bring this bill to you. It's bipartisan and I'm not gonna make any
disparaging remarks about the Senate, but it did receive a unanimous vote
on the Senate side. Um This bill allows us to change the law. Slightly Uh, to allow for a nonprofit organization that wants to establish 529 plans. For predominantly disadvantaged youth. Uh, we have a, uh, 501c3 in the state that is wanting to fund.
Um, 529 plan just for anybody who's not familiar is like a college savings plan, but they can also be used for K-12 and technical schools. It's, it's an education savings account. Um, but this will allow a, uh, A nonprofit organization to fund 529 plans for the bill change is that ordinarily a parent or family member takes out these
plans, and they know all the personal identifying information about their own child. This allows a school to share Social Security numbers, what have you, with the treasurer of the state of Arkansas, so that those plans can be established. And that's what this bill does. And these, uh, kinds of things are being done in other parts of the country. This is our opportunity to start doing this here in Arkansas and I'll try to answer any questions.
Seeing none, I would appreciate a good vote. For this very good
bill. 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 Senate Bill 422. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark.
So everyone voted. Does everyone voted. Cast
up the ballot. The vote of 90s, 3 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill
Chair
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7:51:03
412. 412 by Representative McClure to authorize the Department of Finance and Administration to set the per mile amount
for the income tax deduction for travel and transportation expenses by proclamation.
Representative McClure, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Representative Rick McClure
Unverified
7:51:21
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, uh, SB 412 is a DFA belt. It's very, very simple, basically deals with our income tax deductions on mileage. All this does is. Instead of DFA having to come back and get approval to adjust to the IRS rates. It just becomes automatic until it gets to $1 and then they'll come back to us. So I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative McClure has explained the
Speaker 243
7:51:43
bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative McClure is closed
for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 412. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clark.
Has everyone voted, has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. The vote of 95, 0, nay, and
0 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 503. Senate Bill 503 by
Chair
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7:52:24
Representative Eaton to reduce the number of employees and employer must have to be mandated to file an annual income tax as holding statement electronically and to require the electronic filing of a withholding return
for certain employees, employers. Representative Eaton, you're recognized
Representative James Eaton
Unverified
7:52:42
to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, pretty simple Bill here. This is from DFNA. This is Bill Senate Bill 503. It's It is about the electronic filing and withholding taxes.
Currently, if you have 125 or more employees, you are required to file your 1099s electronically. This just lowers that threshold to 75. There's no, no known opposition, uh, no additional funds that actually should save the seeing no questions. I appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Eaton has explained the bill. Would anyone like
to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Eaton is closed
for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 503.
Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone
voted Cast up the ballot. With a vote
of 83, 6 nay, and 5 present. The bill is passed. Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 440.
Chair
Unverified
7:53:57
Citadel 440 by Representative Rye. To me the law concerning embalmers and feudal directors to regulate the use of alkaline hydrolysis and to regulate
alkaline hydrolysis facilities. Representative Rye, you're recognized to
Representative Johnny Rye
Unverified
7:54:19
explain your bill. OK. You know, this bill comes from the state board of embalmers, funeral, funeral directors.
cemeteries and burial services, and it's a new process called alkaline hydrolysis. It's something brand new on the market and it's working great in 30 states around us. And, uh, all we need. Representative Rye has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the
bill? For the bill Representative Rye is closed for the bill. Question before the
house is the passage of Senate Bill 440. Prepare the machine,
Mr. Clark. So everyone voted. Does everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. The vote of
89 yeah, 6 nay, and 0 present. The
bill is passed. Members at the request of Representative Pilkington will pass over Senate Bill 348 tonight.
Chair
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7:55:29
Mr. Clark, please read Senate Bill 564. Citabel 564 by Representative Brown to amend the definition of beer to change the allowable alcoholic content and to include malt beverages. Representative
Brown, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. Colleagues, this is the Senate version of the alcohol bill that y'all weren't too good on last few, uh, few months ago, a few weeks ago, um, the original alcohol bill, uh, had changed the definition of beer to 14%, which would allow craft beers to be sold at the grocery store.
Uh, this bill, we've substantially lowered that limit to 10%. Again, it would allow craft beers up to 10% to be sold in a grocery store versus liquor store, uh, craft beers primarily are local brewers here in Arkansas and represent, we actually looked this up less than 1.2% of beer. sales.
Appreciate a good vote. Representative Brown has explained the bill. Anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative McGrew, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is the same bill that we voted down earlier. I think most of y'all heard the story about me losing my son. That's the ultimate. But it also hurts many young people, plus many people in jail causes tremendous Damage to our society. Again, why do we want to strengthen the alcohol content. We already have it out there. While we want to make something that we know is harmful, worse. You know I don't need to share the story
again. Man, I beg you, please don't pass this bill. Thank you. Representative McGrew has spoke
against the deal. Would anyone like speak for
the bill? Representative Wardlaw, you're recognized speak for the bill. Thank you
Representative Jeff Wardlaw
Unverified
7:57:22
Mr. Speaker. That's not true. It's not the same. There was a compromise that was offered. To the liquor stores lobbyist.
The compromise they wanted them at was 10. Or 9.6, and this is at 10. And because of that 0.04, they wouldn't agree and the only reason they wouldn't agree, they testified in rules was because
the group wouldn't fight another bill for them. Folks, That's a lot. And they said that in the rules committee. And I had to ask them twice what the what
the rule, what the bill was they wanted to fight, and they never would tell us, but I found out later, but I'm telling you this was point.
4 From the compromise that was offered from the liquor stores before I asked you to vote for this bill. Representative Wardlaw spoke for the bill. Would anyone
like to speak against the bill? Representative Unger, you're to speak against the bill. It's like a Chucky the doll bill
Representative Steve Unger
Unverified
7:58:30
that just keeps coming back, and yes, it is a little better, I guess. Uh, not quite doubling the
alcohol content is better than tripling it. But this is also in a capitalism sense. This is a big chain, the big chain running over the little guy, which is not really an Arkansas value and what problem does this solve, seriously, are the, are the lushes down at the boat dock, just not getting drunk fast enough. I mean, what's going on here? So, please vote no on this. Representative McGrew his
vote spoke against the bill, and will I speak for the bill,
Representative Brit McKenzie
Unverified
7:59:08
Representative McKenzie, you reckon I speak for the bill. Speaker. I was just gonna come down and simply say I appreciate Representative Brown for, for working. I've, I know because I've run two bills through the rules committee this year and I was gonna come down here and just say, What you're asking for is reflective of what we wanted when we set out for all of these small brewery licenses years ago, 10 years ago, was we wanted to see, obviously contain the, the, uh, how far alcohol got in our community, but allow our citizens to create something
that our other citizens want and enjoying the privacy of their own home. And I actually take a lot of, take a lot of offense to the fact that we would be referring people as lushes. These are craft items. People enjoy these products. They're made with Arkansas hands, with Arkansas grain. With Arkansas water in our communities. So Representative Brown, I appreciate you doing this. This is a good sign for all of our local breweries. So I'd appreciate a good vote.
Representative McKenzie has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to
speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Brown, you're
recognized to close for your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, As has been made
clear, these are not, these are not kids getting drunk on beer. Come on, y'all. They're buying natty light if they're doing that. They're not buying expensive craft beers. I mean, you're just not doing that. Again, this is 1.2% of beer sales as it is. This is helping our craft brewers which are local to here. These are not the big conglomerates. And all this is simply saying is that yes, you
may legally buy this craft beer at Kroger's instead have to go to the liquor store, which I would mention that at Kroger's is perfectly legal to buy 21% ABV wine all day long, including Buzz balls and other drinks like that that they've invented. we just simply want to be able to sell beer that's less than half that level. Um, we are the 2nd lowest state in the union in terms of our alcohol level on beer. We are like tied with Utah. None of the states, all the states around us got rid of their level altogether or has much higher than Arkansas. We simply want to help out Arkansas brewers. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Brown is closed
for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill
564. the machine, Mr. Clark. Everyone voted. So everyone voted, cast up the ballot.
The vote of 56 years, 29 nays, read Senate Bill 545.
Chair
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8:01:42
Citadel 545 by Representative Dalby, to the law related to the property and finances of the state institutions of higher education to in a law related to bonds and to amend the law regarding rents, tolls, fees, and other charges related to
athletic contests. Representative Darby, you're recognized to
Representative Carol Dalby
Unverified
8:02:01
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With this bill is really doing is updating a 75 year old law that will now allow higher ed institutions to finance other
needs other than just construction projects and the purchase of real estate, and allow them to enter into other, uh, items that they can purchase with bonds, all the safeguards that are in the law now. Stay in this law, so nothing's changed other than expanding what they can issue bonds for. With that, I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Day has explained the bill.
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Darby is closed
for the bill, question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 545, prepare the machine, Mr. Clark. Everyone voted
So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. Vote of 95, ya, 1 nay, and 0
present. The bill is passed. Members representing Mark Perry moves that we place Senate Bill
157 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, So ordered. Madam Clerk, please read House Amendment number
1 to Senate Bill 157. I remember the
Chair
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8:03:36
Waterhouse Citadel 157. Representative Perry, you're recognized to
explain Amendment 1, Senate Bill 157.
Representative Mark Perry
Unverified
8:03:46
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members during the amendment on the Senate after it passed from the Senate in, we caught that, we left off the state police fund that we, uh, from Xiao to May. So it's basically a wording to make it. Representative Perry has explained the
amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment Representative Perry is closed for the amendment. Question before the house is the passage of House Amendment
number 1 to Senate Bill 157. All in favor say aye. Pona You guys have it. The amendment is adopted. Please send the bill as amended to engrossing.
Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Motion. I hear your motion. Pursuant to House Rule 33M. I move we adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow
afternoon. That's a proper motion. It's non-debatable. All those in favor say aye. Osene Mr. Clark, please read the
Chair
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8:04:47
committee report. Mr. Speaker, we're on State agencies and government of Affairs to whom was referred House Bill 1957 and House Bill 1952, beg me to report that we had the same under consideration and you return the same with the recommendation that you pass
directly submitted, Jimmy Gazaway, chair. have any committee announcements. Any committee announcements. Representative Gazaway, for what purpose? Announcement, you're
Representative Jimmy Gazaway
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8:05:19
recognized will be 15 minutes after adjournment, room 151 for a brief
meeting, brief meeting state agencies 151. Representative Waters, what purpose you'd meet tomorrow morning at
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge
Unverified
8:05:30
10 a.m., room 1:30, just here house bills tomorrow. We'll hear Senate bills on Thursday. Representative Holcomb, for what
Chair
Unverified
8:05:37
purpose? You're recognized. Public transportation, we'll meet
Representative Mike Holcomb
Unverified
8:05:41
in the morning, 10 a.m. might be. Representative Brooks, what
Chair
Unverified
8:05:50
purpose you're recognized. We'll meet tomorrow morning in room 138 at 9:30, 9:30. Any other committee
announcements. Any other committee announcements. Seeing none, the desk 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 until 1:30 tomorrow.
Agenda
Call to order
Prayer
Pledge
Roll call
point of personal privelege
point of personal privelge
Morning Hour
MOTION TO AMEND
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB571 #1 J. Petty Puryear TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ZONING REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY FROM ENFORCING BUILDINGS AND ZONING REGULATIONS ON COUNTY PROPERTY.
SB238 #1 J. Payton Gonzales TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.
RESOLUTIONS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HCR1004 Wardlaw TO CONGRATULATE GAME WARDEN AUSTIN POWELL ON RECEIVING THE MONTY CARMIKLE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD AND THE 2024 ROBERT M. BRANTLY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICEROF THE YEAR AWARD.
HR1045 Wardlaw TO COMMEMORATE THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM AS PART OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF CONSERVATION FUNDING.
HCR1011 McAlindon TO RECOGNIZE BENTONVILLE'S INVESTMENT IN CYCLING AND ITS TITLE AS THE MOUNTAIN BIKING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
HR1100 Henley TO CELEBRATE THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF HOPE, ARKANSAS.
HR1098 Beck TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE ENERGY COUNCIL ON THE OCCASION OF ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
HJR1018 Ray THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT.
End of Morning Hour
CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1444 #1 Pilkington TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS.
REGULAR BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
HB1491 Wardlaw CONCERNING THE EXCISE TAX ON CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE; TO CREATE AN EXCISE TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN BEER AND SAKE PRODUCED USING ARKANSAS RICE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HB1790 B. McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
HB1879 Lundstrum TO REQUIRE ALL CITY COUNCILS AND COUNTY QUORUM COURTS TO POST VIDEO RECORDINGS OF PUBLIC MEETINGS; AND TO REQUIRE ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS OF CITY COUNCILS OR COUNTY QUORUM COURTS TO BE RECORDED IN VIDEO FORMAT.
HB1852 J. Moore TO ESTABLISH A RIGHT TO REPAIR FOR CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT.
HB1937 Jean TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR MINERAL RIGHTS UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5; AND TO CLARIFY THE METHOD OF VALUATION FOR OIL AND GAS WELL PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT.
HB1921 Torres TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO AMEND THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR FOSTER PARENTS; AND TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS OF TRAINING AND CERTIFYING ELATIVES AS FOSTER PARENTS.
HB1870 Wing CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE A VOTER REGISTRATION LIST TO FEDERAL COURTS.
HB1837 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTERS REFERRED TO VOTERS; AND TO BAN FOREIGN FUNDING FOR BALLOT MEASURES; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.
HB1683 McAlindon TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN WHOLE OR IN PART USING FORCED LABOR.
HB1846 S. Meeks TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS 2036 COMMISSION.
HB1925 Beaty Jr. AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; TO AMEND THE ABSENTEE BALLOT VOTER STATEMENT; AND TO REQUIRE A WITNESS FOR THE SIGNATURE OF AN ABSENTEE VOTER STATEMENT.beaty
HB1929 McAlindon TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING THE TERM "WEST BANK" IN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MATERIALS.
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.
HB1913 J. Moore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DRIVER'S LICENSES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN INTERMEDIATE DRIVER'S LICENSE.
HB1809 Warren TO ALLOW FOR PROPERTY OWNED BY A TRUST OR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TO QUALIFY AS A HOMESTEAD FOR PURPOSES OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1685 Underwood TO CREATE THE GROCERY TAX RELIEF ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES LEVIED ON FOOD AND FOOD INGREDIENTS, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 19 OF 1958; AND TO EXEMPT GROCERIES FROM STATE SALES AND USE TAXES.
HB1636 Ray TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 1 OF 1994; AND TO PHASE OUT THE SOFT DRINK TAX BASED ON SALES TAX COLLECTIONS FROM SALES OF SOFT DRINKS.
HB1893 M. Brown TO AUTHORIZE A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER TO BAN AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL FROM THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OR THE BUSINESS PREMISES; AND TO REGULATE LIABILITY ON PRIVATE PROPERTY RELATED TO EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.
HB1954 Andrews TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT; AND TO INCLUDE QUALIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS UNDER THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.
HB1943 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS IN RISK- BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION.
HB1965 McCullough TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL ACT OF 2025; AND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR HEALTHY FOOD RETAILERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
HB1963 Gonzales TO CLARIFY THAT AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE WHO PRESCRIBES A STIMULANT MAY SUBSTITUTE A THERAPEUTICALLY EQUIVALENT MEDICATION.
HB1164 J. Mayberry TO ALLOW A PHYSICIAN OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO OFFER COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS; AND TO MANDATE THAT INSURANCE POLICIES COVER ASSESSMENTS FOR COGNITIVE FUNCTION FOR CERTAIN PATIENTS.
HB1969 L. Johnson TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE ACCESS; TO AMEND THE ASSESSMENT FEES ON HOSPITALS; AND TO CREATE THE HOSPITAL DIRECTED PAYMENT ASSESSMENT.
HB1957 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT ELECTRONIC MAIL PREVENTION ACT TO INCLUDE UNSOLICITED COMMERCIAL AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TEXT MESSAGES.
HB1958 S. Meeks TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ENTITIES TO CREATE A POLICY CONCERNING THE AUTHORIZED USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
HB1895 Dalby TO ALLOW A CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION TO EMPLOY IN-HOUSE ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT AFFILIATES OF THE CORPORATION OR VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION.
HB1504 S. Meeks TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF MANUFACTURING, MODIFYING, SELLING, TRANSFERRING, OR OPERATING A ROBOTIC DEVICE OR AN UNCREWED AIRCRAFT THAT IS EQUIPPED OR MOUNTED WITH A WEAPON.
HB1648 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS; TO ALLOW A MEMBER OF A MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENT BOMB SQUAD TO MAKE ARRESTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1805 Childress TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BULLYING"; AND TO CREATE A PROCESS WHEREBY A PUBLIC SCHOOL MAY CONDUCT MULTIPLE, SIMULTANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SAME ALLEGATION OF BULLYING UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1283 J. Mayberry TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO INCLUDE DIGITAL MEDIA STANDARDS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE LIBRARY MEDIA STANDARDS.
HB1580 Gramlich TO REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION ON TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES WHEN OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.
HB1483 Gramlich TO ALLOW A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE STATE FUNDS TO PAY FOR AN ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM WITH WHICH IT CONTRACTS.
HB1642 Gramlich TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT IS NOT COUNTED AS A DROPOUT FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING A SCHOOL-LEVEL GRADUATION RATE IF THE STUDENT PASSES A GED TEST.
HB1484 Gramlich TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CREDITS A STUDENT MAY OBTAIN IN A COURSE CREDIT RECOVERY PROGRAM.
HB1793 Duke TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE USE OF POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
HB1756 Vaught TO ALLOW A PARENT, LEGAL GUARDIAN, OR PERSON STANDING IN LOCO PARENTIS TO A STUDENT TO DOCUMENT AND MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS THE STUDENT OBTAINS.
HB1728 Ennett TO REQUIRE REPORTING ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEIVING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A DISABILITY AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
HB1766 Ennett TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS RESPOND, INNOVATE, SUCCEED, AND EMPOWER (RISE) ACT.
Recess
Reconvene
REGULAR SENATE BILLS
Number Sponsor Subtitle
SB460 Irvin Gramlich TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO REPEAL THE MARKETING RECYCLABLES PROGRAM OF THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB322 J. Bryant Pilkington TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT; AND TO ALLOW THIRD PARTIES TO PERFORM PLAN REVIEWS AND SITE INSPECTIONS.
SB505 J. Bryant McKenzie TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL PLANNING; AND TO REQUIRE AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR CHANGES TO THE ZONING OR DISTRICT DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.
SB421 Hester Beaty, Jr. TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL
RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROJECTS.
SB407 Gilmore Beaty, Jr. TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987.
SB361 Dees Beaty, Jr. TO CREATE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES EXPANSION ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES TO SECURE AND DEVELOP INDUSTRY AND FOSTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
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.
SB433 J. Dotson A. Brown REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
SB405 J. Dismang Maddox TO AMEND THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE CONSUMER INFORM ACT.
SB463 M. McKee M. Brown TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DENY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CLOSING OR ELIMINATING ELECTRIC GENERATION UNITS OR
TRANSMISSION ASSETS.
SB123 G. Leding Vaught TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS.
SB448 J. Petty Lundstrum TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, AND WATER CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENTS.
SB237 J. Boyd Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF CAPTIVE INSURERS.
SB351 J. Dismang Eaves TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1990; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.
SB357 J. Bryant Unger TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO APPLY MILITARY SERVICE CREDIT TO A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S TOTAL SERVICE TIME FOR ANNUAL LEAVE ACCRUAL CALCULATION.
SB479 K. Hammer Hawk TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY TO PRESENT IDENTIFICATION.
SB148 J. English Achor TO ESTABLISH THE CREATING AN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKERS ACT OF 2025.
SB153 J. Dotson Warren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF TITLE 24 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO VARIOUS CITY OFFICIALS.
SB160 J. Dotson Warren TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
SB371 J. Scott Brooks TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE SEARCH OF MISSING CHILDREN WHO DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION OF THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM.
SB252 J. Dismang Wardlaw TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY VAPOR PRODUCTS AND E-LIQUID PRODUCTS; AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ARKANSAS YOUTH.
SB374 B. Davis Wing TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.
SB343 Irvin Clowney TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATE-OWNED MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC PROPERTY; AND TO AMEND THE AUTOMOBILE AND PICKUP TRUCK ACQUISITION ACT FOR THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
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.
SB498 J. Petty N. Burkes TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS AND TO PROTECT DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
SB422 C. Tucker K. Brown TO ALLOW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A NEW OR EXISTING ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT; AND TO REQUIRE THE TREASURER OF STATE TO FACILITATE CONTRIBUTIONS BY A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
SB412 J. Boyd McClure TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SET THE PER-MILE AMOUNT FOR THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES BY PROCLAMATION.
SB503 Crowell Eaton TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AN EMPLOYER MUST HAVE TO BE MANDATED TO FILE AN ANNUAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING STATEMENT ELECTRONICALLY; AND TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF A WITHHOLDING RETURN FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYERS.
SB440 D. Wallace Rye TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS; TO REGULATE THE USE OF ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS; AND TO REGULATE ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS FACILITIES.
SB348 C. Penzo Pilkington TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB564 Flippo M. Brown TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BEER" TO CHANGE THE ALLOWABLE ALCOHOLIC CONTENT AND TO INCLUDE MALT BEVERAGES.
SB545 M. Johnson Dalby TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE PROPERTY AND FINANCES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION; TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO BONDS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING RENTS, TOLLS, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES RELATED TO ATHLETIC CONTESTS.
SB157 J. Dotson Perry TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BENEFITS UNDER THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.
Bills to Be Amended
HB1084 AN ACT FOR ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1086 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1101 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1106 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
HB1089 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1191 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1265 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB64 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
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.
SB127 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB128 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB130 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Senators
SB332 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION SEXUAL RISK AVOIDANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR
Motion to Adjourn
Announcements
Adjournment
Documents
No documents posted.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair
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Chair
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Speaker 64
Representative Les D. Eaves
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Representative Chad Puryear
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Representative Lane Jean Chair
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Representative Jeff Wardlaw
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr.
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Representative Fred Allen
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Representative Johnny Rye
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Representative Brit McKenzie
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Representative RJ Hawk
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Representative Julie Mayberry
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Representative Lee Johnson
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Representative Tippi McCullough Chair
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Representative Carol Dalby
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Representative R. Scott Richardson
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Representative Nicole Clowney
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Representative Rebecca Burkes
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Representative James Eaton
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Representative Richard McGrew Chair
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Representative Mark Perry
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Representative Mike Holcomb
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