Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (118)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB555
Act 765
· 4 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Senate resolution 60 calendar, Senate Bill 555 by Senator Scott. To amend the law concerning the offensive…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFENSE OF VIDEO VOYEURISM; TO EXTEND THE STATUTE OF … | J. Scott | Notification that SB555 is now Act 765 |
|
SB563
Act 741
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…used for an equine under the offense of cruelty to animals. Senate Bill 563. Agriculture, 564 by Central Flippo to amend the definition…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY COMMISSION TO IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY FOR CERTAIN … | Irvin | Notification that SB563 is now Act 741 |
|
SB570
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…aw concerning the membership of the Joint Budget Committee, Senate Bill 570. State agencies, 571 uh”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE. | J. Dotson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
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SB574
Act 742
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…to provide service to county property in certain instances, Senate Bill 574. City County local 575 by Senator Tucker to amend”
|
TO REQUIRE A MUNICIPALITY THAT OPERATES A WATERWORKS SYSTEM OR SEWAGE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE SERVICE … | J. Petty | Notification that SB574 is now Act 742 |
|
SB579
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 579. State agency 580 Central Hammer to extend financing for pu…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC EMPLOYER … | M. McKee | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SR53
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…lege upon the occasion of his upcoming May 2025 retirement. Senate Resolution 53 calendar symbol, Senate resolution 54 by Senator Crowell. r…”
|
TO HONOR TERRY KIMBROW, PRESIDENT OF CENTRAL BAPTIST COLLEGE, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS UPCOMING … | M. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR54
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…May 2025 retirement. Senate Resolution 53 calendar symbol, Senate resolution 54 by Senator Crowell. recognize the Taylor High School Lady T…”
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TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL LADY TIGERS SOFTBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR60
· 3 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…d neglect prevention Month, Senate Resolution 59. Calendar, Senate resolution 60 by Senator Des. To recognize the grave at High School Lions…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE GRAVETTE HIGH SCHOOL LIONS WRESTLING TEAM AS THE 2025 CLASS 4A STATE … | Dees | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1303
Act 546
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…commender pass calendar Committee on Revenue and tax to his House Bill 1303 representative Jean recommended pass this amended number 1…”
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TO CREATE THE SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL INCENTIVE ACT; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT … | Jean | Notification that HB1303 is now Act 546 |
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HB1549
Act 489
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “is Senate House Bill 1549 by Representative Scott. I recommend they pass calendar com…”
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TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CYBERSECURITY ACT OF 2025. | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1549 is now Act 489 |
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HB1561
Act 473
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ator Sullivan recommend Du pass calendar me on education as House Bill 1561 by Representative Senator Hill and Representative Painter r…”
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TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. | Painter | Notification that HB1561 is now Act 473 |
|
HB1669
Act 509
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1669 Bentley Clark TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PRO…”
|
TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR … | Bentley | Notification that HB1669 is now Act 509 |
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HB1691
Act 497
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…alendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to him we referred to House Bill 1691 by Representative, uh,”
|
TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY TO BE EXEMPT FROM TAXATION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN … | Torres | Notification that HB1691 is now Act 497 |
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HB1697
Act 477
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…tive Duke, recommend who pass calendar on education was the House Bill 1697 by Senator Dodson, Representative Carr recommended pass cal…”
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TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF TITLE 6 AND TITLE 19 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING PROVISIONAL … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1697 is now Act 477 |
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HB1716
Act 498
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom he referred House Bill 1716 births and Kavanaugh recommend DuP pass calendar maybe on r…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF TAXES BY THE SECRETARY OF … | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1716 is now Act 498 |
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HB1724
Act 503
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “referred House Bill 1724 by Central English and uh Representative McKenzie recommend…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS; AND … | B. McKenzie | Notification that HB1724 is now Act 503 |
|
SB111
Act 395
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “session of the ninety-fifth General Assembly. Senate Bill 111, Act 395, Senate Bill 189, Act 396. Symbol 279 Act 397, Sen…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB111 is now Act 395 |
|
SB151
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “to Senate bill 151 by Central Mark Johnson compared than roup with the”
|
TO AMEND LAW CONCERNING RETIREMENT BENEFITS; AND TO PROHIBIT COLLECTION OF BENEFITS BY MEMBERS, RETIRANTS, … | M. Johnson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB397
Act 931
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…n recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Transportation to Senate Bill 397 by Senator uh Wallace recommended pass calendar Committee o…”
|
TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION OF RAIL EMPLOYEES IN REPORTS INVOLVING RAILROAD FATALITIES. | D. Wallace | Notification that SB397 is now Act 931 |
|
SB410
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB410 B. King TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMP…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF EMPLOYMENT … | B. King | Died on Senate Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB424
Act 422
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 424, Act 422. Sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor. File…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY OF A MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. | G. Stubblefield | Notification that SB424 is now Act 422 |
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SB498
Act 581
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…y Senator uh Wallace recommended pass calendar Committee on Senate Bill 498 by Senator Petty recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Tr…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS AND TO PROTECT DRIVER … | J. Petty | Notification that SB498 is now Act 581 |
|
SB556
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…prohibit service discharge of wastewater into a watershed. Senate Bill 556. Public health 557 by Senator Mark Johnson. She in laws con…”
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TO PROTECT PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SOURCES; AND TO PROHIBIT SURFACE DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER INTO A … | M. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB559
Act 729
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…rkansas Military Child School trans transition Act of 2021, Senate Bill 559. Education sym 560 per central English to decrease the base…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021. | J. English | Notification that SB559 is now Act 729 |
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SB560
Act 740
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…nd the division of Workforce Services Training trust funds, Senate Bill 560.”
|
TO DECREASE THE BASE CONTRIBUTION RATE; TO INCREASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT RATE; TO INCREASE FUNDING … | J. English | Notification that SB560 is now Act 740 |
|
SB561
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Bill 560. Public Health, Senate Bill 561 by Senator Mark Johnson, to allow”
|
TO ALLOW FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY PREPRINTED PAPER BUYER'S TAG IN CERTAIN … | M. Johnson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB566
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Bill 564. 565. State agencies. Senate Bill 566 by Senator King, provide for funding for the expansion, imp…”
|
PROVIDE FOR FUNDING FOR THE EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT, OR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE AND COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; … | B. King | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB568
Act 1012
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 568 by Senator Crowell to amend the law”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TAXES APPLICABLE TO LITHIUM EXTRACTION AND DEVELOPMENT; TO PROVIDE … | Crowell | Notification that SB568 is now Act 1012 |
|
SB569
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…severance tax on lithium, Senate Bill 568. Revenue and tax. Senate Bill 569 by Senator Mark Johnson to an amendment to the Arkansas Con…”
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AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING BALLOT TITLES OF PROPOSED MEASURES; AND AMENDING THE … | M. Johnson | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB571
Act 1002
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…he Joint Budget Committee, Senate Bill 570. State agencies. Senate Bill 571 by Senator”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ZONING REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY … | J. Petty | Notification that SB571 is now Act 1002 |
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SB572
Act 649
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…s on county property. Senate Bill 571. City, county, local. Senate Bill 572 by Senator Dotson to create the Public School Access and Tr…”
|
TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB572 is now Act 649 |
|
SB573
Act 783
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 573 by Senator Petty to amend the method of valuation”
|
TO AMEND THE METHOD OF VALUATION UNDER ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 16, § 5, BY DEFINING … | J. Petty | Notification that SB573 is now Act 783 |
|
SB575
Act 989
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “in certain instances, Senate Bill 574. City, county, local. Senate Bill 575 by Senator Tucker to amend”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INSTALLMENT FEES COLLECTED IN CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS; TO AMEND … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB575 is now Act 989 |
|
SB580
Act 767
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 580 by Senator Hammer to extend financing for purchases of”
|
TO EXTEND FINANCING FOR PURCHASES OF VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT FOR A RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB580 is now Act 767 |
|
SJR24
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…rrectly engrossed. Transportation Commit on Grobust, who is Senate joint resolution 24 by Senator Mark Johnson compared the”
|
AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION CONCERNING INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS REFERRED TO VOTERS. | M. Johnson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SR55
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…024 Class 1A state champion Senate Resolution 54. calendar. Senate Resolution 55 by Senator Crow to recognize the Tigor High School Tigers b…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL TIGERS BASEBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A STATE … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR56
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “calendar, Senate resolution 56 by Senator Crowell to congratulate the students of Murfrees…”
|
TO CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS OF MURFREESBORO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEIR VICTORIES IN COMPETITIVE COMPUTERIZED NUMERIC … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR57
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…tal, wood, and laser design. Senate Resolution 56. Calendar Senate resolution 57 by Senator Crowe to recognize the Magnolia High School Pant…”
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TO RECOGNIZE THE MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL PANTHERS DANCE TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 1A-4A STATE … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR58
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…ool Badgers football team as a 2024 Class 4A state champion Senate Resolution 58 calendar Senate resolution 59 by Senator Hammer. To recogni…”
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TO RECOGNIZE THE ARKADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL BADGERS FOOTBALL TEAM AS THE 2024 CLASS 4A STATE … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR59
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…2024 Class 4A state champion Senate Resolution 58 calendar Senate resolution 59 by Senator Hammer. To recognize April as child abuse and ne…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION MONTH. | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1180
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1180 - Motion to extract HB1180 from Senate Education Committee…”
|
TO CREATE THE BABY OLIVIA ACT. | Bentley | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
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HB1327
Act 451
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1327 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN RETIRED EMPLOYEES UNDER THE STATE AND … | Warren | Notification that HB1327 is now Act 451 |
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HB1382
Act 481
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1382 Ladyman Wallace TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING BY THE DESIGNA…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING BY THE DESIGNATED PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY AGENCY FOR THE STATE AND … | Ladyman | Notification that HB1382 is now Act 481 |
|
HB1444
Act 548
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1444 Pilkington Dismang TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION…”
|
TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS. | Pilkington | Notification that HB1444 is now Act 548 |
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HB15
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…commend due pass calendarit on Transportation to humans for House Bill 15 1654 by Tosh recommend Duac calendar. Senate Resolution”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
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HB1509
Act 452
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1509 Beaty Jr. Gilmore TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL…”
|
TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM USING … | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1509 is now Act 452 |
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HB1555
Act 995
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1555 #1 Painter Hester TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLI…”
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TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE. | Painter | Notification that HB1555 is now Act 995 |
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HB1557
Act 480
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who is deferred House Bill 1557 by Representative Scott, recommended”
|
TO AMEND THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS CONCERNING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1557 is now Act 480 |
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HB1574
Act 453
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1574 Vaught Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PAID CANVASSERS;…”
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TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PAID CANVASSERS; AND TO REQUIRE DOMICILE IN ARKANSAS. | Vaught | Notification that HB1574 is now Act 453 |
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HB1590
Act 454
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1590 J. Moore Caldwell TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND T…”
|
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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HB1591
Act 455
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1591 J. Moore Caldwell TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND T…”
|
TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN ARKANSAS COUNTY. | J. Moore | Notification that HB1591 is now Act 455 |
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HB1598
Act 474
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…nd do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1598 by Senator English and Representative Brooks recommended to…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A NEW ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS; … | Brooks | Notification that HB1598 is now Act 474 |
|
HB1637
Act 457
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1637 Ray M. Johnson CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION…”
|
CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE FISCAL IMPACT OF STATEWIDE … | Ray | Notification that HB1637 is now Act 457 |
|
HB1640
Act 476
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1640 by Senator Sullivan and Representative Duke recommended to…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "ADMINISTRATOR" AS IT RELATES TO ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND PROHIBITIONS; AND … | Duke | Notification that HB1640 is now Act 476 |
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HB1654
Act 490
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who is deferred House Bill 1654 by Representative Tosh, recommended”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE FOR THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF THE … | Tosh | Notification that HB1654 is now Act 490 |
|
HB1693
Act 458
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1693 Hawk Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DAMAGED OR DEFECTIV…”
|
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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HB1705
Act 478
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ed to pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1705 by Senator Bryant and Representative Duke recommended to pa…”
|
TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED … | Duke | Notification that HB1705 is now Act 478 |
|
HB1717
Act 952
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “on Engrossed Bills, whom has voted House Bill 1717 by Senator Boyd and Representative Graham,”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN AND TEENS' ONLINE PRIVACY PROTECTION ACT. | Gramlich | Notification that HB1717 is now Act 952 |
|
HB1760
Act 486
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…endar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred to House Bill 1760 by Representative Milligan recommend due pass. Calendar. Co…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE JURISDICTION TO CONSIDER CERTAIN PETITIONS FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF … | Milligan | Notification that HB1760 is now Act 486 |
|
SB106
Act 898
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB106 #3 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION F…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB106 is now Act 898 |
|
SB117
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB117 #4 C. Penzo Penzo TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRAC…”
|
TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN … | C. Penzo | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB120
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB120 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE LICENSURE FOR ALL PRIVATE CARE AGENCIES…”
|
TO REQUIRE LICENSURE FOR ALL PRIVATE CARE AGENCIES IN THIS STATE; AND TO ENSURE CONSUMER … | C. Penzo | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB123
Act 553
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB123 G. Leding TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS. | G. Leding | Notification that SB123 is now Act 553 |
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SB130
Act 534
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB130 #1 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION F…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB130 is now Act 534 |
|
SB157
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…gross retirement Committee on aroth bills to whom we spoke Senate bill 157 by the copy”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BENEFITS UNDER THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS. | J. Dotson | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB189
Act 396
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 189, Act 396, Senate Bill 279, Act 397, Senate Bill 135, Act 39…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE IVERMECTIN FOR HUMAN USE TO BE SOLD WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION OR CONSULTATION WITH … | A. Clark | Notification that SB189 is now Act 396 |
|
SB238
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB238 J. Payton TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING ANDACCOUNTABILIT…”
|
TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. | J. Payton | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB290
Act 921
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB290 #1 TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN W…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB290 is now Act 921 |
|
SB299
Act 403
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “committee on enrolled bills to misferred the following? Senate Bill 299 by Senator Hammer. Senate Bill 353 by Senator Hester. Senat…”
|
TO REQUIRE A STAFF MEMBER TO WITNESS AN ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTING A RESIDENT OF A LONG-TERM … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB299 is now Act 403 |
|
SB325
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB325 A. Clark TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989; TO AM…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989; TO AMEND THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT; TO … | A. Clark | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB326
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB326 A. Clark TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989 AND TH…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989 AND THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT; TO MODIFY … | A. Clark | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB331
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB331 G. Leding CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR GENETIC TESTING FOR INHER…”
|
CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR GENETIC TESTING FOR INHERITED CANCER MUTATIONS; AND TO CREATE THE GENETIC TESTING … | G. Leding | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB348
Act 567
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB348 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY…”
|
TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB348 is now Act 567 |
|
SB353
Act 405
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…misferred the following? Senate Bill 299 by Senator Hammer. Senate Bill 353 by Senator Hester. Senate Bill 409 by Senator Blake Johnson…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE DATES FOR ELECTIONS; TO AMEND THE DATES OF PRIMARY … | Hester | Notification that SB353 is now Act 405 |
|
SB371
Act 653
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB371 J. Scott TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE S…”
|
TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE SEARCH OF MISSING CHILDREN WHO DO … | J. Scott | Notification that SB371 is now Act 653 |
|
SB392
Act 499
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB392 #1 TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE CLASSIFICATION AND…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES; AND TO DECLARE … | B. Davis | Notification that SB392 is now Act 499 |
|
SB409
Act 406
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l 299 by Senator Hammer. Senate Bill 353 by Senator Hester. Senate Bill 409 by Senator Blake Johnson, Senate Bill 424 by Senator Stubbe…”
|
TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS BY FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS; AND TO ESTABLISH THE FARMER … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB409 is now Act 406 |
|
SB412
Act 614
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ndar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred to Senate Bill 412 by Senator Boyd, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee o…”
|
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 |
|
SB413
Act 401
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 413 Act 401, Senate Bill 417 Act. 2, 299 Act 403. Senate Bill 3…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO AMEND THE … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB413 is now Act 401 |
|
SB425
Act 722
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Judiciary. For your Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 425 by Senator English, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee…”
|
TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ENHANCED TRANSPORTATION; AND TO DECLARE AN … | J. English | Notification that SB425 is now Act 722 |
|
SB440
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB440 #1 D. Wallace Wallace TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS…”
|
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 #1 J. Petty Petty TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFFI…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, AND … | J. Petty | Notification that SB448 is now Act 579 |
|
SB450
Act 915
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 450 by Senator Davis, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee o…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE A HUMAN FETAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION … | B. Davis | Notification that SB450 is now Act 915 |
|
SB459
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB459 G. Leding TO AMEND THE MINIMUM AGE NECESSARY TO ADJUDICATE…”
|
TO AMEND THE MINIMUM AGE NECESSARY TO ADJUDICATE A JUVENILE DELINQUENT. | G. Leding | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB463
Act 580
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB463 M. McKee TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DENY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CLOSING … | M. McKee | Notification that SB463 is now Act 580 |
|
SB464
Act 698
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB464 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW MILK; TO ALLOW SALES OF RAW MILK … | A. Clark | Notification that SB464 is now Act 698 |
|
SB467
Act 645
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 467 by Senator Penzo, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee o…”
|
TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB467 is now Act 645 |
|
SB469
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB469 #1 C. Penzo Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COUNTY CAMPAI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COUNTY CAMPAIGN POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF … | C. Penzo | Died on Senate Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB470
Act 646
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 470 by Senator Dotson, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee…”
|
TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO … | J. Dotson | Notification that SB470 is now Act 646 |
|
SB471
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB471 A. Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANDIDATES FOR NONPART…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS; AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN CANDIDATES FOR … | A. Clark | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB473
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB473 Stone TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE ARKANSAS FIRE PROTECTION S…”
|
TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE ARKANSAS FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES BOARD; AND TO PROVIDE FOR … | Stone | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB479
Act 593
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB479 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB479 is now Act 593 |
|
SB480
Act 739
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB480 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INVESTMENT OF STA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INVESTMENT OF STATE FUNDS. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB480 is now Act 739 |
|
SB483
Act 957
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB483 #1 Irvin B. Johnson TO REPEAL CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENT…”
|
TO REPEAL CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE SECURITIES DEPARTMENT; … | Irvin | Notification that SB483 is now Act 957 |
|
SB486
Act 955
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB486 B. Johnson CONCERNING SAFETY AND PRIVACY IN CERTAIN ENTITIE…”
|
CONCERNING SAFETY AND PRIVACY IN CERTAIN ENTITIES; AND CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MULTI-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS, CHANGING … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB486 is now Act 955 |
|
SB491
Act 956
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB491 K. Hammer TO REQUIRE A VENDOR THAT CONTRACTS WITH THE OFFIC…”
|
TO REQUIRE A VENDOR THAT CONTRACTS WITH THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DIVISION TO SUBMIT DATA FOR … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB491 is now Act 956 |
|
SB5
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…s and recommend do past calendar on education who was first Senate Bill 5:15 by Senator Petty recommend due pass calendar Committee o…”
|
TO ADD THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG HARM OR HOMICIDE. | B. King | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB504
Act 727
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ndar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred to Senate Bill 504 by Senator Curl, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee o…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT. | Irvin | Notification that SB504 is now Act 727 |
|
SB505
Act 595
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB505 #1 J. Bryant Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL P…”
|
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 TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUNICIPAL, C…”
|
TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB510 is now Act 594 |
|
SB515
Act 647
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 515 by Senator Petty, recommend due pass.”
|
TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN … | J. Petty | Notification that SB515 is now Act 647 |
|
SB522
Act 648
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Calendar. Committee on Education who was for Senate Bill 522 by Senator McKee, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND … | M. McKee | Notification that SB522 is now Act 648 |
|
SB540
Act 702
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…. Agriculture. Committee on Engrossed Bills, whom has voted Senate Bill 540 by Senator Mark Johnson, compared to Engrossed Copy with th…”
|
TO LIMIT THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ON … | M. Johnson | Notification that SB540 is now Act 702 |
|
SB545
Act 564
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mmend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for Senate Bill 545 by Senator Mark Johnson, recommend do pass. Calendar. Commi…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE PROPERTY AND FINANCES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER … | M. Johnson | Notification that SB545 is now Act 564 |
|
SB547
Act 728
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mmend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for Senate Bill 547 by Senator Sullivan, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A … | D. Sullivan | Notification that SB547 is now Act 728 |
|
SB557
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…astewater into a watershed. Senate Bill 556. Public Health. Senate Bill 557 by Senator Mark Johnson. to amend laws concerning water per…”
|
TO AMENDS LAW CONCERNING WATER PERMITS AND DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER; TO AUTHORIZE DENIALS OF APPLICANTS … | M. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB558
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Public Health. Senate Bill 558 by Senator Crowell to require the electronic filing of cert…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF CERTAIN CORPORATE INCOME TAX RETURNS. | Crowell | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB562
Act 704
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB562 - Motion to withdraw SB562 from Senate State Agencies Commi…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT; AND TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT … | Hill | Notification that SB562 is now Act 704 |
|
SB565
Act 936
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “fees. Senate Bill 565. State agencies 566 by Senator King provide for funding for…”
|
TO ALLOW PROCUREMENT CERTIFICATIONS TO BE COMBINED; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REPRESENTATION IN … | Flippo | Notification that SB565 is now Act 936 |
|
SB567
Act 719
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…method for sourcing of receipts for services in intangible Senate Bill 567. Revenue and tax.”
|
TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING THE APPORTIONMENT OF INCOME DERIVED FROM MULTISTATE OPERATIONS; … | Crowell | Notification that SB567 is now Act 719 |
|
SB576
Act 623
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Senate Bill 576 by Senator Davis to amend the coverage of continuous glucos…”
|
TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. | B. Davis | Notification that SB576 is now Act 623 |
|
SB581
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Protection District, Senate Bill 580. City, County, Local. Senate Bill 581 by Senator King to create the Poultry Integrators' Deceptiv…”
|
TO CREATE THE POULTRY INTEGRATORS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES AND TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT. | B. King | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB582
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…es and Taxpayer Protection Act, Senate Bill 581. Judiciary. Senate Bill 582 by Senator King”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE STATE ACTION POULTRY FLOCK DEPOPULATION GRANT PROGRAM. | B. King | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB9
Act 622
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB9 B. Davis TO CREATE THE MAKE ARKANSAS HEALTHY AGAIN ACT; AND…”
|
TO CREATE THE MAKE ARKANSAS HEALTHY AGAIN ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT MANUFACTURING, SELLING, DELIVERING, DISTRIBUTING, … | B. Davis | Notification that SB9 is now Act 622 |
|
SB92
Act 777
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB92 #2 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSFORMATION AND SHARED S…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSFORMATION AND SHARED SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB92 is now Act 777 |
|
SB93
Act 1010
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB93 #2 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB93 is now Act 1010 |
|
SCR6
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SCR6 TO RECOGNIZE THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL CHARGING WIL…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL CHARGING WILDCATS VARSITY CHEER TEAM FOR WINNING … | J. Scott | Approved by the Governor. |
|
SR557
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…l Panthers dance team as the 2024 class 1A4A state champion Senate resolution 557 calendar, Senate”
|
Pre-2017 bill |
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Unknown speaker
0:00
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Senate will be called to order.
Chair
Unverified
4:00
Any requests for leave at this time? Senator Mark
Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Chair
Unverified
4:10
I'd like to ask leave for Senator Irvin.
Speaker 15
4:16
Thank you, Senator Johnson. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
4:20
Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irving, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
4:39
Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise. First, we'll be led in prayer by an individual
who will be introduced by Senator Mark Johnson. And then following that, we will also, I believe, be led by the Pledge of Allegiance by
someone introduced by Senator Mark Johnson. Senator Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon, Senators. It's my honor today to introduce some constituents who are going to help us lead in prayer. First, I want to introduce Danica Smith, who is the director of the Willow Roots Learning Center in Conway.
It's a very innovative school, and two of her students are here. Harper Fortner is going to be the helper, but our prayer today will be led by Miss Anna Roberts, And she will then lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Hannah, if you want to come up, both of you come up. Can everybody
bow their heads, please? Lord, I pray that you will lead all these hardworking people here to make the right decisions, and you will lead this country, this state, and this city, and that we will all make the right decisions,
and we will come into unity like we were always supposed to be. Amen.
Speaker 24
5:56
Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, young ladies. What a
Chair
Unverified
6:13
pleasure it is to have you in the Senate today. You did a wonderful job, and you're always welcome.
Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate. It is our expectation that each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. Without objection, the rules will be suspended and the Senate will dispense with the reading of the journal. The morning hour has now begun. I'd like to recognize Senator Boyd, who will introduce our Senate pages for the day. Senator Boyd, you're recognized.
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
6:46
Thank you, Madam President. Members, I would like to recognize our Senate pages joining us today.
When I call your name, please come to the front to be recognized. Zoe Gunner, Valonia High School, one of Senator Disman's constituents. Myonna Carter, Central High School, Helena, West Helena, Senator Murdoch. Kylan Shipp, Central High School, Helena, West Helena, Senator Murdoch. Shelby Britton, Forest City High School, Helena, West Helena, Senator Murdoch.
Zalyn Beck, Lee High School, Helena, West Helena, Senator Murdoch. Gabriella Edwards, Central High School, Helena, West Helena, Senator Murdoch. Anna Rose Grizzle, and yes, Anna Rose, when you hear this, Brooklyn Technical High School from Brooklyn, New York. So, yes, she really is from school in New York, but she's one of Senator Tucker's constituents. Tyson Clemons, Central High School,
Helena, West Helena, Senator Murdoch. Please help me welcome them. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Boyd, and we
Chair
Unverified
8:10
are so glad to have our pages here with us today. And Senator Murdoch, I was looking through the agenda to
see if you had a big item we were voting on today to have all this backup, but we're glad to have the pages here with us today.
Any other announcements or introductions? Senator Hester, you're recognized. Members,
I've brought this up to us a few times. I'm making a motion here. I move to suspend
the Senate intervening day rule for the remainder of the regular session for the 95th General Assembly. all those in favor of
Chair
Unverified
8:46
senator hester's motion please signify by saying aye any opposed eyes have it motion carries senator hester you're recognized for another motion okay members
also we have a portion of our calendar where senate bills with
senate amendments where the majority members come down and say my bill my amendment so these are bills that were amended in committee when they come out do pass so here's my motion those bills that come out of committee as amended with a with an amendment from the bill sponsor that we're just going to have those on the early morning 8 a.m. calendar right so if someone still objects you can come to the 8 a.m. morning calendar and object but this is where we just spend 10 minutes a day saying my bill my amendment but these are substantive amendments that were made in committee
by the sponsor so if it's not by the sponsor it will still be on our normal afternoon calendar Does that make sense? So here's to go with this motion. I move that for the remainder of the regular session of the 95th General Assembly, bills coming out of committee do pass as amended, with the lead sponsor being the sponsor of the amendment, should be placed on the next morning's 8 a.m. calendar, rather than coming to the Senate floor. All those in favor
Chair
Unverified
10:03
of the motion by Senator Hester, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. any other
announcements or introductions seeing no other madam secretary are there items at the desk yes dear mr. president pro
tem this is important you that on March 25 20 25 I reviewed and approved following measures of the regular session of the 95th general assembly Senate bill 111 act 395
Senate Bill 189, Act 396, Senate Bill 279, Act 397, Senate Bill 135, Act 399, Senate Bill 223, Act 400, Senate Bill 413, Act 401, Senate Bill 417, Act 402, Senate Bill 299, Act 403, Senate Bill 339, Act 404. Senate Bill 353, Act 405. Senate Bill 409, Act 406. Senate Bill 345, Act 421.
Senate Bill 424, Act 422. Sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor. File it. Will your
committee on enrolled bills to misferred the following? Senate Bill 299 by Senator Hammer. Senate Bill 353 by Senator Hester. Senate Bill 409 by Senator Blake Johnson, Senate Bill 424 by Senator Stubberfield, compared the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly and compared the
enrolled copies with the original and find the same correctly enrolled and at 9.04 a.m. delivered to the Governor for her approval.
Speaker 54
11:44
File it. Will your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom
is referred to Senate Bill 151 by Senator Mark Johnson, compared the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed? Retirement. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was first sent by 153 by Senator Dotson, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed. Retirement. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was first sent by 157 by Senator Dotson, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original, and
Speaker 61
12:07
find the same correctly engrossed. Retirement. Committee on engrossed bills
Speaker 54
12:10
to whom was first sent by 160 by Senator Dotson, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Retirement. Committee on engrossed bills to whom was first sent by 400 by Senator Irving, compared to the engrossed, copy with the original, and
Speaker 54
12:25
find the same correctly engrossed. Agriculture. Committee on Engrossed Bills, whom has voted Senate Bill 540 by Senator Mark Johnson, compared to Engrossed Copy with the Ritual and find the same correctly engrossed. Transportation. Committee on Engrossed Bills, whom has voted Senate Joint Resolution 24 by Senator Mark
Speaker 61
12:39
Johnson, compared to Engrossed Copy with the Ritual
Speaker 54
12:42
and find the same correctly engrossed. State Agencies. Committee
on Engrossed Bills, whom has voted House Bill 1717 by Senator Boyd and Representative Graham,
compared to Engrossed Copy with the Ritual and find
the same correctly engrossed. Judiciary. For your Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 425 by Senator English, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 450 by Senator Davis, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 467 by Senator Penzo, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 470 by Senator Dotson, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom is for Senate Bill 515 by Senator Petty, recommend due pass.
Calendar. Committee on Education who was for Senate Bill 522 by Senator McKee, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for Senate Bill 545 by Senator Mark Johnson, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for Senate Bill 547 by Senator Sullivan, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education who was for House Bill 1561 by Representative Senator Hill and Representative Painter, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1598 by Senator English and Representative Brooks recommended to pass.
Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1640 by Senator Sullivan and Representative Duke recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1697 by Senator Dotson and Representative Carr recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, who was fired House Bill 1705 by Senator Bryant and Representative Duke recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom was referred House Bill 1724 by Senator English and Representative McKenzie, recommended to pass as amended number one.
Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred to Senate Bill 412 by Senator Boyd, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred to Senate Bill 504 by Senator Curl, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred to House Bill 1303 by Representative Jean, recommended to pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred to House Bill 1691 by Representative Torres recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred to House Bill 1716 by Representative Kavanaugh recommend due pass.
Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was referred to House Bill 1760 by Representative Milligan recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation to whom was referred to Senate Bill 397 by Senator Wallace recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who is deferred Senate Bill 498 by Senator Petty, recommended you to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who is deferred Senate House Bill 1549 by Representative Scott, recommended you to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who is deferred House Bill 1557 by Representative Scott, recommended
you to pass. Calendar. Committee on Transportation, who is deferred House Bill 1654 by Representative Tosh, recommended
you to pass. Calendar. Calendar. Senate Resolution 53 by Senator Mark Johnson to honor Terry Kimbrough, president of Central Arkansas
Baptist College upon the occasion of his upcoming May 2025 retirement. Senate Resolution 53. Calendar. Senate Resolution 54 by Senator Crowell to recognize the Taylor High School Lady Tigers
softball team as the 2024 Class 1A State Champions Senate Resolution 54. Calendar. Senate Resolution 55 by Senator Crowell to recognize the Taylor High School Tigers baseball team as the 2024 Class 1A State Champions Senate Resolution 55. Calendar. Senate Resolution 56 by Senator Crowell To congratulate the students of Murfreesboro High School for their victories in competitive, computerized numeric control, metal, wood, and laser design, Senate Resolution 56.
Calendar. Senate Resolution 57 by Senator Crowell. To recognize the Magnolia High School Panthers dance team as the 2024 Class 1A, 4A state champion, Senate Resolution 57. Calendar. Senate Resolution 58 by Senator Crowell to recognize the Arkadelphia High School Badgers football team as the 2024 Class 4A state champion, Senate Resolution 58. Calendar. Senate Resolution 59 by Senator Hammer to recognize April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, Senate Resolution 59.
Calendar. Senate Resolution 60 by Senator Dees, to recognize the Gravette High School Lions Wrestling Team as the 2025 Class 4A State Champions, Senate Resolution 60. Calendar, Senate Bill 555 by Senator Scott, to amend the law concerning the offense of video forgerism, to extend the statute of limitations for the offense, and to make an order of protection available to a victim of video voyeurism.
Anyway, Senate Bill 555. Judiciary. Senate Bill 556 by Senator Mark Johnson to protect public drinking water sources and prohibit service discharge of wastewater into a watershed. Senate Bill 556. Public Health. Senate Bill 557 by Senator Mark Johnson. to amend laws concerning water permits and discharge of wastewater to authorize denials of applicants that have a history of noncompliance and to prohibit certain discharge of wastewater, Senate Bill 557.
Public Health. Senate Bill 558 by Senator Crowell to require the electronic filing of certain corporate income tax returns, Senate Bill 558. Revenue and Tax. Senate Bill 559 by Senator English to amend the Arkansas Military Child School Transition Act of 2021, Senate Bill 559. Education, Senate Bill 560 by Senator English, to decrease the base contribution rate, to increase the administrative assessment rate, to increase funding for the skilled workforce in the state,
and to amend the Division of Workforce Services Training Trust Fund, Senate
Bill 560. Public Health, Senate Bill 561 by Senator Mark Johnson, to allow
for the issuance of an additional temporary pre-printed paper buyers tagged in certain circumstances, and to create a penalty for the use of an expired temporary pre-printed paper buyers tagged Senate Bill 561. Sen. Bill 562 by Senator Hill to amend the law concerning Office of Internal Audit and to repeal the requirement for an annual project review
and efficiency study of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Sen. Bill 562.
State agencies. Senate Bill 563 by Senator Irving to authorize the Arkansas Livestock
and Poultry Commission to impose a civil penalty for certain actions against an equine and to allow a body condition sore to be used for an equine under the offense of cruelty to animals. Senate Bill 563. Agriculture, Sen. Bill 564, by Sen. Flippo, to amend the definition of beer to change the allowable alcoholic content and to include malt beverages, Sen. Bill 564.
City, county, local. Sen. Bill 565, by Sen. Flippo, to allow
procurement certifications to be incorporated into a single combined written certification and to set a threshold for the requirement that a state contract include a representative concerning prohibited contingent fees, Sen.
Bill 564. 565. State agencies. Senate Bill 566 by Senator King, provide for funding for the expansion, improvement,
or construction of state and county correctional facilities and to address prison
overcrowding. Senate Bill 566. Judiciary. Senate
Bill 567 by Senator Crowell, to amend and
modernize the law concerning the apportionment of income derived from multi-state operations and to change the method for sourcing of receipts for services in intangible Senate Bill 567. Revenue and tax.
Senate Bill 568 by Senator Crowell to amend the law
concerning taxes applicable to lithium extraction and development to provide
a sales and use tax exemption for lithium resource development and to amend the law concerning severance tax on lithium, Senate Bill 568. Revenue and tax. Senate Bill 569 by Senator Mark Johnson to an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution concerning ballot titles of proposed measures and amending the Arkansas Constitution under
the authority of Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, Section 1, Senate Bill 569. State agencies. Senate Bill 570 by Senator Dotson
to amend Arkansas law concerning the membership of the Joint Budget Committee, Senate Bill 570. State agencies. Senate Bill 571 by Senator
Petty to amend the law concerning municipal building and zoning regulations and to prohibit municipal municipalities from enforcing building and zoning regulations on county property. Senate Bill 571. City, county, local. Senate Bill 572 by Senator Dotson to create the Public School Access and Transparency Act
and to require public access to learning materials, Senate Bill 572. Education.
Senate Bill 573 by Senator Petty to amend the method of valuation
under the Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, Section 5, by defining the terms used in the established methods of valuation for purposes of property taxes, Senate Bill 573. Revenue and tax. Senate Bill 574 by Senator Petty to require a municipality that operates a waterworks system or sewage
system to provide service to county property
in certain instances, Senate Bill 574. City, county, local. Senate Bill 575 by Senator Tucker to amend
the law concerning installment fees collected in circuit and district courts and to create the justice system fee
tax force, Senate Bill 575. Judiciary.
Senate Bill 576 by Senator Davis to amend the coverage of continuous glucose monitors within the Arkansas Medicaid program, Senate 577 by Senator Petty to amend the law concerning local sales and use taxes and
require the Department of Finance Administration to notify local governments concerning sales and use taxes that are set to expire. Senate 577. Revenue and tax. Senate 578 by Senator Hester to amend the law concerning early voting and to allow a county board of election commissioners to close certain early voting locations during inclement weather. Senate Bill
578. State agencies. Senate Bill 579 by Senator McKee
to amend the law concerning public officers and employees and to prohibit a public employer from deducting
labor organization membership dues from the compensation of a public employee. Senate Bill 579. State agencies.
Senate Bill 580 by Senator Hammer to extend financing for purchases of
Vehicles and Equipment for a Rural Fire Protection District, Senate Bill 580. City, County, Local. Senate Bill 581 by Senator King to create the Poultry Integrators' Deceptive Trade Practices and Taxpayer Protection Act, Senate Bill 581. Judiciary. Senate Bill 582 by Senator King
to establish the State Action Poultry Flock Depopulation Grant Program, Senate Bill
582. Agriculture. Senate Bill 583 by Senator Clark To amend the law concerning maximum allowable cost list relating to pharmacy services, Senate 583. Judiciary. Senate 584 by Senator Hammer. To amend the law
concerning local initiative and referendum petitions, Senate 584. State agencies. Senate 585 by Senator Letting to require certain records be provided to an employee who is a minor, Senate 585.
Public health. Symbol 586 by Senator Dodson to create the Protect Our Constitution Act and amending a portion of the Arkansas Constitution as authorized by
Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, Section 1, Symbol 586. State agencies. Symbol 587 by Senator Letting to create the Parents' Peace of Mind Act
to establish authorization for and use of a monitoring device in a long-term care facility to provide for waivers and to provide for enforcement and penalties, Senate Bill 587.
Chair
Unverified
25:37
Public Health. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Any further business to come before the body in the morning hour? Any introductions? Senator
Senator Jane English
Unverified
25:53
English, I believe. You're recognized for an introduction. Thank you very much. I'd like to introduce our doctor of the day, Dr. Kimberly Garner. She's with Rehabilitation and Geriatrics at the VA Hospital in Maumann. We appreciate you being here.
And also, we have our nurse for the day, Lee Fazio. Always welcome having you here. Thank you very much. Thank
Chair
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you, Senator English. Any further business in the morning hour? If not, the morning hour has expired. We will now begin our business agenda. Senators, Senator
Scott and Senator English, you're recognized.
Senator Jamie Scott
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Good afternoon, colleagues. Motion to suspend the rules to add Senate Concurrent Resolution 6
to today's calendar for a third reading. All those in favor of the motion,
Speaker 102
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please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 by Senator Scott and Senator English to recognize North Little Rock High School Charging Wildcats Varsity Cheer Team for winning the Class 6A State Championship. Senator
Chair
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27:12
Scott, before you're recognized, I would remind the members that
business agenda has started, so if we can
limit any excessive conversation in the chamber, that would be appreciated. Senator Scott, you're recognized.
Senator Jamie Scott
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27:31
Thank you, Madam Governor. Colleagues, today I would like to recognize the North Florida Rock High School Charging Wildcats Varsity Cheer Team for winning the
Class 6A state championship. Would you stand up, ladies? Show your rings.
Whereas the North Florida Rock High School Charging Wildcats Varsity Cheer Team won Class 6A All-Girls State Championship held on December 20th of 2024. Whereas in addition to winning the state championship, the Charging Wildcats attended four competitions prior to the state championship and placed first in three of the four competitions and placed third in one of the four competitions. Whereas the Charging Wildcats also traveled to Orlando, Florida in a National High School cheerleading championship in February of 2025 and placed eight in a field of 43 teams. We are so
proud of these ladies. This team, the coach, stand-up coach, the coach, has worked, she's quoted for saying that
her team has worked incredibly hard during the season and won a 6A all-girl divisions with only 11 cheerleaders on the mat, which is a first for a team that have such few members in the 6A Division. So now be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, now the House of Representatives concurring therewithin, is that right?
Okay, sorry. I'm just making sure that I'm reading it right. That the Senate in the House of Representatives concurring therewithin recognized the North Florida High School Charging Wildcats varsity cheer team for winning the Class 6A championship. I just want to say, in North Little Rock,
we are known as Titletown for a reason. So let's congratulate these ladies and show
Speaker 7
29:37
those rings. Thank you, Senator Scott. All those in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 to recognize the North Little Rock High
School Charging Wildcats varsity cheer team for winning the Class 6A state championship, please
Chair
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signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. Senate concurrent resolution 6 is adopted. Transmit
Chair
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30:12
confirmed with Senator Hester that although we passed a motion,
earlier we're going to go ahead today and do the my bill my amendment bit and
so we will begin with amendment four to senate bill 117 amendment four to senate bill 117 senator penzo
you're recognized thank you madam chair uh just to
Senator Clint Penzo
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30:33
bring it up uh my bill my amendment thank you all those in favor
Speaker 7
30:40
the amendment. Please signify by saying aye. Any
Chair
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opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please
send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill
440. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 440. Senator Wallace, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Members, my
Senator Dave Wallace
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30:55
bill and my amendment, we're adding a House sponsor. Thanks, Senator
Chair
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31:00
Wallace. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate bill
448 amendment 1 to senate bill 448 senator petty you're recognized thank you madam president
uh members my bill my amendment all those in favor
Chair
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31:19
of the amendment please signify by saying
aye any opposed eyes have it amendment is
adopted please send to engrossing amendment he's not here we'll
Chair
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31:33
next go to amendment 1 to senate bill 469 amendment 1 to senate bill 469 senator penzo you're recognized thank you my bill my amendment all those in favor of the amendment please signify by saying aye any opposed aye's have it amendment is adopted
please send to engrossing amendment 1 to senate bill 483 amendment 1 to senate
bill 483 senator blake johnson you're recognized
Speaker 125
32:13
Senator Irvin's bill, my amendment. All
Chair
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saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Aye's have it. Amendment is adopted.
Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 505. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 505. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you. My bill, my amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 464. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 464. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Just adds an emergency
Senator Alan Clark
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32:50
clause. Appreciate a good vote. All those in
Chair
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32:54
favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please
send to engrossing. Senator Blake Johnson. You are recognized for a motion on Senate Bill
Speaker 125
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290. I need to suspend the rules to pull Senate Bill 290 to the floor to withdraw from AGRI
Speaker 135
33:34
and amend it and engross it and send it back to committee. All
Speaker 7
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those in favor of Senator Blake Johnson's motion, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. Senate Bill
Chair
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33:47
290. Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized. My bill, my amendment. All those in
favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing.
Unknown speaker
34:09
We're at 480s later. He's in for Hester back there.
Chair
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34:39
No, it's just a... We currently pass over Amendment 1 to House Bill 1555.
We will next take up Senate Bill 9. Senate Bill
9 by Senator Davis to create the Make Arkansas Healthy Again Act and to prohibit manufacturing, selling, delivering, distributing, holding, or offering for a sale of food products that contain certain substances. Senator Davis, you're
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Before
Senator Breanne Davis
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35:36
I present this bill, I need to ask for leave for my mom, who is in the back.
Thank you. Please don't be trying to kill my bill with my mom here. No, I'm kidding. Okay, okay. You think I'm tough. I see Senator Penzo making eyes. He may have something up his sleeve. All right, members. This bill, it simply eliminates two chemicals currently in our food. from being able to be manufactured, sold, delivered, distributed, held, or offered for sale starting January 1 of 2028.
The two chemicals are potassium bromate and propylparaben. The potassium bromate is white powder that essentially whitens bread and helps it bake evenly. You find it in cookie dough, in bread, of course, tortillas, pizza dough, And there are significant health concerns linked to it. In fact, studies show that in animals, it can cause kidney and thyroid cancer, and it can also affect the nervous system, causing headaches and seizures. The EU, Canada, and Australia have it banned.
America actually allows it, but it must be labeled as a potential carcinogen. So that's the type of labels that are on our food. And then propyl paraben is found in candies and desserts. It's used to extend the shelf life and to stop it from molding sooner. This is found in muffins, trail mixes, cookies, etc. Some studies suggest that it can disrupt the endocrine system, mimic estrogen, and possibly lead to reproductive issues. Research also indicates that it may reduce sperm production and testosterone in men.
So these are chemicals that have no business being in our food. It's part of the initiative to make Arkansas healthy again. Again, this will be effective January 1 of 2028, and I'm open to any questions. Questions for Senator
Chair
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37:43
Davis? I see Senator Rice and I believe Senator Letting. Thank you, Senator Davis.
Senator Terry Rice
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37:49
I was trying to get some information out of my seatmate that was on public health, but I
didn't get very much out of him. Can you tell me, you did mention that I bought cookie dough last night.
I ate cookie dough. I bought a different van last time that says edible, but I don't
Senator Breanne Davis
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38:10
like it. It's gross. I've tried that as well.
Senator Terry Rice
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38:12
Okay. Yep. So you're going to take the stuff out
Senator Breanne Davis
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38:16
of the cookie dough I like. No, we're going to keep the chocolate and the dough in there, but we're going to make sure that
Senator Terry Rice
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38:23
the chemical is out. comical, but we know that Europe does not allow near the stuff in their foods that we do. So this is just one thing. I mean, there's many more, I'm sure, that's out there.
Senator Breanne Davis
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38:37
That's correct. I think the EU allows around 300 different chemicals or additives in their food, while the United States, the FDA, has allowed over 10,000 chemicals into our food. So this is just one of many, and we're starting somewhere to chip away at the
Senator Terry Rice
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38:53
issue. My last question is, where do you stop? Personal choice. I've tried both.
That's kind of a silly thing, but it really is what's going to happen. It's my health,
and I'm not the picture of health, but I'm 70 years old, and I'll take what I do to myself. But you're saying that we're not going to do this in some foods. But there's many other things in foods, maybe worse than this right now. They're talking about our new health secretary is talking about the food coverings, food additives and all. So I mean that's my concern with a bill like this, is if there's not just one thing
that it causes cancer in 58% of the people, it concerns me when we start doing this. Can you alleviate my concerns?
Senator Breanne Davis
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39:48
Yes, Senator Rice. Thank you for the question. I mean, this, what we're talking about with these chemicals do not add to the taste or the quality of what you're experiencing when you eat raw cookie dough or baked cookie dough. This is simply like the propyl parabens. It helps them not get moldy as quick, so it extends shelf life. Well, you can still have cookie dough.
Maybe it doesn't last on the shelf for a year. Maybe it lasts on the shelf for six months instead, But it doesn't impact the taste, but there's no reason to put things in our food that we have to label as carcinogens just so it can be on the shelf a little longer to make these food companies a little more money. You know, the FDA has taken more of a very defensive stance when it comes to chemicals in food, so they label most things as generally recognized as safe, and until you can overwhelmingly prove that people are just dying of cancer all
over the place from that specific chemical, they won't ban it from our food. Where the EU, they've taken a much different stance, theirs is more offensive. You have to really prove that it is safe to put in food before they agree to add it to the list of something that's approved. And I think that makes a lot more sense. I think we're seeing a huge rise in not just allergies and behavior issues and cancers and nervous system issues. The list goes on. seeing that all across America. It's impacting our health system, it's impacting our personal
health, but then also the money that's being spent on health, in hospitals, with prescription drug companies, and people are making a lot of money off of us going to the grocery store, not having options to pick up something that is actually safe, that doesn't have poison in it, and then banking on us to be more unhealthy and more obese than we've been in our entire history as a country and much worse off than the rest of the world.
Chair
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41:48
Thank you. Senator Letting and then Senator Blake Johnson, did you have a question? No. Okay, Senator Letting, you're recognized for a
Senator Greg Leding
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41:58
question. Thank you, Madam President. Senator in committee, I believe you pointed out that Arkansas would not be the first state to take this important step, but I forget some of the states
Senator Breanne Davis
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42:07
that you mentioned. Could you tell us what other states have taken this step? Yes, thank you, Senator Ludding, for having me mention California. California, actually,
we mirrored this law after California. They have something almost exactly similar to this.
And the reason for doing that is California is basically the largest economy in the country. And if companies are going to change their recipes to be able to sell their food, their product, in California, I thought Arkansas could just piggyback off of that and be a beneficiary of it. And so that's why it just has two chemicals listed in this specific bill. Good bill.
Chair
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42:45
Thank you. Any other questions for
Senator Davis? Seeing no other questions, anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam
Speaker 15
43:01
Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
43:07
Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irving, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love,
McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
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43:24
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Hickey, no. Senator Hill, no. Senator Clark, present. Senator Dodson, no. Senator Stubblefield, no. Any other senator? Rice, present. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please
cast up the ballot. By vote of 28, yay, 4, nay, 2, present.
Senate Bill 9 passes. Please transmit to the House. And we will
briefly go back to Senator Hester's Amendment 1 to House Bill 1555. Amendment 1 to House Bill
Speaker 54
44:10
1555. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Members, my bill, my amendment. All those in
Chair
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44:17
favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment passes. Please send to engrossing. Rather, amendment is adopted.
Please send to engrossing. Next, Senate Bill 120.
Senate Bill 120 by Senator Penzo to require a licensure for all private care agencies in this state and to ensure customer protection for vulnerable
aging adults. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. I'd like to
Senator Clint Penzo
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44:43
make a motion to re-refer to committee for purpose of amendment. All those in favor
Chair
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44:49
of the motion, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. Ayes have it. Motion carries.
Senate Bill 123. Senate Bill 123 by Senator Letting to amend the law concerning coverage for mammograms and breast ultrasounds. Senator Letting, you're
Senator Greg Leding
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45:15
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, over the years, Representative Vaught and I, as many of us have, have run bills to help Arkansans diagnose, prevent, and treat cancer. The idea being that obviously the better access Arkansans have to these kinds of tools, we're going to save more lives. but also treating the cancer is going to be less expensive.
So that's all that we're doing right here. This simply eliminates any kind of cost barrier to a supplemental imaging process for Arkansans that are at increased risk based on personal history or family history. Nobody spoke against this bill in Insurance and Commerce last week, and I appreciate the committee voting it out unanimously.
Chair
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45:49
Happy to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Letting? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Speaker 15
46:01
Bowett, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo,
Representative Justin Gonzales
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46:06
Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone,
Stubbuffield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or
Chair
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46:24
her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34 yeas,
0 nay, Senate Bill 123 passes.
Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 238.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 238 by Senator Payton to amend the Used Tower Recycling and Accountability
Senator John Payton
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46:53
Act. Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, this will be a fun one. Two years ago, we passed a bill that would reorganize the tire districts and create a dedicated revenue stream. The dedicated revenue stream is already there,
but we don't currently collect the fee on all the new tires. So this broadens the base of where we collect that $3 fee to include the tires that come on new automobiles, new trailers. Every time a new tire is created, a waste tire is created. So what this does is it broadens that fee at the $3 level. The big truck tires, it takes them back to $5 where they were before. And then on ag tires, the four districts can set a fee up to $30 on the ag tires.
But here's what happened. We reorganized the boards with that bill that we passed two years ago. This funding mechanism was in it, but when it got to the House, we had to amend the funding mechanism out. So the reorganization happened. We went from 11 entire districts to four. Those four districts took a period of time to get organized. They've now been organized for about 15 months. What was projected to be to run out of money a year ago
has been able to stretch the dollar and work efficiently under these new boards to the point that it's still a broke system. It needs more money in it, but we've proven that there's efficiencies in the way that these four boards can let out contracts. The problem is the system we currently have, the processors, the equipment's getting old, it needs maintenance, it needs upgraded to the most innovative equipment that can create
a product that is more desirable, none of that's going to happen without capital investment. And people are not, we want the private side of this to make the capital investments. But those four boards have to have enough money to let out the contracts to where somebody can afford to put a processor in and fix the old processor and maintain a fleet of trucks and trailers that transports the vehicles. It's an in-depth, long scope, and I certainly appreciate my colleagues on public health.
I'll be happy to answer all the questions you've got. I really believe that if this funding mechanism had stayed in the bill two years ago, we could have put this to rest and washed our hands of it. But until we get a dedicated revenue stream that provides the funds so that those four boards can let out contracts to where private industry, like Davis Rubber, 100-year-old tire processor here in Little Rock,
they are private industry. And for them to put a collection site in every county in a district costs money. It requires trailers. It requires trucks transporting the tires. Folks, we've got a great system. Collecting the fee on a new tire means that when it comes time to dispose of a used tire, there's no fee charged. So there's no reason for people to not properly dispose of their tires.
I worked with the executive branch. I looked at other options to try to go with more privatization and wash our hands of it. I don't think it's a good idea to collect the fee at the point of disposal because, number one, we're encouraging people to not properly dispose of them. Number two, we're putting the burden of paying the fee on the end user of a tire. And what I've said all along is the best way to recycle a tire is put it on another vehicle and wear it out.
So if I buy a new set of tires and put on my truck and wear them down to 30%, and I want another new set, somebody can take those four takeoffs and wear them out. If we're collecting on the front end, I'm paying for the disposal. If we're collecting on the tail end, whoever's buying those used tires is going to have to pay for the disposal. Truth of the matter is, I'm going to get three times as much usage out of those tires than that end user does, and I'm not going to have to pay a disposal fee.
But the end user is going to be paying the disposal fee three times as often as I am because they're only getting a third of the mileage that I get. That's why I couldn't go with that system. I believe whoever thought up this system of collecting the recycling fee on the front end, They got it right. It worked really good for many years. We just didn't keep up with inflation. We didn't keep up with the innovation. Right now, Nucor is begging for more and more byproduct,
but there's only one processor in the state that can process them to the point that Nucor can use it, and that's Davis rubber. We need more private industry like that to be able to make the capital investment and put those processors in place that can even refine it to a better level than what Davis is doing right now. And I'm sure they would upgrade, too, if they could get a long-term contract and know that the money's there to fund them. I'll take any of your questions.
Chair
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52:26
Questions for Senator Payton. I see Senator Flowers and Senator Blake Johnson. And Senator Dees, did you have a question? Nope. Okay. Senator Flowers, then
Speaker 206
52:40
Senator Blake Johnson. Is there a sunset on this bill?
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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52:48
No, no, there's no sunset on it. So we're talking about
Senator John Payton
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52:53
collecting a lot of money. So we're currently collecting around $5 million.
This adds, according to the revenue impact, I think it's up to $3.5 million, yes. And how much do you
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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53:04
think those capital improvements are going to cost, and how often are they going to have
Senator John Payton
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53:11
to be? Well, those are not going to be state dollars.
They would be private business because there's a contract. So the way we look at it is a per-tire cost. Right now, the per-tire cost for processing these tires is around $2.80 a tire.
We're only collecting currently $2.60-something cents a tire when you shell out the fees that go to the DF&A and ADEQ. So what this would do, it would allow those four tire districts to let out contracts that are closer to the $3 range so that those private industries can make those capital investments. And what will they do with the excess? Well, I'm sure they're in business to make a profit. No,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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53:56
I'm talking about the four districts.
They're going to be the ones contracting and shelling out the money
Senator John Payton
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54:03
that the individuals... Yeah, so the four districts give ADEQ or DEQ, whatever you want to call it these days. They give a business plan, and they're reimbursed out of these funds based on their business plan for how many tires they're going to process. The business plan comes, of course, from the bids on the contract. So the money initially will go through ADEQ? Goes to DF&A. They take their 1.5%.
Then it goes to DEQ, Energy and Environment. They take 7%. How much? 7%, and that's for policing the program, licensing the entities that collect and transport and process the tires. And then what's left is available for reimbursement for whoever's processing and handling the tires. Okay,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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54:55
so surely there may be some excess.
Speaker 213
55:00
Well, the excess would go, the excess would
Senator John Payton
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55:05
be in DEQ's hands, and we have several what they call abatement sites where there are tire stockpiles that need to be cleaned up right now. And that's something I didn't mention, but DEQ has an estimate on cleaning up several sites in the state that total a little over $7 million, and there's no money in the system right now to clean up those sites. The estimates, when you do the math, come out to $9.67 a tire.
$9.67 a tire is what it costs us when we have to go in and clean up a stockpile that
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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55:46
somebody mishandled. And then if any excess remains from that process, ADEQ keeps
Senator John Payton
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55:51
it? If there's any excess, I imagine they would use it for the abatement sites and there would be several years' worth of excess needed,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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56:00
yeah. Well, I'm just asking, I mean, collecting this kind of money over the years, it seems to me there may be still some excess.
And so ADEQ can only use it for abating those tar sites? Reimbursement and abatement, yeah. And otherwise, they would keep any remaining funds. Yeah,
Senator John Payton
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56:26
otherwise we'd be back in here in two years and adjust
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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56:30
the... Well, I'm just worried about the balance. What's happening with the balance? If there's any excess after
Senator John Payton
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56:36
all these things? I seriously doubt that I could strike a perfect balance or a perfect zero net.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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56:43
What is your vision for excess, for ADEQ to use it in any
other way other than tire abatement and tire processing? I don't foresee any excess in the near
Senator John Payton
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56:55
future. Maybe four or five years down the road, if everything worked wonderful, they would have enough excess to do the abatement. But we would see that coming and have an opportunity to adjust. Okay,
Chair
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57:11
thank you. Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized.
So, Senator, those extra large tires, it probably
Speaker 134
57:19
affects me and Senator Wallace. And me. Caldwell and a lot of us in a way that's different than others, but right now it's $5 of tires. Is that correct?
Speaker 224
57:32
I think the large tires were moved to $3, but
Senator John Payton
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57:37
the extra large are still
Speaker 125
57:39
$5, yeah. So this bill would allow them to go up to, the fee would be $30.
Speaker 134
57:45
Up to $30. Plus an extra 10% for the retailer. That's how the
Speaker 224
57:51
bill reads? Well, the bill reads that the retailer can charge up
Senator John Payton
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57:56
to 10% over. So currently we let the retailer keep 5% and we're just trying to pull that in. We're letting them charge if they want to. Of course, that comes down to competitiveness amongst retailers. But these tractor tires that you're talking about, skid steers and stuff like that, they can cost well over $100 a piece to process. And so collecting and up to 30 is still a huge deficit
from the actual cost of processing those tires. - And you mentioned
Speaker 224
58:27
right now, we're collecting about $5 million at this
Senator John Payton
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58:32
time? - I'm going by my memory, but it's in the neighborhood of five. I think there's 7 million into the program right now, and I'm not sure why in my mind it's separate, but with this, the fiscal impact on this is that it could add up to 3.5% to the
Speaker 134
58:51
program. That would be pretty close to a 65% increase.
Speaker 224
58:55
Yes. All right. Thank you, Senator. That's a maybe. Worst case scenario. Senator
Chair
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59:02
Hickey, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Madam.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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59:17
We're good. okay thank you senator payton i know this has been an issue and i appreciate you working on it but i do have just a couple of questions on page three lines 28 through 31 it seems like here
that we're going to give the retailer a little bit of discretion and i say discretion it says that they don't have to collect the uh the recycling fee if they show 80 of the more If the tire still has 80% or more of its vent spews remaining, that part seems a little bit subjective to me, you know, and we're going to kind of, I'm afraid, you know, something like that could possibly give that retailer an out. I know what you were trying to do. If somebody had bought a brand new tire, I guess,
and had taken it back in so that they wouldn't get that
Senator John Payton
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1:00:05
fee, but... Actually, they will. Okay. So if there's less than 80% of the spews remaining, then the retailer does not have to charge the fee. But if you carry a new tire to a retailer for mounting and balancing, and it has 80% or more of the spews on it, they have to collect the fee.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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1:00:26
A tire retailer shall not collect the tire fee. Unless?
Senator John Payton
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1:00:31
Unless it has 80% or more. Right. So a tire retailer shall not collect the fee on a used tire, basically. And the way
we define that is, unless the small tire has 80% of the spews remaining, which makes it qualify
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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1:00:48
as a new tire. Okay, and then just one other question. Over on page 4, line 36, this tire accountability board, is that already established or do you know? We have the tire recycling fee on a large tire, extra large.
Senator John Payton
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1:01:03
Yes, we had seven boards, and they were populated just by every county judge in that district was automatically on the board. What we did two years ago was reorganize that to four districts, which basically have the state in four quadrants geographically. And to be on the board, they have to be a hand raiser and be willing to serve on the board, which hopefully created some concern and some interest in the subject matter that gave us board members that were more concerned and would take charge.
And I think the speed with which they organized and took very few eligible bids and came out with an efficient program that has gone eight or ten months beyond what we thought it could survive on the money it had. My question
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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1:01:54
is this, and I can't remember, of course, how that board's made up. Do you know if that's structured so it's independent of anybody that might receive a financial interest in it?
Did we structure it that way? Because what we're going to do is allow for this board to actually
Senator John Payton
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1:02:14
go up. So the boards are currently made up of mayors and judges from within the district. Okay, so it's nobody with the tire recycling shops or anything such as that. I had actually wanted to add this in this bill, and I didn't do it, representation for the processing industry. You know, to where on the board you'd actually have some representation for the tire dealers, independent tire dealers, processors.
But no, at this point, and not in this bill, this is strictly mayors and judges that sit on
the boards. Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank
Chair
Unverified
1:02:55
you. Any other questions for Senator Payton? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Speak for. Senator Clark, you're recognized.
Speaker 248
1:03:14
I appreciate Senator Payton for trying to deal with this issue.
Senator Alan Clark
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1:03:22
When I was on the Quorum Court in Garland County, we used to have to take our trash to dumpsters spread out across five locations in the county, which, of course, you paid for in your taxes because there's a big percentage of people who are not going to pay to carry their trash off. We went to house to house and there were people who talked about making it voluntary and you can't do it unless you want trash all over the place because it's an expense that people don't see any value in is getting rid of their trash.
It has to be, there are things that the government needs to do, as much as I believe in free enterprise and business is taking care of a lot of things. The property that I own, right back behind the house, there's, you can't see it, it's out in the woods, but there's a big pile of tires. They were there when I bought the property. That was much more commonplace before we instituted a plan where it was paid for at the front end. When we do away with a plan where it's paid for on the front end,
those piles of tires on acreage are going to grow and grow and grow, but they're not just going to grow there. What y'all don't remember, but I think you'll remember when I start talking about it, is they're not in the creek, because they will be. If there's not a camera at the bridge, they'll be dumping them there. They'll be in the lake. They'll be in the National Forest. They'll be on timberland, which I have, any place that they can drop them at night where there won't be anybody watching, And your constituents and you are going to pay for it in spades.
And Senator Payton has a plan that is working. We're almost there. Most of our county judges and the people involved in the tires really, once we made the improvements, made in the last few years, we're all almost there except we're not quite there on the cost. And to go back from that and to say, will you pay for it when you dispose of the tire? No, the rest of us are going to pay for it, but it's going to cost us a lot more because we're going to have to go get those tires out of the creek.
The deputies are going to be going out taking reports all the time for something they won't be able to do a blank thing about. But I'm going to call them when they dump them on my property. They're going to come out, and what chance do they have of finding who left those tires on my property or who left them in the creek, et cetera. We need to go with Senator Payton's plan. It's the only thing that's
Chair
Unverified
1:05:57
come along that makes sense. Anyone else wish to speak against or for? Seeing no other, Senator Payton, you're recognized to close.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:06:05
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Clark. Folks, I don't want to belabor this, but I do want you to know I worked hard on a different solution. Whoever thought up the system, in my opinion, came up with a great system. It has been broken for a while. I mean, I got elected in 2013, sworn in in 2013, and it was a problem already because the system was not bringing in enough money
to pay what it should cost. We've attempted repairs at it, which included a used tire tax that I fought vehemently against and that's how I ended up on this program because if you try to nail down the used tire jockeys and the people who are going to be using the used tires they're going to slip through your fingers every time and those tires are going to get piled up just like Senator Clark said but I want to show you this real quick this is this is a page out of an email
that DEQ gave me and it lists a few tire sites that have one of them in Stone County 4,000 tires, one in Faulkner County 4,000 tires, one in Woodruff County 395,000 tires, one in Jefferson County 12,400 tons, which equals 330,000 tires. The estimates on cleaning up these sites is $9.67 a tire.
Now listen to the size of these sites. It's more efficient to clean up a site with 100,000 tires than to pick up 1,000 sites with 100 tires. So if what Senator Clark described, which I think is very accurately what's going to happen if we don't get a handle on this, We're going to be spending way over $9.67 of tires to go pick them up in the river and in the road ditch and on the back 40.
These very large sites, what do you think created them? It was private industry that said, we're going to contract with the tire district and we're going to process these tires. And they stockpiled them and then they headed for home. If we're not real careful how we handle this, we've got to give the boards the authority to make contracts with responsible businesses that'll do the job right. We've got to give DEQ the resources
to pay for the reimbursement and to pay for the abatement. And folks, it's a lot cheaper to do it on the front end than it is do
Chair
Unverified
1:09:05
it on the back end. I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Speaker 15
1:09:13
Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers,
Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:09:24
Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson,
King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:09:37
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Dotson, no.
Senator Blake Johnson, no. Senator Davis, no. Senator Dees, present.
Senator Hammer, present. Senator Wallace, no. Senator Hester, no. Dismang, present. Any other senators? Senator McKee, present. Any other Senator? Senator English, no. Any other Senator? Penzo, present. Gilmore, no. Any
other Senator? Please check the board. Seeing
no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 22
yay, 7 nay. Senate Bill 238 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senator Payton, it's my understanding we're going to pass over Senate Bill
285 today. Next, we will take up Senate Bill 325. Senate Bill 325 by
Senator Clark to amend the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, to amend the Child Maltreatment Act, to amend the law regarding reinstatement
of parental rights, and to amend the law regarding the Child
Maltreatment Central Registry. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Alan Clark
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1:11:08
you, Madam Governor. Thank you, colleagues. I've got five pages of talking points here for SB325, but the simplicity of it is
it's agreed to bill, no opposition that I know of. It gives parents whose rights have been terminated an additional option to petition to have those rights reinstated instead of leaving the power
exclusively to a guardian ad litem or DHS. Moves up the time frame under which a petition to reinstate parental rights could be granted from three years after termination to two years. And this is because so many of the kids that we terminate rights end up staying in the system. That's why they can come back later if the parents can show a change rather than the kids being permanently in orphanages and foster homes. Reforms the child maltreatment registry to focus on findings of abuse,
sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and causes of neglect that happened in an occupational capacity or where a court finds a child to be a dependent and neglected juvenile. Allows individuals who were placed on the registry for cases of neglect to be removed from the registry in cases where reunification has been achieved. One year has passed since reunification and there have been no additional findings. I'll be happy to take any questions.
Chair
Unverified
1:12:32
Questions for Senator Clark. Senator Love, you're recognized.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:12:36
Thank you, Governor. Senator Clark, what is DHS's stance on this bill? AHS's
stance was they were ready to testify for it, but couldn't say they were for it. Did they state why
they couldn't be for it? They're part of the executive branch.
Okay, because I'm looking at this. So when the parental rights of the child are terminated, we're saying that two years afterwards? If the child
hadn't been adopted. A big part of
the time children are adopted as soon as it's terminated. But this is for children that are languishing. Normally 15, 16, 17-year-olds that are languishing in the system
and in those cases the parents have to show that there's been a change of behavior and that, but in those cases, and again there's a lot they have to go through to get those kids back, but it gives them an ability to get kids back where they've changed and the kids are still
there and we're not doing anything for them. Alright, so then some of the parental rights are terminated because kids have been really really treated bad. And I haven't been able to read throughout your bill, some
of it's been sexual abuse, some of it's been where, I mean, the mom had a boyfriend and sexually abused children. So are
we trying to reinstate those rights? No, absolutely not. This
is generally neglect. The part of what's in law is not here in the bill where we already allow children to be reinstated back to their home.
It's a very rare circumstance, and they have to go through DHS. All the hoops that you have to jump through before termination are still there. But no, no one's going back to a home where they were sexually abused or abused that's not what this is about this is more often than not neglect often it's neglect because of drug abuse which has since changed and only again if the children are still there in the system okay all right thank you other questions senator tucker you're
Senator Clarke Tucker
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1:15:26
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. My question is similar to Senator Loves, but just with the Child Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, do you know their position on it or
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:15:41
if they're good or if they have any additional concerns? They have had concerns, I believe. At the initial meeting they had no concerns and thought everything was good but their one concern was that we
were allowing too many people with neglect not to no longer be put on the child maltreatment list. That was the one concern that I recall them having. Thank you, Senator. Any
Chair
Unverified
1:16:19
other questions for Senator Clark? Seeing no
other questions, anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, your recognized close.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:16:30
Thank you, and thank you for the questions. This bill
is brought by people who work in these agencies, asked me to bring it to deal with problems that we need to fix. Kids who are terminated, parent real rights are terminated, but they end up just languishing in the system. And in a very few instances, parents have changed. This is not some mass thing. Parents have changed and would like to reunite with their kids
and give their kids a home. It will take thousands of people off the child maltreatment registry who don't belong there. We have a way higher percentage than states around us who have already amended some of this. The abuse and things you talked about, you belong here. If you were neglectful, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't be able to be a school janitor. And under current law, if you're on that list,
you couldn't be a school janitor, although you never abused a child in your life, nor would you. And so this is from people within the system who observed how it works for
decades making the law fit what we should be doing. I'd appreciate
Chair
Unverified
1:17:53
a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd? Yes. Bryant?
Speaker 15
1:18:05
Caldwell? Clark? Crowell? Davis? Dees, Dismang, Dotson,
Speaker 278
1:18:21
English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin,
leave. Blake Johnson? Blake Johnson? Mark Johnson? King?
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:18:50
Letting? Letting? Love? McKee? Murdoch? Murdoch, Payton,
Speaker 278
1:19:01
Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Scott, Stone, Stubbofill, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:19:24
Any senator wish to change his or her vote or vote who did not vote? Senator Blake Johnson, yes. Gilmore, yes. Murdoch, present. Letting, present. Hester, yes. Dismang, yes. Peyton, yes. Any other senator? Senator Tucker, I have you
as no, is that correct?
Any other Senator? Seeing no other please check the board. Seeing no other please cast up the ballot. By vote of 27 yea, 3 nay, 1 not voting, 3 present. Senate Bill 325 passes. Please transmit to
the house. Senate Bill 326. Senate
Bill 326 by Senator Clark to amend the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989 and the the Child Maltreatment Act to modify guidelines for a judgment made in the
best interest of a child and to amend procedures around reporting child maltreatment.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:20:35
Senator Clarke, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. SB 326 is a companion to 325 and
the reason both bills have been held up for weeks is that we all the last amendments came from the judges and from AOC. They negotiated with DCFS for some time between the two of them with me having no part in it to what the language ought to be. I'll tell you the highlights of
what the bill does. It enhances the definition of best interest so that family integrity is considered. Requires family integrity prompt placement decisions and the likelihood of a child to become a self-sufficient adult to be considered as relevant factors for best interest determinations when determined child custody placements, establishes a more precise statuary definition of neglect, narrows who can file a Fenn's petition from any adult to parents, relatives, school officials, or those with
a close familial relationship, permits a judge to grant a 72-hour hold in Fenn's cases where there is an immediate danger to the health and safety of a child, requires child abuse hotline staff to use a standardized assessment tool to screen cases to determine apparent risk and enhances language for protective custody to ensure that children and youth are only removed when there is immediate danger. Great bill. Be happy to take any questions. Any questions for
Chair
Unverified
1:22:06
Senator Clark? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're free to
closed. I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. The senator has closed.
Speaker 15
1:22:26
Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:22:35
Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irving, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton,
Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbofill, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:22:49
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Flowers, no. Senator Tucker, no. Murdoch, present. Love, no. Any other senator? Please check the board. Seeing
no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 30 yea, 3
nay, 1 present. Senate Bill 326 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill
331. Senate Bill 331 by Senator Letting. Concerning coverage for genetic testing for inherited cancer mutations
and to create the Genetic Testing Act.
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:23:27
Senator Letting, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, back in 2019, this body unanimously passed a bill that allowed licensure for genetic counselors, and that's because genetic testing has become an important tool in helping prevent cancer. And by the way, this is the last cancer-related bill I'm ever going to run. There are some forms of cancer that are hereditary, and you can inherit them, and in some cases, if the doctor knows that you are at increased risk, that you have a parent or a relative that has these genes, you can have this test done, and it can come back, and it can tell
you you do have the genes for this particular cancer. here are some steps you can take to potentially avoid contracting that cancer. And so all we're doing here is what we've done with similar bills is we're making sure that cost is not going to be a barrier, that if a doctor recommends you have this kind of test, that there's nothing that's going to stop you from doing it so that we can possibly prevent you from ever contracting cancer in the first place. Nobody spoke against this bill in committee. I appreciate Insurance and Commerce putting it out unanimously. Happy
Chair
Unverified
1:24:24
to try to answer questions. Any questions for Senator Letting? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator has closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote.
Speaker 15
1:24:36
Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:24:41
Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton,
Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Steviffel, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:25:00
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yay, 0 nay. Senate Bill 331 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senator Hammer,
Senator Kim Hammer
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1:25:17
you're recognized. Members, in lieu of the bill that we just passed and all the other cancer bills that have been passed, and also I believe today some of us were not able to make it for the cancer luncheon, I wanted to inform you that Chuck, our state trooper that asked prayer for his son-in-law, 32-year-old Grant Taylor,
passed away Saturday morning at 1016. So just in support of our state troopers, I'd ask if you would please stand for a moment of silence. in recognition of that, and to honor Chuck, our state trooper, and
his family. Remember them in your prayers, if you would. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Hammer.
Chair
Unverified
1:26:11
We will now move to Senate Bill 348. Senate
Bill 348 by Senator Penzo to amend the annual cap for diagnostic laboratory services within the Arkansas Medicaid program and declare an emergency.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:26:32
Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. SB 348 increases the annual reimbursement
cap for diagnostic laboratory services under Medicaid, ensuring that patients receive adequate monitoring and care, particularly patients with chronic pain.
This bill addresses patient safety, reduces costs, and helps mitigate the opioid crisis by allowing more comprehensive testing. Many chronic pain patients and Medicaid beneficiaries are not receiving adequate monitoring, leading to higher emergency room visits and poor treatment outcomes. Lack of adequate diagnostic testing, which includes urine, drug screens, blood tests for opioid metabolism, and electrocardiogram tests,
contributes to opioid misuse and diversion, exacerbating the opioid epidemic while increasing costs to the Medicaid program. Three things this bill does. It increases the cap on diagnostic lab services from $500 to $1,800 while maintaining the minimum cap of $500 for all other Medicaid patients. Addresses the opioid crisis and enhances patient safety by regular drug screenings and reduces cost
to the state by preventing additional ER visits. If there aren't any other questions or any questions, I'd appreciate a
Chair
Unverified
1:28:03
good vote. Any questions? for Senator Penzo? Senator Flowers, you're recognized. Who's paying for this cap? The patient on Medicaid? Medicaid.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:28:14
Medicaid pays for it and the Department of Health is okay with this
increase? Well, I don't know if the Department
of Health has a position on it. But it increases the cap? It does increase the cap. There is a small fiscal impact. I believe the lower amount was $91,000 if I'm not mistaken. There was kind of a range. Could be as high as $500,000 a little under $600,000. But the Medicaid recipient
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:28:54
does not pay out of
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:28:57
their pocket? That is correct. There was a discussion in committee about, you know, the goal is to eliminate ER visits, which could be tens of thousands of dollars, and there's no way to really ascertain the impact of that on the impact statement that was provided by the department.
Chair
Unverified
1:29:24
Senator Hickey, you're recognized for a
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:29:27
question. Yes, Senator Penzo. My question is, and I know that we've, what we're doing here is we're saying that we're setting an annual cap, but I guess my question is on, probably as it relates to 29, 30, and 31, we start talking about chronic pain and pain management. Does this allow other certain individuals that used to not be able to collect this money that are now going to be able to collect it? I don't know that it opens it up to additional providers.
So let me ask you this. Have all providers, I guess, that would treat chronic pain or pain management or things to that nature, have they always been able to bill and to charge for this? I mean, under the insurance program? That's my understanding, is that
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:30:19
it just would increase the cap. on those that are already, you know, monitoring. So what is the cap now, though?
I mean, it's 500 across the board, and this only takes it to
1,800 for those that are receiving pain management services. And the goal is to make sure that, you know, the drugs aren't being diverted elsewhere or that, you know, the metabolic rate of the individual, that the levels aren't building up in the patient if they've had some other kind of medications added to their regime. Did y'all check to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:30:58
see if there was an impact on our EBD program,
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:31:01
our employee benefits division? This is just for Medicaid. Okay. So I don't know that it has had an impact. There was no mention of any impact on EBD.
Chair
Unverified
1:31:18
Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Any other
questions for Senator Penzo? Anyone wish to speak
against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote? No objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Speaker 15
1:31:38
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:31:43
Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, on leave, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tuffer, Wallace. Any senator wish
Speaker 102
1:32:01
to change his or her vote? Hickey, not Hickey.
Chair
Unverified
1:32:08
Present. This is present. This is not voting. Present.
Okay, perfect. All right. Senator Davis, present. Anyone else? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 32 yeas, 0 nay, 2 present. Senate Bill 348 passes and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please transmit to the House. Senate
Bill 371. And before we take up 371, I'd like to recognize
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
1:32:40
Senator Tucker. Thank you, Madam President. In keeping with what Senator Hammer just did, But many of us know Bob McMahon, who's the head of the prosecuting attorney coordinator's office. Anyone who's served on judiciary knows Bob well. His wife, Mary Lou, longtime teacher in Arkansas, got a cancer diagnosis last month and lost her last week and her services this afternoon. So we just want to keep Bob and their children in our prayers. And I think it would be appropriate for us to have a
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
1:33:09
moment of silence for Mary Lou McMahon right now.
Chair
Unverified
1:33:18
Thank you, members. Thank you, Senator Tucker. We will now take up Senate Bill
371. Senate Bill 371 by Senator Scott. Scott, to amend a standardized system to aid in the search of
missing children who do not meet the criteria for activation for the Arkansas Amber Alert
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
1:33:45
system. Senator Scott, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. This bill establishes a standardized missing child alert system in Arkansas
for cases where children do not meet the criteria for the Amber Alert.
The current problem that we do have with the Amber Alert is that we have many students in our districts who don't always meet these qualifications. So this issue came up to me last year from a principal, some community leaders, and parents. So annually we have close to 100 kids who go missing all across Arkansas who don't meet the criteria for the Amber Alert. And so I reached out to the state police and I reached out to BLR last summer and I asked them what were other states doing that if their kids didn't meet Amber Alerts,
how were they still trying to assist the families in the communities in finding these children? So they sent over something that 18 different states were doing. 18 different states have something in addition to Amber Alert to help assist with missing kids. And so the suggestion that came from the state police was that we create a statewide notification process. And the alert system would notify our local enforcement, our media, and that we would, if needed, display a digital highway sign in your area if a kid is missing.
It's not something that has to be done. It will be similar to a silver alert. So do you know the silver alert that we have for our seniors? So you won't get the jarring alert that goes out for amber alerts. You're not going to get that every time this goes in place. It's going to be similar to an amber alert. The criteria for this notification would be a child has to be under 18. Law enforcement must determine that the child is missing and their whereabouts are unknown. and a child is believed to be in potential danger.
And so they would collaborate with state agencies, school districts, state police, and local law enforcement. And right now that's not being done. And so that's why there's nothing going out statewide. This is what the suggestion was, came with the state police. They drafted this language for me when I went with them to the issue and they looked at what other states were doing. Other states that have something model similar to this is Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. So this bill would hopefully close the gaps when we have children that go missing who don't meet the Amber Alert,
meaning they weren't abducted, but they are still missing. And so that could fall into kids with disabilities or just young kids. And that's what happened in my district, and that's where this bill comes from. To me, every child deserves to be found, and their families shouldn't feel hopeless so that there's no help. Just because they don't meet the Amber Alert system. And so with that, I would ask you for a good vote. And I'll try to answer any questions if you
Chair
Unverified
1:36:40
have any. Any questions for Senator Scott? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator Scott, you're free to close. Thank you, colleagues.
I would appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling
Speaker 15
1:36:57
the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dysmayne, Dotson,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:37:05
English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo,
Petty, Bryce, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:37:20
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34 yeay, 0 nay, Senate Bill 371 passes. Please transmit to the House.
Senate Bill 410. Senate Bill 410 by Senator King to amend the law concerning public officers and employees and require disclosure of employment for
former state employees and former elected officials.
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:37:51
Senator King, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members, we do a lot of disclosure. In fact, after the last corruption scandals that went through the legislature, there was even increased disclosure. But basically what this is is a post-disclosure bill. This would say for four years after you're out of office, or even myself, and this list of people and even agency people, that if they enter into contracts or do government business,
basically they would have to require. There's no penalties in this because it's a new bill. I also sunsetted it, so in four years it goes out to see what happens. But if you saw in my latest op-ed that I wrote, we're seeing this consulting business come in where you're seeing these consulting companies, whether it's Deloitte or McKinsey, all of a sudden get big, huge contracts, and then they turn around and hire the former people. And we also have this thing of former members that even though we have a two-year ban on lobbying, they turn around and just go to work for a lobbying firm
and call their self a consultant or account manager or whatever they need to do, and they have no reporting. And folks, that's just not wrong. That's just wrong. I mean, if we're going to have a two-year ban on lobbying, let's have a two-year ban on lobbying. For instance, I was out four years, and when I went back to farm and didn't have any conflicts or anything like that, then I would report nothing. Senator Clark, who has a business, if he doesn't do huge government contracts, then he doesn't have to report. You're not required to report anything. But this consulting thing of calling yourself a consultant, going to work for a lobbying firm,
it's just nothing but flat-out skirting the law as it is today. And it really, like I said, this is about a post-reporting bill. Like I said, Deloitte, for example, was getting nothing. And then now, in the last 10 years, they've got over a half a billion dollars in contracts. A half
Chair
Unverified
1:39:47
a billion. So with that, I'd take any questions. Questions for
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:39:54
Senator King. Senator Dotson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. Senator King, so the reporting is like SFI, annual reporting, I'm assuming,
that the State Ethics Commission will enforce. But how do they enforce it if there's no penalties? or
are the penalties defined by the Ethics Commission under the rules that are promulgated? Well, the Essex Commission would do the rules
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:40:20
like we do a lot of other things. I mean, I think that I did not have penalties in this because it is a new area that we don't know what's going. I mean, the committee, when I had discussion, wanted me to sunset the bill. That way we just see what happens for four years.
And then after that, if we see it's a need and a need, then we can come back and do a bill later or whatever future General Assemblies. But like I said, I mean, this thing of, like I said, Deloitte, for example, that is getting nothing and all of a sudden the people that were part of the government agencies, whether they approve the contracts or not, and now we give them a half a billion dollars. I mean, if you're a lobbyist, you're a lobbyist. So I don't know how else to do it. We can sit there and use the term consultant and it turns
into whack-a-mole. You're now an account manager or whatever else.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:41:09
So every state employee, for every agency, whether they worked one day part-time or full-time, they would
be subject to file an SFI annually for four years after they leave state employment, regardless of whether they were decision-maker or not, just if they happen to go to work for some private entity that has a contract with the state. So if
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:41:32
you have a state employee like a DHS, we talked about this in committee, if you have
a DHS official that is very high up in negotiating Medicaid contract,
influential, and they go to work for basically one of these consulting companies that's getting millions of dollars, then yes, I think we should have post-recording. In a perfect world, you could have two honest people in the thing and you don't need a law at all. But also, if you look at the several members that have been convicted of bribery in the last few years, I mean, it obviously obviously was there needed to be reporting. That's why I filed Medicaid disclosure bill after Medicaid disclosure bill. This is just to finding out what's out there. There's obviously not a
penalty for somebody out there that makes an honest mistake or just goes from being a low-level or worker at DHS that goes to work for a Medicaid provider. This, you know, somebody like that reporting. Yeah, I think that you have to do that. But if you have a situation where millions and millions and hundreds of millions of dollars of contracts are decided by people that they give them the contracts and then all of a sudden they turn around and go to work for them and they don't call themselves a lobbyist, they're a consultant, then that's obviously skirting the law.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:42:47
But every state employee and anyone who is employed by an institution of higher education, regardless of whether or not they're currently filing SFIs or not, once they leave office
they will have to begin to filing SFIs and could be subject to penalties by the Arkansas Ethics
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:43:04
commission. There's no penalties. They cannot assess any penalties, so that's incorrect. But I'm giving the everyday example of what we're seeing out here are these people leaving, and all of a sudden they're not a lobbyist, they're a consultant. I don't know how else to
keep explaining that basically we know what it is. I mean, we have a two-year, the people of Arkansas passed a two-year ban on lobbying. They were very clear. I don't think this thing, calling your consultant any more than a bank robber goes in and says, well, I'm leaving and I'm not a bank robber. I'm a bank withdrawal account specialist or something. Just calling yourself a different name is not, it's just flat out skirting the law. Senator Hill, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
1:43:50
Senator King, what are we actually trying to accomplish with this? You want people to report with the disclosure and stuff. What are we trying to gather or what are we trying to be What are we trying to accomplish with this? What's trying to be known by this? And who's going to enforce whatever we're trying to
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:44:08
accomplish? The Ethics Commission will set up the rules. There's no penalty, and it's just exactly what I said. These things have decided literally hundreds of millions of dollars of state tax dollars and then turn around and the next day go to work for the entity
that all of a sudden you just made the laws or was part of the mechanism that made the decision process, then yes, you should report it. I mean, like I said, I give the Deloitte example. They're receiving zero dollars. All of a sudden, they get a half a billion dollars. Yes, you should have to report that. I sit down here in 2015 and started filing Medicaid disclosure bills and got pestered with every type of imaginal what if to aliens landing. And all of a sudden, if you looked at those Medicaid disclosure bills,
which I filed four in four different committees that filed, and look at all the ones that wound up being, it was all back to Medicaid entities. Every one of them. So if we're going to decide literally hundreds of millions of dollars and all of a sudden, but if you go back to private life and you're just doing regular private life, then you don't have to file anything. I mean, this thing of, like I said, being an account manager after you leave and you're not a lobbyist and go work for a lobbying firm, I don't know, you know, a zebra is still a zebra.
If you know of a situation that I mentioned, Do you think they're lobbyists when they go to work, but they're a consultant, but they're not lobbying? Then you figure out the solution that needs to happen. But if you're deciding hundreds of millions of dollars, maybe even billions that make a decision, yeah, you ought to be
accountable to the people when you leave office and not just wait for the paycheck after you
Chair
Unverified
1:45:45
leave. Any other questions for Senator King? Senator Hickey, you're recognized. Sorry, I stepped out of that.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:45:55
Senator King, you may have said this. So, if I leave out of here and I
don't do any of this, do I have to report anything?
Chair
Unverified
1:46:07
Okay. That's all I need to know. Thank you. Nothing
at all. Senator Petty, you're recognized. And then Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Madam President. So, just a question in full disclosure. I'm fully disclosed as best I can tell. I have used federal funds through a state agency for 35 plus years in various capacities as an employee, but also in my own business.
And then once I became an elected official or began to run, I started disclosing that. If I leave and go back to that, as you said, regular job, this is going to require me to continue to report for four more years. They're basically
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:46:47
like you're just doing business today. But if you're doing big state contracts, then yes. I mean, after you leave office, so yes, it
would. So prior experience in doing the same thing and going back to my day job, if you will, like I did before,
not changing anything other than I'm no longer an elected official, I would still have to for four years file the disclosures for doing what I had done for 35 years prior to coming down here. And I think that's just a responsibility of the
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:47:17
office of, like I said, you're deciding hundreds of millions of dollars, if not billions of dollars,
and then you go to work for the people that you wound up deciding to get the money. I mean, you could just wait for your paycheck later. You could not even do the Jeremy Hutchison thing of being on retainer or whatever they were doing.
But I'm just saying, if you're deciding this, and all of a sudden you go to work for these companies, I mean, that you decided hundreds of millions of dollars, then yeah. Okay, well, I'm
not planning to go to work for any of these guys, but I'm going back to my day job full-time at some point, which is what I'm doing currently when I'm not down here, and that's just going to extend the disclosure requirement, doing what I've always done. Doing what you've always done. Okay. Senator Mark Johnson.
Thank you. you just said about the things that are wrong and need to be corrected but for the life of me i've been trying to find a connect between the the language of your bill and the things that you we you and i both agree are problems and the the lobbying workaround is an is an excellent example and i appreciate you saying that but respectfully i'm seeing a situation where you know you're not
making a difference between the low-level employee in state government and anybody that works for an agency. And I'm, it's I think you're on the right track is what I'm trying to say but can you help me get a connection where the language, the text of the bill is more succinct and accomplishes the things that you and I agree on and you just stated you know in your presentation
i'm i'm not i'm not putting them together if you
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:49:10
understand what i'm asking yeah so i mean i like i said i mean we
all know the examples i'm talking about there's no way that you can keep splintering everything down you have to put a bill out there and if you're like a caseworker for dhs and all of a sudden you go to work for another entity then yes maybe i mean yes i think you should disclose something you were part of a government an agency that was part of a process. Now, obviously, those people are not the situation, the problem, because, you know, a lot of times in corruption, you want to find out if by reporting
or not reporting is where you find out what actually happened. And like I said, I sat down here in 2015 and was lambasted about every Medicaid disclosure bill ever filed, and then look what happened. I'm not saying, but right now, like I said, I use a Deloitte example, McKinsey, all these consulting companies are the ones that bubble up that you give the contract to and all of a sudden they turn around and hire you later. I mean, yeah, I think you should disclose that. The citizens should know when you've decided to spend millions or
hundreds of millions or even billions towards
something and then you go to work for them, then yeah, I think that should be
closed. Okay, well, I just, again, everything you just said then, I agree, but I don't see this bill connecting those dots. If you want to file a bill after
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:50:30
this one to clarify that or do something, then you're more welcome. But right now, you have to put a
blanket out there. If you don't, you're going to be using such a loophole that it means nothing. Thank you for your answer, Senator. But
if you want to file a bill after this and bring it, that's more than welcome to do that. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:50:48
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thanks, Senator King. Two points. Number one, if the person doesn't... Well, the first question is, who are they going to report
to? If they leave state employment, who do they report to? Ethics Commission will develop the rules, much like they do all of our rules. Okay, and then
the second thing is, if I remember right, there's no punitive action against anybody that does this. So if, I mean, whether intentional or unintentional, if somebody doesn't report that, there's really no punitive action toward them.
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:51:25
is that correct? No, but I think if somebody was reporting and then all of a sudden they're not reporting and they're the cases that bubble up that we see and know, then they're not reporting, then obviously that's a problem. I mean, so I think that, like I said, it's something a new area. I didn't put any penalties in it because we talked about in committee. We don't know what we don't know. We're not trying to catch some gotcha game with some, you know, case worker that happens to go. We all know the scam that's really going on of like saying, I'm not a lobbyist, I'm a consultant or an account manager.
Chair
Unverified
1:51:57
Okay, thanks. Any other questions for Senator King? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator King, you're recognized, closed. I'm closed. Senator has
closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted.
Speaker 15
1:52:27
Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bowen? Yes, I'm no. Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, English,
Speaker 278
1:52:47
Flippo? Flippo? Flowers? Gilmore? Gilmore? Hammer? Hester? Hickey? Hill? Irvin? Blake Johnson. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. Aye. Letting.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:53:14
Aye. Love. Aye. McKee.
Murdoch Murdoch Peyton Penzo Petty Rice
Speaker 278
1:53:30
Scott Stone Stebafield Sullivan Sullivan Tucker Wallace Any senator who wishes to vote, who
Chair
Unverified
1:53:50
did not vote, or who wishes to change your vote?
Senator Hammer, yes. Senator Boyd, present. Senator Davis, or Senator Dismang, no. Any other senator? Please check the board. Any other senator? Senator Murdoch, yes. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. I'm sorry, you all have to speak up.
We cast the ballot up. By a vote of 17 yea, 8 nay, 7 not voting, 2 present, Senate Bill 410 fails. Senator King, you're recognized for a motion. And senators, please, I
try to give you all ample opportunity, so you all know the drill by now. I'll just make a motion to
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:54:52
expunge a vote. If it comes back up, I'll give plenty of notice. Motion
Chair
Unverified
1:54:56
to expunge the vote for Senate Bill 410. All those
in favor, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries. Senate Bill 459, Senator Leading. Senate Bill 459
by Senator Letting to amend the minimum age necessary to educate a juvenile delinquent. Senator Letting, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, this bill is one of
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:55:26
a package of criminal justice reforms that we're running. Senator Irvin is carrying some. I've got this one. It's fairly straightforward.
Current practice in Arkansas, in our courts and with our prosecutors, is that children under the age of 10 are handled somewhat differently, the idea being that nine and younger, you can't necessarily form criminal intent. So that is the existing practice. The issue is that that language is not consistent throughout the code. So all we're doing with Senate Bill 459 is codifying that existing practice. Prosecutors are fine with this bill. Nobody spoke against it in committee. And I appreciate the Judiciary Committee voting it out unanimously. Happy to try to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Letting?
Chair
Unverified
1:56:03
Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection,
Speaker 15
1:56:14
Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:56:20
Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo,
Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield,
Chair
Unverified
1:56:34
Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34 yea, zero name. Senate Bill 459 passes. Please transmit to
the House. Senate Bill 463. Senate Bill 463 by Senator McKee to require the Arkansas Public Service Commission to approve or deny settlement agreements concerning closing of eliminating electric generation units
or transmission assets. Senator McKee, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members, this
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
1:57:11
is a simple bill that just says the state needs to have a seat at the table when these agreements are looked at in the future. I appreciate most of you are signed on as co-sponsors. The utilities have had their input and are not opposed, so I'd appreciate a good vote. I'd be happy to answer any questions you
Chair
Unverified
1:57:30
have. Any questions for Senator McKee? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized to speak for.
Thank you, Madam President. Senator McKee, thank you for this bill. I wish we could make it retroactive. Sadly, we can't. A lot of our, and some of us have agreed and disagreed on the different ways to approach our energy situation in the state. But it's important to note that this bill addresses a glaring problem where one NGO and one company were able to go in and affect energy policy for the entire state of Arkansas through a consent decree and threatened federal action.
That federal action says, you are violating the Clean Air Act. That was before Loper Bright. This was when a Chevron was in effect, and so it's possible that they weren't violating the Clean Air Act. They were just violating an agency's interpretation of the Clean Air Act. So there was no trial, there was no determination of fact. They just capitulated for reasons unknown to me. I still don't completely understand it.
Also, I want to add that the entities involved had partners in these power plants that were not consulted. The co-ops and municipal utilities, they were not consulted. This was just done. The PSC exists to protect the consumers of Arkansas. So it's important that we do things that make sure they try to take it outside of an adjudicative process and just go in between the two of them and do it.
This is a great bill. This may be one of the best bills going forward that we pass this whole session. So
Chair
Unverified
1:59:36
I appreciate a good vote. Thanks. Any
other senator wish to speak against or for? Seeing no other. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection.
Speaker 15
1:59:52
madam secretary please roll the vote boyd bryant caldwell clark crow davis dees dismayne dotson
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:59:58
english flippo flowers gilmore hammer hester hickey hill irvin lee blake johnson mark johnson king letting love mckee murdoch payton penzo petty rice scott
stone stubble phil sullivan Tucker-Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote?
Chair
Unverified
2:00:15
Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By
a vote of 34 yea, 0 nay,
Senate Bill 463 passes. Please transmit to
the House. Senate Bill 471. Senate Bill
471 by Senator Clark to amend the law concerning candidates for nonpartisan elections and to allow certain candidates for nonpartisan elections to use the title of
the non-partisan judicial office on the ballot. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:00:46
Madam Governor. Colleagues, this is a short bill, no known opposition. It says if you've ever been a judge,
you can run for judge using that title. I'd be happy to take any questions.
Chair
Unverified
2:01:01
Questions for Senator Clark, Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Does
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:01:06
this include county judge? If the county judge
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:01:12
is running for a judicial position, I think the wording might include a county judge. Any other questions for Senator Clark? Anyone
Chair
Unverified
2:01:23
wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're recognized closed.
I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Speaker 15
2:01:41
Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:01:47
Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
2:02:03
Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Davis? no. Hester, no. Flowers, present.
Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote
of 31 yea, 2 nay, and 1 present, Senate Bill 471 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 473. Senate
Bill 473 by Senator Stone to amend the
duties of the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board, and to provide for the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board to advise the Arkansas Fire Training Academy
on certain matters. Senator Stone,
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
2:02:56
you're recognized. Members, words have meaning. One word can change the meaning or trajectory of an organization. The Arkansas Fire Academy sits on the campus of SAU Tech in Calhoun County, which is squarely in my district.
They train cadets, young men, and women to be firefighters across the state. From 1973, since the academy became a part of SAU Tech, until 2023, for a span of 50 years, they served in an advisory capacity. Last session, there was some legislation passed for the Fire Academy and the Fire Services Board, and there was one word that was changed,
and they moved from having an advisory capacity to an oversight capacity. So what did that one word change do? It caused confusion on the campus. The Academy has a director, And for the last 50 years, whoever was the director answered to whoever was the sitting chancellor at SEU Tech. Now, with the oversight of the Fire Service Protection Board, they feel like they have to answer to two people.
Now, I don't know if there's ever a problem in the past, but one word was changed, And I got a phone call and said, this is a problem. We're getting direction from a board. We're getting direction from a chancellor. Who do we obey? Who do we serve? Who's our master here? Because nobody can serve two masters. I ran this bill and committed the other day and got it out. And after running the bill, I was approached by the firefighters
and wanted to know would I be amenable to an amendment. And I said, it just depends on what it is. We'll look at it and work through it. So through that process, the chancellor of SAU Tech worked with several of them, and they have been unable to come to an agreement on an amendment. So I stand here today to run the bill. Now, this is bigger than the academy. I am 100% in favor of the academy.
My House sponsor, Representative Andrews, who is also a firefighter, is 100% in favor of the Academy. Matter of fact, last year, myself and Representative Andrews was honored by this organization as the Legislators of the Year, myself from the Senate, and Representative Andrews from the House. But this is bigger than the Firefighter Academy. Let me tell you what's at stake. There is not another institution of higher learning
in this state where the president or the chancellor has oversight from an outside state agency board. This is about keeping SAU Tech in line with other colleges. So here's what happens. It doesn't matter the success or failure of that academy. If no one reports to anybody except the chancellor of the academy, it rises and falls, its success rises and falls on the shoulder of that chancellor.
But now, if there's a problem because of the oversight that is now there, they're going to step back and
it's going to become that sitting chancellor's problem. You know, I'm a registered forester. I'm a UAM graduate. Prior to being elected to the state senate, I served on the Forester Commission. But the Forester Commission never reached out and tried to have oversight of the School of Forestry. And that's the closest example of what I can give to what's going on.
The Fire Services Academy, the Marshals, the Fire Chiefs Association, Their advice and input is coveted, it is wanted, and it is needed like it was from 1973 to 2023. But a one-word change in that bill last year has caused disharmony on the campus. With that, I'm open to any
Chair
Unverified
2:07:38
questions. Questions for Senator Stone. Senator Hester, you're recognized.
Hey, Senator Stone, we're in that time of session where we're getting a lot of very difficult bills and you
have to, we're working through lots of negotiations. You said that there was a negotiation going, which I was hopeful that there had been an amendment here and worked this out.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
2:07:59
What happened in the negotiation during that time? Well, what I did was have Dr. Thomas get together with the people from the Fire Protection Agency Board and whoever else needed to have a seat at the table. And ultimately what it boiled down to is that, you know,
I was thinking about, I didn't know if ALC might could have oversight of it in some capacity, but just doing some checking, that's not the role of the legislature or ALC. And then I thought, well, maybe higher education might could have some oversight in it. And I talked to Dr. Ken Warden, a secretary of over higher education, and he said, you know, Senator Stone, that's not really in our purview. We can't weigh in on something that may come to us later on and we've already taken a position on it. If we get approached about it, we need to be able to be neutral before we say anything.
But he said, but I understand what you're saying and what you're doing. No chancellor should have to have anybody else on their campus having oversight while sitting on their campus that ultimately they're going to be held responsible for. So this morning, I talked to the Secretary of Higher Education, And I offered up some suggestions and he said, you know, Senator Stone, those suggestions sound reasonable. You know, if the director of the academy was to deviate from standard operating procedures
and the fire service protection board thought that that was a problem, they could appeal that decision to the director. And if they couldn't get satisfaction, they could go to the sitting chancellor and appeal that process, appeal it again. And if they couldn't do anything, then they could go to the president of Southern Arkansas University, which SAUTEC is under the umbrella of Southern Arkansas University. And if they still couldn't get satisfaction, they can appeal to the board of directors of Southern Arkansas University.
They declined that. And the reason being why, they want to have a seat at the table on everything that happens
to the academy. so we're back to the oversight I expressed my concerns about that and they said you know we have to have a seat at the table I said you know you'll have a seat at the table I
said if you appeal this four different times I said the press will be there it'll be at the board meeting
and I said you can bring in every subject matter expert that you need to have available to testify and what's wrong with what the director's doing. I said, that is a check and balance. So your advisory capacity is wanted and needed. We have a check and balance. And they flatly rejected it. And they said, run the bill as is, we're out. So,
members, I stand here today to run the bill. Does anybody else have any questions?
Chair
Unverified
2:10:57
Other questions for Senator Stone? Senator Bryant, do
you have a question? Your light's on, so that's all. Okay, all
good now. Any other questions? If no other questions, anyone wish to speak against or for? Seeing no one, Senator Stone, you are recognized to close. Members, I'm closed. I'd appreciate
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
2:11:24
a good vote. Senator Stone is closed.
Chair
Unverified
2:11:29
Any objection rolling the vote? Objections noted.
Madam Secretary, please call
Speaker 195
2:11:42
Bright? Yes. Caldwell? Caldwell? Clark? Clark?
Speaker 15
2:11:46
Clark? Crowell? Aye. Davis? Davis? Dees? Aye. Dismang, Dotson, English, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore,
Speaker 278
2:12:02
Hammer, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin is on leave.
Speaker 15
2:12:20
Blake Johnson. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:12:36
Murdoch. Murdoch. Payton? Yes. Penzo? No. Petty? Yes.
Speaker 278
2:12:43
Rice? Rice? I don't know. Scott? Stone? I don't know. Stubbeville? Stubbeville? Sullivan? Aye. Tucker? Aye. Wallace? No.
Chair
Unverified
2:13:06
Any senators wish to vote who did not vote or
who wish to change your vote? Senator Scott, present. Senator Stubblefield, yes. Senator Caldwell, yes. Senator Murdoch, present. Senator Blake Johnson, yes. Senator Clark, present. Hammer,
present. Murdoch, yes. Yes. Murdoch, yes.
anyone else please check the board now is the time speak up say something wave seeing no other please cast up the ballot by vote of 23 yay 5 nay 3 not voting 3 present senate bill 473 passes please transmit to the house senate bill 479 Senate
Bill 479 by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning voter assistance and require
a person assisting a voter with
a disability to present identification. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:14:16
Currently, the law allows up to six individuals to assist a person in voting in prison. However, there's not a system in place to identify if one individual is either exceeding that or they are operating under a false name. So what this does is require that the identification of the assister be presented at the time that they're helping the person who's voting to assist.
This will give the State Board of Elections the ability to track and to know if there are those that are having more than six assists in the voting booth. I'll be glad to answer
Chair
Unverified
2:14:53
any questions. any questions for senator hammer anyone wish to speak against or for senator you're recognized
close close appreciate a good vote senator has closed any objection to rolling the vote seeing no objection madam secretary please roll the vote
Speaker 15
2:15:13
Bowed, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:15:20
Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafill, Sullivan,
Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to
Chair
Unverified
2:15:37
change his or her vote? Senator
Flowers. No. Senator Letting, no. Senator Love, no. Senator Murdoch, no. Senator Scott, no. Senator Tucker, no. Any other
senator? Please check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot.
by a vote of 28 yea, 6 nay. Senate Bill 479 passes. Please transmit to the
House. Senate Bill 480. Senate Bill 480 by Senator
Hammer to amend the law concerning the investment of state funds. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. You're still recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:16:27
The purpose of this bill is to clean up an irrelevant language and make the law match what's happening in the marketplace.
Three things. Deleted language was brought over from the banking code and does not apply to us as we aren't a bank, speaking of the Treasury. By changing the required number of ratings from two to one, we allow ourselves to invest more in Arkansas banks. Some products they offer only carry one rating. And by taking out the language requiring, the Treasury uses competitive bidding and purchasing, making it easier for them to purchase sole source products with better rates and returns. The important point is that they are not changing anything that they already do.
It's just cleaning up, making sure the code reflects best practices. Right on behalf of the Treasurer's Office, I'd
Chair
Unverified
2:17:13
be glad to try to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're recognized closed. Closed. Appreciate a good vote.
Speaker 15
2:17:30
Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:17:37
Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Leave, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Steffield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
2:17:52
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34 yea, 0
Speaker 321
2:18:01
nay, Senate Bill 480 passes. Please transmit to the House Senate Bill
Speaker 125
2:18:20
486. Make a motion to put Senate Bill 486 on second reading for amendment.
Chair
Unverified
2:18:27
All those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have
Speaker 73
2:18:35
it. Motion carries. Amendment 1, Senate
Chair
Unverified
2:18:38
Bill 486. Senator Johnson, you're recognized. My bill,
my amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is
adopted. Please send to engrossing When
Chair
Unverified
2:19:06
Senate bill 486 comes out of engrossing
it will be sent back to committee. We are passing over Senate bill 487 and Senate bill 490. We will next take up Senate Bill 491. Senate Bill 491 by
Senator Hammer. To require a vendor that contracts with the State Office of State Procurement for Services for the Employee Benefits Division to submit data for verification by an independent auditor and declare an emergency. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:19:40
Thank you, Madam Chair. So the essence of what this bill does is that if there's a vendor that is going to be providing information to, in this case, EBD, for example, and it has not been verified by a third party, that this would create the option for that to be called for so that that information can be double-checked. So if you've got a vendor that is providing information, say, to EBD, and that entity is the one that is holding that information, There's no way for us to know whether or not the information that they are giving us is indeed what is true and genuine.
So what this would do is allow them to be able to ask for a third-party assessment of that information in order to make sure that what they are giving that we're making decisions on can be
Chair
Unverified
2:20:29
verified. I'd be glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer? Anyone wish
Speaker 407
2:20:36
to speak against or for? Senator, you're free to close. Opposed.
Chair
Unverified
2:20:39
Appreciate a good vote. Sender is closed. Any objection? Rolling the vote. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Any one wish to change their vote? Senator Flowers, present. Any others?
Seeing no others, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33 yea,
0 nay, 1 present. Senate Bill 491 passes and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please transmit to the House.
We are passing over Senate Bill 508. We will next take up Senate Bill 510.
Senate Bill 510 by Senator Boyd, to allow for the cross-deputization of municipal, county, state, and
tribal law enforcement on federally recognized tribal land within the state. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:21:53
Madam President. This bill allows for cross-deputization agreements between local jurisdictions and tribal entities on tribal land located in Arkansas. In Fort Smith, there's a parking lot, which is Choctaw land located, obviously, in Arkansas because it's in Fort Smith.
Cross-deputization will allow the first responding police entity to be able to address the situation at hand and then work out the prosecutorial jurisdiction on the back end. This will be a first in Arkansas, but where there's tribal land in other states, this is a common practice. Questions for Senator Boyd? I'm
Chair
Unverified
2:22:30
seeing no questions. Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're free to
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:22:38
close. I'm closed, and I appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
2:22:42
Thank you. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no
Speaker 15
2:22:49
objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:22:55
Disfane, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice,
Scott, Stone, Steviffel, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
2:23:12
Any senator wish to change his or her vote, Senator Flowers, present. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 33, yay, 0, nay, 1, present. Senate Bill 510 passes. Please transmit
to the House. Next, we will take up House bills, beginning with House Bill 1327.
House Bill 1327 by Senator Penzo, to amend the law concerning eligibility of certain retired employees
under the state and public school life and
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:23:56
health insurance program. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 1327 begins to bring clarity to the situation by changing the name of the program to state and public school life and health insurance program. Members of the retirement systems are eligible to participate in this program, but the program is managed by employee benefits. There are two main requirements. You must be invested in one of the retirement systems
and must have been in the program for at least five years before retiring. The only other items raised in the bill are to make clear that participation in this program are not allowed if there is a conflict with federal law as to members' ability to participate and then to confirm that a member's failure to respond in the required period of time is not grounds for being reconsidered for acceptance into the program. There is no fiscal impact on any of the state retirement systems and there is minimal to no impact on the state and public school life and health insurance program.
Chair
Unverified
2:24:55
Appreciate a good vote. Any questions? anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Chair
Unverified
2:25:36
her vote seeing no one please cast up the ballot
by vote of 34 yes zero nay house bill 1327 passes please return to the house house bill 1382 house bill 1382
by senator Deese to require certain reporting by the designated protection advocacy agency for the state and the designated client assistance program for the state. Senator Dees, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
2:26:06
Governor. Members, HB 1382 is a parent's rights bill or a parent's voice bill, it's better said. So recently the legislative council has passed a rule changing the name of the hospital and Medicare study subcommittee to include developmental disabilities. And so this was done through ALC to allow legislators to better understand and be more informed of how individuals with disabilities are being served in Arkansas. So we recently added that into the subcommittee.
One organization that provides services to individuals with disabilities in Arkansas is Disability Rights Arkansas. Disability Rights Arkansas is the designated protection and advocacy agency for Arkansas. They are an independent non-profit corporation appointed by Governor David Pryor in 1980 to comply with the Olmstead Act. They are funded by federal funds and private funds and are a non-profit organization. They receive no state funds directly, but they have
oversight from their funders. So they submit reports to their federal organizations and to their funders, but nothing to the state of Arkansas. And that's really what this bill does. This bill just does a simple thing and asks them to come to the subcommittee for our meetings and send the same reporting that they send to their federal organizations and to their funders. We're asking them to send the same reporting to us. And so with
that, I think it's a great opportunity to let parents' voice be heard, especially with their children that are going through disabilities. And so that's why we brought this
bill. It's passed through the House, and we'd
Chair
Unverified
2:27:56
appreciate passing here. Questions for Senator Deese. Senator Martin Johnson,
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Senator Deese, when
you say funders, is this funders with public dollars, federal or state?
No state dollars, but federal dollars, yes. But it's tax dollars? Taxpayer dollars, yes, sir. Okay, that's what I wanted to verify we were talking. So the bill in
a sense says that, like a lot of pass-through things that we have, where federal money comes into the state, that you do have to let the General Assembly put our eyeballs
Speaker 25
2:28:30
on it and protect the public. Yes, sir. Great. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Madam President.
Chair
Unverified
2:28:36
Any other questions for Senator Deese? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
2:28:43
Senator, you're recognized to close. Members, I wish you could have heard the parents come to speak in testimony in committee. I think we're giving them a better voice by passing
Chair
Unverified
2:28:57
this bill, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to
Speaker 15
2:29:04
rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:29:11
Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake,
johnson mark johnson king letting love mckee murdoch payton penzo
petty rice scott stone stubble phil sullivan tucker wallace any
Chair
Unverified
2:29:26
senator wish to change his or her vote senator flowers no senator letting no senator tucker
no love no scott no murdoch no any other senator
seeing no other please cast up the ballot by vote of 28 yay 6 nay house bill 1382 passes as
amended please return to the house house bill 1444 house bill 1444 by senator
dismaying to amend the sales and use tax exemption for data centers. Senator Dismang, you're recognized.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:30:22
Thank you. Members, last session we passed a
incentive package for data centers, large-scale
data centers. It was a sales tax exemption. This revamps that. We were the first in the country to develop a package. So all the other states then took what we did and made it better. So this also creates a new program for a qualified large data center that is a two billion dollar project over the course of 10 years with three million dollars worth of annual payroll. It also reduces the qualified data center from 500 million to 100
million and just to make sure everyone understands for Senator King and Senator Hill it specifically states that they cannot be used for crypto mines. The original bill was that way and this bill actually affirmatively states it in the language. With that I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Dismang? Senator King,
Chair
Unverified
2:31:15
you're recognized. Thank you. And I read the bill and said no
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
2:31:20
crypto mines. I think I asked you that two years ago when I caught that, not that other one.
But what are we talking? 100 megawatts? 150 megawatts? Are we talking these data centers, what range of megawatts are you talking about these to be used for? I believe data centers can
Speaker 427
2:31:37
pull up to the gig. Yeah, okay. So they're massive. So more than, yeah, in anything we can imagine, basically, is what you're saying. A gig, like 10 megawatts, uses 6,000 to 8,000 homes. More than a steel mill. More than what? A steel mill. Right.
Chair
Unverified
2:31:59
Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized for a question. So,
Speaker 139
2:32:03
in this bill at the very beginning, it says
Speaker 134
2:32:07
either immediate use or stored for future use, that equipment. Why in the world would we give a tax credit for
Speaker 125
2:32:15
something that's stored? I mean, if you're stored... They would make the
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:32:19
purchase, so it's just the sales tax exemption is what it
is. Those items that they would have bought for future use, one of these things could take 10 years to build.
I mean, that's also contemplated in the legislation. So that would allow them to
Speaker 134
2:32:38
add it on to the dollar amount so it would meet the threshold if they stored that equipment. That's correct. Eight years. Most
Speaker 432
2:32:47
of that equipment will be out of date in eight years, right?
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:32:50
Well, I don't assume that we're going to see a lot of that. But, again, this is mimicking the legislation that's been successful in other states because, again, we were one of the first in the country to do it. This gets us in line with what other states have allowed for.
Chair
Unverified
2:33:03
All right. Thank you. Other questions? Senator Hickey, you're recognized for
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:33:14
a question. Senator, this may... My mic's messed up. Did this come through REV and TAX? This didn't come through REV and TAX? Absolutely. Yes, sir. Okay.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:33:23
So there was no fiscal impact on this one? Yeah, there is no fiscal impact. And it deals with sales and
use taxes or excise taxes, So it's not tied to income, it's tied to purchases that have not occurred
because we are not competitive enough to obtain one of these projects at this point
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:33:39
in time. Does it not have a fiscal impact because it's saying it has received a positive cost-benefit analysis from the commission? That's correct. So who, is anybody going to review that CBA or anything? AEDC does, is that what you mean? Thank you, sir. I
Chair
Unverified
2:34:01
have the questions for Senator Dismang. Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator
has closed. Any objection to rolling the
vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please
Speaker 15
2:34:19
call the roll. Boyd. Yes. Bryant. Aye. Caldwell. Aye. Clark. Aye. Clark. Clark. Crowell. Yes. Davis. Davis. Davis. Dees. Aye. Dismain. Aye. Dotson.
Speaker 278
2:34:35
Yes. English. Aye. Flippo. Aye. Flowers. Flowers.
Speaker 15
2:34:39
No. Gilmore. Gilmore. No. Hammer. Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:35:01
King, Ludding, Love, Love, McKee, McKee Murdock
Speaker 278
2:35:10
Murdock Payton Payton Penzo Petty Rice Rice Scott Stone Stubbeville Sullivan Tucker Wallace Aye. Any senator
Chair
Unverified
2:35:34
wish to vote who did not vote, who wishes to change his or her vote?
Senator Murdoch, yes. Love, yes. Any other senator? Hester, aye. Hester, yes. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 24, yay, 4, nay, 6, not voting.
House Bill 1444 passes as amended. Please return to the House. House Bill 1509.
House Bill 1509 by Senator Hill to create the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act and prohibit financial institutions from using certain
discriminatory practices. Senator Hill, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
2:36:26
Colleagues, this bill is pretty simple. It just basically does not allow, It prohibits firearms from being discriminated against and where they cannot use a code to distinguish the purchase of a firearm and ammunition from any other type of sporting goods or anything.
The firearms dealers wanted this brought to us because there are some merchant service companies that were going out and targeting firearms and coding them with a 5723 number as a special code. This just says in the state of Arkansas, you cannot give a firearm purchase or ammunition purchase a special code separate than any other type of code. So they cannot specify what they're doing with that. The Attorney General will investigate. That's taking place, and there are fines that will be implemented against the merchant service company that does it.
Chair
Unverified
2:37:21
With that, I'll take any questions, Governor. Questions for Senator Hill. Senator King, you're recognized for a
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
2:37:31
question. In Game and Fish, you had all these hearings. Where is gun owners Gary Epperson and them on this bill? Are they for this or against it? They are a part of
Chair
Unverified
2:37:45
this one. Okay. Any other questions? Any other questions? Good grief. Any other questions? I feel like Senator
Hickey up here. Any other questions for Senator Hill?
Sorry, Senator Hill. These microphones can be challenging. Any other questions? Seeing no other, anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Hill, you're free to close. I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Sorry. Please roll the vote.
Speaker 15
2:38:22
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:38:28
Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irving, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice,
Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any Senator wish to change
Chair
Unverified
2:38:44
his or her vote? Senator Love, present. Any other Senator?
Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by vote to 33, yea,
0, nay, and 1 present. House Bill 1509 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1574. House Bill 1574 by Senator Hammer to
amend the law concerning paid canvassers and require domicile in Arkansas. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:39:17
Chair. last year we had some committee meetings regarding the definition of domicile versus resident. It was identified
that it's a gray area. This clarifies what domicile means and what resident means in the state. Be glad to take any questions. Any
Chair
Unverified
2:39:32
questions for Senator Hammer? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Tucker speaking against. You're
recognized. Thank you, Madam President, members. I know this is going to pass.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:39:48
I just want to continue to have the big-picture conversation about how we have one set of rules for the people's ability to pass laws
and different sets of rules for us to pass laws. My question would be, should we pass a law that says that for our campaigns we can only hire Arkansas residents, or for the governor's campaign, can she only hire Arkansas residents, or for registered lobbyists, do they have to be an Arkansas resident? I just think we should be consistent with the restrictions that we're putting on the people's ability to pass their own laws with the other lawmaking body, those of us here in this Capitol building. And that's not what we've done.
It's less of a comment on this specific proposal and more of a comment generally on the fact that we are putting so many restrictions on the people's ability to pass laws that we never think to put on ourselves. So
Chair
Unverified
2:40:40
for that reason, I'll be voting. Anyone? Questions for Senator Tucker? Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized
Speaker 125
2:40:50
for a question. Senator Tucker, the people, approximately 85,000 to 90,000 people, each one of us, elect us to come down here.
That's the restriction we have on our abilities, is if we don't do the will of the people, we can't come back. And we are all residents. It's required. So somebody who is helping me in the campaign is not me. I am the one. And this is a collective whenever the people are trying to put this on a ballot.
And there are real needs for that to be done by the people of Arkansas, not by outside groups. And that's my deal as a citizen. is I don't want these things to be controlled by outside groups, and I appreciate Senator Hammer's work in this realm. I don't know how to ask a question, but I'm just in disagreement with the statement
that using an outside person in my campaign, that's not me. And I appreciate the opposition, but it's just, I think it's apples and oranges, but thank you, Senator. I think that's actually a
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:42:16
very important distinction, Senator Johnson, because I don't want to overgeneralize, but in most
of the laws that we pass restricting the people's ability to put issues on the ballot, we conflate two parts of that process.
One part is getting it on the ballot, and the other part is the people of Arkansas voting. Those are two different parts of the process. I'm in a 100% agreement with you. Only the people of Arkansas should vote on ballot issues. That's, in your analogy, that's akin to us. And getting it on
the ballot is akin to our campaign workers. Only Arkansans should vote, just
like only Arkansans should serve in the Arkansas legislature. We're the ones who pass laws in this building, and only Arkansans should pass laws at the ballot.
Getting us on the ballot as candidates can be done by more people than just us. Some of them are Arkansans, but they don't have to be. Probably most of them are. It's the same thing for getting an issue. You get a candidate on the ballot, you get an issue on the ballot. Probably it's mostly Arkansans who are paid canvassers, but maybe not 100%, just like with people who work on our campaigns. In both aspects, there's two parts of the process. One is the candidate and the laws that we pass, and the other is getting the candidate on the ballot and elect it. Same thing. It's getting the candidate on the ballot, and then only the people of Arkansas should vote.
That's the check. That's where the Arkansas people control was actually voting when it gets to the ballot box in November, and I'm in 100% agreement with that. Thank you. Senator
Chair
Unverified
2:43:51
Murdoch, you're recognized for a question. Can you solicit
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
2:43:59
and accept funds from people out of state? Yes, sir. I mean, I know I've accepted contributions from out of state.
Friends, family, other people from out of state
contribute to us getting elected so they are part of the
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:44:12
process that's right they have to be a citizen of the united states they don't have to be a citizen of the
Speaker 321
2:44:22
state of arkansas that's exactly right senator thank you anyone wish to speak for
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:44:30
or against senator hammer you're free to close thank you madam governor three points to consider and i'll ask for a favorable vote on this Because when we were having the hearings, one of the attorneys that was testifying said that we pass the laws.
It's his job to exploit the law in order to represent his client. That same attorney also said we need to clear this area up because it is a matter that is confusing. And so this law helps clear it up and takes the gray out, makes it black and white. And then I guess I would close with this thought. only the people of Arkansas should be involved in voting on the initiatives which was the statement that was made that I think only residents of Arkansas it would do right if the residents or
those that are getting the initiative signatures should at least be residents of the state of Arkansas and this defines what it is and with that I appreciate
Chair
Unverified
2:45:25
a good vote. Senator has closed Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 278
2:45:56
Hammer? Yes. Hester? Yes. Hickey? Aye. Hill? Yes. Irvin? Leave. Blake Johnson? Aye. Mark Johnson? Aye. King? No.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:46:12
Gladding? No. Love? No. McKee? Aye. Murdoch? No. Payton? Yes. Penzo? No. Petty? Yes. Rice?
Speaker 278
2:46:26
Scott? Stone? Stubblefield? Sullivan? Tucker? Tucker? Wallace? Any
Speaker 102
2:46:37
senator who did not vote or who wishes to
Chair
Unverified
2:46:43
change his or her vote? Senator Clark, yes. Any other senator? Seeing
no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 25 yea, 8 nay, 1 not voting.
House Bill 1574 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1590. House Bill 1590
by Senator Caldwell to combine the offices of Treasurer and Tax Collector in Woodruff County. Senator Caldwell, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. All
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:47:17
this bill does is combine the Office of Treasurer and Tax Collector in Woodruff County. I appreciate a good vote. Any questions for Senator Caldwell?
Chair
Unverified
2:47:28
Anyone wish to speak against
or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no
Speaker 15
2:47:38
objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:47:44
Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Ludding, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stebbelfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
2:48:02
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no
one, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 34, yay, zero, nay. House Bill 1590 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill 1591. House Bill 1591 by Senator
Caldwell to combine the offices of Treasurer and Tax Collector in Arkansas County. Senator Caldwell, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:48:27
Madam Governor. Again, this bill combines the offices of Treasurer and Tax Collector in Arkansas County.
Chair
Unverified
2:48:33
Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no
Speaker 15
2:48:45
objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:48:49
Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting,
Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafill, Sullivan,
Chair
Unverified
2:49:05
Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no
one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote
of 34, yea, zero, nay. House Bill 1591 passes. Please return to the House. House Bill
1637. House Bill 1637 by Senator Mark Johnson. Concerning the development and presentation of fiscal impact statements concerning the fiscal impact of statewide initiative and referendum measures and legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, House Bill 1637 is a bill that Representative David Ray and I have been working on. What it does is it hopefully gives the voters the same kind of information we have when we're voting on different measures. And that is it places a short, succinct fiscal impact statement on the ballot of any statewide ballot measure.
During the Attorney General's ballot review, the Attorney General determines that the proposed issue has a fiscal impact, then it is referred to the Department of Finance and Administration to prepare a fiscal impact statement. That statement must be an unbiased, good-faith statement of the fiscal impact, and it's limited in length to 100 words or up to 200 words if the initiative creates a new source of revenue or raises or lowers an existing tax.
So this is really about transparency to the voters, and some of the other discussions today have talked about comparing the job we do here to the job that the voters do when they're faced with having to vote on an issue rather than just on candidates. This has been discussed. I discussed this with Secretary Hudson. He says they can handle this. I asked him about a question that Senator Tucker had actually asked me about dynamics of the fiscal impact.
And his response was that they would call balls and strikes and let the proponents and opponents of any measure analyze that and debate that in the public sphere. So what they're going to try to do to the best of their ability is to actually give some fiscal information to voters that would be voting on any initiatives. Also, it requires that they do the same thing on legislatively referred constitutional amendments. So, and again, I thought your comment was perfect when you mentioned that we need to hold ourselves to the similar standards, Senator Tucker.
So when we refer an amendment, the F&A would also make the same kind of objective and fair, unbiased, good faith statement of the fiscal impact.
I'd be glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Johnson? Senator Tucker,
Chair
Unverified
2:52:11
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Should the fiscal
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:52:16
impact not also be part of the debate in the public sphere? We had
the discussion in committee that we're familiar with reading fiscal impact statements,
what they mean, what they don't include. Members of the public don't have that same level of experience that we do, so they're being given with this a piece of the information without the full picture. The full picture can only be developed in the public sphere. So should this not also be left to the public sphere as well?
Oh, I think it would be. It very much would be, but we actually have at least a static analysis of what DF&A, in their good faith judgment, shows that it would be. Now, certainly there'd be nothing wrong with someone that says,
well, gosh, yes, it's going to cost this much in tax dollars, but look at all this economic activity it's going to stimulate. And that's part of the debate. But the problem is that we don't have any of that right now. It's just one side's word against the other side's word. At least this gives a starting point to argue over. And that's what this is. This is a lively and hopefully informative debate where too often in initiatives, I think we can all agree, voters get confused and voters sometimes feel like that the information they're given is not, at least from a starting point, not unbiased.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:53:42
Right. But the distinction here is that one side's word is going to be in the ballot booth with the voter and
the other side's word is not. Is that not true? Well, the analysis is what it is. And also there's a case where DF&A could say we can't make a good fiscal impact statement. We're not sure. And the secretary would have the right to say that, that there's no way to know this. Thank you, Senator.
All right, thank you, Senator. Any other questions? Would anyone like to speak against the bill, for the bill?
Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized to close. I'm closed,
Speaker 15
2:54:34
Mr. President. Appreciate a good vote. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:54:37
please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill,
Irving, Lee, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch,
Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbuffield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Would any
member like to vote that has not or changed their vote? Senator Tucker, no. Senator Letting, no. Senator Flowers, no. Senator King, not voting. Senator Love? No.
Senator Scott? No. Anyone else? Senator Murdoch? No. Anyone else? Seeing none, Madam Secretary cast up the ballot. By a vote of 27 yays, 6 nays, the bill passes. Return to
the House. House Bill 1669. House Bill
1669 by Senator Clark to create the Keep Kids First Act
and to provide for protections from discrimination for adoption and foster care providers acting in accordance with sincerely held
religious beliefs. Senator Clark, you
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:55:59
are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, House Bill 1669 is primarily with respect to parents. The bill is focused on protecting parents from being discriminated against based on their religious or moral beliefs in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Well, the bill acknowledges that while not every parent is the right placement for every child and that this must be decided on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the best interest of the child, the bill emphatically provides that no parent should be excluded from being able to license, to foster, or adopt, or be excluded from at least considered as a placement for any child because they aren't LGBT affirming, etc. The bill lets the state take into account the challenges that may be associated with fostering a 15-year-old dysphoric child while not allowing the state to use the fact that such children are out there as an excuse to broadly discriminate against conservative Christian parents with respect to their desire to foster and adopt, which is exactly what is happening in other states.
It is happening in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, West Virginia, and even Tennessee. While the bill says you cannot be excluded because of your sincerely held religious beliefs, on page 4, beginning with line 33, it says,
Nothing in subdivision B2A or subdivision B2B shall alter the fact that in accordance with 928-106, the state government may consider whether a person shares the same religious background as a foster or pre-adopted child's genetic parent when considering placement of the child to prioritize placement with a person of the same religious background, et cetera, et cetera. Or preclude the state government, line seven, from taking into consideration the religious or moral beliefs
of a particular foster or pre-adopted child on his or her family of origin when determining the most appropriate placement for the child, including without limitation religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation and gender identity and how these beliefs relate to the religious or moral beliefs of a prospective foster or pre-adopted parent. Or 3, line 14, be construed to prohibit the state government from making or relieving the state government from its duty to make all individual placements consistent with the best interest of the child
as otherwise required by law. But the state's government shall not take any adverse action against a person whom the state grants custody of a foster child or grants adoption of adopted child or seeks from the state custody of a foster child or adoption of an adoptive child wholly or partially on the basis that the person guides, instructs, or raises a child or intends to guide, instruct, or raise a child based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief. However, in accordance with 928-106, the state government may consider whether a person shares the same religious background as a foster or adoptive child's genetic parent or parents when considering placement of the child in order to prioritize placement of the child with a person of the same religious background.
I'm going to go back up
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:59:58
Beginning with line 13. Private child placement agencies and individuals, including faith-based child placement agencies and individuals, have the right to the free exercise of religion under both the Arkansas Constitution and the United States Constitution. Under well-skip down to line 21, ensuring the faith-based child placement agencies can continue to provide adoption and foster care services will benefit the children and families who receive those services.
That's what happened in Tennessee. The Catholic adoption agency was excluded because of their beliefs. Therefore, the General Assembly declares that the Keep Kids First Act is necessary to ensure that faith-based adoption and foster care providers remain free to serve children in need and work with the state of Arkansas to find loving, forever homes for children. So this is about, it does not change the fact that we still look for the best interest of children, including a similar religious background to what they have, not putting them into something different unless it's absolutely necessary.
and even then having someone who is familiar with and able to teach the background that they have, but at the same time saying that you cannot be excluded because you don't believe certain leftist ideology. I'll be glad to take any
questions. Are there any questions? Senator McKee, you're recognized?
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
3:01:35
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Senator Clark, for bringing this bill. I think I understand and I agree there's good reason for religious folks to be concerned about being discriminated against when they're trying to adopt kids. You know, there are people out there who feel like you and I would be monsters because we discipline our children with a spanking. But we both recognize that there are other religious folks out there with beliefs that we would consider extreme. So what prevents those people from...
There's some folks out there that have some wild religious beliefs that we would all agree kids should not be subjected to. So what are the protections for kids in those instances when you've got people that want to handle deadly snakes or just for example.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:02:39
The best interest of the child is still the standard. It just doesn't exclude parents.
And in the case that you mentioned, if the background of the child was that, and I don't know any churches like that in Arkansas, I heard of them in Tennessee because of Wendy Bagwell. But if the child came from that background, it would certainly not be something for the courts to decide. The same thing if it came from a background that parents didn't believe in corporal punishment,
that would be something that the courts could still decide. This is, it says specifically that they can look for the religious background that the child's been raised in or that the parents are if the child is young enough that they haven't been raised in anything and use that
as part of the best interest of the child formula for where the child should be placed, both in foster care and both in adoption. And the fact that agencies can't be excluded just because of beliefs that they have.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:03:56
Senator Dismain, you're recognized for a question? Because I think I've already kind of made my position. But I
do want to understand a little bit better on page 4, line 10, that section E, This is under the definitions of state government. This is now adding any private person suing under or attempting to enforce a law, rule, or regulation adopted by the state or a political subdivision of the state.
So we're making individuals state government by the definition in this section. And what is the reason for that?
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:04:43
It's page 4. Going back to page 3, line 31. State government means the state or a political subdivision of the state, including without limitation, a court, any agency of the state or an agency of a political subdivision of the state, including without limitation, a board, bureau, commission, council,
department, division, or office, any city, county, local government, special district, or combination thereof, any person acting under color or state law, or any private person suing or attempting to enforce a law, rule, or regulation adopted by the state or political subdivision of the state. The state government shall not require any private child placement agency to perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement would violate the private child placement agency's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs.
So in context, it does, as it defines what government is, it says no one, including a private person suing, can violate the fact that parents who are either fostering or adopting cannot do so because often the courts overrule what we do. And so that's why it's included under the definition of government in this section
because to keep some other way of getting in that you discriminate against parents for their religious beliefs. Senator Hickey, you're recognized for a question?
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:06:26
Yes, Senator Clark. Mine's more on page two and top of three, the way this
is written. And I think I know what we're trying to do, but it says discriminatory action. It says alter in any way the tax treatment.
Which line number? I'm sorry, Senator Clark, on page 2, line 36. Thank you. And then it starts, and it goes over to page 3. So it appears like to me the way that this is written, because it says alter in any way the tax treatment or cause any tax penalty or payment to be assessed against or denied, delay, revoke, or otherwise make unavailable an exemption from taxation it almost appears to me that any type of exemption that we make for anyone under this you know from anyone the state or
any businesses that we would also have to give it to these child welfare agencies That's the way I
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:07:33
read that because it's so inclusive. We go back to the sections where it talked, leading up to this, where it talks about ensuring line 21 on page 2, ensuring the faith-based child placement agencies can continue to provide adoption and foster care services will benefit the children and families who receive these services.
yes sir therefore the general assembly declares it the keep kids first act is necessary to ensure the faith-based adoption of foster care providers remain free to serve children need and work with the state of Arkansas to find loving wherever homes for children and then you get down here to the financial section alter in any way the tax treatment or cause of that's in discrimination because of your beliefs and there is a lot of money involved in in foster care, and even often in difficult placements
like disabled children and adoption. And some states have just outright banned people with conservative religious beliefs from adopting or being part of foster care. Others have come back and said you can be part, but you can't participate in any of the funding that we pay. You can keep foster kids, but we won't pay you for keeping them. And so this is being explicit that you can't be discriminated against in any financial way.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:09:03
Maybe I should ask my question this way then. So do you read that then that they would be eligible for any exemption or credit or anything of other nature that we
was to give to anybody or any business of the state, tax credits
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:09:19
or otherwise? No, I read it to any that we would normally give to foster care or adoptive parents or to an agency that adopts. Okay, I
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:09:29
guess I struggle with that, that it says exactly that part.
But thanks for that. You're welcome. Appreciate the question. Any other questions?
Seeing none, would anyone like to speak against the bill? Senator Tucker, you're recognized to speak against the bill. thank you mr president young tell i don't
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:09:55
feel good i'm not i'm going to be brief i'm just going to make a couple key points i was sitting back on the back row uh like i was in church because i was amen and senator mckee's question and senator dismay's question senator mckee i i
think you hit the nail on the head there's a couple of definitions in the bill there's no definition for sincerely held religious belief so it can mean anything under the sun it can mean peyote, polygamy, snake handling, as was brought up. I mean, there's really, it could mean any number of things, not just, not just what you think of when you think of your own sincerely held religious belief. On page five, under section 3a, it says, the state government shall not take any adverse action. It's not just limited to adoption. I mean, that could be read broadly,
no criminal action. A criminal action is an adverse action based upon or in a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief. What if your sincerely held religious belief is extreme corporal punishment or no medication for your children? Then the way this bill reads, the state couldn't take any adverse action against you for that reason. Senator Dismang raised an excellent point that the bill defines state government to include a private person. And I understand Senator Clark's response that it's just in the context of this
bill, but that term state government is used consistently throughout the rest of the bill. And it includes a private person in the definition of state government. I just can't wrap my mind around that. As you all know, there's no threat of this happening in Arkansas right now. I just want to mention one. So I believe this is a solution in search of a problem for that reason, but it's really a solution in search of a problem because the Supreme Court of the United States has actually ruled on this exact issue in favor of Senator Clark's position.
In Philadelphia, there's a Supreme Court case, it's four years old now, called Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. In that case, the city of Philadelphia would not recognize Catholic social services because they refused to allow same-sex couples to have adopted kids. They took that case up to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled unanimously, nine to nothing, against the city of Philadelphia. and in favor of the Catholic Social Services Organization that they could have their sincerely held religious belief.
So this really is not a threat of happening in Arkansas or anywhere else. So because of that and the problems with the way the bill is written, including a private person and the definition of state government
otherwise, I don't think we need this bill.
Would anyone like to speak for the bill, against the bill? Senator Dismanian, you're recognized to speak against the bill.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:12:39
Members, on page 5, 3A, I think there's a few different issues in the bill and how it's written, and I'm not sure it's really accomplishing what we're trying to accomplish.
I think it goes way in excess of that, and it creates a new allowance for defense, in my opinion. But on 3A, that's line 18 on page 5, a state government should not take any adverse action against a person whom the state grants custody of a foster child or grants adoption of adoptive child, or who seeks the state custody of a foster child or adoptive or adoptive child, wholly or partially on the basis that the person guides, instructs, or raises a child, or intends to guide, instruct, or raise a child,
based on a manner consistent with a sincerely held religious belief. I just believe this opens up the doors to improper action by foster parents in excess of what we may be thinking about. We're thinking about, in this room most likely, a Christian family wanting to bring in and not be discriminated against because they're Christians. Other people have different religions. And what that means to one person can mean something completely different to Senator McKee's point. With that, I think this is a dangerous precedent
that we'd be establishing and could allow for a defense for some really ill will be directed toward children. Thank you. Would anyone
like to speak for the bill? Against the bill? Senator Clark, you're recognized to close for
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:14:15
the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. President, no
one has suggested a better way of, a better piece of language than sincerely
held religious beliefs. The, in absence of this bill, you have the government's beliefs. I have worked with DCFS and worked with child welfare the whole time that I have been in the legislature. I can tell you that I have a lot more faith. Let me tell you, we remove a child from a home.
A lot of people think, well, you know, they just start to take those kids. Anybody who works within the agencies that works within the system knows, no. Because somehow people think that's a magic bullet when you remove kids from a home. But it's not because a lot of times the state does much worse than what the parents were doing. And we have wonderful foster parents and we have terrible foster parents. If you're looking for 100% guaranteed good outcome in every case,
get God or get Solomon on the job because we're not going to do it. We're not going to get it perfect. There may be a parent that doesn't parent exactly right, but what's happening now is every parent who has conservative Christian beliefs is being excluded regardless of any supreme court case about philadelphia these these court cases are newer than four years and these rules are newer than four years in these states that i named
you this is absolutely going on it is and we have a little short-term relief but this idea that if you don't buy in to what certain people believe on gender dysphoria, gender dysphoria, according to the Child Psychologist Association in their book, was something that happened mainly with
males. It was very rare and starts around the age of two when you can first see it. and nobody knows why because I've been accused of not caring and the more I studied the subject the more I did care that there that there are young boys who have that think they're girls and they don't have they have no idea why and the parents have no idea why but then we turned it into whole classes of eighth grade girls who were supposed to think that they're boys and that
That's supposed to be scientific when the numbers in Ohio are 5% and the numbers in California are 25%. That can't be science. And we are, in these other states, what we were doing and what we have been pushing nationally for until lately, and the push will come again, is saying, if you don't buy into these beliefs, you can't be part of the system. Parts of the system I don't worry about you so much on but this is about kids, and whether parents, whether Christian parents, and somebody had asked
a question in the House committee about Muslim parents, it's sincerely held Christian belief, sincerely help religious beliefs the you know piety is mentioned anytime we talk about religion and there this says specifically in this bill that the court can still look at the background
of the child the where they're coming from and where they're going to in the best interest of the child. And I doubt, very seriously, I don't think anybody believes, including Senator Tucker, that the judge is going to take a child, raised Baptist, Catholic, Muslim, whatever, and put them in a home where their sincerely held belief is peyote. That's not going to happen.
But what we are going to do without a law is you are going to exclude the very people that you want fostering, adopted, and raising kids. It may not be happening today, but mark my word, it's coming. And this bill may not be perfect, and the only reason I say it may not be perfect is how do you get better than sincerely held religious beliefs? It is different to everyone. Just like the First Amendment on religion, everyone's different. But the principle holds the same.
So I think, I don't think, I know this is an extremely important bill. It is a bill that does not go to extremes. It very carefully says that you cannot be excluded because you don't agree with the state. And if you think the state is the people who are to be making the decision and not us putting it into law, then let the state make a decision. I've seen that behind the scenes. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam
Speaker 195
3:20:19
Secretary, please roll the vote. Please
Speaker 15
3:20:24
call the roll. Crowley? Yes. Bryant? Bryant? Aye. Caldwell? Caldwell? Clark? Aye. Crowell? Crowell, Davis, Davis, Dees, Dismang,
Speaker 278
3:20:44
Dotson, Dotson, English, English, Flippo, Flippo, Flowers, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Aye.
Hickey? Hill? Irvin Leave. Blake Johnson? Blake Johnson? Mark Johnson? King? Ledding? Love? McKee?
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
3:21:12
McKee? Murdoch? Payton? Penzo? Petty? Rice?
Speaker 278
3:21:26
Scott? Stone? Stuboffel? Sullivan? Tucker? Wallace? Would a member
like to vote that has not or change their vote? Senator Davis, no. Flowers, no. Anyone else? Kroll, present. Anyone else?
Seeing none, Madam Secretary cast up the ballot. I voted 15 yeas and 10 nays.
The bill fails. Return to the House. My notes here say
to recognize... Oh, sorry. House bill 1693.
House bill 1693 by Sandra Hammer to amend the law concerning damage or defective
balance and to allow the state board of election commissioners to promulgate rules
Speaker 62
3:22:31
regarding duplication of damage or defective balance. Senator Hammer you're recognized. I'd like to make a motion
Chair
Unverified
3:22:37
first. You're recognized for a motion. I'd like to make
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
3:22:42
a motion that we expunge the vote by which house bill 1669 failed the motion is
to expunge the vote by which house bill 1669 failed all
those in favor signify by saying
aye opposed say no motion carries expunged senator
hammer you You are recognized to present House Bill 1693.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
3:23:12
Thank you, members. Thank you, Mr. Governor. House Bill 1693 is a ballot remake bill. Audit found issues with duplication because of the rush to get it done on election night. This permits the county to report the number of remakes that will be done,
but it will also allow them to be able to look at them the next day. Situations have occurred where there were ballots that were damaged in the mail, coffee stains, overseas ballots. What the State Board of Election Commission would like to be able to do is to allow for those to be addressed the next day instead of late the night of election. Poll watchers and candidates will be able to observe it, and they still have to report the number, but as far as correcting it, it could be done the next day.
And with that, I'll be glad
to answer any questions. Any questions? Seeing none, would any member like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Seeing none. Senator Harry, are you recognized to close? Close. Appreciate a
Speaker 15
3:24:24
good vote. Any member object to rolling the vote? Seeing
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
3:24:27
none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Lee, Blake, Johnson, Mark, Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Would a member like to vote that has not or change their vote? Senator Flowers, present. Senator Letting, present. Senator Love, present. Senator King, not voting. Senator Scott, present. Anyone else? Senator Murdoch, present. Anyone else? Seeing none, Madam
Secretary cast up the ballot. By a vote of 28 yeas and zero nays, the bill passes.
Return to the House. Senator Penzo, you are recognized. Thank
Speaker 509
3:25:25
you, Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion to extract House Bill 1180. Out of Education Committee.
Speaker 510
3:25:36
Members, you've heard the motion that is debatable. Senator Hickey, you have a question? You're ready to ask
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
3:25:45
for a question? In here, in here. Is that what you're saying?
Excuse me? In here, today, in here. Not today.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:25:52
It would take three days, so it would be heard Thursday. Thank you. Thank
you. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized for question. What is the bill? Baby Olivia. Okay. Thank you, Senator. It's on the screen now. Senator Ricky Hill, you're recognized for question. Well, we wanted to extract it.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
3:26:19
Didn't it go through the committee process? Went
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:26:23
through the committee process. And what happened? An attempt to, it was defeated. An alternative bill was filed. I made the attempt to make an amendment. We had another version that I hadn't had a chance to meet with the new bill sponsor. A new bill was filed that pretty much is a cell biology class. Nobody was in opposition to it, so it literally doesn't do anything.
So I know that there's plenty of votes in this committee to pass it, so I would like the opportunity for the full body of the Senate to hear it on Thursday. Senator Davis, you're recognized for a question. Thank
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
3:27:08
you, Mr. President. Can I speak against the motion before we vote? Yes,
you can. All right. Any questions? Senator Stone, you're recognized for a question?
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
3:27:19
Yes. Senator Penzo, you said there was an alternative bill. Did it go through the committee process and come out? It did today, yes.
Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Senator Hammer, you're recognized for a
Speaker 509
3:27:41
question? I'm sorry. What was your answer? I couldn't understand with
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:27:45
the echo. He asked if the alternative bill went through the committee process. It did go through this morning and it did pass out without I think there was five members in the committee. There was a verbal no and it still passed through the committee
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
3:27:58
with four votes or less than four. Probably fixing to find out but what's the
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:28:08
difference between this bill and the other bill? There's this bill really doesn't do a whole lot. Like
I said, there was no opposition in the committee for it. The Baby Olivia bill had a lot of for and against speakers. There was none in committee today to speak for or against the bill that passed. And like I
said, it just pretty much mandates that cell biology be taught in class. You know, the Baby Olivia bill, the intent of that is to show that a human life is not just a clump of cells after fertilization. It shows the step-by-step progression. We just need children to know exactly what a human life looks like at what exact stages of development. So I think it's a very important bill.
I don't think the health department has any say on it. I think it was mentioned in committee that just the education department will approve what movies can be shown or not. So there's a significant difference between the two bills. And I think there was an amendment put on
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
3:29:20
this bill from its original form. What was the amendment that was put on this bill? I'd have
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:29:26
to go back and look at the exact amendments because Mary Bentley was trying to work. There was several attempts.
Actually, we had a new version of it that Representative Bentley had sent over to me and hadn't really had the chance to see what the appetite was for that one, but we had been working, tried to amend and make it more palatable to the committee members that were in objection. But like I said, there was an alternative bill filed when the amendment wasn't what the new bill sponsor wanted.
Speaker 509
3:30:09
So last question. The bill, as it was amended, was it heard in committee? Yes. The new version of it hasn't been filed yet. The new version of this one or the other one you're talking about? The other one that
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:30:26
Representative Bentley had. Just for the fact we're running short on time, I could probably file it today, though, if you'd like me to. Okay. All right.
Thank you. Seeing no further questions, would someone like to speak against the motion?
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
3:30:43
Senator Davis, you're recognized to speak against the motion. Thank you, Mr. President. Members,
this bill has created a lot of controversy over the last probably month and a half. So on the 13th, about three weeks ago, I filed a bill. We've had a rigorous debate about the Baby Olivia Act in Senate education. There are not five votes, clearly. That bill has been in there. My issue with the bill is that it listed a political advocacy group saying that schools
must show the Meet Baby Olivia bill produced by live action. And I have a problem with us listing political advocacy groups in law like that. and my request was simply that they take that line out there's no reason to put that in law to exist there forever and ever and the bill sponsor on the house end was unwilling to do so we had numerous conversations about it we went back and forth and so finally after she refused to make amendments to meet that and after a family council went all over the state and said
anyone who was against this bill was pro-abortion which is absolutely ridiculous because heaven forbid we ask a single question about any bill that they put out there and they try to label us one way or the other. Our job here is try to make good policy and make decisions that are best for the state and best for kids. We're talking about 479,000 students across the state of Arkansas And it's important that when we create policy and pass bills, that we do so. Generally, we're not saying you have to watch this specific video produced by this specific political advocacy group.
But the content, I agree, is important. So since there was no compromise with the House sponsor, I filed my own bill, which will be on the Senate floor tomorrow, and we passed out of committee today. That bill says it is not a do-nothing bill. It actually, I took a lot of the language from the Meet Baby Olivia bill and put it into this bill, Senate Bill 450. And it says that the Department of Education will work in coordination with the Department of Health to determine it age-appropriate for students to receive human growth and development curriculum in the classroom.
and it includes that they watch an ultrasound that shows the development of sex organs heart all of those things with a child in utero and it also says there will be discussion on development from fertilization on so in fact I talked to the house sponsor of this bill representative Bentley and asked her if she wanted to be the house sponsor of my bill and for different reasons she, well, ultimately said no, but initially said yes. And she said, I called Secretary Oliva
to verify that under your bill, my bill, Senate Bill 450 that we'll see tomorrow, that they could still be listed, that the Meet Baby Olivia video could still be listed as a tool that schools could use to meet the curriculum standards under your bill. And he said yes. So then I called Secretary Oliva to verify the same thing, and he said, yes, under your bill, Senate Bill 450, this video can still be utilized as a curriculum tool to meet the standards.
And that's all that we asked for in that committee, was that we not list the political action group in law, and that we're still able to teach kids what development looks like in utero at the appropriate age. And that doesn't mean necessarily starting at fifth grade. It means there's a group of professionals within the Department of Ed that develop curriculum standards every two years for the state. And that group, the professionals in consultation with the Department of Ed, will determine what is age appropriate for those students to hear and when.
And I don't know what could be better than having students watch an ultrasound, which is an actual baby, to show the different stages and development that children go through in utero. And if schools choose to, there will be other curriculum options that they can utilize, like the Meet Baby Olivia video. So this is, like I said, she originally agreed and then decided not to agree for a lot of different reasons. And we were ultimately not able to come to a compromise. The compromise, the amendments that she made, were not amendments
that satisfied my concerns or other people on the committee's concerns, which is why we ultimately did this so students could still learn about development in utero, learn about life from conception, life from fertilization, and use different tools that the Department of Ed approves. And that's all we asked. So I ask that you please vote no on extracting this bill from committee because we have worked long and hard to compromise to work this out. My bill has been sitting out there for three
weeks now as I've tried to work with House leadership, the House sponsor, and on the Senate end to come to some sort of compromise to work this out so it would not get to this point. But if one side refuses to compromise and work it out, this is all we're left with. So I'm asking you to please vote no. Please respect and honor the committee process. Our concerns were not satisfied in committee, so we went with an alternative that met our concerns and still allowed for students to watch this video, which is ultimately what the bill sponsors wanted
in this bill. With that, thank you. I'm open to any questions. I don't think
we're taking questions. We're speaking for and against at this time. Okay,
thank you. Would someone like to speak for Senator Alan Clark you're recognized
to speak for hey and I was just giving we're speaking for against the motion not debating a bill I probably should have but this may not be the only one of
these that we're doing today so we can come speak for and
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:37:04
against the motion okay thank you Mr. President colleagues this is a process that we do not take lightly uh this is my seventh session uh and it happens once or twice a session uh so i did not come to speak to you for the motion uh without giving it a great deal of thought before today in fact i had
suggested to the sponsors of the bill some time ago that this bill was important enough that they should consider extraction. If you have not watched the baby Olivia video, you need to watch it. It will shape the minds of kids from now on. It's scientific. It shapes, I know pro-life adults who watch it and come back and say, if I wasn't pro-life, I would be now.
because it's simply about the baby, but it's not any video. There's a reason why it's this video. Yes, through this other bill, you could use that one, but the school can use anything, and they're not all the same. I was, by happenstance, in Education Committee, one of the times this bill was presented. I can tell you that the pro-abortion people, and if that's who you are,
the pro-abortion people were vehemently against the Baby Olivia bill. The pro-life people, very much for the Baby Olivia bill. So when Senator Penzo says that they didn't show any opposition to this other bill, there's a reason. Maybe the best they can come up with, but there's a reason why this bill. I've been told behind the scenes, you know, that there are people who said we didn't need to run any more abortion bills. It's not an abortion bill.
It's an education bill. This is how a child develops. And there are those that don't want Senator Penzo to get credit. That's something he would never say. But I'm going to put it out there the way it is. We should not let politics and we should not let pettiness stop us from passing one of the most important bills, one of the most important pro-life bills that's ever come before us. And if we do, shame on us because, again, we're like the ones that came before us.
We need to vote for this motion. Okay, members, I'm going to say this. Is there
someone else who wants to speak for or against? Okay, Senator Mark Johnson, you're excited to speak for. hey, I'll let somebody debate the bill for it and debate the bill against
it. I'm not going to, I should not have allowed a year of those. So on the motion,
on the motion, Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. It's difficult to totally separate the subject matter from the motion, but I'll do my best.
I thank Senator Clark for what he said, and I agree with him. This is something you all ought to see. And perhaps if this motion passes, you can weigh both bills and vote up or down on both of them. I, like Senator Clark, I think it's a serious matter when we extract a bill from committee. We have this in the rules for a good reason, is if there's an overwhelming reason to consider a piece of legislation,
then we should do so. Our committee system is supposed to be a filter and to allow individual committees to drill down deeper and come back with recommendations. That's what the recommendations are. It's a do pass, or in some cases, rarely. I don't think there's been one since I've been in the Senate. I do not pass recommendation. This is our procedure. And so the fact that we're not seeing it very often doesn't mean you should automatically dismiss it.
In my own case, I wanted to vote on this bill from the time I went and watched the video. And I guess this is kind of difficult for me to say, Mr. President. I haven't always been pro-life. I've never been pro-abortion. I guess it's just kind of, well, I don't know. And, you know, then we go through those life experiences like having two daughters and seeing them grow up. And this video really affected me.
But it affected me the same way when I first saw some of the in vitro photographs taken in magazines that were shown in like in Life magazine and things like that back many, many years ago. And it caused me to understand, this is a human being, not a glob of cells. On the motion, please. I'm trying, Mr. President. But I want to appeal to the fact that this is not something I take lightly to pull something out of a committee of eight people who have worked on it for a long time.
Because, and I appreciate Senator Davis and Chairman English all working on these things. I appreciate all of you. but this is an exception to that general rule that we just let the committees do their job because this is so important. This will change people's minds like it did mine when I first saw those Life magazine photos and for that reason I would ask that you
Speaker 524
3:42:58
make the extraordinary case of voting yes on
Senator Penzo's motion. Thank you Mr. President. Would
someone like to speak against the motion. Senator Tucker, you're recognized, unless Senator Sullivan was speaking against. Okay, we'll go with Senator Tucker,
then Senator Dotson, then Senator Sullivan. Senator Tucker, you're recognized to speak against the motion. Thank you, Mr.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:43:20
President. This is very quickly, this is the motion only in terms of how frequently this happens. If not this afternoon, but a bit ago, I checked with Steve Cook, who was, as you all know, the parliamentarian and the counsel
for the Senate from the mid-'80s until the last session. The extraction procedure was created in the late-'80s in order to address the situation with former Senator Nick Wilson, who had bottled up an ethics proposal that the Senate needed to hear. That's why it was created, and it was used in the late-'80s when it was created. Then it was used again in 2005, and that's it. That's the total history of the number of times the extraction procedure has been successfully used in the Arkansas State Senate for respecting the committee process, and I'll be voting against the motion.
Senator Sullivan, you're recognized to speak on the motion. Thank you for
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
3:44:12
the reminder. So I was in the committee, and I think I voted for the bill. However, it did not pass. And what came out of the negotiations on that and the attempt to compromise, and folks, I understand compromise. I have worked hard to compromise on several bills. It's tough. But what came out was what passed in committee today.
So what this motion would take away the opportunities and the efforts that were made to find a compromise that we could all live with. That's what happened in the committee. Now, if you still disagree and you want to vote for one or the other, fine, go ahead. But what happened in committee is the bill failed. And then a compromise attempt was made multiple times and they were unable to come up with a compromise. The committee today passed a bill out of committee that will come before the floor tomorrow.
So I just encourage you to consider how important that committee vote is and how important it is for us to work to find what the committee body can agree on. Thank you. Senator Dotson, you
are recognized to speak on the motion. For the
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:45:28
motion. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Speaking to the motion, I think this bill, I've
heard it in committee multiple times. There was obviously some amendments that happened.
I was agreeable to the amendments that were made in committee. I think this is something this body deserves to have the opportunity to debate. If there's 18 in here that want to support the underlying bill, 18 can vote to extract it and have the debate. Since we're not able to actually debate the underlying bill itself, I would encourage you to vote for this motion to extract if you are for the bill. Thank
you. Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized to speak on the motion.
Chair
Unverified
3:46:16
Members, I appreciate Senator Penzo's connection with this bill and
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3:46:20
other members' connection with the video. But, members, this bill has been heard in committee, and there may be a time in this session to extract a bill that has not been heard and has been held up and not been vetted through the committee. This ain't it.
not vote for this motion. Is there anyone else that would like to speak? senator petty you're recognized there's no no questions at
this time no question i'll wait till it's appropriate time to ask a clarification question about what happens if okay
i'll be prepared to i've got i've got a lot
i'm going to roll through on that first would anyone else like to speak for the motion against the motion seeing on senator penzo you're recognized to close on
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:47:21
your motion. Thank you Mr. President. I would just like to say you know the the committee process was mentioned. The committee process is there because there are so many bills there's no way that we can screen all of them. They go through the committee process there's a recommendation due pass they come before the full body. I'd like to point out that both of these bills one will be on the floor tomorrow the other one i'm asking to extract right now got four votes depends on the chair
of the committee what comes out of the committee or if something's roll call or the members of the committee if they roll call there's different circumstances that happened on different days i'd like to say that there were to remind you that there were were no opposing voices in that committee this morning the committee was full of opposition and people speaking for the bill up here now now why is that if if this is the the compromise bill i i had asked i i had tried
to compromise. I had, hey, this bill is not the compromise language. There was other potential amendments that could have been added to it, but they were rejected. And then a whole new bill with a whole nother slate of sponsors pops up. I have issue with that because I don't think any of the sponsors are the same so everybody that came to run this bill and agreed to co-sponsor it with me
and representative bentley is left on the side for a whole nother slate of bill sponsors and i think that's wrong i don't know that i'd be down here i mean i'm pretty passionate about this bill i think that that video is life-changing doesn't matter if you're pro-choice or pro-life it has to do with informed consent and and everybody deserves even if you're pro-choice
you want that woman to make the best decision now i'm hard pro-life but even if you're pro-choice you you have to look at this and think i don't want this woman coming back with regrets when she finds out what she did i want kids to understand on the front end what a human life looks like through development and this video is probably the best example of that that i've ever
seen yeah you can watch an ultrasound it looks you know and in this and they can do that with this too but but this video really illustrates what a human life looks like at every stage of development. And I think it's wrong that one can come out with four votes and the other one is stuck in committee with four votes when one of them is much more impactful. And I believe that this body deserves to hear this bill. This full Senate body deserves to hear this piece of legislation. And this is the exact reason we have this in our rules for these instances, because
the votes are in this committee for this bill. And we all know this. We know it's going to pass if it comes before this floor. And I would just like to ask everybody to this is the in case of emergency break glass. And here we are having to make this decision. One bill shouldn't come out of committee with four votes and the other one be stuck in committee with four votes because that's exactly what happened.
With that, I'll close and ask everybody for a good vote.
Thank you. Okay, members, because this is the first time we're going to deal with this process this year,
maybe the only, but it's a voice vote. It takes 18 votes to pass. Okay, if it does pass, there will be a two-day cooling-off period. Then it will be on our floor on Thursday. If it fails, it was just a motion that failed, and another member could bring it up another time.
I'm happy to answer any points of clarification at this
point before we move forward. Senator English, point of clarification? Yes. No, with a voice
Senator Jane English
Unverified
3:51:59
vote, if there's 18 votes. Well, I'll make a call, and
if the members don't like it, they have the ability to roll call, which would take five hands. Okay, thank you. I would assume
it was the same in committee. Senator Petty, you're recognized for point of clarification.
Thank you, Mr. President. So the point
of clarification is, and I have watched the video. I've heard the debate on the other bill. What happens if they both are heard? Is there going to be a conflict because two bills pass? I mean, if they're both good and they both pass,
what happens at that point? That is beyond the scope
of what we're doing right now. Okay. Senator Dease.
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
3:52:50
Thank you, Mr. President. This is just drawn off of memory, so I don't know if this is a parliamentary question or not, but I thought the process had something to do with signatures for extracting a bill. I may be making that up in my mind, but can we speak to that, if
that's made up or not? We do have a process that we call signing a bill out of committee, that the extraction and signing out can be done if you do not have the ability for the bill to have been heard in committee, you could go get five signatures starting with the chairperson.
The chairperson doesn't have to, before the signing out, but they have to acknowledge they know that it's being signed out of committee. This is a very different process. This is extracting straight out of committee onto the floor. Again, it takes 18 votes. Sometimes if somebody wants to suspend the rules to extract, that takes 24 votes, but that has not been the ask. The ask of this body with 18 votes, is to extract House Bill 1180 from committee. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Aye. All those opposed, signify by saying no. No. Motion fails. No. I see five hands. Madam
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3:54:15
Secretary, please call the roll. Speak up. Please speak up. Boyd? Boyd?
Speaker 15
3:54:24
Bright? Caldwell? Caldwell? Clark? Crowell? Crowell? Davis? Dees? Dismang? Dotson? English? Flippo? Flippo?
Speaker 278
3:54:42
Flowers? Flowers. Gilmore? No. Hammer? Aye.
Speaker 15
3:54:52
Hester? No. Hickey? No. Hill? No. Irvin? Leave.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
3:55:06
Aye. King? Aye. Letting, Love, McKee, McKee,
Speaker 278
3:55:19
Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbefield, Sullivan, Sullivan,
Tucker? No. Wallace? No. Would any member like to vote that has not or change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 11 yeas and 15 nays, the motion has failed. Senator Penzo,
would you like to be recognized? Senator Hill, you are recognized for motion.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
3:56:03
Senator Hill you're recognized a motion to withdraw SB 562 from state
agencies and re-refer SB 562 to the Committee on Public Transportation members you've
heard an explanation of the motion all those in favor signify by saying aye Opposed, say no.
Motion carries. Senate Bill 562 has been re-referred from state agencies
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:57:02
to transportation. Budget calendar. All amendments. Members, we have four Senate bill amendments or amendments to Senate bills and then
from the Joint Budget Committee and there's one amendment to the pay plan which is to
Speaker 113
3:57:19
add a code sponsor. Amendment 2 to Senate
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:57:22
Bill 92. This amendment adds $450,000 in the appropriations, divisions, operations, appropriation.
Any questions? On the amendment, seeing none, all those in favor of the amendment signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Amendment adopted.
Speaker 113
3:57:41
Senate to engrossing. Amendment 2 to
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:57:46
Senate Bill 93. This amendment adds a new appropriation line for promotional items sold on $300,080 shared services
appropriation. Increases the existing appropriation for the educational freedom accounts by $180 million to bring the new appropriation to $277 million.
Members, you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Senate to engrossing.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:58:15
This amendment adds $2,000 to each of the 68 county fair budgets. Members, you've heard
an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing. All right, members, this
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:58:34
amendment reinstates three additional vice chancellor positions for the 2026. We've got one
Speaker 113
3:58:39
more. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 130.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:58:44
Sorry. All right, three vice chancellor positions for the year 2026 that currently exists.
They had mistakenly requested one vice chancellor position when they intended to request four. They currently have enacted. Members, you've heard
an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send to Engrossi.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
3:59:16
This amendment adds Senator, I'm sorry, let's hope not, Representative Wooten as a co-sponsor. You've heard
an explanation of the amendment. All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Opposed, say no. Motion carries. Amendment adopted. Send to engrossing. Are there any...
Is there anything else? Senator Hill, you're recognized.
Transportation is meeting right away. Hey, members, I want to say something. So over the next couple
of days, our calendar is pretty full. But sometime around 5 o'clock, even if we're not finished, I will move to adjourn us so we can get to committees. I think some of the most important work we're going to do this week is make sure we're getting all Senate bills heard. So if we reach the 5 o'clock hour tomorrow or Wednesday, I will come to us sometime around that point, find a good stopping point, and ask us to adjourn.
That's just so we can plan, certainly as chairmen and chairwomen of our committees. So if we reach somewhere around 5 o'clock the next two days, I will be asking us to adjourn at that point. Senator McKee, you are recognized. Special language, 9
Speaker 438
4:00:44
o'clock tomorrow morning, Big Mac A. Senator Dotson, you're recognized.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
4:00:50
Joint retirement, 8 a.m., MACB, in the morning. Any
other announcements? Seeing none, are there items at the desk?
Speaker 54
4:01:00
We have committee on engrossed bills to
whom is first Senate Bill 117 by Senator Penzo, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is first Senate Bill 290 by Senator Blake Johnson, Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Agra. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is first Senate Bill 440 by Senator Wallace. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on engrossed
Speaker 61
4:01:26
bills to whom is first Senate Bill 448 by Senator Petty. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Committee on engrossed bills to whom is first Senate Bill 464 by Senator Clark. Compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar.
Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom is first Senate Bill 469 by Senator Penzo, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee
Speaker 61
4:01:50
on Engrossed Bills to whom is first Senate Bill 483 by Senator Irving, compared to the engrossed copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom is first Senate Bill 486 by Senator Blake Johnson, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
State agencies. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom is first Senate Bill 505 by Senator Brack, compared the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred House Bill 1555 by Senator Hester, compare the gross copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Will your Committee on Judiciary to whom was deferred Senate Bill 355 by Senator Bryan recommend to pass? Calendar. Committee on Engross Bills, to whom is first Senate Bill 426 by Senator Hester, recommend do pass as amended number 2.
Calendar. Committee on Engross Bills, to whom is first Senate Bill 427 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass as amended number 1. Calendar. Committee on Engross Bills, to whom is first Senate Bill 427 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 429 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 430 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 431 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass as amended number one and two. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 442 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass as amended number one and two. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 442 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass as amended number one and two. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 442 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass as amended number one and two. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 442 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass as amended number one and two. Calendar. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom is first Senate Bill 442 by Senator Bryant, recommend do pass.
Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 449 by Senator Dees recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 511 by Senator Blake Johnson recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 512 by Senator Blake Johnson recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 513 by Senator Blake Johnson recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 514 by Senator Stubbeville, recommended
do pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 537 by Senator Gilmore, recommended do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill 539 by Senator Gilmore, recommended do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is first Senate Bill House Bill 1745 by Representative Hawke, Recommend do pass as amended number 1. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom is referred to
House Bill 1757 by Representative Carr.
Recommend do pass. Calendar. Senate Bill 588 by Senator Penzo. To establish a winery, private club permit, Senate Bill 588. City, county, local. Senate Bill 589 by Senator Penzo. To create the 340B Program Transparency Act and to amend the law concerning transparency and accountability for certain 340B covered entities, Senate Bill 584, 589.
Public Health. Senate Bill 590 by Senator Gilmore to create the recidivite reduction system within the Department of Corrections to clear an emergency, Senate Bill 590. Judiciary. Senate Bill 591 by Senator Penzo, to prohibit race selection, abortion in the state, and to create the Race Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act, Senate Bill 591. Public Health. Senate Bill 592 by Senator Wallace, to require a financial institution to renew certain certificates of deposit at the highest interest rate closest to the term of the previous certificate of deposit, and for the same term, Senate Bill 592.
Insurance and Commerce. Bill 593 with Senator Boyd to amend the Arkansas Pharmacy Benefits Manager Licensure Act and to create the Pharmacy Services Administrative Organization Act, symbol 593. Insurance and Commerce. Bill 594 with Senator McKee to amend the law concerning exemptions for certificates of public convenience and necessity for new construction to supply a public service or to extend a public service, Senate Bill 594.
Insurance and commerce. Senate Bill 595 by Senator Letting. To provide for a minor's right to consult with his or her parent or guardian
Speaker 239
4:06:34
before a custodial interrogation. Senate Bill
Speaker 538
4:06:40
595. Judiciary. Return of Senate Bill
227 from the House as passed as amended.
Calendar. Return of Senate Bill 320 from the House as passed as amended. Judiciary. Return of Senate Bill 324 from the House as passed as amended. Calendar. Return from the House as passed, and these will be ordered in a row. Senate Bill 91, return from the House as passed. Enroll it. Return from the House as passed, Senate Bill 232.
Enroll it. Return from the House as passed, Senate Bill 271. Enroll it. Return from the House as passed, Senate Bill 275. Enroll it. Return from the House as passed, Senate Bill 280. Enroll it. Return from the house has passed Senate Bill 319. Enroll it. Return from the house has passed Senate Bill 327. Enroll it. Return from the house has passed Senate Bill 329. Enroll it. Return from the house has passed Senate Bill 344. Enroll it. Return from the house has passed Senate Bill 368. Enroll it. Return from the house has passed Senate Bill 378. Enroll it.
Return from the House that's passed Symbol 380. Enroll it. Return from the House that's passed Symbol 388. Enroll it. Return from the House that's passed Symbol 401. Enroll it. Return from the House that's passed Symbol 403. Enroll it. Return from the House that's passed Symbol 414. Enroll it. Return from the House that's passed
Speaker 61
4:08:32
Symbol 432. Enroll it. That's it. Any other announcements at this time?
Seeing none, we are adjourned subject
Speaker 541
4:08:44
to clearing of the desk. Till 1.30 tomorrow. Thank you.
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Cal
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions of Senate Pages
Announcements
Doctor of the Day
Items to be Read Across the Desk
SCR6 TO RECOGNIZE THE NORTH LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL CHARGING WILDCATS VARSITY CHEER TEAM FOR WINNING THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
SENATE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
SB117 #4 C. Penzo Penzo TO CREATE THE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN PRACTICE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN ARKANSAS; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE.
SB440 #1 D. Wallace Wallace TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EMBALMERS AND FUNERAL DIRECTORS; TO REGULATE THE USE OF ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS; AND TO REGULATE ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS FACILITIES.
SB448 #1 J. Petty Petty TO AUTHORIZE THE FINANCING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS, BUILDING RESILIENCY IMPROVEMENTS, AND WATER CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENTS.
SB464 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING SALES OF RAW MILK; AND TO ALLOW SALES OF RAW MILK AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN THE FARM WHERE THE RAW MILK OR RAW MILK PRODUCT IS PRODUCED.
SB469 #1 C. Penzo Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COUNTY CAMPAIGN POLITICAL PARTY COMMITTEES; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996.
SB483 #1 Irvin B. Johnson TO REPEAL CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE SECURITIES DEPARTMENT; AND TO REVISE CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
SB505 #1 J. Bryant Bryant 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.
SB290 #1 TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER.
HOUSE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB1555 #1 Painter Hester TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE.
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB9 B. Davis TO CREATE THE MAKE ARKANSAS HEALTHY AGAIN ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT MANUFACTURING, SELLING, DELIVERING, DISTRIBUTING, HOLDING, OR OFFERING FOR SALE A FOOD PRODUCT THAT CONTAINS CERTAIN SUBSTANCES.
SB120 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE LICENSURE FOR ALL PRIVATE CARE AGENCIES IN THIS STATE; AND TO ENSURE CONSUMER PROTECTION FOR VULNERABLE AGING ADULTS.
SB123 G. Leding TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAMS AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS.
SB238 J. Payton TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING ANDACCOUNTABILITY ACT.
SB325 A. Clark TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989; TO AMEND THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING REINSTATEMENT OF PARENTAL RIGHTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE CHILD MALTREATMENT CENTRAL REGISTRY.
SB326 A. Clark TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989 AND THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT; TO MODIFY GUIDELINES FOR A JUDGMENT MADE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF A CHILD; AND TO AMEND PROCEDURES AROUND REPORTING CHILD MALTREATMENT.
SB331 G. Leding CONCERNING COVERAGE FOR GENETIC TESTING FOR INHERITED CANCER MUTATIONS; AND TO CREATE THE GENETIC TESTING ACT.
Point of Personal Privilege
SB348 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ANNUAL CAP FOR DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY SERVICES WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Point of Personal Privilege
SB371 J. Scott TO ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED SYSTEM TO AID IN THE SEARCH OF MISSING CHILDREN WHO DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR ACTIVATION OF THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM.
SB410 B. King TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF EMPLOYMENT FOR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES AND FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS.
SB410 - Motion to Expunge the Vote by which SB410 Failed
SB459 G. Leding TO AMEND THE MINIMUM AGE NECESSARY TO ADJUDICATE A JUVENILE DELINQUENT.
SB463 M. McKee TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO APPROVE OR DENY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS CONCERNING CLOSING OR ELIMINATING ELECTRIC GENERATION UNITS OR TRANSMISSION ASSETS.
SB471 A. Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS; AND TO ALLOW CERTAIN CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS TO USE THE TITLE OF THE NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL OFFICE ON THE BALLOT.
SB473 Stone TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE ARKANSAS FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES BOARD; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ARKANSAS FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES BOARD TO ADVISE THE ARKANSAS FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY ON CERTAIN MATTERS.
SB479 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY TO PRESENT IDENTIFICATION.
SB480 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INVESTMENT OF STATE FUNDS.
SB486 B. Johnson CONCERNING SAFETY AND PRIVACY IN CERTAIN ENTITIES; AND CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MULTI-OCCUPANCY RESTROOMS, CHANGING ROOMS, AND SLEEPING QUARTERS IN CERTAIN ENTITIES BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL'S SEX.
SB491 K. Hammer TO REQUIRE A VENDOR THAT CONTRACTS WITH THE OFFICE OF STATE PROCUREMENT FOR SERVICES FOR THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DIVISION TO SUBMIT DATA FOR VERIFICATION BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB510 J. Boyd TO ALLOW FOR THE CROSS DEPUTIZATION OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIBAL LAND WITHIN THE STATE.
HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
HB1327 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN RETIRED EMPLOYEES UNDER THE STATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.
HB1382 Ladyman Wallace TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING BY THE DESIGNATED PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY AGENCY FOR THE STATE AND THE DESIGNATED CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE STATE.
HB1444 Pilkington Dismang TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS.
HB1509 Beaty Jr. Gilmore TO CREATE THE SECOND AMENDMENT FINANCIAL PRIVACY ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FROM USING CERTAIN DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.
HB1574 Vaught Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PAID CANVASSERS; AND TO REQUIRE DOMICILE IN ARKANSAS.
HB1590 J. Moore Caldwell TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN WOODRUFF COUNTY.
HB1591 J. Moore Caldwell TO COMBINE THE OFFICES OF TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR IN ARKANSAS COUNTY.
HB1637 Ray M. Johnson CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE FISCAL IMPACT OF STATEWIDE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM MEASURES AND LEGISLATIVELY REFERRED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
HB1669 Bentley Clark TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.
HB1693 Hawk Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS; AND TO ALLOW THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING THE DUPLICATION OF DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS.
HB1669 - Motion to Expunge the Vote to which HB1669 Failed
HB1180 - Motion to extract HB1180 from Senate Education Committee to the Senate Chamber Floor
SB562 - Motion to withdraw SB562 from Senate State Agencies Committee to Senate Transportation Committee
Bills to be Amended and Re-referred to Joint Budget Committee
SB92 #2 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSFORMATION AND SHARED SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB93 #2 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB106 #3 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
SB130 #1 AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Bills to be Amended
SB392 #1 TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Items to be read across the desk
Announcements
Adjourn
Documents
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Speakers
Chair
Unverified
Senator Mark Johnson Chair
Unverified
Speaker 15
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Speaker 24
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
Senator Bart Hester Chair
Unverified
Senator Steve Crowell Chair
Unverified
Speaker 54
Speaker 61
Senator Jane English
Unverified
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
Speaker 102
Speaker 7
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
Senator Jim Petty Chair
Unverified
Speaker 125
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
Speaker 135
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Speaker 206
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
Speaker 213
Speaker 134
Speaker 224
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Speaker 248
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Speaker 278
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
Speaker 389
Speaker 195
Speaker 319
Speaker 321
Speaker 73
Speaker 407
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
Speaker 25
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Speaker 427
Speaker 139
Speaker 432
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
Speaker 264
Speaker 62
Speaker 509
Speaker 510
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Speaker 524
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
Speaker 400
Speaker 113
Speaker 176
Speaker 438
Speaker 239
Speaker 538
Speaker 541