Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (68)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB189
Act 396
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB189 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AUTHORIZE IVERMECTIN FOR HUMAN USE TO…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE IVERMECTIN FOR HUMAN USE TO BE SOLD WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION OR CONSULTATION WITH … | A. Clark | Notification that SB189 is now Act 396 |
|
SR50
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SR50 R. Murdock TO COMMEND ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., FOR…”
|
TO COMMEND ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., FOR ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (118) YEARS OF OUTSTANDING … | R. Murdock | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB339
Act 404
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB339 #1 A. Clark Clark CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHILD MA…”
|
CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHILD MALTREATMENT INVESTIGATIONS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. | A. Clark | Notification that SB339 is now Act 404 |
|
HB1725
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “HB1725 Schulz B. Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF S…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | Schulz | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB270
Act 360
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…get sym 38 by joint budget, Senate Bill 42 by joint budget, Senate Bill 270 by Senator Crowe, Bill 307 intra dismain sent Bill 333 by C…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FILING PERIODS OF CERTAIN NONPARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL … | Crowell | Notification that SB270 is now Act 360 |
|
SB516
Act 761
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “Education Senate Bill 516 by Senator Gilmore. To allow a person filing as a candidate…”
|
TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE … | Gilmore | Notification that SB516 is now Act 761 |
|
SR49
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SR49 C. Tucker TO HONOR SCULPTOR KEVIN KRESSE FOR CREATING THE S…”
|
TO HONOR SCULPTOR KEVIN KRESSE FOR CREATING THE SCULPTURE OF ARKANSAS MUSIC ICON JOHNNY CASH … | C. Tucker | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1129
Act 407
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Revenue and Tax for House Bill 1129 by representative Cambridge recommend to pass calendar, on…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "HOMESTEAD" FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1129 is now Act 407 |
|
HB1167
Act 431
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1167 L. Johnson Irvin TO MODIFY THE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY FOR ADVA…”
|
TO MODIFY THE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS; AND TO … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1167 is now Act 431 |
|
HB1254
Act 433
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1254 L. Johnson Irvin TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGICAL PRAC…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTITIONER TO PRACTICE INDEPENDENTLY IN THIS STATE; AND TO REMOVE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1254 is now Act 433 |
|
HB1257
Act 434
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1257 L. Johnson Irvin TO REMOVE THE LIMITATION OF THE PRACTICE O…”
|
TO REMOVE THE LIMITATION OF THE PRACTICE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY FROM TECHNICIANS EMPLOYED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS; AND … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1257 is now Act 434 |
|
HB1258
Act 435
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1258 L. Johnson Irvin TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT;…”
|
TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION FOR COMMUNITY … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1258 is now Act 435 |
|
HB1268
Act 450
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1268 #1 Unger Scott TO ALLOW A PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO BECOM…”
|
TO ALLOW A PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO BECOME A PARTICIPATING PUBLIC EMPLOYER AND FOR ITS … | Unger | Notification that HB1268 is now Act 450 |
|
HB1271
Act 479
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1271 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MECHANICS' AND MAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MECHANICS' AND MATERIALMEN'S LIENS; AND TO CLARIFY THE PRIORITY OF … | Warren | Notification that HB1271 is now Act 479 |
|
HB1272
Act 520
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1272 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY VACATED B…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY VACATED BY A MUNICIPALITY; AND TO REQUIRE VESTED ABANDONED … | Warren | Notification that HB1272 is now Act 520 |
|
HB1275
Act 389
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1275 Cavenaugh B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR H…”
|
TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR TREATMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1275 is now Act 389 |
|
HB1276
Act 413
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1276 Painter Flippo CONCERNING SPOUSAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR S…”
|
CONCERNING SPOUSAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES. | Painter | Notification that HB1276 is now Act 413 |
|
HB1288
Act 423
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1288 #1 L. Johnson B. Johnson TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ACT; AND TO REQUIRE A HEALTHCARE INSURER TO … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1288 is now Act 423 |
|
HB1316
Act 390
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1316 F. Allen Wallace TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREEN…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS. | F. Allen | Notification that HB1316 is now Act 390 |
|
HB1386
Act 410
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…idge recommend to pass calendar, on revenue tax him was for House Bill 1386 by representative Kavan. I'll recommend Du Pas. Committee o…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SUBSTANTIAL … | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1386 is now Act 410 |
|
HB1414
Act 417
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1414 Andrews Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES; AND TO UPDATE THE SCHEDULE OF … | Andrews | Notification that HB1414 is now Act 417 |
|
HB1444
Act 548
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…mmend Du Pas. Committee on Revenue Tax team was referred to House Bill 1444 by Representative Buckington recommended pass as amended nu…”
|
TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS. | Pilkington | Notification that HB1444 is now Act 548 |
|
HB1474
Act 484
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1474 Joey Carr Wallace CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF HUMAN TRAFFI…”
|
CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE … | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1474 is now Act 484 |
|
HB1497
Act 411
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Revenue and Tax to House Bill 1497 by Representative Painter recommend due pass calendar, Sena…”
|
TO ADD THE DEPARTMENT OF THE MILITARY TO THE LIST OF CLAIMANT AGENCIES FOR PURPOSES … | Painter | Notification that HB1497 is now Act 411 |
|
HB1505
Act 398
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1505 Wing Tucker TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVI…”
|
TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LICENSED COUNSELING FOR A … | Wing | Notification that HB1505 is now Act 398 |
|
HB1536
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1536 M. McElroy Wallace TO WITHHOLD STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING…”
|
TO WITHHOLD STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FROM A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE PASSENGER RESTRAINT … | M. McElroy | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1551
Act 485
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1551 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRIMINAL ABORTI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRIMINAL ABORTION; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF COERCED CRIMINAL … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1551 is now Act 485 |
|
HB1633
Act 475
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1633 Brooks Hester TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICI…”
|
TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO TRANSFER SCHOOLS; … | Brooks | Notification that HB1633 is now Act 475 |
|
HB1647
Act 412
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1647 S. Meeks Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DIVISION OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS; TO CHANGE THE NAME OF … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1647 is now Act 412 |
|
HB1652
Act 393
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1652 Tosh Boyd T0 AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE…”
|
T0 AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES; TO ENFORCE AN UNSIGNED SELF-SERVICE FACILITY STORAGE … | Tosh | Notification that HB1652 is now Act 393 |
|
HB1656
Act 1024
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “and Gross bills to far House Bill 1656 by Representative Beck and Senator Davis, the gross copy of…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION. | Beck | Notification that HB1656 is now Act 1024 |
|
HB1673
Act 436
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1673 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BARBERS.”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BARBERS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1673 is now Act 436 |
|
HB1700
Act 638
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1700 Achor Boyd TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY AC…”
|
TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS OF AN ADVERSE … | Achor | Notification that HB1700 is now Act 638 |
|
HB1704
Act 388
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…nded to pass as amended number one. Calendar judi to is for House Bill 1704 by Representative Andrews. Andrews recommended to pass, cal…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING CHILD CUSTODY IN MATTERS WHERE A PARENT IS A FIRST … | Andrews | Notification that HB1704 is now Act 388 |
|
HB1721
Act 394
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1721 M. Brown Scott TO AMEND SECTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PR…”
|
TO AMEND SECTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROHIBIT GREYHOUND RACING AND SIMULCASTING OF GREYHOUND … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1721 is now Act 394 |
|
SB103
Act 425
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB103 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE PHARMACY NONDISCRIMINATION ACT; TO R…”
|
TO CREATE THE PHARMACY NONDISCRIMINATION ACT; TO REQUIRE PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS TO ACCEPT ANY PHARMACY … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB103 is now Act 425 |
|
SB232
Act 429
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB232 Hickey TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS SCHOLARS…”
|
TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | Hickey | Notification that SB232 is now Act 429 |
|
SB241
Act 885
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB241 J. Scott TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY A…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO GRANT PAID LEAVE TO … | J. Scott | Notification that SB241 is now Act 885 |
|
SB252
Act 590
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB252 J. Dismang TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY V…”
|
TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY VAPOR PRODUCTS AND E-LIQUID PRODUCTS; AND … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB252 is now Act 590 |
|
SB309
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…, the Senate respectfully requests the return to the Senate Senate Bill 309, specialitted Ann Cornwell. Violet. were your committee on”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ACT; TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "PSYCHIATRIC COLLABORATIVE … | D. Sullivan | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB326
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…umber 2. Calendar Committee on Judiciary, to whom his first Senate Bill 326 by Senator Clark recommend new passes amended number 3. Cal…”
|
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. |
|
SB345
Act 421
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB345 #1 Irvin Irvin TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT…”
|
TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF THE PRIVATE CLUB PERMITTING PROCESS … | Irvin | Notification that SB345 is now Act 421 |
|
SB364
Act 750
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB364 Hester TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES RELATED TO CONTRACTORS. | Hester | Notification that SB364 is now Act 750 |
|
SB376
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB376 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT O…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING … | A. Clark | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB390
Act 695
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Du pass. Calendar Committee on Education, who was the first Senate Bill 390 by Senator English recommend due pass calendar Committee on…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY ACT. | J. English | Notification that SB390 is now Act 695 |
|
SB402
Act 725
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB402 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCAT…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB402 is now Act 725 |
|
SB406
Act 752
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB406 #2 A. Clark Clark TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CE…”
|
TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL … | A. Clark | Notification that SB406 is now Act 752 |
|
SB411
Act 492
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB411 Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE HEIGHT OF VEHICLES;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE HEIGHT OF VEHICLES; AND TO CREATE AN OFFENSE FOR … | Crowell | Notification that SB411 is now Act 492 |
|
SB416
Act 493
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB416 Irvin TO REPEAL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT P…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM; AND TO REPEAL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE … | Irvin | Notification that SB416 is now Act 493 |
|
SB42
Act 379
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…was referred by 22 by joint budget sym 38 by joint budget, Senate Bill 42 by joint budget, Senate Bill 270 by Senator Crowe, Bill 307…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB42 is now Act 379 |
|
SB420
Act 736
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB420 Hester TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT STATE PR…”
|
TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT STATE PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE WATER AUTHORITY ACT; AND … | Hester | Notification that SB420 is now Act 736 |
|
SB421
Act 578
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB421 Hester TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSI…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT … | Hester | Notification that SB421 is now Act 578 |
|
SB422
Act 615
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Revenue and tax to was the first Senate Bill 422 by Senator Tucker recommend Du pass calendar Committee on R…”
|
TO ALLOW NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A NEW OR EXISTING ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB422 is now Act 615 |
|
SB433
Act 573
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB433 J. Dotson REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND T…”
|
REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. | J. Dotson | Notification that SB433 is now Act 573 |
|
SB439
Act 737
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB439 Irvin TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMEN…”
|
TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING; AND … | Irvin | Notification that SB439 is now Act 737 |
|
SB443
Act 949
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB443 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF APPRAIS…”
|
TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF APPRAISERS, ABSTRACTERS, AND HOME INSPECTORS; TO … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB443 is now Act 949 |
|
SB445
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB445 #1 K. Hammer Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSU…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSURE OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS. | K. Hammer | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB454
Act 430
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB454 Hill TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DEPOSIT … | Hill | Notification that SB454 is now Act 430 |
|
SB457
Act 1001
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r 3. Calendar Committee on the Judiciary, to whom his first Senate Bill 457 by Cen letting recommend Du Pas. Calendar Committee on the…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE RELEASE FROM PAROLE OR POST-RELEASE SUPERVISION OF CERTAIN PERSONS … | G. Leding | Notification that SB457 is now Act 1001 |
|
SB460
Act 697
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Pilot Were you on groth bills to his first Senate Bill 460 by Senator Irving compared the engross copy of the original…”
|
TO MODIFY THE COMPLIANCE ADVISORY PANEL; TO REPEAL THE MARKETING RECYCLABLES PROGRAM OF THE COMPLIANCE … | Irvin | Notification that SB460 is now Act 697 |
|
SB5
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…within existing Arkansas history course content guidelines, Senate Bill 5:15.”
|
TO ADD THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG HARM OR HOMICIDE. | B. King | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB515
Act 647
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…6A champion state champions Senate resolution 52 calendar, Senate Bill 515 by Senator Petty require that a unit dedicated to Arkansas…”
|
TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN … | J. Petty | Notification that SB515 is now Act 647 |
|
SB517
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…hen filing as a candidate, Senate Bill 516. State agencies, Senate Bill 517 by central Scott to amend the law concerning conduct of ele…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS; AND TO ALLOW A COUNTY BOARD OF … | J. Scott | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB518
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…d Insurance Program in certain instances House bill, I mean Senate Bill 518. Thank you,”
|
TO PROHIBIT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM ENACTING REGULATIONS IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA THAT ARE MORE … | Hester | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB527
Act 774
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB527 - Motion to suspend the Intervening Day Rule to hear SB527…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021; AND TO INCREASE … | Irvin | Notification that SB527 is now Act 774 |
|
SB83
Act 424
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB83 #2 J. Bryant Bryant TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR BREAST RECONSTR…”
|
TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERIES; TO REQUIRE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERIES; … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB83 is now Act 424 |
|
SR46
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SR46 #1 C. Tucker Tucker TO RECOGNIZE THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL F…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS ROCKETS GOLF TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A … | C. Tucker | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SR52
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…1497 by Representative Painter recommend due pass calendar, Senate resolution 52 by Senator Hammer. To recognize the black high school Horne…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE THE BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL HORNETS BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A STATE … | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
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Chair
Unverified
4:51
Senate will now be called to order. Are there any requests for leave at this time,
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
5:03
Senator Scott, you're recognized. Le for
Speaker 7
5:05
center days. Thank you, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boy,
Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis,
Speaker 11
5:12
Des, Lee, this main dots in English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Arvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo,
Petty, Rice scot, stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in
Chair
Unverified
5:31
the chamber and in the galleries would please rise. We will first be led. In prayer by our pastor of the day. Sender Jamie Scott will introduce our pastor. Following that, we will have the Pledge of allegiance. Senator Scott, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Um,
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
5:54
colleagues, the few that are here, um, today I have Pastor Dio Richardson. He is the state president of the Baptist Convention of Arkansas. I'm glad I got that right because he would have got me. Um, but he is watching me grow up. I'm so grateful for his support
and his dedication to our community, and I'm happy that you're here today, so I'll step aside so you can pray for us. It is an honor
Speaker 19
6:19
to be here. Let us pray. Most gracious and Heavenly
Father, how we thank you Lord for your love and kindness and your tender mercies. We thank you for this privilege and this opportunity to be servants and we pray for the public servants that are here today, oh Lord, we thank you that you have granted them the opportunity to serve the public. And Lord, we pray that as they serve the public, uh, that their decisions and deliberations that they would make would be decisions. and deliberations that will have
the heart of all the Arkansans on their mind. I pray that you would give them purity in their hearts and in their motives that as they uh serve the state of Arkansas that they would serve with dedication and that they would serve with diligence. I pray your blessings upon their families and the families and communities, O Lord, and which they represent bless them with your peace that surpasses. all understanding, bless them with your protection and bless
the state of Arkansas with your prosperity continue to allow us to be a state that believes and promotes justice, mercy, and liberty. Lord, we commit this session into your hands and we ask your blessings upon it. It's in the mighty and matchless name of your son, we do pray. Amen. God bless to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
Speaker 22
8:01
for which it stands, one nation under God, individual for liberty and justice for. Thank
Chair
Unverified
8:10
you so much, pastor. What an honor it is to have you here in the Arkansas Senate with us
today. 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 McKee to
introduce our pages for the day. Senator McKee. Thank you, Madam Governor. We've got quite a few
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
8:53
of them today as I read your name, if you'd come down and stand in front here so we can recognize you. We've got Trace Powell from Lakeside
Middle School in Hot Springs. My district. It's right up here, right here. Turn around, come on boy.
Speaker 32
9:08
OK, right there and then you stand next to them and
Speaker 34
9:14
then they stand next to you. OK. I know I'm pretty good, so I can do that
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
9:19
to him. Uh, Lexi McKee. I know her pretty well. She's homeschooled and also
lives in my district. We've got Baylor Phillips from Jasper High School and Senator King's district. Ellen Wright from Texarkana Middle School and Senate Senator Hickey's district. Alex Wayland from a STEM freshman academy in the Senator English's district. And Michael Wayland from the same academy, oh no, from high school Ste high school in Senate English districts, and you may know their dead. He works in the
auditor's office, Mr. Whalen, Jake Hurst from Buffalo Island Central and Senator Wallace's district. And Sophie McFaul also from Buffalo Island Central and Senator Wallace's district. So we're glad you are all here. We hope that they've treated you in a in a semi-decently manner and let's give these guys a round of applause and tell them how I'm proud of you.
Speaker 42
10:37
Thank you, Senator McKee. Other announcements or introductions. Senator Leding, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I'm told we have
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
10:49
members from Fayetteville leadership here with us in one of the galleries today. So if you would just help me welcome them to the Arkansas Senate. Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk?
Yes, dear Miss Stacks, the Senate respectfully requests the return to the Senate Senate Bill 309, specialitted Ann Cornwell. Violet. were your committee on
enrolled bills and was referred by 22 by joint budget sym 38 by joint budget, Senate Bill 42 by joint budget, Senate Bill 270 by Senator Crowe, Bill 307 intra dismain sent Bill 333 by Central Flowers, symbol 336 by joint budget compared the rolled copies with the original and find the same correctly enrolled
Speaker 54
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in at 812 a.m. delivered to the governor for her approval.
Pilot Were you on groth bills to his first Senate Bill 460 by Senator Irving compared the engross copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Agra.
Agriculture for your committee on the Gross bills who was first sent 455 by Central Bryant compared to the engross copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed agriculture, who is Saville
475 by Senator Dimay compared to the gross copy of
the original find and correctly engrossed. Insurance and commerce
and Gross bills to far House Bill 1656 by Representative Beck and Senator Davis, the gross copy of the
original and find the same correctly engrossed. Agriculture. Weit
on Education, to whom was first sent Bill 373 by Cent Irving recommend Du pass. Calendar Committee on Education, who was the first Senate Bill 390 by Senator English recommend due pass calendar Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred to Senate Bill 270 by Senator
277 by Senator Bright recommend Du Pas calendar Committee on Judiciary, to whom was first sent Bill 325 of Senator Clark recommend do passes admitted number 2. Calendar Committee on Judiciary, to whom his first Senate Bill 326 by Senator Clark recommend new passes amended number 3. Calendar Committee on the Judiciary, to whom his first Senate Bill 457 by Cen letting recommend Du Pas. Calendar Committee on the Judiciary to him was first sent Bill 459 by Central Letting recommend to pass this amended
number one. Calendar Committee on Judiciary who was first sent 487 by C Senator Irving recommend to pass is made to number one calendar Committee on the Judiciary to whom it was first sent before 90 Central Irving recommended passesit number one calendar Committee on Judi to whom was 1669 by Representative Bentley recommended to pass as amended number one. Calendar judi to is for House Bill 1704 by Representative Andrews. Andrews recommended to pass, calendar. Committee on
Revenue and tax to was the first Senate Bill 422 by Senator Tucker recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Revenue and Tax for House Bill 1129 by representative Cambridge recommend to pass calendar, on revenue tax him was for House Bill 1386 by representative Kavan. I'll recommend Du Pas. Committee on Revenue Tax team was referred to House Bill 1444 by Representative Buckington recommended pass as amended number one calendar Committee on
Revenue and Tax to House Bill 1497 by Representative Painter recommend due pass calendar, Senate resolution 52 by Senator Hammer. To recognize the black high school Hornets basketball team as the Class 6A champion state champions Senate resolution 52 calendar, Senate Bill 515 by Senator Petty require that a unit dedicated to Arkansas veterans and their families be included within existing Arkansas history course content guidelines, Senate Bill 5:15.
Education Senate Bill 516 by Senator Gilmore. To allow a person filing as a candidate for
the Office of Justice of the Supreme Court or judge of the court of appeals who is an appointee in that position to use the title of that position as a prefix when filing as a candidate, Senate Bill 516. State agencies, Senate Bill 517 by central Scott to amend the law concerning conduct of elections and to allow a county board of election commissioners to designate a restroom for campaign workers and volunteers. Senate Bill 517.
State agencies 518 by Centra Hester to prohibit a local government from an acting regulations in a flood prone area that are more restrictive than the requirements of the national flood Insurance Program in certain instances House bill, I mean Senate Bill 518. Thank you,
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
15:46
Madam Secretary. Any other announcements or introductions at this time or other. Other business to come before
Chair
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15:54
the body in the morning hour, if not the morning hour has expired. We will now begin the business agenda. And before we begin the business agenda, I see that my good friend, the Arkansas auditor of state
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is in the gallery here, Dennis Milligan, please welcome our auditor of Saint Dennis Mulligan. We will now take up Senate Memorial.
Resolution 5. Senate Memorial resolution filed by Senator Scott to remember Pastor Robert J. Jenkins for his good works and devoted service in his community and the state of Arkansas. Senator Scott. Oh, you are recognized. Can I ask for leave. Can I ask for leave for the
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family to join me in the will. Thank you.
Senator Jamie Scott
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16:57
I. Thank you, colleagues. Um, today I have a memorial resolution for Pastor Robert Jenkins. And before I read the resolution, I have his family here in some faith leaders, um, from my community and from the state of
Arkansas that he's had a great impact on, but when the tornado hit us, uh, what, 2 years ago?
2 years ago, um, I call them pops just like everybody else does, but Pastor Pop Jenkins was right there at the age of 84, probably then when I needed the homeless shelter, the temporary homeless shelter fed in my district. I would call in order to McDonald's. He would go get it himself and take it to the shelter. He would do whatever I needed um for my district and my community during that storm and any time I called, he was always there. So I thought it was very fitting to um honor him and recognize him for his commitment to Northfo or Rock and. of Arkansas. So,
Senate memorial resolution to remember Pastor Robert Jenkins for his good works and devoted service in his community in the state of Arkansas, whereas Pastor Robert John Jenkins passed away on February 18, 2025 at the age of 86, whereas Pastor Robert Jenkins was born on November 25, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to Edward Smith and Teresa Smith, whereas Pastor Robert Jenkins graduated from Boys' high school in Brooklyn,
New York and enlisted in the United States Army in 1956, whereas Pastor Jenkins earned an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Arkansas Baptist College whereas Pastor Jenkins married Jules Sanders Jenkins on December 1, 1959. Whereas In 1976, Pastor Jenkins became the pastor of Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church and faithfully served my district and my community for 48 years until his death, whereas Pastor
Jenkins was the president of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arkansas, president of the Argenta District Congress Financial secretary and a host of National Baptist Convention of America board member of a foreign mission board of the National Baptist Convention of America. He did so much y'all. Pastor Jenkin. will always be a pillar in the Prince Hall Masonic family, jurisdiction of Arkansas with over 60 years of dedicated service, whereas Pastor Jenkins became interested in golf at a later age and became a member of
the Prouffers of Little Rock in 2009, whereas Pastor Jenkins is proceeded in death by his parents. And 2 sons, he Heath Jenkins and Robert Jenkins. Pastor Jenkins leaves to cherish his loving wife, devoted sweet wife of 65 years. Joel Jenkins' starters. Um And many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the ninety-fifth General Assembly of Arkansas
that the Senate remembered Pastor Robert Jenkins for his good work and devoted service in his community in the state of Arkansas, um. Y'all, Pastor Jenkins was just, he was none other. He was just an amazing man of God, um, and he was someone that all the pastors in our area looked up to and I'm just grateful for who he was in my life. I'm grateful to be able to honor and recognize him today and I'm just grateful for the family and I just love y'all and I will forever be here to support y'all.
Speaker 87
20:35
Thank you. Thank you, Senator Scott. All those in favor of Senate Memorial resolution 5
Chair
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20:45
to remember pastor Robert J. Jenkins for his good works and devoted service in his community and the state of Arkansas, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed as habits Senate Memorial resolution 5 is adopted.
Speaker 91
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Would you like to speak? Do you like no, she. OK.
Speaker 95
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I want to take him. I want to thank everybody. Thank you so much. I have words, but they won't come out. Thank you.
Speaker 51
21:47
Oh, I'm just gonna go. smooth. today. you.
Speaker 62
22:52
We are going to temporarily pass over Senate resolution 49. We
Chair
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22:59
will now take up Senate resolution 50. Senate Resolution
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50 by Senator Murdoch to come in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc. for 118 years of outstanding service and leadership in this community.
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
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Yeah. Senator Murdock, and you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues
don't ask for leave for the illustrious members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity as they entered the floor. Leave, please. Thank you.
Senate resolution. Whereas alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Incorporated is the first and oldest intercollegiate Greek letter fraternity established for African Americans and whereas alpha alpha fraternity incorporated was founded on December 4th, 1906 on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. My students who recognize the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African-American descendants in this country and whereas Alpha
Phi Alpha fraternity Incorporated was founded by visionaries known as the jewels of the fraternity, including. Henry all the careless, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinkel Jones, George Bento Kelly, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle, and Vercher wouldn't, Woodson Tandy. And whereas Alpha alpha fraternity Incorporated initially served as a study and support group for minority students who face
racial prejudice, both the educationally and socially. And whereas the jewel founders and early leaders of a fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for the fraternities, principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character and uplifting of humanity. And whereas the legacy of Alpha Alpha trying Incorporated and its statewide network of Arkansas alpha men includes among its membership, the former
president of AT&T Arkansas, Ronnie Deman. Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Lawrence B. Alexander, former superintendent of the Fayetteville School District, Doctor John L. Colbert, former mayor for C, Cedric Williams, who's present, Mayor of Little Rock, Frank D. Scott Junior. Yours truly, Representative Jake Richardson, Representative Tracy Steele, former representative John W. Walker, former representative Monty Hodges, former Senator Jack Crumbly,
former representative Ernest Brown, former Representative Tommy Baker, former Representative Booker T. Clemens, former representative John Llewellyn, former representative William H. Townsend and former senator Jerry Jewell. Whereas fraternity Incorporated under the leadership of general president Lucian J. Methus Jr. is focused on addressing the fraternity's past, current and future role in shaping policy,
policy that impacts its communities. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the ninety-fifth General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that the Senate command Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity incorporated for 1018 years. Of outstanding service and leadership and it's great state and communities. Be it further resolved that upon adoption, a copy of this res resolution be provided toma O Netherley, Southwestern Regional vice
president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and Terrence T Cox, Arkansas district director by the secretary of the Senate. Thank you, Senator Murdoch. All
Chair
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those in favor of Senate resolution 50 to command Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc. for 118 years of outstanding service and leadership and its community, please signify by saying I. And he opposed eyes
habit, Senate resolution 50 is adopted.
Unknown speaker
27:39
Thank you, members, thank you. Thank you, Senator. Oh I thought about it. Yeah. Oh Can you
Speaker 121
28:10
I'm so sorry Senator Murdoch recognized again to recognize
Senator Reginald Murdock
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the rest of the gentlemen I'm so sorry that those esteemed gentlemen on the East gallery. I'm so sorry, brothers, brother. Please, please, please acknowledge them. Don't take my jacket.
Speaker 124
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I'm so sorry. Sorry, brother Scott. you. right. Not the
Senator Reginald Murdock
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OK, Jamie should have done this, uh, the regional uh Southwest Regional Conference is gonna, it's coming to Little Rock this weekend and we will have thousands of people spending millions of thousands of dollars this weekend, so there'll be in Little Rock all weekend, so thank you again. Appreciate it.
Chair
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Senators, we will now take up Senate bills to concur in House amendments beginning with Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 189 with Senator Clark. Amendment one to send it by 189.
Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank you. Madam Governor, the amendment on Madam Governor, the amendmental Bill
Senator Alan Clark
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29:31
189 was just to add a house sponsor. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed?
have it amendment is concurred in.
So about 189 by Central Park to authorize inverts for human use to be sold without a prescription or consultation with healthcare professional. Senator Clark, you're recognized
Senator Alan Clark
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30:03
SB 189 still does the same thing it did two weeks ago when you passed it off the floor, exactly, uh, it allows ivermectin to be sold over the counter. I'd be happy to take any questions, any
Chair
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30:15
questions? Anyone wish to speak against or
for. Senator, your recognized clothes. I'm closed. I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed any objection to rolling the vote,
seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark K Crowe, Davis, Des leave, dismayed dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore
Speaker 11
30:38
hammer, Hester Hickey, Hill, Irving, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott Stone Stub a
Speaker 56
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Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to
Speaker 149
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change his or her vote to send her flowers, no. Any
Chair
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other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33A, 1 nay. Senate Bill 189 passes, please enroll it. Amendment 1 to Senate
Bill 339. Amendment 1 Senate Bill 339.
Senator Alan Clark
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31:20
Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor, colleagues, this amendment was just at a
Speaker 87
31:29
House sponsor. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify I'm saying aye, and he opposed. I have it.
Amendment is adopted. Senate Bill 339 by Senator Clark concerning the membership of the child maltreatment investigations oversight committee. still
Senator Alan Clark
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31:45
does the same thing it did two weeks ago. The, uh, it sets
back to when the welfare oversight investigation committee was first created that only legislators can vote for the chair, and that that election's over 2 years, not every year. I'd be happy to
Chair
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32:07
take any questions. Any questions for Senator Clark. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Sender, you're recognized to close. I'm closed. I'd appreciate a good vote. Senators closed. Any objection rolling the boat? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat.
Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark Kroll, Davis, Ds leave, just dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin,
Speaker 11
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Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott Stone, Stubber Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace.
Speaker 56
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Any senator wish to change his or her vote. See, uh, send
Chair
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32:55
Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote 33A, 1 nay, Senate Bill 339 passes as amended, please enroll it. Senator Tucker, you're recognized
for an announcement, a motion. Thank you, Madam President, colleagues, I've visited
Senator Clarke Tucker
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33:12
with Senator Clark about this. He's graciously consented to me making this motion. I'd like to
expunge the vote by which Senate Bill 189 passed and just revoted. I was in the middle of something and, and the vote got
rolled and I missed it. So all we're going to do is expunge the vote by which 189 passed and then revote Senate Bill
Chair
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189. That's the motion. All those in favor to expunge the vote by which Senate Bill 189 passed, please signified by saying aye, and he oppose. I
have it, ocean carries. Senate Bill 189 by Senator Clark to authorize univers for human use to be sold without a prescription or consultation with a healthcare professional. Senator,
Chair
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33:58
wish to say any more. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no
objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crowe, Davis De Le Dima dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark
Speaker 56
34:23
Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Petty, Rice Scotstone, Stuber Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace.
Chair
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Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Senator Flowers, no. Senator Tucker, no. Any other senator? Senator
Speaker 173
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Murdoch, no, letting know, Scott, no. Any other senator. If you're in the middle
Chair
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of something, please check the board. Seeing no other senator. Please cast up the ballot.
By a vote of 29, 5 nay, Senate Bill 189 passes as amended, please enroll it. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 345. Amendment 1, the Senate Bill
345. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank
Chair
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you. This is my bill, my amendment
to concur the House amendment. It's a technical change of the House amendment was.
Speaker 160
35:32
Thank you, Senator. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? As
habit amendment is a concurred in sending about 3:45 by Central Irving to promote tourism and economic development and improving efficiency of the private club permitting process of hotels, restaurants, and large event facilities and remove an overly burdensome tax requirement. Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you,
Madam President. The, the House amendment that we just concurred didn't change. Jenny substantively
and so again, we've heard this bill. Thank you for voting for it the first time. Um, it just eliminates that uh very burdensome, over-regulatory structure of making somebody try to or making somebody have a nonprofit before they apply for a private club permit. It's redundant, it's unnecessary. There's no need for it. It just was literally put in there to make people Wealthy that were selling these
nonprofit corporations that were being cooked on
Chair
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36:41
a shelf. Appreciate a good bit. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or
Speaker 160
36:47
for Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote, seeing no objection,
Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crowell, Davis, Ds leave, Dima got an English flippo flowers,
Speaker 11
37:00
Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo,
Chair
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37:13
Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator was to change his or her vote, Senator Love, no. Dotson, no. And other senator. Senator Hammer present. Clark. Present. Any other senator? Any other
Speaker 87
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senator. Seeing no other, please cast up
Chair
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37:40
the ballot by a vote of 382 nay, and to present Senate Bill 345 passes
as amended. Please roll it. We will now go back and take up
Senate resolution 49. Senate resolution 49 by Senator Tucker to honor sculptor Kevin Cressy for creating the sculpture of Arkansas music icon Johnny Cash, now on display in the national statutory how collection in the United States Capitol. Senator
Senator Clarke Tucker
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38:10
Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues leave for Mr. Kress, Kevin Cressy, and his family to be on the floor with. special
dispensation for our former senator and friend Mr. Broadway back here. That So another exciting moment today, Kevin Cressey, he sculpted the statue of Johnny Cash that's now in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. So, you know, he was born and raised in North Little Rock, attending Catholic high school
and UA Little Rock. So this man is in Arkansas native, been here his whole life, still lives in central Arkansas. There's still hope for us all because he had a career in advertising before he he started living his dream in the arts, right? So we can still, we can still do it um if we want, although maybe not to the same level of success, which he has had a ton of, uh, he's created bus of legendary Arkansas musicians Levon Helm and Al Green, so Johnny Cash was not his first Arkansas musician. He also has some other works
that you probably have seen. He did the the Dogtown proud mural in Argenta and Senator Scott's district of North Little Rock, and his work has been featured all over the country in Memphis, Atlanta, New York, and Washington DC. He's earned really tremendous acclaim for his work, including receiving the Governor's Art Award in 2015 and in 2016, being selected by the Mid-America Arts Alliance for a painting Fellowship is one of only 4 artists to represent the alliance at the 50th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts.
So a really talented and accomplished artist who sculpted this and who we have in our presence here today. A moment of personal privilege, I'll just say, many of you all know the statues that were being replaced in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol where Uriah rose, and then also my great great grandfather, not just my ancestor, but my namesake. His name is James P. Clark. That's who I'm named for. So it's a personal issue for me, and if, if I, if there were the decision were solely up to me. About who we would replace those two men with in Statuary Hall. If it were my decision alone, I
would have picked Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash. So I, I want to commend the, the body for the decision that we made about who we were sending. The reason why Johnny Cash is one of my favorite Arkansans of all time. It's not just because of his music, which I love. It's because he was a deep thinker and he makes me think deeply, right? And one of the things that he said one time that I like is, you know, his, his career maybe went a little the 80s were not his peak decade. But in in the early 90s, he, he united with a producer Rick Rubin, and he created an album
called American Recordings, and the only two instruments on that album were his voice and an acoustic guitar, and that was it. He got back to the basics and it won all the Grammys and everything. The cover shot for that album was just him in a field in a long black coat with a couple of dogs, and what he said about that picture stuck with me. He said that picture embodied the fact that even when he was at his worst. There were still little good in him, and even when he He was at his best. There were still a little bad in him, and I don't know about y'all, but I, I think that's true for me as
well. But what Kevin has done is in one statue, uh, which will stay the same forever, he has captured that essence of Johnny Cash. What he stood for his artistic ability, his deep thinking ability, his soul, he really captured what art is all about. He did such a tremendous job and we're so grateful to you for the work that you did. And for that reason, members, I'll be asking for a positive vote on this resolution.
Chair
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41:47
Thank you, Senator Tucker and thank you, Kevin, for your work. I had the opportunity to be there when the statute was unveiled sitting between our governor and Roseanne Cash and uh to have that moment and so I encourage senators, if you have not been to statuary Hall to see the work of Kevin
Speaker 79
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Cressey and special thank you also to Shane Broadway and Jamie Land for all the work that they did to make that happen. Senators, all those
Speaker 149
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in favor of Senate resolution 49 to honor sculptor Kevin Cressy for his for creating the sculpture of
Speaker 87
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Arkansas music icon, Johnny Cash, now on display in the National Statuary Hall Collection, the United States Capitol, please signify by saying I, and he opposed as habits, Senate resolution 49 is adopted. There
Senator Clarke Tucker
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42:40
Members of my ass leave to allow Kevin just to share a few brief remarks with us. That would have been
Speaker 202
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embarrassing to be voted down, so I'm glad. Thank you. Thank you so much. Um, it
Speaker 204
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was so funny because when Senator Tucker wrote and said they're going to do a House resolution. I, I have to be honest, my wife Bridget kind of looked at me and she said, Well, what's that mean? And I said, well, it's, it's a resolution, and I kind of felt like Barney Fife, uh, with Opie and Andy trying to
describe, you know, what, what the Emancipation Proclamation was, and I was like, well, it's a resolution, and they'll resolve things, so maybe if I have, you know, a speeding ticket that I can sit and they, they'll resolve it, but This was uh a highlight of my career. I have to tell you, being from Arkansas, I love the fact that so many
people own this sculpture, um, my packet for Daisy Bates that I turned in 66 pages, the same for Johnny, 66 pages. The search committee having to go through all of that, a lot of work. The steering committee meeting once a week the Secretary of State's office, Shane Broadway, so many people that have a part. in this And the thing that I've really noticed was the pride when people would come up to me. I
had a man actually kind of misty-eyed talking about how much these two sculptures meant. It's Arkansas putting a new chapter into the story in our nation's capital where we have 3 to 4 million people going through. And none of this would have been possible. If it hadn't been for the Arkansas legislature. Talking about this considering who should we put up to represent
Our state and tell our story. What values do we hold dear, that we want to present to the world. And I'm so proud of you all for choosing two people. Who Stand up, stood up for those marginalized. Pushed to the sides, who people who needed an advocate, and that's what you all have done. You know, um, I'm 63 years old. I still have a
lot of gas in the tank to produce more work, but I'm also old enough to see how Quickly this life goes by. And it reminds me of the stone hitting the water and as if we're born when it hits and we die when it goes under and it feels like it's about that quick these days, but our actions that keep rippling out. And for these to be positive. ripples that are reaching
people. There's all about for me, Bridget and I talk about this. We've distilled our life down now to Love and service. The most satisfying moments I've had when I see the ripple that's gone out and it's been because of service that I've done for somebody. And what you all do on a daily basis when you think about this. Is that your actions will be
going through afterwards and what an incredible opportunity and responsibility you all have, and I appreciate you all so much for carefully considering what you're doing. And that when we talk about, oh, I remember those bracelets of what would Jesus do? Add a couple more bracelets about what would Daisy Bates do? What would Johnny Cash do? Those are some wonderful North stars that you chose. I couldn't be more proud to be from Arkansas. Couldn't be
more proud to have done this piece. And I appreciate you. resolutely resolving me today. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Tonight at Big Robinson Auditorium will be the premiere of the documentary, Nathan Willis is with us. He's spent over 3.5 years following the creation of the Daisy Bates and
the Johnny Cash statues all the way to the unveiling. It'll be at 7 o'clock tonight and then starts on PBS tomorrow evening at 7. So
Speaker 209
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I hope to see you all there. Thank you so much. No. I see you.
Speaker 87
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Senators, senators, if you haven't had opportunity to go to the US Capitol to see Mr. Cressy's work. You can very easily see a piece of his work outside the lieutenant governor's office, a bust of Governor Rockefeller. So please, uh, if
Chair
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48:21
you haven't had an opportunity, if your family hasn't to go to the US Capitol to see the Johnny
Cash statute, then certainly come by my office and see that.
Speaker 87
48:37
We will now go back to the The. Oh, come on. No it We will now go back to the business agenda. Beginning with Amendment 2 to
Chair
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49:07
Senate Bill 83. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 83. Senator
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
49:14
Bryant, you're recognized, Madam President, this is just a moment that I
Chair
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49:19
had to change a reference to a different statute. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Is habit. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to
Senate Bill 376, Sandra Clark. Amendment 1
Chair
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49:34
to Senate Bill 376. Senator Clark, you're recognized.
Senator Alan Clark
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49:46
Senate Bill 376 was an attempt, uh, Senate bill, the amendment to Senate Bill 376 was an attempt to bring us a little bit closer to the opposition.
It did bring us closer. They still don't support us, but I'd appreciate a good
Speaker 87
50:02
vote. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed. As habit and
adopted, please send to engrossing. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 406. Amendment to the Senate Bill 406. Senator Clark, you're recognized.
Senator Alan Clark
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50:17
The amendment just adds a House sponsor. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying I.
Speaker 153
50:27
Any opposed as habit amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Amendment 1, Senate Bill 445. Amendment 1, the Senate Bill 445. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, ma'am. Governor
Bill is my amendment. Well, it's an amendment that was put on the house caught a couple of technical errors in the language, so it fixes those things. Thank you. All those in favor of the
Chair
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50:49
amendment please signify by saying aye. Any opposed as habit amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Amendment
Speaker 153
50:54
1, the Senate resolution 46. Amendment 1, the Senate Resolution 46.
Senator Tucker, you recognized. Thank you, Madam President. This amendment just adds Senator Ervin as a co-sponsor. Thank you. All
Senator Clarke Tucker
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51:06
those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye.
Chair
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51:12
And he opposed as habit. Amendment is adopted, please send engrossing.
Amendment 1 to House Bill 1268. Amendment 1, the House Bill 1268. Senator Scott,
Senator Jamie Scott
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51:25
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. It's just an amendment to AM as a sponsor. All those in favor of the amendment, please
Speaker 87
51:34
signify by saying I. and he opposed as habit amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1288. Amendment 1 is
Chair
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51:42
sent to House Bill 1288. Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized. Amendment to Lee Johnson's bill
Senator Mark Johnson
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51:51
to add Senator Irvin as a co-sponsor, and I don't know how in the
Senator Alan Clark
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51:57
world I got it. All those in favor
Speaker 87
52:00
of the amendment, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed. As habit amendment is adopted, please send
Speaker 75
52:07
to engrossing. We'll now take up Senate Bill 103.
Senate Bill 103 by Centra Penzo to create the pharmacy nondescription act and to require pharmacy benefit managers to accept any pharmacy
or pharma pharmacist willing to accept relevant and reasonable
terms of participation and declare an emergency. Sender Penzo,
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
52:34
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 103 modernizes and strengthens Arkansas's any willing provider laws prohibits PBMs from arbitrarily excluding willing Arkansas pharmacies from joining their networks, which currently are solely serviced by PBM affiliated pharmacies
located outside of the state of Arkansas. It creates a structure to allow the Arkansas Insurance Department to accept complaints and enforce equitable participation in PBM networks. Aligned with the patient access and the will of Arkansas. It also creates an option for Arkansas patients where they aren't forced and steered to use out of state pharmacies that they can't physically visit, uh, have an average rating of 1.7 out of 5 stars and thousands of
negative public non-anonymous online reviews filed with frustrated patients that can't get the medication that they need to get that they need to get, to get better and be there for their families. Um. You know, there's, there's been a lot of um issues with PBMs that we've had to deal with, and I think this improves access to to medications and in Arkansas for patients and I just ask everybody for a good vote on this one. Thank you.
Speaker 240
53:55
Any questions for Senator Penzo? Anyone wish to
Speaker 87
54:02
speak against or for Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection,
Speaker 242
54:10
Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Des, Dismay, Dotson, English, Flippo, flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irving, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Keen Letting, Love.
key, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfeld, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the
Chair
Unverified
54:42
ballot. By a vote of 34 yeah, zero nay, Senate Bill 103 passes and the corresponding emergency
clause is adopted, police transmit to the house. Senate Bill 232. Senate Bill 232 by Senator
Hickey to amend various provisions of the Arkansas scholarship Lottery Act and declare an emergency. Senator Hickey, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, OK, members,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
55:09
this is not gonna be the easiest thing to understand, but if we don't try to get in the weeds, I'll get there
with your attempt to. But just to give you a quick uh uh synopsis of this. What this is going to do is this is going to clean up the books of the Arkansas lottery whenever the uh Lottery was put on. It was put on by initiated act.
And the definition of net proceeds was written to the point that it kind of was outside of what I would call generally accepted accounting principles. What that's done is created an issue. own the lottery's balance sheet. So that, so that we're showing this large negative net position. Uh, it kind of goes up and down, but it does grow over the years. So it's something that we need to correct. Right now, and this bill will go into
place as of July 1, so that we'll hit the hit the upcoming fiscal year is, is the way it's written. I cannot tell you exactly what that negative will be at that particular time because it's based on uh not only what the large game prizes are, but also what's called our OPEB, uh, It's our employment benefits of our retirees, those have to be done by an actuarial so I cannot tell you the number right now it's somewhere close to around
$20 million we expect that it will be less than that. By the time they do it, And what I'm going to tell you is the way we're going to click, the way we're going to correct this, although this is going to seem odd, is this is not gonna affect our scholarship lottery account. There actually may be or there will be additional money by doing this that's going to be put into the water, the lottery trust fund that we have. The way that we're cleaning this
up is whenever the lottery was, was put in and you all have corrected this over the last few years as, as we've, as we fixed the lottery, I'm just gonna say it that way because what had happened was, is the scholarships had they were being paid in the same year that the money was coming in. So at that time there was a need for a watery scholarship. A shortfall trust account. So what would happen is if the money had not come in yet, we'd already had these obligations
for the scholarships, so we might have to borrow from that shortfall account. What we're doing now and what you all have done over the last few years by by the votes you've made is we're now actually paying for the scholarships a year behind. So the revenues coming in, so we always know how much money that we have available for those scholarships and they could adjust up or down if needed if the money was not there. So we no longer need the lottery shortfall, uh, account,
which is $20 million we're gonna totally correct our books so that we won't have this negative balance on any longer. And if there's any additional, you know, if it's only 19 million or 18 million, whatever it may be, as of July 1. Whenever they make this transaction, that additional money will flow in for scholarships. If that's clear as mud, I apologize, but like I say, it's a little bit odd situation, but this will get our books back in, in the bill, it states that we'll be following generally
accepted accounting principals, and I think that's gonna correct every every issue we have with that. I'll attempt to answer any questions, questions for Senator Hickey.
Chair
Unverified
58:48
Senator Love, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Governor and Senator Hickey, I
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
58:52
guess I got a couple of questions, but number one, so you with access, I thought we did
Speaker 254
59:00
away with that, with that uh lottery, um, shortfall.
Speaker 257
59:08
Did we, did we, did we not, no, sir, the short, no sir. The shortfall accounts just
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
59:14
sitting out there at 20 million and it takes legislation, this legislation to
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
59:18
do that. OK. And so now we're gonna be paying for scholarships for scholarships in advance. We've, we've already No,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
59:25
sir. We were paying them in the rear. Well, whenever at the inception of the lottery, what had happened is, is there was a push, of course, to start paying those scholarships as quick as
possible. So we started paying scholarships in the same year that we were getting revenue in. You all have fixed that over the last 10 years. I don't remember when we actually did that. So now we're actually getting our revenue in, we know that we have 90 million. or $100 million to pay for those scholarships. So we got that revenue in hand and then we're able to fulfill how much our scholarships are. We already know what they're
gonna be. So because of that's the reason that we don't need the shortfall reserve account any
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:00:17
longer. OK, so if, if, if we receive if we receive more, a lot of, well I guess. We So we'll never have a shortfall
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:00:28
No, sir, not the way that our current legislation is written because actually
our current legislation, how we, how we've changed that again, it's the same thing as I just talked about with behind.
But within that, what, what our current legislation is the way it's on the books. It says if we were to have a shortfall if we were to have a shortfall, uh, the scholarships would reduce by that pro rata amount to make sure that we're not spending more than we have. So that is in there too, just to let y'all know though, we do have because of our actions, we do have like $300 million that's probably over and above what we need in the lottery scholarship trust account. Now too, so we've even got that
Speaker 266
1:01:12
back up so that back up, which we didn't,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:01:17
we used to not have. And so the money that sometimes the schools refund us sometimes the schools refund us, um, a lottery money, scholarship money. Is that money going to flow back into the nothing, nothing would change with the way that's being done, which I believe
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:01:30
that flows right back into the trust account itself, but the, the scholarship trust account. OK. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thanks for your questions.
Speaker 240
1:01:43
Any other questions for Senator Hickey? Seeing all the questions. Anyone wish to speak against or
Speaker 87
1:01:53
for. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat. Saying no objection, Madam Secretary, please
roll the boat. Brant Caldwell, Clark Krull, Davis, Deasley, Dema dots and
Speaker 11
1:02:06
English flippo Flowers Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark
Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton,
Speaker 56
1:02:16
Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott stone, Stubber Phil Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change
Chair
Unverified
1:02:25
his or her vote. Send her flowers present, any other senator. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33A, 0, nay,
1 present, Senate Bill 232 passes, and a corresponding emergency clause is adopted, please
transmit to the house. Senate Bill 241 symbol
241 by Centra Scott to amend the uniform attendance and Leave Policy Act and a
grant paid leave to public employees in the event of the death of a public employee's family member, or child. Senator Scott, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Chair. Thank you colleagues for the opportunity
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
1:03:10
to present Senate Bill 241. This bill will amend
the Uniform Attendance policy to ensure that public employees are afforded necessary bereavement time in the event of the death of a family member or
a child. Losing a loved one, especially a child, is it an unimaginable hardship. Without clear bereavement policies, um, public employees may be forced to take unpaid leave and use personal days, adding financial strain
during the already difficult time, and this was something that the governor's office brought up because I work with them on this bill for the past month. Um,
employees who took, employees who returned to work too soon after a significant loss such as a child might struggle with focus and productivity, so, uh, many agencies are already accommodating informal bereavement leave. This bill just standardized. this the practice to ensure fairness in the state of Arkansas, this bill clearly defines who qualifies for immediate family leave. We took it from the statue 21-4-206, we took the exact same language and I work with the governor's office just to make sure we weren't making any mistakes on
that, and this bill ensures that employees do not have to rely on discretionary decisions from supervisors during their time of personal crisis, um, I'll be happy to answer any questions if there are any colleagues left in the chamber to ask any. Any questions
Chair
Unverified
1:04:33
for Senator Scott? Anyone wish to speak against or for. Send her your recognized clothes. Um,
Speaker 242
1:04:39
thank you, colleagues, I appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat. And
Chair
Unverified
1:04:47
Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll it. Bran. Grant I would like to. Caldwell. We're already in the middle
Speaker 280
1:05:07
of the road. We're in the middle of the road.
Speaker 281
1:05:19
These leave, dismay. Datsun, Dots and English. English. Flippo.
Aleppo. Flowers. Gilmore Gilmore, hammer. Hammer Hester. Hester, Hicky
Speaker 284
1:05:49
Hill. Arvin Irvin. Like Johnson. Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Mark Johnson.
Speaker 284
1:06:21
Murdoch Murdoch. Payton Hayden. Penzo. Pennzo Patty, Patty. Rice
Speaker 285
1:06:38
Rice Scott Stone. Stravail. Do you get in
Sullivan. Tucker. Tacker Wallace. OK. Senders,
Speaker 240
1:07:04
I will go slow. Any senator wished to vote or change your
Chair
Unverified
1:07:09
vote. I'm gonna begin on this side, Senator McKee,
Speaker 287
1:07:14
yes. Senator Murdoch Yes, Senator Boyd, yes. Senator Wallace, yes. Senator Petty, yes.
Hammer, yes. Tucker, yes. Love. Yes. Sender Stone. I said I OK. Sanderstone, yes, Senator Sullivan, yes. Senator English, yes. Senator letting, yes. Senator Dodson, yes.
Senator F Filippo, yes. King, yes. Hester, yes. Caldwell, yes, Mark Johnson, yes. Senator Ervin, no. dismay, yes, rice, yes. Senator Crow, yes, Senator Blake Johnson, yes, Senator Hill, yes. Senator Bryant, yes.
Chair
Unverified
1:08:27
Any other senator, Senator Penzo. Yes. Peyton present. Any other senators, please check the board. And the senators, please check the board, seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. Now No. Yeah. But I
Speaker 294
1:08:57
vote of 30, yeah. Regardless, there was a vote of
Chair
Unverified
1:09:18
308. 382 nay, one present, one
not voting. Senate Bill 241 passes. Transmit.
To the House, Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:09:36
Madam President, I moved the clincher on Senate Bill
Chair
Unverified
1:09:44
241. All in favor, clinch your motion on Senate Bill 241, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? I have it. She
Speaker 305
1:10:01
have I feel like our mic got longer, so just
Speaker 7
1:10:13
me. It's just longer. We are now taking up Senate bill. 52. So about 252 by central dismay to inform the
Speaker 11
1:10:20
public of health risks caused by vapor products and a liquid products and to ensure the safety of Arkansas youth. Senator dismaying you're recognized. Thank you, Governor.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:10:32
Members, first I wanna say thanks to the City County Local Committee for indulging me, I think in 4 meetings ultimately I think to get the passage to get an agreement on what should be in this bill. This bill is going to create an Arkansas vape registry for vape products, um, and that will be utilized by our retailers to know what products have actually been approved by the FDA and it will help root out the Chinese products that are currently predominantly on some shelves and some of our stores. um One of the things that we did
exclude was the open system bait products, so that's the juice products that use the battery, uh that they mix uh at some of the different vape stores, so that's excluded from this, this, this is those closed system vapes, and again they would have to be on the FDA list of approved items to be able to make it to the Arkansas Arkansas registry, would that have to take any questions? Any questions for Senator Dismay?
Speaker 87
1:11:33
Anyone wish to speak against or for. Sender has closed.
Speaker 7
1:11:42
Any objection to rolling the boat. Madam Secretary, please roll the boat.
Caldwell, Clark Crowell, Davis, Des, Lee, Dima dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore,
Speaker 11
1:11:53
Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice Scott, Stone, Steberfield
Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Anyone wished to change his
Speaker 87
1:12:10
or her vote. King not voting, any other senator saying
Chair
Unverified
1:12:17
no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33, yeah, 0, nay, 1 not voting. Senate Bill 252 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 364 House for 364 by
Senator Hester to amend the law concerning violations and penalties related to contractors. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. members, uh, this bill
is involving contractors that that do not have a license, um, and that perform work in the state of Arkansas. Currently, if you don't have a license, you perform work in the state of Arkansas, you forego any right to be paid for that work. Um, so this is kind of in my opinion, a fairness bill like If you did the work, you, there should be a consequence for operating without a license, but
it shouldn't be 100% of your pay. And so that's what this bill just addresses that like if uh you know, if you were from out of state and you came here and did a job, maybe not understanding our contractor licensing law, that that's not an excuse for that or like Senator Clark said in committee, uh, maybe you're a young contractor just starting a new small subcontracting jobs, you end up doing a job bigger than is allowed without a license, you have no right to collect any of the money for your work. What this says is, uh, if you get caught doing that, um, then
you go to the, you go to the contractor board, you fill out an application, you take whatever consequence they give you, fines, penalties, whatever that is, they will see that necessary if you're a major corporation that should have known maybe the consequences will be different than maybe a young person. That's all this does, it allows you to get, get right with the contractor's board and still be able to
seek a remedy to get paid for the work that you've done. I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hester. Senator Hill, you're
recognized for a question. Senator Hester, this encouraging people to work without a license. I hope it certainly does not. it could be interpreted that way they
Speaker 325
1:14:13
can go work and just pay a little fine and not worry about taking their test. Well, I wouldn't say it'd be a little fine, but you know, this says that they have
to come and get right with the contractor's board. And if they can't get right because they're not capable or not, that's a whole different, that's a
whole different uh consequence. Now you are a contractor, right? I am. I am licensed contractor. Thank you. Send her flowers, you're
Speaker 42
1:14:35
recognized for a question. I'm trying to
Speaker 280
1:14:39
understand the um what contractors, this
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:14:43
would apply to in terms of the value of a job, the amount of a job. This would
include all licensed contractor at any value, at any value at any value, so
under $25,000 correct. But do they all have to
be licensed by the contractors board. They do not all have to be licensed by the contractor's board, but you know, and there's a certain amount I should have probably been prepared to to answer what the exact dollar amount was on the minimum required. But if you're doing very much of any work at all for someone else, uh, you, it's required
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:15:27
to have a license. in the state of Arkansas. OK, so a complaint can be filed if any contractor at any contract value.
Does not have a license. Well, clearly, yeah, I mean, if someone doesn't have a license currently, you could, you could already
file a complaint. What the current law says if they do contracting in Arkansas, uh, they
don't have the right to collect any money. So if somebody came and they, you know, um framed a house for you, right? Or, or did a bunch of work yeah, anything, right? They don't have the right to seek any payment for that work because they weren't licensed.
and they can't sue. They go to before the board, right, you could not sue, well, you can, uh, that contractor could not sue the person that did not pay them. Under present law, under present law, that's
right. This is going to say if that, if that person was operating, maybe inadvertently, may maybe intentionally, that's for the contractor board to figure out, uh, and the contractor board, this leaves
them the total uh autonomy to figure out what those consequences should be. That's why I to any court.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:16:41
Excuse me, before it would Anyone could file in a court. That's correct. OK. So yeah, I, I
think this, this just boils down to, does the punishment fit the crime, right? Like if somebody operated here, should they not be able to collect any of their money. What we're saying is there should be a punishment. It just, it just shouldn't be as severe as 100% of the cost of the work you did. Senator, dismaying, you're recognized for a question, but a
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:17:12
similar situation could be, I mean if you're they're under the threshold doing a project
for somebody. They don't have to have a license, but then maybe that individual asks them to do more and more and more, and a savvy person that's asking them to do that could get them above a certain amount and essentially turn around at one point and say, you know what, you're ever bo,
you're not a contractor. I'm not paying you. Is that a relevant situation? That's a very relevant situation.
Chair
Unverified
1:17:38
Any other questions for Senator Hester. Saying no other questions.
Anyone wish to speak against or for
Speaker 160
1:17:49
Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat. Saying no objection, Madam
Secretary, please roll the boat. Boy, Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crow, Davis, Des,
Speaker 11
1:18:02
Lee, this swings in English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice,
Speaker 350
1:18:15
Scott, Stone Stubberfield Sullivan. Tucker Wallace. Any senator
Speaker 149
1:18:20
wish to change his or her vote, seeing no one.
Chair
Unverified
1:18:24
Please cast up the ballot. By vote 30,480 nay, Senate Bill 364 passes, please transmit to the
house. Senator Dodson, you're recognized for an introduction. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, members,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:18:38
it's my pleasure to introduce the doctor of the day, Dr. Scott Cooper, who is an
orthopedic surgeon from Bentonville. And uh
the nurse of the day, Lee Fazio. Thank you,
Speaker 160
1:19:02
Senator Dodson. Next, we will take up Senate Bill 402. Send for to
by Senator Penzo to prohibit a public school district and an educational service cooperative from requiring or taking certain
actions related to uh employee
organizations and professional associations. Yes Senator Penzo, you're
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:19:29
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Senate, Senate Bill 402 prohibits associations, unions, and co-ops from recruiting members on school campuses during work hours. This is another elimination of taxpayer support for corporate unions, association or co-ops. Arkansas
law should prioritize the school day over the needs of unions and other associations. Teachers should be free to teach without worrying about being confronted by a recruiter in front of their students. Current laws that allow unions and associations to interrupt the school day for recruiting members. It is common practice to have employees sit through high pressure union recruiting presentations during new higher orientations, as well as faculty meetings. This, this bill will prohibit that in the future. Um,
the, uh, Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators reached out and asked for an amendment on this. We came to some agreed to language, and that was amended into the bill, um. And I'd be happy to answer any questions or ask for a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
1:20:40
Any questions for Senator Penzo. Anyone wish to
Speaker 87
1:20:42
speak against or for Senator Penzo has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, see. Is there objection noted, Madam
Chair
Unverified
1:20:52
Secretary, please call the roll. Bowen. Yeah
Speaker 281
1:21:10
Crow Davis. These leave this thing. This man.
Dotson English. flowers. Gilmore
hammer Hester. He Hickey Hill. Irvin. Blake Johnson, Blake
Speaker 11
1:21:42
love. So, McKee Murdoch. Murdoch Hayton.
Speaker 284
1:21:57
And so Penza, Patty. Rice. Scott Stan. That
Speaker 281
1:22:07
a Phil? Sullivan. attacker Oh Wallace. Any
Chair
Unverified
1:22:19
senator wish to change his or her vote, Senator Penzo, yes. Any other senator, Senator Scott
present? Any other senator. Seeing no other, oh, Senator Murdoch. Present Please check the board. Any other
saying no other. Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 27, 2, nay, 3 not voting,
and 2 present. Senate Bill 402 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 411.
Senate Bill 411 by Senator Crow to amend the law concerning the height of vehicles and to create an offense for the operation of a vehicle with a modified bumper. Senator Crow, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:23:09
Madam President. This is a constituent driven bill. They had an accident in front of their house where two of those jacked up trucks were their rear ends are hanging down, turned in front of each other and couldn't see each other. I brought it up. I started talking to the state police, state police realize it's a safety issue. They were 100% behind this language, and
Chair
Unverified
1:23:29
so is the sheriff's association. Questions for Senator Kroll. Senator Payton, you're recognized for a question.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:23:39
Thank you, Madam President, I think those vehicles look stupid. I hate them. And, and I'm all for outlawing them, but this language is going to cover a lot more. So if you take like a Chevy Kodiak, which is a C60 series truck. The front bumper and the cab and the seat are very
elevated. If you don't have a drop bumper
on the back. It's more than 4 inches lower than the front, then the back bumper is gonna be so high that a car rear ending it will go right up under it. There are states that have laws against jacked up vehicles to require them to have a rear bumper low enough to protect somebody in a rear that rear ends that vehicle. So the way you've chosen the language here by it just being comparative, the rear bumper to
the front bumper, there's a lot of situations where you're going to force the rear bumper up high enough that it's gonna be unsafe. Or you're going to force it up high enough that it's unusable to tow a trailer or something like that. I mean, we need different language than to say foreign anything more than a 4 inch difference is, is gonna be illegal because I can promise you there are some utility, I mean a deuce and a half. You know, we've got uh
National Guard trucks that the front bumper is gonna be too high to have the back bumper within 4 inches of
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:25:11
it, but it's, it's written in the fact that it's there, the whole vehicles this way. It's not just the bumper altered from the if if you buy them from the factory, they have a, if you've altered it and you've moved the bumpers and the vehicle is slanted.
That's what they're looking for is the slant of the vehicle we're after, but it
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:25:28
says that if it's 4 inches in height,
greater than the rear bumper, the front bumper's 4 inches higher. I can tell you
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:25:36
the intent that they told me is that that they would measure from the wheel well at that point. Do you want me to pull it down and put that in language then? I mean, because I have no problems. I just believe this is a safety issue, but that's, that was the intent, the state police actually were 100% behind this language and from the other states. Well, I mean, I,
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:25:57
I understand that it's in a paragraph that says modified by any means. The suspension frame and chassis.
But we take those work trucks all the time, cut the frame in half, stretch the vehicle, put a longer drive shaft in it in order to have a like a rollback bed for to haul cars on, you've got to stretch that frame, so it's been modified with Mr. Payton, I don't see you driving a vehicle down the road like this. I hate those work trucks all the time, cut the frame in half, stretch the vehicle, put a longer drive shaft in it in order to have
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:26:20
a like a rollback bed for to haul cars on, you've got to stretch that frame, so it's been modified with Mr. Payton,
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:26:24
I don't see you driving a vehicle down the road like this. I, I don't even think I've ever traded for one, but I've had the opportunity, but I understand your concern,
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:26:31
but I think that the intent of the law is for the
Speaker 316
1:26:35
I'm for the intent. Any Any other questions for
Chair
Unverified
1:26:45
Senator Crow? Anyone wish to speak against. Speak for Senator Mark Johnson, you recognized to speak for. Thank you, Madam President, and
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:26:53
my only regret on this bill is that Senator, uh, Carl introduced it before I did because I had one
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:27:01
just about ready to drop that did essentially the same thing.
They call these cars squatters. The back is so low and the hood is so high that the driver can't see what's in front of them. And I'm looking at our staffer, uh, Leslie Rogers. Her husband, who is the assistant fire chief of our West Pulaski Fire Department brought me this issue. They had one of these
squatter vehicles that hit one of Johnson, I'm, I'm
Speaker 153
1:27:32
sorry to interrupt. Senator Johnson, I would ask the
body, uh, there seems to be conversations
Chair
Unverified
1:27:39
going on at this time, if they're, if you need to have any louder conversations, please take those outside the chamber. Senator Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President, because this is very important. They rear-ended one of
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:27:50
our fire department's emergency vehicles. I don't know how long it's, is it out of the
shop? I don't know yet. Leslie says it's out of the shop now, but when you have a volunteer fire department and they lose one of their emergency vehicles.
That's a uh problem for the whole community, but it's one thing to think it's stylish to look like it. It's another thing when you literally can't see over your own hood and you're driving down the road, so I'm sure Senator Payton, any details we can iron out and fix since the state police was was good with this, this situation, but these things are not just goofy looking and I don't like them, but they are dangerous. They're dangerous to themselves. They're certainly dangerous to others, and in this case, it
just shows how an emergency vehicle was taken off the road just because of this. So this
is a great bill and I appreciate a yes vote on it.
Speaker 153
1:28:47
Thank you, Madam President. Thanks, Senator Johnson. Anyone else wish to
Chair
Unverified
1:28:54
speak against or for? Senator Crow has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote. Objection noted, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. But
Speaker 390
1:29:07
Brant Caldwell. Caldwell. Clark Clark Crowl Davis. Days
leave dismay, Dotson, Gotson. Said Maam. You
Speaker 281
1:29:20
said no. No. English. Flippo. Flip out Flowers Gilmore
Gilmore, Hammer. Hester Hickey.
Speaker 284
1:29:48
He Hill. Irvin. Irvin. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. King Lighting
love. The key. Murdoch Murdo.
Speaker 284
1:30:13
Payton. And so, Penza, Patty. Rice Scott Scott Stan, Stubberfield. Sullivan Tucker. Wallace No
Speaker 281
1:30:29
What was I'll begin on this side. Any senator wished to vote who
Chair
Unverified
1:30:44
didn't vote or wished to change your vote. Senator Penzo, no. Any other senator, Senator Murdoch, present. Senator Scott Yes Senator Clark No Senator dismaying present. Senator Ervin, yes. And he had the senator, please check the board. Senator Flippo, yes.
And he had the senator. Seeing no other senator, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 1810 nay, 4, not voting to present Senate Bill 411 passes, please transmit to
Speaker 160
1:31:31
the house. Senate Bill 416. Senate Bill 416
by Senator Irving to repeal the electric vehicle infrastructure grant program and repeal the electric vehicle infrastructure fund.
Speaker 185
1:31:49
Cinder Urban, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President, the bill does
what it says. The reason why is because the Department of Energy and Environment is does not have any of the funding to do this program, any type of electric vehicle infrastructure fund or program would go through Arkansas Department of Transportation. I think this was set up at one time in expectation of some federal, um, dollars or settlement dollars,
but that never came to fruition, so that's What the
Chair
Unverified
1:32:27
bill does. Any questions for Senator Urban. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat.
Bo, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crow, Davis, D Lee Dima dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore
hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake
Speaker 11
1:32:53
Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo, Petty, rice, Scott stone, Steerfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote, Senator Tucker present. And he had
Speaker 149
1:33:07
the senator. Saying no. Senator King, Where you make a
Chair
Unverified
1:33:10
motion Is that if not voting or are you
waving at me? Sorry, not voting. OK, Senator King not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 ya, zero nay, 1 not voting, one present, Senate Bill 416 passes, please transmit. To the House, Senate Bill 420. Senate
Bill 420 by Central Hester to expand eligibility for water development state programs to amend the Water Authority Act and to amend the users of the construction Assistance
revolving loan fund. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Thank
you, Governor. Members, my next, my next two bills are gonna be involved in what we all have needs in
in all of our districts. It's, it's a water and sewer needs. What this does right here, it allows a water we'll say a water authority. rather than just being government at home, but sometimes some of them are nonprofits, uh, some are even private. It allows them to be eligible to apply for grant or not grants, but loans from our natural resource commission, low-interest loans. So, um,
that's, that's, that's basically as simple as it is, uh, where we're expanding those who are eligible for these grants or for these uh low interest loans. I think it's important to a lot of our communities. I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator
Chair
Unverified
1:34:39
Hester, Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized, and then Senator Love. Thank you, Madam President. Senator, I ask you this question
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:34:45
in committee. I hate to be redundant, but I think the rest of our colleagues should hear. There is no Uh, difference in what the rate
would be charged to a for-profit business that was seeking these this financing versus our nonprofit water authorities and and water districts around the state. Is that correct? That's correct.
So You, you got more people into the pot, so to speak, but less so ultimately there
would be less money available to these, and I'm not disparaging the for-profit utilities that are doing this, but I just wanted to make that
clear that it is coming out of the same pot of money and Conceivably would To lower that balance available to other borrowers. That is correct, but as things have been, we have not ran
short on those funds, so we wouldn't be telling anyone no. In fact, that's the reason we're opening up to more people. There there are funds available. But we have
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:35:53
a significant statewide, I believe someone
Speaker 407
1:35:59
said $13 billion in committee of identified need. Is that correct? There's $13 billion of need. That's correct, billion. That's right. OK, it just seems
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:36:07
to like it might not be a good time to actually let somebody else come into it when they have access
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:36:14
to other capital. Thank you for answering my question. You're welcome. I think it
would mean it's the absolute necessary time. To start allowing people to use it. Senator Love, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:36:30
Thank you, Governor. Um, when you, when you begin to talk about the qualified corporation. Give me an example of a qualified corporation that's in
the water business right now. So one example might
be like Hot Springs Village, another example would be, that will be a that will be qualified afterwards. So what would be qualified once this bill is law. So right now, who is qualified would
be, you know, Bentonville Water, right? Something that's owned by a municipality. OK.
OK, so who would would not qualify would be Hot Springs Village Water or Liberty Water that provides water in Pine Bluff. After this bill, they would be eligible to go apply for those loans. And you know, if you look at some of these communities, if, if they go out and get a higher interest loan, with that, that, that interest has to be put into the water. Everybody's water rates go up and there's just communities that they can't afford it. I think that the entire state of Arkansas should have access to these low-interest loans because it's ultimately the people who are paying the price. OK. All right. Thank you.
Speaker 240
1:37:33
Any other questions for Senator Hester? Anyone wish
Chair
Unverified
1:37:38
to speak against Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized to speak against. Thank you, Madam
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:37:53
President. I I appreciate what Senator Hester is trying to do,
and again, the customers of these uh for-profit
uh water utilities are citizens that need water just like the customers of for-profit utilities need electricity or gas or whatever. Uh, the difference is that this is a set of money we're, we're, we're substituting. Private public funds to loan to a private entity and the net result will be there will be less funds available to the
qualifying uh for nonprofit. Organizations or or wider authorities or or water companies. Senator Payton asked me a real good question a moment ago. He said, if we've got $13 billion worth of need. Why do we have this plenty of money in this fund. Well, this is a loan. This is uh a revolving loan fund. It's not a grant, and I'm not saying I have all the answers to solving that problem because that 13 billion doesn't just include water needs. It includes
wastewater needs. Well, but it would appear to me that this is not the time to substitute the public's loan fund and let a private entity have access to that, even though their customers are citizens, somewhere in there when you're a for-profit entity is a dividend to the owners. So for that reason, I'm gonna be voting no, and I would encourage you all to do the same. Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam President.
Chair
Unverified
1:39:37
Anyone wished to speak for for Senator Hammer, you're recognized to speak for. members, I think it would be
a good thing to do is it opens up the door for opportunity for everyone to have access to this, and we are fighting hard to get water to every citizen in our state, and this will provide that opportunity for it to be considered understanding there are some safeguards that just because you apply doesn't mean you'll be approved, but at least it'll open it up and it'll give access to everyone, and that's one of the things we'll all fight for down here real hard,
so I appreciate a good vote on
Chair
Unverified
1:40:16
this. Any other Anyone else wish to speak for or against, not Senator Hester, your recognized clothes. Senator has closed. Is there an objection to rolling the vote. Objection noted, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boy, Brandt. Caldwell. Caldwell, Clark.
Crowe Davis. Days leave dismaying Dotson English flippo. Flip out Flowers. Flowers. Gilmore Gilmore. Hammer, Hester. Hester Hickey. Hickie.
Speaker 284
1:41:10
Hi Irvin, Like Johnson, Mark Johnson, King. King Latin Letting Love Love. McKee Murdoch. Murdoch. Hayden Penzo
Speaker 285
1:41:45
Stone Stabil. Sullivan. Tucker I Wallace. Any
Speaker 308
1:42:00
did not vote, Senator Hickey, no, Senator Love. Yes.
Speaker 173
1:42:13
The senators, Senator King, no. Flippo, no.
Speaker 51
1:42:18
Murdoch. Yes. Gilmore, yes. Any other senators Please check
Chair
Unverified
1:42:29
the board. Seeing no other police cast up the ballot by a vote of 25 6 nay, 3 not voting. Senate Bill 420 passes, please transmit to
the house. Senate Bill 421. Senate Bill 421
by Senator Hester to authorize the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue general obligation bonds for the development of water, waste disposal, and pollution. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. So members, this is a, this is a
program that the people of Arkansas have voted on and re upped twice since 1997. It's not
some new program. This is how we get the funds for our natural resource
commission to give the low interest loans to all of our communities. Over the last 4 years, every single county in Arkansas has received at least one of these loans. This has been a program in effect since 1997, the last time it was re-upped by the people of Arkansas was in 2007. We need to vote on it and it was for 20 years. We need to, the people of Arkansas will need to vote on it, uh, next year, the 2026 election cycle, so we'll be good to go for the 2027 cycle.
So if we approve this as a legislature, then it will go on the ballot in a year, um, just like our constitutional amendments. So we'll go on the ballot if the people of Arkansas say yes, we want to continue to issue bonds for low interest, uh, for our water departments, um, then the people of Arkansas would have to vote and approve that if they approve it, then this is giving the natural Resources commission to sell bonds up to $30 million a year, $60 million a biennium, and
that's what this is, this is, this is how we're currently funding it, how we've currently been doing it since 1997. It's just asked him to continue with that process, and I'm
happy to answer any questions if I can. Any questions for Senator Hester,
Speaker 240
1:44:32
Senator Payton, and Senator Love. Thank you, Madam President. So how is this not
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:44:36
borrowing money. I mean, where does the money come from? Are we borrowing it from ourselves or from a different agency or from banks or what? It, it is, it is issuing a bond as, as we do on a
lot of things, but yeah, I, I would say it's Pretty well borrowing money. So if you're
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:44:53
borrowing money, it's not a balanced budget, and that would be unconstitutional, wouldn't it? We, we do a lot
of bonds and they have, they, they have not been proven unconstitutional. Thank you. Senator Love.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:45:10
Thank you, Governor, and this is, I guess this is something that I didn't ask you that I should have asked you. So what is the role of the What is the role of the local
government in both of these initiatives in the issuing of the bonds because usually you go before either the city, the quorum Court to get the approval for the bonds. It's a what is the role
of the of the local government in these two initiatives that you're bringing. OK, so there's, there's no role in
the local government for this. The state of Arkansas with the approval of the people of Arkansas will issue these bonds, get these funds. Then the local governments may come ask for a low interest loan from the Natural Resource Commission.
So that's the only role that the that the local government would do.
They would come and request a loan for a particular water project, OK, so,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:46:02
but the last initiative that you just had. He said that the, the qualified corporation could go and get the loan. So is there any role in the local government in that. OK, so it's good it
Speaker 438
1:46:16
would have been easier if I, if the bill numbers have been different and in that other bill
would have been 2nd and this bill would have been 1st. But what, what,
what the bill Iran just before, it, it, it opened it up
who was eligible to come get these low-interest loans off of these bonds. Oh And look, we are not, we are
not short on funds. Like this program will end in 2027 if we do not choose to send it to the voters to re-up it. Every single county, every single district is benefiting from these low-interest loans. If you've got water and sewer needs in your district, this is
absolutely critical to continue on with these bonds. Senator Sullivan,
Chair
Unverified
1:47:04
you're recognized for a question. Or I said Sullivan, I apologize. Stubblefield. Yes, history history uh this
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:47:11
says whether public or private, could these bonds be used uh for the prison project up at Meyer. Well,
Speaker 440
1:47:18
I guess they could be used for, for any, any project since
subfield for a public water or private water system, right, you're well
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:47:30
aware that we have no water for that project, and we have a lot of uh sewer system and water needs there. So these bonds, these, this debt could be used. Taxpayers' debt could be used to pay for that prison that you want to build. We're wanting to build in Franklin County. Senator Stubville, I would answer that by saying
if they wanted to fund that water through this system, they could
do it in 25 or 26 or 27. The uh they, they could already, there's plenty of funds left in that to go ahead and if if that was the route they were going to choose, it has nothing to do with this bill. This bill will be in effect long after those decisions have been made. Long after the water lines will already be at the prison. Will this Will this go into effect? Would, would this be
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:48:14
added on to the, the other costs, uh, that are associated with the prison. Senator, you're going down a line that like I, I can't
answer questions about the prison. This has nothing to do with the prison about the prison. This has nothing to do with the prison
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:48:27
the prison. I found that out in the last 3 or 4 months. But what I'm saying is, will this be added? You don't know if this could be added on to the other cost. It has to
be added on. If it's used for that project, you, you want, OK, so, so you want me to discuss prison funding right now. I'm
having, so, so the, the, the, the The executive branch has said that the cost of prison based off of our consultant's $825 million. They said in that 825
it includes water and sewer. You've got the letter,
I've got the letter. I, I, I'm not sure what more you want. Well, all
Speaker 445
1:49:07
I wanted was an answer to the question. Can this be used for that project? That's all I ask. Well, that project will be
done. I would say this bill will not affect that project. So the answer to your question on this bill? No, but can the Natural Resources Commission, could they support a water line? Absolutely. They already can. This bill comes into effect long
Chair
Unverified
1:49:30
after the, the water for the prison
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:49:42
will be established. Any other questions? Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. So Senator Hester, um, I'm seeing here that
it's $500 million cap in one category, 165 million and another. You said that this is something that's been ongoing for quite some time. Are these caps changing or are we increasing
them, or is that what it was. We are increasing the caps from $300 million to 500 million, but the last time this was done was 20 years ago, and the costs are just that
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:50:10
much more. What about the 165 million. Where do you see that at? Just right past the 500 million. What page? What line? It's in the title is where I'm saying it, and I have to be entitled. I'm sure it's in the body somewhere.
OK, the 100, yeah, that's the 165 million
could possibly be used for irrigation projects, if that needed to be a No, that is not a new increase. The 500, the $500 million is an increase from 300 million, but always about a third of it could be used for irrigation projects, should they be, should the natural resources commission choose to use some of their low-interest loans for an irrigation project, they could. That's what that $165 million is. That's, that's how it
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:51:06
currently is. So just to make sure I've got my head around
this. We're borrowing the money that we're loaning out in the bill previous. That's correct. OK, thank you.
Chair
Unverified
1:51:19
Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:51:22
Thank you, Madam President. Uh, Senator Hester, this is kind of a follow-up to the direction that Senator Stubblefield was going. As you know, we have a number, whether it's 825 million or whatever to do the prison,
uh, part of that is gonna be infrastructure, it's gonna be water, wastewater, etc. Could the project, could a project be funded out of this? fun, and I know this is about new bonds to re refill the tank, so to speak, probably a bad pun, but that's what it does, but this program, whether as it stands today or with the new money coming in, could potentially be used as part of the infrastructure funding for
the new Department of Correction facility wherever it is, if they needed water, wastewater, whatever, and would be part of one. Theoretically, let's just throw some numbers. Let's say they build this and 80% of the use of that facility would be the state of Arkansas Department of Corrections, but the other 20% might be the neighbors that live nearby that don't have city water right now. Is that a possibility? So thank you. I appreciate that question. I'm sorry if I didn't answer
it clear enough the first two times
at Stubblefield asked, but the prison number is $825 million that we know right now from the consultant. It does include water and sew. We do not have all the details for that. This program comes into effect in 2027. The, the, the the
the the the prison will have its water established before this, this this law goes, starts to become those bonds come into effect. So the new bonds, so what you
want to know is not, you're not asking a question about this bill, you're asking a question
about the current. OK, OK, yeah, sorry, I thought we were talking questions on this bill. No, the current Natural Resource Commission could fund
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:53:19
that, yes. Which might mitigate the other funding that we might have to find to solve the the Department of
Speaker 407
1:53:25
Correction problem. I didn't know there was a correction problem. Well, it's, it's our it's the state's problem.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:53:32
We need to build a prison space, part of which that project is water and sewer, etc. So this, this, this uh existing program
under current funding or 2026 funding could potentially help pay for that. Sure, yeah, that's that answers my question.
I'm happy to continue to talk about the natural Resources commission, that's not part of this bill and the prison funding is not part of this bill, and yes, the
natural Resources Commission, not part of this bill, could use current funds, not part of this bill to fund a prison that's not part of this bill. Under
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:54:04
the existing parallel program. They got it. All right. That's what I answered it. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Madam President.
Speaker 2
1:54:12
I see Senator Hammer and Senator King for
Chair
Unverified
1:54:14
questions. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you and maybe this is
part of what was just being discussed, but on page 6 and 7 it says it, it gives the
authority if the governor refuses to give his or her approval for the issuance bomb by declining declining he or she shall promptly yada yada, and then you got in here that the commission may submit a request to the governor. The checks and balances for how this
money is going to be approved is written into the bill so that before any of the money is actually given out the due process for determination is between the governor and the and the commission. Is that a correct assessment?
That is a correct assessment, plus they have to come to the legislature. So if the Natural
Resources Commission, they get a plan for all of these that they want to fund, then they have to come to the legislature and ask for approval on all their projects. They don't do it one at a time, but they do it every 2 years. Here's all the projects that we plan to fund.
Allow me a little tolerance. So for the previous discussion that was incorporating to this bill, the timing of which things may happen, all that is going to play out long before any of this would be able to be accessed anyway. Am I correct on that, then the last question, don't take offense at this. You're not trying to hoodwink us by
tying this bill in with the prison, are you? I'm not trying to hoodwink you by time like, uh, uh, the, the reason for
this bill at this time is it it has to be voted on by the people in the 20 years is up. All right, thank you.
Chair
Unverified
1:55:45
Senator King. All right. Any other questions, Senator Dodson, you're recognized for
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:55:52
a question. Thank you, Madam President. Senator Hester,
can you, so the 20 years is up. This has been an ongoing program for 20 years. All of our districts, all of the counties in the state, um, they, they benefit from this or have been utilizing it. With most bills, there's sometimes no harm if they don't pass. If this doesn't pass at
this time, then it can't go on the ballot in 26. What will be the ramifications for the next 1020 years if, if we don't have a
program like this in place. Thank you
for that question. I think every single one of our districts absolutely depend on these, on these bonds and these loans, it will be absolutely devastating to the tune
up to $500 million worth of water and sewer projects in the state of Arkansas that can't be funded, can't be assisted with funding
without this project being without this happening, and I assure you that this is absolutely critical. For water and infrastructure needs and every one of our districts. I see Senator King
Chair
Unverified
1:56:57
now and then send her flowers. So they've asked a question about the
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:57:01
prison, but on the prison I've asked for an estimated completion date haven't got it on the cover letter they gave 825 million. There's no specifics or details of any of that. I can't imagine why anybody would trust anything that says it's 825 million but
not provide a list. But, so if there is some provision, I had to question, there can be a special election and it could be That could change this or something like that? Is there anything with a special election that could be called on this to do something different. I'm just asking. Not that I recall. OK. Send her flowers,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:57:38
you're recognized. Senator Hester, I was out of the room, didn't hear a lot of. back and forth and questions are you saying there we presently
have $500 million bond obligations for water, waste disposal, and pollution abatement projects. And so when that goes away when the authority goes away, you're saying that goes away this year? No, ma'am. So we, we currently have 300 million. This bill is going to expand it to
up to 500 million, but that's, that's, this is how we fund our natural resources commission. This bill limits
it up to $30 million a year worth of these bonds. But if anywhere in your districts
ever received a low interest loan or even a grant from the Natural Resources Commission. It's
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:58:28
because of these bonds. OK. but I'm trying to understand what you're saying goes away. What, what goes away the ability to
issue these bonds, which raises the revenue continuing. Future bonds. That's correct.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:58:39
So what happens to the buns that exist now. Well, they, they eventually go away because on a
lot of our public facilities, they, they end up giving them
principal forgiveness. And so, uh, those bonds end up getting paid off, but that, that money is not all returned to us because we do a lot of principal forgiveness and particularly rural areas and other areas where there's needs. The only way this program could continue if we don't issue the bonds is this legislature would have to decide to put $30 million a year or more into uh into a uh natural resources commission. And how long has the Natural Resource commission.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:59:24
Had the authority to issue these general obligation
bonds. So since 1997, at least in 2 times the people of Arkansas have voted to continue with this program. They voted to start it and continue it. And now 20 years later, it's time to vote again. In 2006, so it doesn't end in 2007. So By voting for
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:59:43
this legislation. We avoid the people's vote. By voting on this legislation, we send it to the people to vote.
So this is like a A referral, you got it
when I, when I, in my opening, that's what I said, this is much like a referral that we send to the people for a constitutional amendment. So when we vote on this, it will be on the ballot next time in 2026 for the people of Arkansas to decide, do we want to, do we want to be able to issue these bonds or go get these bonds for low-interest loans for our water and sewer authorities in the state of Arkansas. Why wouldn't this be treated as Any other referral.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
2:00:27
to the people. Through, I guess she went through state agencies on this, did you? Did this bill go through state agencies? I think this bill went through
it went, it went through AG, I think, AG or Insurance and commerce, Ag, it went through AG. Well, why
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
2:00:47
wouldn't it have gone through state agencies as a referral proposed for the ballot. Well, this is, this isn't a
referral for the ballot. That's not how this program's always been done. And look, I will tell you the parliamentarians said that this could have went in 5 different committees. He picked a committee that with the least backlog. Uh, I'm pretty sure that was the, uh, the recommendation. I didn't ask for any of them. I said, wherever we send it, I said, look, I think 35 members are going to support this. It's critical to all of our districts. Now maybe not. I mean, I'm had a lot of questions today. But look, I think it's, it's critical to all
of our areas. It didn't matter to me what committee it went to, but it, it will be on
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
2:01:24
the ballot. If, if we support it, and the
House supports it, and the governor signs it, it will be on the ballot in 2026. Is
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
2:01:32
that in the bill or is that just because of what we're, the issue is the subject matter. OK, thank you. Senator Petty, you're
Chair
Unverified
2:01:40
recognized. I It There we go. Thank you,
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:01:50
Madam President, Senator, so and you may not know the answer to this first question, but I have a a
city in my district that applied for some of these, and if I'm not mistaken, uh, there was a large, the last time they had a round of these grants or these top loans. There was a large request. Do you remember what the percentage of requests were to the actual availability to send out I heard it was something like 3 to 13. request $33 for every one that was available is
Speaker 415
2:02:20
is what I heard. Do you know if I do not know. I do know that we are,
we are not short on money. In fact,
I've got a message or an email that I'm gonna send out to all the members with all the funds that we have with money in there. Uh, we're
not short today, but we will be short in just a few years if we don't, if we don't uh up this program and
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:02:43
this, this program that that we have had for a period of time would go to solve problems like
we've had in Phillips County in West. and Helena, correct? I mean, those are the, those are the, um, yeah, they're they're the shining stars of these programs needs, right? But, but again, every county has used these as
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:03:00
need, and in need of them, OK? And the 600 people that have to drive into town to get water, to take showers and and and cook with in my county and Crawford County, this program would would benefit them. It would benefit Northwest Arkansas. It would benefit potentially the cost involved. with the city of Fort Smith and their consent decree. The point is you have a lot of issues, we have a lot of issues in Arkansas, and this is attempting to address that issue or those issues, correct? That's correct.
Chair
Unverified
2:03:31
Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Hester, saying no other questions, anyone wish to speak against or for Senator Martin Johnson, you're recognized to speak
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:03:47
for. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I want to try to
draw a distinction here so y'all understand this general obligation deal. A lot of bonds are issued that are revenue bonds. There is some revenue source pledged to them. For example, uh, a lot of your local
sales taxes, but those taxes are pledged to support a certain bond issue project. These are general obligations of the people of Arkansas. The taxpayers under the Constitution, they have to vote to do a general obligation. If you've read a lot of Arkansas history, you know, ah, there've been a lot of problems in our history about bonds, uh, in the 30s, uh, the state was practically bankrupt. Our bond rating went to, it just fell through the floor. It was
horrible. Uh, the Constitution of 1874 repudiated. s some bonds that were called the Holford bonds. So there's, you know, bonds are a big part of our history, but that's why in our Constitution now for a general obligation, it's referred to the people at a general election. So in this case, November of 2026. I want everybody to understand that this is a good bill as Senator Hester said, it's a separate issue, but it's to continue a
program we've done before that puts money in a pot. To fund these local water sewer whatever projects, but, but the actual bond issue is a general obligation of the taxpayers. It's not tied to the revenues or the, or the water rates or whatever. So it's important to understand we are approving it, but the final approval will be by the voters in the 2026 election. I hope that made it clear, but, you know, it's easy to get kind of in the weeds when we start
talking about bonds, but I hope I wanted everybody to understand that the people of Arkansas will vote up or down on whether this goes forward after we and the House and the governor have have referred it to them and I'll be glad to take a question, Madam
Speaker 488
2:05:53
Senator Payton, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Madam President. Senator Johnson.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:05:59
Is there not interest and fees associated with bonds. Yes sir. There would be finance charges, so on council, for example. Do you think it's good business to pay
interest and fees to borrow money when you have money sufficient to meet the need that's being pigeonholed over here. We have 300 or $400 million worth of surplus. We have surpluses that have been set aside in years prior. And why would we need to pay these bonding fees and finance charges, instead of using the money we have on hand. There's a
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:06:34
lot of reasons, I'm sure Senator Payton, that we don't fund long-term projects
out of short-term money just because we're running a surplus. I can remember when we were practically running a deficit. I remember when Governor Tucker called us in a special session and raised a bunch of what I call nuisance taxes, added sales tax to things like Tow truck services and dry cleaning because we didn't have enough money to fund those things. But traditionally, we have funded long-term obligations like a water project, sewer project as uh through through the bonding program. Now, am I gonna tell
you in every case that's the correct way to do it. Your point is valid that maybe when we've got a lot of cash, we should just spend it, but that's not the way traditionally we've done it, but it's most important thing is we're referring it to the people. of Arkansas and the case has to be made to
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:07:28
do that. OK, well, taking on long-term debt can hurt your cash flow a lot more than spending surplus. Appreciate it. Thank you, Senator.
Chair
Unverified
2:07:41
Any other questions for Senator Mark Johnson, anyone else wish to speak against or for. If not, Senator Hester, you're
recognized clothes. Hey members, I think a debate on these things is
very healthy, and this is, this is a big deal, but it's, it's a big deal to every one of our communities. This is a program that you all will use, uh, we're proud we did it. We've got a
real problem. This is part of the real solution. I'm appreciating it vote.
Speaker 149
2:08:13
Senator has closed. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 494
2:08:22
And please speak up when voting so that way we can hear you clearly. Brant. Caldwell,
Caldwell, Clark Crow. Crawl Davis. Days leave dismay,
Speaker 281
2:08:45
Dotson, Dotson. English Flippo. Flowers,
Gilmore Hammer. Hammer Hester Hickey Hill.
Speaker 284
2:09:04
Irvin, Irvin. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King.
McKee. Murdoch Murdoch
Speaker 284
2:09:31
Haen Penzo Pennzo Patty. Brice Scott Stone.
Speaker 87
2:09:45
Stone. Stab afield. Sullivan. attacker Wallace. Any senator wished to vote who did not
Speaker 88
2:10:07
vote or change your vote. Send her love present stone I letting present.
Chair
Unverified
2:10:19
Murdoch present any other senator, please check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot vote of 24, yeah, 3 nay, for not voting, 3 present, Senate Bill 421 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate
Bill 433. Senate Bill 433 by Senator Dotson regarding the display of the national motto and the 10 Commandments.
Chair
Unverified
2:10:49
Senator Dodson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:10:57
President. Members, Senate Bill 433 adds a section to the existing national Mono Display Act to include a display of the 10 Commandments and it lays out the specifics and how the displays can be donated for
display in public spaces. Happy to answer any questions. Questions for
Chair
Unverified
2:11:14
Senator Dodson, Senator McKee, you're recognized. Senator Dodson.
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
2:11:22
I guess the screens on Senator Dodson, do you think it would be a valuable thing for everyone if we were reminded once a day that there is a God and
Speaker 510
2:11:34
we're not Him. Yes, OK, thank you. Appreciate a
Chair
Unverified
2:11:38
good vote. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator Tucker, you're recognized to speak against. Yeah.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:11:55
Thank you, Madam President. Just to be clear, I'm personally for the 10 Commandments. And I know every member in this chamber is personally for the 10 Commandments. The question on this bill is not whether you are individually for the 10 Commandments. The question is whether the state of Arkansas is for the 10 Commandments. Now that's an important question. You may be for that too, but that's an important question for us to consider, and it has real constitutional implications. So I'm just going to have a conversation for a minute about the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. It starts by saying Congress,
and that's been extended to the states through the 14th Amendment, so I'm just going to change that word to government, but it says the government shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion. That's the first clause in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. The government shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, and then it goes on to say, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech. So there's an important distinction here, OK? cannot establish religion and
individual retains the right for the free exercise of religion and the freedom of speech, and I believe strongly in all of that, OK, so the question is whether, I'll get to you, Senator, I'll answer your question. The question is whether this bill is the government establishing a religion or an individual's right to freedom of of speech or freedom to exercise their own religion. And I'm going to talk about a few Supreme Court cases, OK? I'm, I'm not trying to get too deep into the weeds, but I think this is important.
In committee, we talked about a number of cases. One case is about that the folks from wall builders who were presenting with Senator Dotson, who mentioned is a case involving the city of Boston. In Boston, they have 3 flagpoles outside of City Hall, one for the United States, one for the state of Massachusetts, one for the city. They have a policy there that you can basically rent the plaza outside of City Hall for a day, and when you do, you can fly your organization's flag. They wouldn't let someone fly Christian flag, um, and then that case, one of the Supreme Court, and what the The Supreme Court decided that
was not an establishment Clause case. That was a freedom of speech case because it was an individual organization's right to speech. It wasn't the city of Boston saying you should be Christian. It was an individual and there are many other organizations who flew their own flags. So that's a freedom of speech case, right? There's another case that was discussed in committee about a football coach in Oregon who knelt and prayed at midfield after a football game. He, his contract was not retained. He sued that one of
the to the Supreme Court. What the Supreme Court said is that's not the government establishing religion. That's that individual's right to freedom to exercise his own religion, which I support and agree with. So those cases are not cases of the government establishing religion. There's a few other cases that have been before the Supreme Court, where the government was engaging in religious speech. Two of them were decided on the same day in 2005. One was a case in Texas where
the 10 Commandments went up on the in the state capitol grounds, it was, I'll explain that, and one was in the state of Kentucky where they were putting up 10 Commandments in courthouses. The Supreme Court ruled that the 10 Commandments in Texas could stay up, and the 10 Commandments in Kentucky had to come down. They made both rulings on the same day. How could they do that? The answer is that the 10 Commandments in Texas had been up for decades and it was on Grounds where there were 21 other monuments, secular monuments up. And the Supreme
Court ruled that if we required the 10 Commandments to be taken down after that monument had been up for 50 plus years, that would be injecting religion into government, and we're not going to make this the government of Texas do that. the difference was in Kentucky they were putting up new 10 Commandments in courthouses, and they said this is not a long standing history and tradition of the state of Kentucky. This is putting up new 10 Commandments and a handful of courthouses in Kentucky. This is injecting religion.
Into the government and for that reason we're not going to allow the state of Kentucky to do that. So is this example more like in Texas, where a single monument had been up among amongst 21 other secular monuments for 50 plus years, or is this more like Kentucky where we're putting up new 10 Commandments. I mean, this is putting up the 10 commandments in every school in Arkansas. Again, I personally support the 10 commitments. I try to live my life by them, but the reason why this matters, this is the reason why it matters is the reason why we
don't want governments to establish religion. Would you be OK with putting up the tenets of a satanic cult up in every school in Arkansas, or another religion. I personally wouldn't. And we know as much as all of us in here may be Christians. There are other people in Arkansas who aren't Christians or aren't Jewish, and they shouldn't be compelled by their government to read the 10 Commandments every day. So again, um,
This, I believe, is a pretty clear violation of the establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This law was passed in Louisiana. It's on appeal right now to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals US Court of Appeals. I think the prudent thing to do would be to wait to see how they resolve that before we start passing our own laws that may be unconstitutional, so I'll be
voting now on Senator Stubblefield. I'm happy to take your question,
Speaker 159
2:17:33
Senator Stubblefield. You're recognized for a question. All
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
2:17:36
right, Centra Tucker. Do you, do you, do you remember
how the 10 Commandments, how it was decided that they'd be removed from the courtroom, I mean from the classrooms, schools, what are you talking about in Arkansas how it came about that the 10 Commandments were removed from the walls of the classroom in Charleston. No, in the United States, no. They had to uh they took the advice of a child psychiatrist. I, I said, I need to
Speaker 516
2:18:09
learn more about what you're talking about. When was
it removed? Who, who took the took the words of a child psychiatrist
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
2:18:18
who said that it was damaging for these kids to see the words, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal. So therefore, they removed the 10 Commandments, much the same way that they took 48 days to it already passed pro-life laws, abolished all of them and replaced them, the government. With their own laws on abortion in 1973. So
We're a nation that was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. And I understand we have a freedom of religion. But if you go to some of these countries. They don't have a freedom of religion and try to practice some of this, they cut your heads off. I don't know anything about the example
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:19:04
that you gave, so I can't speak to that, but I, I, I totally agree with you. That's what makes America great. You can practice any religion you want in the United States, and you also can't be made to practice a religion that you don't want to practice, and
that's what makes us a great country, one
Speaker 523
2:19:18
man I don't know anything about that, so I can't speak
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
2:19:22
to that's all through history. They took the advice of one child psychiatrist. And said, you cannot put the 10 Commandments on the wall because it could be detrimental to the health of a young person by saying the words, thou shalt not kill, or thou shalt not heal. Can you explain that to me? I don't know anything about that Senator, so I, I, I can't speak to it. OK.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:19:48
Again, just to repeat what I said to Senator Sufield. What makes America a great country is that you can practice any religion you want, and you also can't be forced to practice their religion by
Chair
Unverified
2:20:01
the government. Thank you. To speak for Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:20:15
I'll be brief. Uh, Senator Tucker and I
actually, not surprisingly, uh, are very close on this issue. Uh, if it was establishment of religion, I would be dead set against it even though I would be skewered by lots of people, the First Amendment is the First Amendment, and you can neither establish religion religion or prohibit the free exercise thereof. However, the 10, this is not about religion, any time you mention anything from the Bible, it's got to be religion. It can't be about philosophy. It can't be about
law. The 10 Commandments are widely recognized as the foundation of Western law. They're all, I can't remember how many times the 10 Commandments are up on the walls on the swinging doors, etc. of the US Supreme Court. I don't think the US Supreme Court is trying to establish religion. In fact, I know they're not trying to establish religion. They're the ones charged. At the very highest level without, with us not establishing religion.
We would have no problems with Hammurabi's code being on the walls of our classrooms. That is another foundation of Western law. Most people look to the 10 Commandments as a foundation, but we also were taught in 7th grade social studies that Hammurabi's code is another foundation of Western law. It's true. If we put Hammurabi's coat, which I'd have no problems with, on the walls of our classrooms, we would not be trying to establish
Babylonian mythriism as a religion. In this country that's so if it were about what Senator Tucker thinks it's about, I would be with him, but it's not about that. It's, it's about the foundation of Western law, it's nothing more proper than the Constitution Declaration of Independence and the preamble themselves to be there. I'll be happy to take any questions. Question for Senator Clark, I
Chair
Unverified
2:22:21
see Senator Blake Johnson and Senator Dima. Senator Blake Johnson, you'll recognized, Senator.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:22:28
What was the oldest textbooks used in public schools in the United States. I don't
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:22:34
remember the name of them right now. I should. The Bible. Yes, true, that's public record actually. So
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:22:42
Do you think they were trying to establish a religion whenever they were using that or or trying to to make the citizens literate through that reading. Uh, well, They were actually trying to
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:22:59
make them literate, but they also, it was a Also upon the
foundation that it biblical teaching and uh the which the teaching of morals, which they felt like came from the Bible, uh. Without
that, you had the imposs impossibility of having the type of democratic republic that we have. It's been said that our our republic
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:23:27
stand as long as the
people are moral and and that's what it was established on, and I thank you. Yes,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:23:41
sir. Senator Dima. And thinking it's probably not even really a question for you. It's me trying to understand some of
the provisions in the bill that just don't make sense to me exactly what we're saying. And so essentially we're saying that if funds are made available, then they shall display the posters, and I'm trying to get through where all those have to be displayed at. Um
I just don't guess I understand the process. I mean, is it, so is it every room's going to be required if funds are made available and what does that mean? And there's this other provision in the end where we talk about if funds are not made available and they can be
by donation. I don't, I don't understand the process of what we're looking at here and even what it means, where all they have to be, and
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:24:23
I'm sure Senator Dodson can answer that question, but I can answer it to a
degree, because I'm familiar when we passed the motto In God We Trust to be on the walls of the classroom.
that when funds, when people supplied the funds, gave the funds, uh, those posters were bought, uh, and they were taken to classrooms and you, uh, if they were supplied to you free, you had to put them up. Uh, it was as simple as that. The requirement though
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:24:50
to poke, we like to hang them. If funds are made available, what does that mean? That's my question. I mean, what Does everyone have to do it? So they have to be displayed in
just address that a little further than I think the way
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:25:08
that you the way I understand it since this makes sense you're asking while
Chair
Unverified
2:25:18
I'm here is yes. Senator Mark Johnson, do you have a question for Senator Clark, Senator
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:25:23
Mark Johnson, you're recognized, Madam President. Senator Clark,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:25:26
do you believe there's an attack on Western civilization amongst some people. Oh, I definitely, definitely is no doubt about that educating our young people on
the tenets of morality in our Western traditions to be something that might be considered a counterattack on that or resistance to that, uh, total secularization
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:25:47
of Western society. It's been dealt
with Senator Johnson many times since I've been in the legislature and way before we were here back to the beginnings of the state.
Of first of teaching how important it is every generation that we teach the Declaration of
Independence, the preamble, the Constitution, the Revolutionary War so that we know where we came from and the 10 Commandments as they, as the foundation of Western law is part of that. And you mentioned the hammerabbi
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:26:19
Cody, it's also part of Western civil. also part and we teach it, at least we used to teach it in our textbooks. So we're just sharing with our children, our cultures that maybe one way of looking at this bill that is correct, but also a historical
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:26:40
Uh, significance beyond culture, it's, it's the basis for our legal system. I agree. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Clark. Thank you. I'd
Chair
Unverified
2:26:56
appreciate your voting yes. Anyone else wish to speak against or for. Senator Hammer, you're recognized to speak for. Thank you,
Madam Governor, and the sponsor can come up maybe and answer the question when he comes back, but I believe this is modeled after another piece
of legislation that we did with regards to the motto In God We Trust. And whenever it is that we stand at the beginning of the session and we cite our pledge of allegiance. We are citing our pledge of allegiance to the flag and to our country, but within that allegiance is the phrase one nation under God. That is the same God that authored the 10 Commandments, and it's the same 10 commandments that quite honestly, if we would follow those 10 commandments, we wouldn't have to have the
thousands of laws that we have on the books. I do not think it is too much of a I don't think it's too much to ask that they be displayed on the wall because while some debate that it is a religious situation that we take. You can't take any of those 10 and be able to say that they're not good for the moral values of our nation. I don't want to reduce them down to just being the moral value or the moral compass of our nation, but you've got to
start with the idea that the 10 Commandments are a great place. a start and it's good for our kids to see it visually because
hopefully he'll make a positive impact on our society, but more than that, if we don't want to display the 10 Commandments, why do we continue to say one nation under God. Anyone
Chair
Unverified
2:28:31
else wish to speak against or for? Senator Dodson, you're recognized clothes. Thank you, Madam President, members, uh,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:28:39
just a couple of things to touch on some of the things that have been said.
So as far as to your answer, the durable posters or framed copies of the historical representation of the 10 Commandments. Uh, it says they shall be donated or purchased with funds made available through voluntary contributions, so this is not taxpayer funds, and if they are donated for that purpose. It lays out just like with the original national Motto Display Act, they shall be posted and put up. So um I think that
addresses that question, um. Senator Tucker referenced a Supreme Court case from, I believe it was 2005, I think, versus in Kentucky where they ordered them to take down the 10 Commandments and the Texas one they had, they left it up. We talked about that in committee yesterday. I would encourage you to go back and watch the video. There, this was well vetted and and discussed at length back and
forth with uh a lot of legal cases and and discussion with The folks who came in and and went back and forth with Senator Tucker over this, but just to keep in mind that 20 years ago, when that precedent was set or when that case was decided, that was under an old Supreme Court precedent. That was from the 70s called the Lemon test in the Coach Kennedy case, more recently, the current Supreme Court threw out the
lemon test. And so I believe if that Kentucky case that he was referring to was heard today there might be a a far different outcome with the current court. Um, we also heard in testimony yesterday that there are over 50 displays of the 10 Commandments at the United States Supreme Court. So I think it's well established this is one of the foundations of Western law, and we're talking about a historical representation of the 10 Commandments being put put out there on display for folks. We have one on our Capitol grounds
currently and then talking about education, uh, we saw a display in committee of a one of the original New England primer prime primers, a little book that was used in public education in the United States for over 100 years at the beginning of our country that um you know, from first grade on up, and there was over 43 questions in that on the 10 Commandments. So they not only were displayed, they were studied at length, and that was by folks at the beginning of our
country who clearly understood what the establishment of our foundations of our nation are, they wrote the Constitution and so they were very familiar with and wanted these things. You know, as a guide for us to live by, um, I think that's all I had. We've had a long afternoon and I'll let you get to the vote and appreciate a good vote. Please vote for the 10 Commandments,
Caldwell. Clark Crower
Speaker 281
2:32:15
Davis. Days Leave dismay. dismay, Dotson.
English English. Filippo
flowers. Gilmore Hammer, Hester. Hecky Hill Hill. Irvin Irvin.
Gladding love. The key Murdoch.
Speaker 550
2:33:00
Bitton yes. Penza Patty. Rice Scott Stone Stabil Sullivan Tucker.
Speaker 149
2:33:27
his or her boat to vote who did not vote. Dismaying yes.
Chair
Unverified
2:33:32
English, yes. Urban, yes. Any other senator we should change his or her vote, Senator Scott present. Any other senator Please check the board. Seeing no other senator. Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 27 4 nay, and 3 present. Senate Bill 433 passes, please transmit to the house.
Speaker 398
2:34:03
Senate Bill 439. Senate Bill 439 by Senator Irving to amend the duties of the
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing and to amend portions of Arkansas code which resulted from initiated Act 1 of
1914. Senator Urban, you're recognized. Thank you, members, what this bill does, uh, for the secretary of Department of Labor and Licensing is it's it's exchanging the director of the division of labor for Secretary
of the Department of Labor and Licensing, that's really, it's a technical cleanup bill, um,
that occur that is needed after transformation, just to make sure that the Secretary of Department of Labor and Licensing um is the one that's really in, in calling the shots. for the department and the agency to clean up I needed after the transformation bill and this section and this part was not uh caught. Questions for Senator Urban.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
2:35:05
Send love, you're recognized. I guess I'm, I'm just not necessarily a question for Senator Irvin, but since this initiated part of initiated act is a threshold of 24. Yes. OK, thank you. Yeah, it's
Chair
Unverified
2:35:22
language changes, yeah, and I was going to clarify that before you all voted, but thank you for that question, Senator
Speaker 165
2:35:27
Love. Senator Dimay. I apologize. I meant to catch you early on. I
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:35:32
got sidetracked at the very end of this, it
allows for a transfer authority inside the division with no
oversight of the legislative body, which is something that's a little outside of what we've normally done. Our staff caught it just recently. Oh, OK, you can do what you want to with the bill. I because of where we are. I know it's Senate bill, so we've got time,
but you may want to look at that. Do you want me to pull it down and change it? Or do
you want me to fix it on the other end? I can fix it on the other end. I was not aware of that, but, OK.
Chair
Unverified
2:36:09
Any of my questions for Senator Ervin. Anyone wish to speak. against or for it. I make a comment on. Sure,
Speaker 88
2:36:23
you may speak on you want members, what
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:36:27
I was referring to is on the very end here, section 136, it
gives transfer authority to the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing that's in excess of what other agencies have as far as transfer language, if I'm understanding everything else
right, most of the rest of the bill is going to be cleanup language. This would be A little excess of what I would call cleanup language. If there's a commitment to remove that section or at least give us some approval authority in council for those transfers like we do with other agencies and that's particularly fine. This is just full transfer
authority which I we typically have not done. OK Well, OK, I got it. OK. Well, what I'm going to do
is pull the bill down and make sure that that's corrected, and I'm sure it was probably an oversight. They did not.
Include in the bill. So I'll pull it down, we'll get it fixed. So at the time, can I make a motion to send Senate Bill
Speaker 25
2:37:23
439 back to state agencies for purpose of amendment. OK, thank you. You all have heard the motion, all those in favor signified by saying aye. Any opposed, I have it motion carries. We
Chair
Unverified
2:37:34
will now take up Senate Bill 443. Senate Bill 443 by Senator
Bryant to amend the duties of the state board of appraisers,
abstractors, and home inspectors to amend the law regarding licensure of abstractors and to amend the law regarding licenser of home inspectors and declare an emergency. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:37:57
Members prior to session, I had an issue with the with the home inspection out in our territory that myself and Senator Pinzo went to address with the Department of Labor License in. We agreed on some language that would help the bill, but uh in my discussions, they asked if I
would be, would be obliging to let them do a little bit of cleanup language for the other areas inside that formed appraisers, abstractors, and home inspectors. So the bill before you is part cleanup and, and part legislative attempt by myself that they agreed with. If you want to follow along with me just a little bit, this is all in Title 17, if it's chapter 11, it's talking just specifically about abstractors, Title IV. specifically about appraisers, Title 52 specifically about home inspectors. So in section 1 of the bill.
Excuse me, it just goes through abstractors and talking about uh used to if you want to do an abstract inside of a county. You can do multiple counties, but if you did inside one, you had to have an abstractor in that county. There's not enough abstractors in the state to satisfy 75 counties, so they're just doing some cleanup language to remove that requirement. It also removes the uh the need for the board to hold the seal, and they don't account for the seals anymore, so there's no need for the board to have the authority over that.
It also. In Section 9 of the bill, goading the entitle 14 of the appraisers, it's, it strikes the definitions of valuation and evaluation. Those are already found in rule and are really preempted by federal, the federal law, so they struck that out of code. The other big changes, the ones that I was really after and they actually applied it to someone and appraisers, but mostly in the home inspections is to delete the exemption of FOIA, so prior to this bill, prior to
this bill potentially passing, you could not for you the results of an executive function or the inspection process, so in my issue I wanted to see the the inspection results of a um complaint and that was protected by a statue. So we are redacting that language and allowing all those to be foable in code. So with that, I'll be glad to take any questions. So, let me, let me make sure.
The last section. Since it's 3 different boards that got combined, the request was to have 3 different appropriations to merge that into a single appropriation, so that's the last section of the bill. Senator Bryant has explained his bill. Are
there any questions? Anyone wish to speak against the bill. They wish to speak
for the bill. Say no further questions would, sorry about that.
Senator, your close recognized for the bill if you close senator is closed. And Secretary, if you would please,
without objection we'll roll the boat. Any objection? Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark
Speaker 11
2:41:06
Kroll, Davis, Ds on leave, Dima dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting
Speaker 56
2:41:16
love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo, Petty, Rice, Scott stone,
Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. A senators which
changed vote. Senator Dimay is present. Anyone else Senator Gilmore votes no. Any other senators which changed their vote. OK All right, Madam Secretary, would
you cast up the ballot, please. By a vote of 32 yeah, one nay, 0, not voting. You've passed the
bill. Please transmit to the House. Next up we have a Senate Bill 454. All right.
Senate Bill 454 by Central Hill to amend the law concerning unclaimed property funds and to amend the law concerning the deposit and investment of unclaimed property funds to create the unclaimed
Speaker 56
2:42:12
property interest trust fund and declare an emergency. Senator Hill, you recognize to present your bill.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
2:42:23
Thank you, Mr. President. Before you got up there, our lieutenant governor introduced uh the auditor was here earlier today. He came to this is their bill and he is here to hopefully present it, but we've been moving so slow today, he had to go back to work, so he's not here. So he went on back. This is a bill for the auditor's office and this bill just cleaned up the accounting of interest to earned on unclaimed property in 2019, the legislature passed Act 325, which allows the state doctor's office to invest funds for the unclaimed property and abandoned
mineral proceeds. Trust funds and the state treasury money Management Trust. What this bill is proposing is to create a separate fund called the Unclaimed Property Interest Trust Fund in order to establish a clear accounting of both funds right now the unclaimed property proceeds fund doesn't separate interest earned from the principal. They're already keeping these and accounting of the amount of interest earned. This bill would simply codify and keep the interest and the principles separate. With that, I'll take any
questions and it's uh general revenue neutral. Senator Hills explained his
bill. Are there any questions from any members? Anyone would speak against the bill. by which speaks for the bill. Senator Hill, you recognize to close for your bill. Senators closed. Madam Secretary, would you please cast
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
2:43:47
up the vote without objection, roll the vote. Roll the boat. Oh
Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crow, Davis, D Lee, dismayed dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark
Speaker 11
2:44:05
Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Petty, Rice Scott, Stone Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. And members which change
Speaker 56
2:44:13
vote. So you know, and wishing change the vote, madam
With a vote of 34 yeah, zero nay, and 0 not voting bill passes, transmit to the house and Senator Heck and the emergency clause passes as well. Senator Hester, you recognize. Hey members, I've just had a few
questions about this, like we've got some more Senate bills, and we've got two pages of House bills, um, my intention, I'm happy to talk with members offline here. We're going to, we're going to clear out our calendar today. We already have a long calendar tomorrow. I know we've got 3. committees going back in to meet
later. I assume we got at least another hour or two in here, then we're going to committees. We've got close to 30 bills on our calendar already tomorrow. So whatever accommodations you need to make for today
and tomorrow, I suspect it's gonna be late tonight. I suspect it's gonna be late tomorrow. Happy to talk if anybody's got a different plan, but I think, I think that's the plan right now. Well, we're, we're gonna come
in at 1:30 tomorrow because our committees are just still jammed up. Yeah. Well, no, no,
my point is we will be here late tomorrow, like
not we're coming in, we're coming in at 1:30 tomorrow, but just expect for it to be a long day as well, just like today. But my goal right now is to finish this calendar. Um, hey, the house has already finished their
calendar, right? They're already in committees. We like to talk a lot more than them. That's our prerogative.
Pass over. All right, members, we're going to pass over Senate Bill 456. And we're going to move into the House bills and we're going to
take up House bill 1167. Senator Lee. I'm sorry, Senator Ervin House Bill 1167, Representative Johnson sent to Irving
to modify the signature authority for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants and to clarify that durable medical equipment includes diabetic shoes and shoe inserts. Senator Irving, you
recognize to explain your bill. Thank
you. This allows them to sign for um orthotics, prosthetics, diabetic
shoes, or shoe inserts, um, as it relates to diabetic foot ulcers. All it does is allow for them to sign for this Durable medical equipment, I would argue they should have been already able to do this. This is just clarification, specific to diabetic shoe inserts and prosthetics and orthetics. related to diabetic foot ulcers. Happy to answer any questions. Senators presented a bill. Any questions from any members?
All right. Anybody who wish to speak against the bill? Anybody wish to speak for the bill. Senator Irving, you recognize too
close for your bill. I'm closed. Appreciate a good vote.
Any objection to rolling the vote. I have secret roll the vote, please. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Krull, Davis Des
Speaker 11
2:47:29
Le Dimay dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting Love
McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan,
Speaker 56
2:47:41
Tucker, Wallace. A members wish to change
the vote. And Secretary we cast up the vote, please. With a vote of 34 ya, zero nay, 0, not voting the bill passes. with the As amended, number one, and to the house, please. And Madam Chair, Madam
Secretary, would you bring up 1254, please. I
Call 1254 by Representative Johnsonent to Irving to authorize a licensed psychological practitioner to practice independently in the state and to remove the independent practice privileges from psychological exams examiners. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Members,
what this does is it just, it increases our workforce to be able to
provide for the, uh, particularly the forensic mental health evaluations, fitness to proceed, um,
examinations. It allows these individuals to work directly under the supervision of those, uh, higher level professionals just to be able to administer part of the examination, um, and Just basically, that's really, uh, the, the meat of the bill and it just goes through what the licensed psychological practitioner is, they are
currently in existence. It's just a name change for them, and then it outlines exactly what their licensure would be. It's an agreed to bill and there was no opposition, and it's part of combating the issue we have in the county jail backup with folks that are waiting for these mental health evaluations and fitness to proceed examinations and so this is one of those bills in that package to help with the situation that we're facing. Happy to answer any questions on the bill. big question
Yeah, Senator Irving has explained to bill there are any questions from members. Anybody wish to
speak against. They would speak for. Senator Irving, you recognize close free bill. I'm closed. Appreciate the good vote. Thank
you. Without objection, roll the vote. Madam Secretary, roll the vote, please. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crow, Davis, Deas Lee
Speaker 11
2:50:08
Dima dots and English flippo flowers Gilmore, hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love,
Speaker 56
2:50:16
McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Petty, rice scot, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. A member switch
change vote. Senator McKee, no. Any other members, Senator Bryant present. Any other members, Senator King not voting. Any other members Let's call. Senator Stubblefield present, Senator Penzo present. Any other members
Madam Senator Mark Johnson, President and Secretary Cash up the ballot, please. With a vote of 28, yes, one nay, one not voting, the bill passes as amended number one, transmit to the house, please. Returned to the house. House Bill 1257, Senator Irvin.
1257 Representative Johnson and Senator Irving to remove the limitations of the practice of
neuropsychology from technicians employed by psychologists and to allow psychology technicians to be employed by psychologists. Senator Irving,
you recognize to explain your bill.
So yes, again this is a second part of that with again um in so that they can only practice an individual who's employed as a technician is only allowed to practice under the supervision of a. and psychologists in the following areas, um, and again it's to administer different tests um to ask part of the
questions they don't do any of the
evaluation part, it's just allowing them to assist in the administration of these
tests. Senators explained Bill, questions Senator Dodson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator, in this one,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:52:10
It It seems like there's a 80 hours of
continuing education or additional education. Do you have any idea what the cost of
that might be for additional education? Are they not required to do any education right now or how's is it?
Um, on page 3 correct, and I think it's just training for these technicians. So I think that's actually not a cost to the technicians. It's a training by the supervising psychologist shall provide that 80 hours of document. and training for the technicians that are employed by the psychologist, so that they are, um, you know, trained for the
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:52:56
job, basically, so they're not currently required to have any training before they become a A technician
I think there was some clarity that they wanted, um, again, this is something that he worked with the psychologist, and he worked with everybody on the bill, uh, so they all agreed to the parameters that are listed in the bill. OK, thank you. Wait, there was additional training, if you look up that's currently part of the law. I think they just wanted to
be more um designed towards the assistance in the administration of some of those other additional tests that we've allowed in the legislation in the first part of the bill, if that makes sense. Any other questions, members? If I wish to speak against the bill. Anybody wish
to speak for the bill? Senator Irving, you recognize closed free bill. I'm closed for the bill. I appreciate a good vote.
Is there any objection to rolling
the vote. Madam Secretary, roll the vote please. Boy Bront Caldwell, Clark Krull, Davis, Ds leave Dema dots
Speaker 11
2:54:14
and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo,
Speaker 56
2:54:22
Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any members which changed vote. Senator Dodson, no.
Any other members which change your vote, Senator Mark Johnson, no, Senator Bryant present. Senator Pinzo presence, Senator McKee present. Any other members Madam Secretary cast up the vote, please. By a vote of 29 yeah by a vote of 29, 2 nay, 0, not voting. The bill passes as amended transmit
to the House. Return to the house. All right, Senator Urban, you're up for House Bill 1258. House Bill 1258.
Representative Johnson sent to Irving to create the community Health Worker Act and to establish a
statewide certification for community health workers. Senator Irving, you recognize, present your bill. Thank you. So members, all of these
bills, uh, Representative Johnson works very closely with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health on these bills. This bill on the
community health worker is you'll go back to the maternal health bill that we passed through the legislation, uh, it allowed for um doulas and for community health workers to participate in the maternal health, um, program so that they could go out and provide levels of support for those individuals that are expecting mothers. And so this creates that community health worker Act and clearly defines their, their roles and their work. Uh, this is necessary for
them to be able to be included. included in any Medicaid program, and the bill clearly outlines the parameters of, uh, of their, of their certification and training, um, and, and how they will then be identified through the Arkansas Medicaid program or a health benefit plan. I'll be
happy to answer any questions. Members who heard the explanation bill, there are any
questions, Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Irving.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:56:35
You know, I'm, you know how I'm about regulation
and I'm It's just something the feds require in Medicaid.
No, this is something not, not that I'm aware of. Um, this is something that DHS,
uh, has worked closely with a lot of the stakeholders in the maternal health uh issues, and this is one of the recommendations that's come out of a lot of the strategic planning that has occurred over the maternal health initiative, and so one of those is to add and to allow community health
workers to have in-home support. for those expecting moms. And so that's what, that's what this has, this is the result of that work. And so this is, this is a state level program, but I'm sure um if it's with Medicaid, CMS is going to have to approve it. And so I can't speak to exactly what the parameters are at the federal level with CMS, but I, I would assume, assume again that there are a very
specific things, you know, if Medicaid's going to pay for them, that are required by the federal government and CMS, and I trust that Representative Johnson did his due diligence with DHS. I know he did in working with them
Speaker 617
2:57:49
on this bill, so we have to presume that Secretary Putnam signed off on all this,
and I know she has. I mean, all the bills that we've just passed, absolutely, that's been a huge ongoing effort in the whole mental health evaluation process with the county sheriffs and the sheriff's association and those two previous bills that we just
passed um through. here were a huge part of that effort. This is the maternal health effort. OK, sir, indifference to her, I will vote for the bill, but I
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:58:16
have to say every time I see something that looks like unnecessary regulation. I have to call it in question, but thank you for your answer, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Any other questions, members? Anyone was to speak against the bill. And
when we speak for the bill. Senator Irvin, you recognize a
close free bill. Thank you. I, again, one of the things that I think is really important in this is building individual and community capacity and supporting these these individuals where they are and so appreciate all the work that's that Representative Johnson did on all these fronts. And so with that, I'm closed and I would appreciate a good vote. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Without objection,
madam Secretary, would you roll the vote, please? Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark
Speaker 11
2:59:13
Kroll, Davis Des leave thisma dots and English flip out flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Petty, Rice
Speaker 56
2:59:25
Scott Stone, Stubber Phil Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. any members wish
to change their vote, Senator Clark present, Senator Dodson presence. Senator. McKee, no, Senator Bryant present.
Senator King not voting. A members wish to change the vote. Secretary casts up the vote, please. By a vote of 29, 1 nay, one not voting, one on leave. The bill passes as amended returned to the House members been asked by our pro tem that we are going to take a 10 minute recess break so
that our line can catch up and we will be back in 10 minutes. Oh
OK So I'll be back in session. Senator, Madam Secretary, would you
Bring House Bill 1231, please. House Bill 1271 by
Representative Warren and Central Pennzo to me the law concerning mechanics and material men's leans and
to clarify the priority of liens and mortgage construction lines, Senator Penzo, you recognize to explain your bill?
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:22:16
Thank you, Mr. President, this House Bill 1271, we had it on the floor uh several weeks ago, um, uh. Senator Hickey over here in Caldwell, uh, uh, requested some amendments, so we sent it back to committee, uh, got it perfected now. Um, so what, what it did was the amendment, uh, Allows for an employee of the lender or title company to perform the inspection and file the affidavit for residential
properties, architects were also added to the list of professionals that can perform an inspection and file an affidavit. Um, in a scenario where no work begins and no materials are delivered before the construction mortgage is recorded, this bill will eliminate any uncertainty of the priority of the mortgage by allowing for an affidavit of non-commencement to be filed after site inspection by the. user, architect, surveyor, or engineer, and for residential property, employees of the lender and the title company can do the inspections.
If, if construction is already started, um, this allows where before you couldn't get a construction loan. Now this allows the construction loan to be uh given to finish the project if the, if the person runs out of funds and allows that the construction loan to be placed behind the work that's been done before the work that is yet to be done. Uh, there's no question. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Remember you heard the explanation of the bill. Is
Speaker 630
3:23:55
there any questions? Senator Blake Johnson. Security
Speaker 233
3:24:00
for the lenders priority in this bill, right? If, if, if work has been, if work has
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:24:06
not started, yes. If, if work has started, it will come. After the work that's already been done, then they'll get their place in line and then everybody else. So yes, it, it allows them to get a priority
position where currently it does not. It never gets finished if
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:24:27
you don't get that security, right? That's right. All right. Thank
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:24:32
you. And the reason for this, a lot of people get themselves in a bad situation where they'll start a construction project, think they can finish it, and then they can't get a loan
because of the way the current statutes are set up. I got a real good
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:24:43
bill that got 6 votes that you know, security of the lender, so I just uh I just wanted to make sure that was the case in this one. OK. Thank you.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:24:53
Any Senator Tucker. I was confused by your exchange there with Senator
Johnson because I thought I heard you say, if the work has started, then the lender is in line behind the contractor who's been
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:25:12
doing the work. If the work up until that point. So as of right now, lenders have to go at the end, so they're not willing to provide a construction loan to finish a
project. This allows them to get a place in line and then everything else would be behind them. So
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:25:31
if the contractors down 20% of the work, and then the lender provides a loan. Right now, the lender has to be behind 100% of the work, but this would put the lender behind the 20% of the work that's been completed but ahead of the 80% of the work that hasn't been completed perfectly stated. Thank you. Any other members have questions.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:25:56
OK, he, he said that if 20% of the work was done, um, today, then they go before, after this passes, they'll go before the 80%. Um, and as of now, the, the lender would go at the end. Is pretty accurate as a lender. Close enough. Any other members have questions? Senator Alan Clark.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:26:30
Senator, I know before there were some that didn't think that our questions were legitimate. It turned out they were, and I appreciate you working with us on the bill. Thank you. Any other members? A one
we speak against the bill. Anybody wish to speak for the bill. Senator, we'd like
to close for you, Bill. I'm closed. The center is closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling vote, Madam Secretary, roll the vote.
Bo Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des Lee Dimain dots and English
Speaker 11
3:27:07
flippo Flowers Gilmore, Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rices Scott Stone, Stubberville Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Hey members which change your vote? Senator King not
voting. Any members wish to change your vote? Flowers is present.
Any other members wish to change the
vote. Secretary Do the ballot, please. With a total of
32. 0 Um 0 against 1 not voting, 1 on leave. The bill passes as amended return to the house. Up next is House Bill 1272, Senator Penzo, House Bill 1272 by Representative
Warren and Senator Penzo to amend the law
concerning property vacated by municipality and require vested abandoned property be conveyed
Speaker 54
3:28:08
with the abutting real estate, Senator Penzo, you
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:28:12
recognize you present your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1272 addresses property rights to any street or alley abandoned by a city or municipality. When that occurs, the adjoining property owners take to the center line of the abandoned street or alley. When those adjoining owners later sell their property, they
often forget to include the portion of the street or alley which vested in them when it was abandoned. This bill will make it so that the applicable portion of the abandoned street or alley automatically follows the conveyance of the adjoining property, absent a specific reservation by the cell. Spills retroactive to 1945, which was in the Arkansas code section that is being amended was codified and will aid in clearing title to portions of abandoned streets and alleys
that the adjoining owners and their successors inadvertently failed to include in conveyance often decades ago. Members have questions. Senator Peyton, thank you, Mr.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
3:29:21
President. So what happens? If the easement was taken wholly off of or majority off of one property, and then it gets abandoned and we're given the two abutting properties to the
center line seems like it was all taken off of one property. We should have allowance for that to where. Instead of the center line, it would go back to the property it belonged to. A lot of times these
Speaker 645
3:29:50
abandoned streets are Really, I mean, if they've been a
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:29:54
band in their old streets and alleys, um, I can see that. I'm just saying that I mean that. I can So in my, I guess that would take a pretty extensive title
search to figure out, I mean, go back in time and figure
Senator John Payton
Unverified
3:30:14
out With the You know, in my experience, there are some that are not that old. It was taken like in the 80s and it was abandoned. In 20003 or 4.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:30:24
Well, I mean I I understand that I've got a piece of property out in Tawnytown that the corner posts, the actual corner pin is on the other side of the road, so I mean, uh, but that road will never be abandoned. I guess
there's all kinds of instances out there where something like that could happen, but, uh, you know, just, just for a blanket solution, this is probably the easiest way to fix it. OK, thank you. Any other members have questions, Senator Blake Johnson.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:30:57
You said this is retroactive to 1945. Yes. Not a period of time from like last year or something, you could have went to. That's a
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:31:09
that's a ways back. Yeah, I mean, but that, that's when this went into effect. So, and this was kind of the intent of how everything was supposed to happen and if people don't convey it, it's, you know, It, it solves all the problems from That far back. That's further back than I don't know if there's anybody in here that old.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
3:31:39
Probably not. OK. Senator Hill. I want to piggyback on what Senator Payton was talking about. I'll use the street I live on. If he gets abandoned. That road came 100% off of me. And so why does my neighbor get half of, of that if they close that down. He didn't pay for it. He didn't pay the taxes on are still not paying the taxes on it because
they just take it over. Yeah. So that, that, that's my question on that. Well,
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:32:14
I don't know how to answer that one. That's this is how they set this piece of legislation up, so. Thanks sir. Yeah, thank you. Any other questions
Speaker 655
3:32:24
from members? Anyone would like to speak against the bill. And we'd like to speak
for the bill. Senator, you closed for the bill. Senator is closed for the
bill. Is there any objection to rolling the boat? Objection noted, Madam Secretary, would
Speaker 147
3:32:48
you call the role, please. Bright, Brant. Caldwell. Clark
Bark Crowe Davis Davis. Days leave, dismay.
Speaker 281
3:33:10
This. Dotson. English, English. Flippo. Flowers, Gilmore.
Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Hester, Hecky, hey, Hecky Hecky Hill. Irvin Irvin
Speaker 284
3:33:42
Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. Mark Johnson. King. King Letting
Letting love. McKee. McKee
Speaker 284
3:34:07
Murdoch Murdoch. Payton, Pennzo Patty.
Speaker 281
3:34:15
Brice, rice. Scott stone. Stone. Deerfield Yeah Sullivan Tucker. Wallace
Wallace, any members like to change their
vote? Senator Hester, yes. Any other member Senator Mark Johnson, no.
Any other members, Senator Crowell present. Senator Hammer presence, Senator Davis present Crow, sorry, my apologies. Any others? Senate Hammer's present, Senator Gilmore, yes. Any other members. Senator Rice, yes, Senator Stone, yes. Any others?
Man. I'm sorry. Check the board members checked the board. All right, Madam Secretary casts up the vote, please. By a
vote of 13, 6 nay. 10 not voting 5 present, 1 leave, the bill fails. Senator Penzo. I'd like to make a motion to
expunge the vote on 1272 on favor of the motion,
say aye. Any opposed. motion passes Madam Secretary, House Bill 1275. House for 1275 by Representative Kavanaugh and Senator Blake Johnson, to prohibit prior authorizations for
healthcare services provided for treatment of a mental health crisis. Senator Johnson, you recognize to present your bill.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:36:18
Members, uh, pretty much this entire bill comes down to the lines 33 through 35 on the second page. Health benefit plans shall not require prior authorization or pre-certification for a healthcare service provided by healthcare provider to an individual who is suffering from mental health crisis. This is like, uh, the situation we have now, if you go to the emergency room there, uh, they would have to have you uh have a prior authorization for an
emergency that's, that's not how we handle it with with our body, and I don't think that's how we ought to handle it with our mind. I'd appreciate a good vote. members share the
explanation of the vote, questions. And when we speak against the bill. And may we speak for the bill. Senator
Johnson, you closed for the bill. Senators closed for the bill. Is there any objection to
roll the vote. See no Madam Secretary, roll the vote. Um
Roy Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crowe, Davis, Des Lee, Dima dots in
Speaker 11
3:37:28
English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Would any members like to change your vote? See
By a vote of 34 yeah, 0 nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, 1 leave the bill passes returned to the House. Senator Flippo, House Bill 1276. 1276 represented Pineer and Senator
Flippo concerning spousal retirement benefits for spouses of certain municipal employees. Senator Flippo, you recognize you present your bill. Thank you,
Chair
Unverified
3:38:14
Mr. President. Members, House Bill 1296
was brought to represent the Paterna by
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:38:19
the municipal League, and it does exactly what the title says. It allows the spouse of a city
attorney in 1 or 2nd class cities, spouse of a deputy city clerk in cities of the 2nd or the 1st class and mayors and cities of the 2nd class and treasurer in cities of the first class to receive their spouse's retirement benefits or 50% of their retirement benefits. This is optional. There's no fiscal impact on state in state retirement, um, the local city council or governing body would decide where they want to opt into this program or not. It's just going to help some of our smaller communities try to be able to recruit and retain qualified people to serve
in these position. Auctioneer Flippo is present his
bill. If there are any questions, Senator Hill.
Speaker 669
3:39:04
How was that physical impact determined? Yeah, there's a, um, I don't know, I got, I
Speaker 673
3:39:15
by Osborneurio and Associates Inc. and it is an actual cost study prepared for the joint Committee on Public Retirement. Thank you, sir.
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:39:30
Very welcome. And also, Sarah Silenfield, this bill has absolutely zero impact on any future
major construction projects that may or may not be happening in Franklin County. Senator. And is come back
to the Wellenator Peyton. I'm not sure on this, Senator Flippo, but the language Concerns me as to whether
Senator John Payton
Unverified
3:39:47
or not they had to be married at the time of death. It says married for 10 years,
but whether or not they were actually married at the time of death.
Speaker 677
3:40:01
I'm not sure if that language covers it. Um I think gets married at the time of
Speaker 678
3:40:12
death. I hope so. Thank you. That's the legislative intent, Senator Dodson. Thank you,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:40:19
Mr. Chair. Senator, so there's no fiscal impact to the state, but if the municipalities opt into this and then there are smaller municipality and they get in over their head. Does that obligate the state to expenses
Speaker 669
3:40:31
later on. Uh, my understanding is no, but I don't see it here in this cost form,
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:40:40
so, um, I don't think this provides any obligation on the state to cover that even
Speaker 678
3:40:44
through APERS as far as the retirement. OK, thank you. Senator Bryant, are you
there for a question? No. Any other members have questions? can vote, Senator Johnson, do you want another question, Senator Flippo? Senator Mark Johnson.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:41:02
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Flupo, as I'm reading this and I'm trying to, I want to make sure that I'm, I'm reading it correctly. It says Upon the death of a treasurer who retired under the provision of these sections who died in office, the legally recognized spouse of the treasurer married to the treasurer for 10 years or longer may receive it the option of the governing body. One half the benefit or the benefit he
was received one or half of the benefit who died in office was entitled to receive. Now that would mean at the option of that municipal Correct, yes sir. OK. And then it says upon remarriage of the spouse, those benefits would cease. The benefits shall cease. Now, does that mean that we in the General Assembly, let's say the spouse the gentleman or lady, whichever one, the, the working spouse dies. The spouse gets a retirement and the the the surviving spouse meets someone, falls in love with
them, but if they get married instead of living in sin, they lose their pension. Is that what this means? Uh, could certainly be interpreted that way, Senator Johnson. OK, well, I'm not, I mean I don't want us to, you know, condone living in sin, but, but, you know, on the other hand, uh, I mean, I, I, I think it's if the city's making that decision, I guess we can put that on them, but, but I did want to know if, if, if that was the case, that they they get remarried and they lose their money. They would lose
Speaker 669
3:42:32
the, they would lose the benefits. That is my
understanding as well. OK. Thank you, Senator control, Senator Johnson, we'll put it on them. One more senator flippo, Senator Gilmore. It's
not a It's not Hey members, could you hold it down a little bit, please,
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
3:42:49
Senator Gilmore. Thank you, Mr. President. I hate to follow a question about living in sin, Senator, but uh, I have to at this point, uh, so considering that that may be the case or any other reasons and uh uh should we consider it being a pro rata as based on years of marriage.
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:43:08
Absolutely not. It's a 21st century. I think that it feels fine, 10 years of marriage. I think the bill is fine as written. So just for the record, you're, and I'm not gonna ask you that Sarah Gilmore, you
Speaker 686
3:43:17
and I get married, we could reconsider that. A members wish to speak against the bill. And members which speak
for the bill. Senators closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote?
He an objection, Madam Chair, Madam Secretary,
Speaker 147
3:43:48
call the roll, please. Bryant. Caldwell, Clark. Oh
Speaker 281
3:43:58
no. Crowell, Davis. Days a slave, dismaying. This man. Dotson. English. English.
Speaker 660
3:44:11
Flippo Flowers, flowers. Gilmore Gilmore, that's gonna be quiet,
please, members, could you be quiet for a second trying
to hear the vote, please. Hammer, Hester. Hickie Hill. Irvin
Speaker 284
3:44:44
Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson King
Speaker 549
3:45:04
Senator? OK. McKee. Murdoch. Peyton Penzo.
Speaker 281
3:45:15
Penza Patty Yes. Brice Scott. Yeah. Stan. Stan Stub afield. Stab a fail. Sullivan, Sullivan. Members, could you hold
it down for a second, please? Tucker Wallace
I Any single senators want to change their vote.
Sorry over here on the right hand, Senator Blake Johnson, yes. Senator McKee,
yes, Senator Boyd, yes. Senator Kroll, yes, Senator Davis, yes. Senator Clark Tucker, yes.
Senator Letting, yes, Senator Flower, yes. Senator Mark Johnson, yes, Senator Sullivan, yes. Senator Stone, yes. Senator Peyton. Yes, Senator Caldwell, yes. Senator Hill, yes. Senator Hester, yes. Senator Penzo, yes.
Single senator Flippo, yes. Senator Hammer, yes. Senator Stubblefield, yes. Any other members wish to change their vote. Senator Ervin, yes. Senator English, yes. Check the board members. This is going to be it. Any other members want to
change, wave your hand if we haven't seen it.
Madam Secretary, cast up about by a vote of 29, 3 nay, 1 not voting, one present. One leave. House Bill 1276 passes
return to the House, Senator Walsh. Houses built 1316 by representative Allen Senator
Speaker 71
3:47:45
Wallace to mandate coverage for lung cancer screenings. Senator Walsh to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:47:56
Members that, I don't say this often,
but this is a bill that's gonna save lives going forth. Came out of the house from Representative Fred Allen, who's a cancer survivor. What it does is mandate coverage for lung cancer screenings. Lung cancer kills 2000. Arkansas every year, more than breasts. colon cancer and prostate cancer combined.
Only 22% of those diagnosed survive beyond 5
years. Medicare. Medicaid and private insurance coverage screen, uh, most eligible are Kansans. This bill will ensure uniform coverage requiring all health plans to cover lung cancer screenings without deductibles, copays, or co-insurance. This bill's been
out there for about 6 weeks. There's been no
opposition to this bill. There's no physical impact to the state. It
will expand excess access in rural areas and help more Kansas, especially in healthcare deserts to get screened earlier. This bill will go into effect 1 January 26th. It says that health plans shall provide coverage for lung cancer screening. And with that,
Speaker 710
3:49:20
I stand by for your questions. Any questions from members? Anyone would to speak against the bill.
Anybody wish to speak for the bill, Senator Johnson, you recognize,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:49:39
speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
Uh, members, my mother died of lung cancer. And by the time it was discovered, she was pretty far gone and she didn't live but just a few months after that. Uh, that would be enough to support this bill for me, uh, but then it's added the fact that my friend Representative
Fred Allen, who's cancer survivor and very brave in his work against it and to support other screenings has this was his bill. So for those two reasons, I asked for a yes
vote. Thank you very much. Anyone we're to speak against the bill. Anyone else wished to speak for the bill, Senator Walsh, would
you like to close for your bill, Senator Walsh is closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote?
Seeing none, Madam Secretary, roll the vote. Moet, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis De Le Desma dots and English flippo
Speaker 11
3:50:42
flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice scotstein Stubber Phil Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Would any member like to vote that has not or
change their vote, Senator Dodson present.
Any others? Madam Secretary cast up the ballot by a vote of 33 ys and zero nays, the bill has passed.
Speaker 711
3:51:18
Return to the house. House Bill 1414.
House Bill 1414 by Representative Andrews and Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning claims for fire services
and to update the schedule of equipment rights used in claims fire services. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
President. All this does is the FEMA reimbursement rates are dated in the current language 2013.
It removes that date so that the reimbursement rates can be brought current, maintained current to the rates that are reimbursed. I'd be glad to answer any questions. Are there any questions? Senator
Hammer, Senator Dotson, you're recognized for question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:51:51
Senator, so if we remove the date, is that going to make it a floating costs of whatever FEMA's rates are, the federal will tie us to the federal rate, and we'll have to pay whatever that happens to
be at that particular point in time, as
it was explained to me that that would be the case, but currently, as it was explained to me, the current rates are behind because they're held back to 2013, so this would,
as I understand it, it would bring us current but also in the future because it's not dated in the bill that would allow
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:52:24
us to be reimbursed. Well, I guess what I'm saying So this will be an ongoing basis, whatever they decide to do at the federal level we'll have to, we will have to match
whatever the federal rate is going forward. I don't know if it's I don't know if it's a match or
Speaker 488
3:52:47
a reimbursement, I think is the way it was explained to me. OK. Thank you. Senator
Senator John Payton
Unverified
3:52:52
Payton, you're recognized for question. Thank you, Mr. Protem. So We would no longer have control. I mean, if we update the date to whatever the federal standards are today, then we remain in control of any increase, but if we just remove the data altogether, does that not cede
control over it to the Fed whenever the Fed wants to change it as there is a, well,
it's reimbursement as it was explained to me, so I'm not sure how much control we would have in the first place, but I know right now based on the rates as
it was explained to me. were behind, and that's one reason why we need to remove the date, but I'll tell you what I'll do because of the lateness of the day and we've got time to deal with this. Let me get an answer to your question, I'll bring it back up. And if we put it on the calendar for tomorrow at the top of the calendar, but I'll be glad to take any other
questions if anybody wants to ask anything else. Its
It's House Bill 1414 is pulled down for the day and put
back on the calendar for tomorrow. House Bill 1474. That's about 1474
by Representatives Joy and Senator Wallace concerning the prevention of human trafficking and require the display of information about the national human trafficking hotline. Senator Walsh, you recognized for your bill. Thank you, Mr.
President. Remember back in 2013, Senator Greg Letting, and I
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:54:12
wish he was in here, wrote a really good bill on human trafficking. And included things like hotels or motels that have been listed as a public nuisance for prostitution or a strip club or other sexually uh oriented businesses. A private club and and a few others they listed, but that's in the old
bill. We worked with uh attorney General's office. We worked with the human trafficking, uh, board and came up with just one small amendment and what we're doing, and the only thing we're doing in this bill is adding nail salons, and we're adding massage parlors. So that's all the bill does. Makes a good bill just a little bit better. Members, are there any questions for Senator Wallace? All right, Shane, no questions.
Anyone would to speak against the bill? And they would
speak for the bill, Senator Walsh, here for you. Senator, it's closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none,
Madam President, or Madam Secretary, roll the vote please. Brant Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis Stes Lee, dismay and English flippo
Speaker 11
3:55:35
flowers. Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love,
McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo, Petty, rice Scott Stone Stuber Phil Sullivan, Tucker
Speaker 350
3:55:46
Wallace. Any members wish to change their
vote. And members to exchange vote. Madam Secretary, cast up the vote. The vote of 34 yeah, zero nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave. House Bill 1474 passes as amended return to the house. Madam Secretary, House Bill
1505. How about 1505 by Representative Way and Senator Tucker to require a public employer to offer and provide coverage and licensed counseling for public safety employee who has experienced a traumatic
event and declare an emergency, Senator Tucker, you recognize to present your bill? Thank you,
Mr. President. This is a bill
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:56:35
for our first responders, particularly our firefighters and police officers. Two years ago we created a program that if a firefighter police officer or other first responder other first responder undergoes a
traumatic event in the line of duty, then we need to provide the mental health counseling and It was a fully fledged program for a certain time period, but it had a sunset clause on it. It's expired. It functioned exactly the way that we hoped that it would, and so this really takes that program and makes it permanent. It's, it's mostly with the cities. There are it works with the counties a little bit, but it's mostly with municipalities municipal League is fully in support of
the bill. There's no known opposition. Happy to take any questions. Any members have
any questions? Senator Boyd, do you have a question? OK.
Any members have any questions? Anybody wish to speak against the bill. Anybody wish to speak for the bill, Senator Tucker, you recognize the close for
Chair
Unverified
3:57:29
you, Bill. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm closing. I appreciate a
good vote. Is there any objection to rolling the vote. Bill has emergency clause, Madam Secretary, if you would please roll the vote.
Boy, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Krull, Davis, De
Speaker 11
3:57:54
Le dismay dots an English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee Murdoch, Peyton, and so Petty rice scot Stone, steer Phil Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Are there any members who wish to change votes, Senator
Sullivan present. Any other members wish to change the vote. Members checked the board.
Is calling on change vote. Madam Secretary, Senator McKee is present. Ma'am
Secretary cast up the vote. By a vote of 32, yeah, zero nay, 0 not voting, 2 present, 1 on leave. House bill 1505 passes with the emergency clause returned to the House. Senator Wallace, you recognize
present House Bill 1536. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1536 by Representative
McIlroy and Senator Wallace to withhold state transportation funding from
Chair
Unverified
3:58:57
a school district that does not require passenger restraint systems and school buses under certain circumstances. Now Senator Walsh, you
recognize the percentage bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Remember, there's a, some backstory to this bill and the
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:59:11
reason we're running it. 3 sessions ago, we wrote a bill. That made it uh Optional For school districts to install seatbelts.
And the new buses. And when the triggers for that, was that if 10% of the population of that school district. Did a petition that said, hey, we want To have a vote We want to have a vote on having seat belts. In our school buses.
Didn't mandate that they had to put them in, but it did mandate that 10% of the
district's population voted our petition for a vote. own Um, seat belts, then they had to have a, a uh had
to have a campaign for it, had to vote for it. We have at least one school district that has violated that uh
That law. In has violated it more than once. More than 10% of the population said, we'd
like to have a vote. In the school district has ignored it despite repeated requests to do that. That's a background for that bill. And what this bill, and
what this bill does, if the school districts continue to do that, you know, that specific school district continues to do that,
then we'll withhold 25% of the transportation budget. And with that, I'll stand by for
your questions. Hey, members like to ask any questions. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry, Senator English. Just
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:01:16
really looking at solving a local problem with a statewide solution. I guess I don't understand
if 10% of every school district has
to vote. No, only 10% of one school district has
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:01:35
to vote. So Each in each school district. If 10% within that
that individual school district, then they would have to. In this case, it is, it's one school district. So one school
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:01:47
district has voted. has, has one school district,
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:01:50
the board and the superintendent has refused to follow a law that we've got in place. But the rest of the school
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:02:00
districts across the state have all followed this, and they're all putting seatbelts in there. No,
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:02:05
no, they just, they've not had petitions as far as I know. Some may have
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:02:10
had petitions, so this kind of looks to me like it's a statewide solution to a local problem.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:02:18
Am I wrong? Well, that's a good point. Um, But unless we do
something, it's like That school district is going to
continue to vote or continue to violate law. I
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:02:34
don't, I don't know about the school districts in my in my district. I don't know whether they have, they've
all decided they have to have seatbelts or not. I've never seen anything but that's
Speaker 733
4:02:45
my question. Yes, ma'am, Senator Flowers, you recognized? Senator
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:02:51
Wallace, what school district specifically are you talking about? To my knowledge, is
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:02:56
down in southeast Arkansas. I'm not sure of the precise
school district. I think it may be in
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:03:08
Deshay County. Which is my district. OK. And I haven't heard this uh Representative McIlroy is from that area, Dhay County, uh, I'm just wondering why
would we punish. Uh, a school district. In a way that would affect children getting to school.
Why would we want to policy. That does that. So I already some question about whether there's, it's a
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:03:43
good question. Um, my answer to that is that that school district is already violing the law where every everybody in that the people in that school district did the right thing. 10% of the folks came forward and said, we'd like to put this on the ballot. Well, in these Dha County is not
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:04:07
a densely populated county, so I'm wondering what, what would be 10%. And I guess a registered voters, what are we talking about here? Does anybody I believe it's richered voters. Thank you. Senator Peyton. Thank you,
Mr. Chair. Senator Wallace, it's late and we have a
Senator John Payton
Unverified
4:04:38
lot of bills to look at and it's hard to keep up. And when I opened this bill, the uh, the change is a paragraph that refers to subsection E and subsection F, but neither one of those subsections did the bill drafter put in the bill for us to see. So I actually had to look it up on Lexis, Nexus real quick. subsection E is the is what the law that you're referring to that we passed that says when 10% petition, then the school
board shall put it on the next ballot. So this will only affect a school district. Where they have ignored the petition. So to your knowledge, it will not affect another school district. No, OK, thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, sir. Any other questions from members? Very Anyone
wishing to speak against the bill. Senator Sullivan, you recognize speak against the bill. OK.
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:05:41
Members of I think Senator Peyton has a point. However, my district, um, bus drivers in Jonesboro and the, he said he's friends and they have a little group, they all oppose this bill vigorously. I think it's a local problem that can be solved locally. Senator Flowers and I agree, and, and then we need to let them be allow local district to solve their problems. I don't think this is one we need to get involved in. Thank you. Senators spoken against the bills anyone would like to speak
for the bill, Senator Mark Johnson recognized speak for the bill.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:06:16
Thank you, Mr. President. I had the privilege of sitting through two different days of debate on this bill, and I want to tell you why I support it. Uh, Representative McIlroy made clear to us that there is a state law that allows uh patrons of the school district, registered voters to by petition, petition their school board and say, we want seat
belts on the next bus you buy. This is not retroactive thing, although they certainly have the right to do that. And we passed this law, I believe, in 23, it may have even been in 21, but there's an existing law that lets them, if 10% of the uh registered voters in that school district petition their government for redress of a grievance. In this case, they want seat belts on the school bus. Then one of two things has to happen. The superintendent and the
school boards either A say the next bus we buy is gonna have seat belts. Or they can put it on the ballot at the next school board election and let the entire uh voting uh public in that school district vote up or down on whether or not to put seat belts on the next buses that they buy. Now, so it is local control. I thought it was, it sounded like a great deal, but there's no teeth in it.
And he had a situation in uh I believe it's the school district where uh the representative lives and represent McIlroy said they basically thumbed their nose at the law. So he put a, he first said the original bill said they lose all their transportation funding. Everybody thought that was a little bit harsh, so he came back with this. would lose like 25% of their funding until they comply with the law. Now we enforce a lot of
things on localities. If they thumb their nose at state law. It was a legitimately passed law. I thought was a reasonable solution to let people petition their district and say, hey, we really want these and they could respond again in two ways. Next bus we buy have uh seat belts. sober or next election, we'll put it on the ballot and let everybody vote on it. Either way, it would be local resolution.
So, but there has to be some kind of a, of a downside if someone just literally flouts the law, and this is, this is what had happened in his district. So I, I only wanted to share that for everyone because uh it is a confusing situation, and it looks like we're getting involved in a local situation, but we created the law that said you cannot thumb your nose at your patrons who petition their government for redress of grievance, and this just puts
the 25% penalty in until they comply. If when they comply with the law, they get all their money. So it's a good bill. And, and I appreciate a good vote. Do you have a question for me, Senator Sullivan? I'll be glad to take his Senator Sullivan you for a
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:09:39
question. Thank you, Mr. President, and I think the Arkansas Senate has thumbed their our nose that federal law multiple times. So sometimes there's a reason that we do that. Uh, it, my bus
drivers, supervisor said it takes 3 to 5 seconds for a bus to be consumed in flames if it catches on fire, and there's no way that folks can evacuate that bus if it catches on fire, which somehow, uh, and if, if Superintendents are thumbing their nose for the protection of their children, which a genuinely genuinely believe it is reasonable. I don't blame them for thumbing their nose, would you? Well, I, I believe that you
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:10:16
have two sets of opinions. You'd have someone
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:10:21
that says this would keep you, make it harder to get off that bus if it catches on fire. But you might have another person that say it causes you to live if it rolls over. And that's, and I'm not gonna, I'm, I don't work for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Senator, you make a good point. There's no perfect thing, but I do know that uh if you're strapped in to a car and anyone that's watched the NASCAR race and see those 6 point harnesses and someone flips the car 16 times
going down the street at 200 miles an hour and they they lived through it. Then I believe seat belts work, but now if, if the district patrons believe that, then, then I believe that this is a way for them to, to follow the law. I'm and I'm, I, we don't know. It depends on the situation. whether you're safer or less safe. My mother always said that if you're in a wreck, you'd be thrown clear of the wreckage if
you don't have a seat belt on. And I thought, no, mom, that doesn't make a lot of sense. When you hit that tree, when you're thrown clear of the wreckage, you're probably gonna be killed, but the point is we've got a lot of data on seatbelts, and my brother who works in a hospital, convinced me that there is any doubt about the fact that if you buckle your seatbelt, it won't fix everything. but it sure does put the odds in your favor. So that's, that's the only thing I, I would say, please, you know, make every district and it's every
district. It's not just this one. This is just the one that did not comply with the law and and flouted it. So that that's just follow up. So is that the same statistics are
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:12:03
true for 3 and 4 year olds and kids with disabilities that are now strapped in. Senator, as I said in my first response to your question,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:12:14
I'm not an expert on this. I have an opinion, but I also, I think we're talking about the law and not debating the merits or
demerits of anyone's safety tenant, Senator Blake Johnson. Senator, uh, appreciate your
viewpoint, uh. If, if your local district. ignores this law. It's a local issue. What other options do those patrons have to uh to take care of this issue on a local basis. Well, I guess one by one they
might defeat any uh school board member, and then when they had a majority of the board, they might fire their superintendent, but I would think this would be a more palatable and reasonable solution without having to go to that extreme. Do you think they could also take their
millage back to 25 mLs if they wanted. I believe they could and and let me
add one thing, Senator Johnson, I appreciate you bringing that up. The bill also if they referred it to the
voters in their petition, it would refer to at the next election. They could specifically uh have on their ballot for the school election and additional millage that would cover the additional cost of the new bus with the, with the seat belts. So they would buy uh a referendum choosing that and how to pay for it. Uh, I appreciate all those options and I'm
Speaker 230
4:13:48
going to leave it at that. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Senator. All right, Senators spoke in
favorability. Anyone like to speak against the bill. Senator Flowers, you recognized speak against the bill. Thank
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:14:11
you. So since number one, I don't think this bill is, is right for our school districts. I don't.
Pretty sure I didn't vote for the bill that Preceded this, uh, I don't know how long ago
it was, um, But I'll tell you, you're talking about if it's Dha County. That's a school district that has been consolidated over the years. So the students, are transported from uh
Goul. And other little small communities around Dha County,
uh, go actually is in Lincoln County. So it's, it's crossing county
lines for transporting these students. And One thing since I've been serving on um Senate education. Just recently noticed particularly about how these, um, school districts are funded for transportation.
And we have a bill on the agenda that didn't get out of committee the other day. I'm pretty sure it'll be run again. It's not the Matrix. It's a bill for enhanced transportation funding. And there's this really strange to me,
formula. That only the Bureau of Legislative Research uses
To provide the numbers and the amounts of monies for enhanced funding for our districts. Based on a lot of things and in committee they said, I said, well, what is the formula? Well, It's proprietary. So they couldn't really tell us exactly how the formula works. The formula they said was Set up in 2013.
And was first applied in 2017. Now,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:16:50
of a district, the money is available to them. I also learned from the bureau that there are 3 different pots of money for transportation. And it's not just across the board, a certain dollar amount for each district. It depends on
a lot of things. You have the matrix that has a funding level for transportation. And the best I could see from the enhanced. Funding formula for transportation. was that they use previous year expenses. For transportation. They
use riders, the number of
riders, and some other Uh I that I I can't even remember. It was it. It was really uh I say
it it was difficult for me to understand. They had a lot of spreadsheets they they wanted to show me and they did. But when I came out of the um conference with these um bureau of Legislative Research.
Uh, individuals that presented as best they could in our committee was that this formula for enhanced. Transportation funding. is easily manipulated. So that School districts that have been taken over by state control. Some
of them had 0 funding and they were taken over from
fiscal issues. I, I, I, I think. Just because we write a law.
Doesn't make it good policy. And we've seen even this session. So many laws that have been repealed. We often repeal laws.
We don't always get it right. But this is not well thought out. Senator Peyton. Um,
showed me in this section of the code 619,130, I believe. Which is where I think this is coming from, this transportation bill here that Punishment. It says in one section, if a school district has a project under construction at the time the petition required under this subsection is submitted, the school district is not required
to place the proposal on the ballot. I don't know that they do or do not have a project. I would think so. But I've been
to the schools in the Duma's district. And I think it's um This is very punitive.
It has no regard for children that are students that come from Lincoln County from Gould. You're not talking about rich
people, you're not talking about a great millage down there that can add extra support for payment for transportation and other things that the school needs. So our schools are struggling down in southeast Arkansas. And I would respectfully ask you to vote
no for this bill. Thank you, Senators spoken against Bill. Anyone who wants to speak for the
bill? Against Bill Senator Walsh, we'd like to close for your bill.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:20:52
Members, we've talked a lot about buses and school districts and Seat
belts Here's the issue. We wrote a law. If the law, it was written 33 sessions ago. That law has not been repealed. No one's ever said anything against that law. So we have a law on the books that we wrote.
If we don't enforce our laws, What's the next law? That someone
in the state of Arkansas. Doesn't honor. Which laws do we just ignore? This is about The law of the land. And it's about the law of the land being ignored.
With that, I appreciate you and I asked for a good vote. Senator is closed
for the bill. Madam Secretary. I ask you to please call the roll. Boyd But. Brandt Caldwell. Caldwell. Clark
Clark Crowe, Davis. Davis
Speaker 281
4:22:40
days leave dismay. Desma. Dotson. English. Flowers. Gilmore.
Gilmore. Hammer? No.
Speaker 284
4:23:00
Esther. Hester Hickey. Hi Irvin Irvin. Like Johnson. Mark Johnson. King King Lighting. Letting, love. McKee. Murdoch. Murdoch.
Peyton. Kenzo. Patty. Rice Scott Scott. down That
Speaker 281
4:23:44
a Phil? Stuberfield Sullivan. Tucker? Tucker? Wallace.
Speaker 759
4:24:13
What Would any member Would any member like to change their vote,
Senator Scott. No, Senator Scott, no. Senator Alan Clark, yes. Senator
Wallace, yes. Senator Um Tucker, thank you, Senator
Tucker. What was that? No, Senator Davis, no.
Senator Petty. good OK, Senator Mark Johnson, no. Any other members like to change. No. Senator Gilmore, no. Any other members like to change their vote, check Senator Irvin, no. Senator Irvin, no. Any other members
want to change their vote, check the board. Go and watch. It
Chair
Unverified
4:25:15
Madam Secretary. cast up the vote. By a vote of
4, 25 nay, 5 not voting, 0 present, one on leave, House Bill 1536 fails, Mr. President. Senator Mark Johnson, having voted on the
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:25:41
prevailing side, I would like to give notice of reconsideration on House Bill
1536. Motion for reconsideration, all in favor say I opposed? Mr. President, point of order. Point of order, Senator Johnson. I did
not move. I made, gave uh gave notice of reconsideration, and you can ask the counsel if I did that properly. Hold on a second. I just It's not emotion.
so Counsel advises that because we passed the 54th day of session that it has to be consideration, so there is no motion for consideration. Thank you withdraw the notice.
Speaker 489
4:26:33
Thank you, Mr. President, withdrawn. Thank you for
uh The challenge, Senator Wallace, you rise for What purpose? I just want to say I appreciate him withdrawing
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:26:44
that because I couldn't handle another butt whipping like that.
Duly noted Senator Wallace. of Say again. Returned to the house and returned to the house,
having failed to pass. All right, Senator Gilmore. Senator Gilmore, but standing in for
Senator Gilmore is Senator Boyd. House Bill
1551 by representative gasine Central Gilmore to mend the law
concerning criminal abortion and to create the offense of course criminal abortion by means of fraud. So Boyd
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
4:27:33
you recognize. Thank you, Mr. President. This bill makes it a Class B felony if a person commits a coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud, coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud occurs if a man or woman knowingly administers or gives an abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent with a purpose to cause an abortion.
This is a bipartisan bill to keep a woman and her unborn baby safe. It passed the house with 99 votes and there's no known. opposition. Any questions from members? Anyone wish to speak against the
bill. Anybody wish to speak for the bill. Senator, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote, Senators close for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, roll the vote, please see none.
Bo, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, these leave. Dotson English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill,
Speaker 11
4:28:35
Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Would any members
Speaker 56
4:28:45
like to change your vote? And it was like change the vote.
Madam Secretary casts up the
vote. By a vote of 34 yeah, 0 nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, one on leave. House Bill 1551 as amended passes, return to the house. Senator Hester, he recognized,
well, hold on, Senators. House Bill 1633 men 1633 by
Representative Brooks and Center Hester to amend the eligibility requirements for participating
in extracurricular activities for certain students who transfer schools and declare an emergency. Senator Hes recognized. Hello, members, this
is a bill that we've been calling the AAA bill for the last several weeks. Uh, this is an
issue that we all deal with. I would say 35 of us would have 35 different opinions if it was us drawing up this bill, but this is something that the uh public schools and private schools all members of the AAA got together in 84% of them agreed to this language, which is very difficult thing to
do. So what are we changing here? Uh, 22 really important things I think we're doing. One, right now, if you attend a public school and you choice into a private school, you are not eligible to play sports for 365 days. So we are opening up choice for a significant amount of students. Now, in response to that, we are saying that uh you can you that no one gets to change their junior or senior year without a qualifying event. So we will restrict the last two
years, junior or senior year, but we're opening up the opportunity for everyone that plays public from a public school transferring to a private school. Now, I've heard some that is this really happening or is it not? Well, I'll tell you, 2 years ago, there were Hooten's magazine, uh, followed 150 underclassmen, highlighted them. The next year they went to follow up on those 150 underclassmen for football, over 100 of them had changed schools of the top 150 athletes in the school. So we see what's going on in uh
college athletics. We don't need to transfer portal in the state of Arkansas, but look, this is, uh, I think this is very important, 84% of public and private schools agreed to it. Uh, the two main things that you would want to understand is we are restricting transfers, uh, your junior and senior year only, unless you have qualifying event and there could be many qualifying events. There's at least 8 specific waivers that you can get from the AAA, or if your family moves. Uh, but what we are opening up is every student that goes from
a private school to a public school would immediately be eligible. I'm happy to answer any questions, any questions from members,
Speaker 415
4:31:36
Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. President. I listened
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:31:45
to the testimony the other day. It seemed like everyone that testified would have fit into those exceptions. I know you heard the testimony too. Would you, again, I didn't hear one of them who get told their story that didn't fit in those exceptions. They're very
broad, and AAA has been fairly uh as as accepted those waivers or
requests just about every time. Would you agree with that? Every time there's
any basis to it, they can provide any, any backup. They accept them and you're right, every story except for one would have fed in those, would have fit
in those waivers had they requested them, if they had been able to substantiate those. One lady was upset about an interschool transfer like, you know, from Bentonville to Bentonville West, or this was Fort Smith, Fort Smith South, uh, this bill doesn't affect
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:32:31
interschools. We allow them to handle that themselves, and personally I would allow 10 moves a year, but I think that bill's not before us right now. This bill is and this bill moves us forward and helps is better
for students than what the current policy is. That's right. Do you agree with that. I agree. Thank you. Any other members with questions? Senator Mark
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:32:56
Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Hipster, on these, these petitions for exceptions, uh,
Speaker 407
4:33:02
who, who would rule on whether or not those were accepted. The AAA does, and who's the AAA?
Well, I mean, it's a, it's
a non-government organization, but the members of it are 11 either principal or superintendent from every school district that participates. I mean, I mean, is there
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:33:22
a, a board that's set up to review these?
Is it they're, they're full board? Is it, you know, some group of coaches, or I mean,
is there an entity that makes these determinations. It is so I
think it's like anything like we do that So
Speaker 407
4:33:41
I think the staff puts together a packet, but the board actually votes on
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:33:45
that, so it's the staff, so it'd be their employees that would
evaluate this. Well, it puts together the initial
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:33:50
understanding, right, something for the for the people to vote for that's recommendations to their full board. That's correct. OK. Is there a like, could you go to
the Department of Education or circuit court or, I mean, I, I'm, I'm just wondering, is this, are they this NGO as
you're called non-governmental organization. Are they the final a word on this in high school and athletics. Well, they are the final word unless two superintendents want to agree, right, it's
a superintendent from the leaving school and the accepting school want to do something different, they have the right to do that, or they are, there's always a final word in the court system in the state of Arkansas. OK, so, and I mean I'm old enough
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:34:30
to remember when they didn't want homeschool kids to participate in any sports whatsoever, and I came down here and worked to get
legislation passed when I was a private medicine and uh uh I've never seen such resistance in my life as it came from the AAA, and I mean, let's just say that the makeup of this body was a little different in those days, but nonetheless, I came away with this in my mouth about the fact that there was no no from that. It's kind of like Judge Parker's court, you know, if you sent it to be and they took you out and hung you. There was no appeal. So I would just look, is there
any way around this, if, if the, the, the AAA staff and board rule against a young person and their parents because that's what school choice is really all about as a parent and child, not what the 85% of the schools think. I just wondered, is there some safety valve in in the legislation that would be able to say, go to Secretary Oliver or somewhere maybe in seek relief. That's not in
this bill. That is not in this bill. OK. Thank you, Senator. Thank you,
Mr. President. Any other questions from
members, Senator Alan Clark? Senator Hester, did I
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:35:47
get that right, that you said 80%, 84%, 84% of the schools, and of course schools don't
have an opinion, so we're talking superintendents, coaches, superintendents and principals, not coaches superintendents and principals were coaches are very much involved in AAA, but they may not be the voting members, so 84%.
Been fighting for school choice here since before I got to the Senate. If we, if we
were asking the superintendents, would we have ever had school choice at all. We would not. Thank you. Any other
questions from members? Anyone wish to speak against the bill, Senator Tucker speaking against the bill. Senator, you recognized?
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
4:36:41
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I feel a little bit like I'm in the twilight zone. And not just because it's 6 p.m. and we're still going strong with a lot of bills to go, but also because you see the bill sponsor's name on the board. You see, the, the Senate sponsor of the bill. And what in my opinion is a pretty clear clear anti-school choice bill. And then you got me down here in the well, going to be advocating for school choice. OK? But I'm going to get to more points
later, but I'm going to start with this. I don't know how you square this with Lawrence. The purpose of learns whether you agree or disagree, is you ought to be able to go to school where you want. It's up to your family to decide where you go to school. It's not up to the government. Well, this puts a big asterisk on learns. It says you can go to school wherever you want unless you play a sport. Sport only, not other extracurricular activities. I'm gonna talk about myself a little bit. I participated in two
extracurriculars in high school where we competed against other schools. One was baseball, one was debate. Now it's a decent ballplayer, I was a pretty good debater, OK? Now, if I had transferred schools under this law, I could have debated immediately, but I'd have to sit out a year on baseball. Why? What is the distinction on that? Every argument that I've heard, well, it hurts the team that you leave, applies just as much to debate or chess or quiz bowl as
it does to baseball. They say, oh, we actually get more complaints from receiving schools because someone loses playing time, OK? Applies just as much to debate and quiz bowl and chess club as it does to sports. So what makes athletics different. If you really boil it down, what makes athletics different is adults care. Adults want to be entertained on Friday nights. That's the difference. Adults don't care if a debater leaves or a tuba
player leaves. Adults care if the star quarterback transfers. And that's why we're regulating students' opportunity to play high school sports is because of the adults, not because of the kids. I'm gonna talk about my son. I'm making a disclosure, not a, not a real disclosure, Philip. My son is a freshman in high school. He's played 3 sports this year for his school. He's playing a baseball game right now at this moment, but I'm here with you find people instead. So sports are really the centerpiece of how of his identity and
If he were to change schools and he had to, he had to sit out of here what we're really doing is we're putting a non-compete agreement on our kids in terms of sports. He had to sit out a year. It would be a traumatic event for him. He would be depressed. And where he goes to school is up to me and my wife. Respectfully, it's not up to me and the 34 of y'all. And that applies for every kid in Arkansas. A couple of other things.
84% of school superintendents voted for this. This may be a bad analogy. Senator Flowers told me earlier that she thought it was good, so I'm gonna repeat it. I bet 84% of foxes would support a policy that doesn't allow local chickens to transfer to a different chicken coop. Now, it may be a, it's, it's imperfect because foxes don't exactly have chickens' best interests at heart, but a lot of superintendents do, but I want to see the the survey of the school, excuse me, I want to see the survey of the students and their families. And I, it's
obvious why the schools are for this, but I want to see the survey of the students and their families. Senator Hester mentioned Hootens. top 150 kids rated, 100 of them had transferred. Another reason why this is too broad. It not only catches the star football players. It also catches every high school athlete, whether it's football, wrestling, swimming, whether you're a star or a bench player. So Johnny wants to transfer and he's a
wrestler? Sorry, Johnny, you can't transfer because the adults in your community got mad when the quarterback transferred. Susie wants to swim. OK, you can transfer Susie, but you got, you can't compete for a year because the adults in your community got upset when the star quarterback transferred. There's no, there's not a rational basis for preventing Susie from swimming for a year, in my opinion. Aside from the policy, I think there's problems with the way the bill is written, and
I think that they're throughout the bill, I'm just going to give one example on page 4. It's on line 32. It says before a student is eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity at the non-public school. That's, that's different than everywhere else in the bill where it says an extracurricular activity that is an athletic activity. So I don't think it's their intent, but they're actually regulating all extracurricular activities. It's not in this instance, it's not restricted just to athletic activities. Uh, they're also moving the date up from July 1st to June 1st.
That's a significant change, because a lot of students are still in school on June 1st. They're not on July 1st, so you have to be enrolled at the school where you want to play by June 1st of your freshman year, or else you have to sit out a year. Well, what if, what if the school you're transferring from is still in school on June 1st. Well, that knocks you out for a year. So even moving it up one month to June 1st is another significant change. So I, I'll, I'll wrap up. Just close by saying, you know, Arkansas. The land of opportunity. Asterisk
Unless you're a high school athlete, in which case you got to sit out a year because the adults in your community got upset when the star quarterback transferred. I'd appreciate a no on this bill. Senator spoke against billing would like to speak for the bill. Senator Clark,
you'd like to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair, colleagues.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:42:57
Well, now I know because, you know, I have rare.
I have A number of superintendents around me that are for school choice we're for school choice when I first ran for the Senate, not the majority, but a number. But now I know how many are 16%. Uh, that sounds about right. The um That's what we learned. 84% support this, 16% are for school choice. This is absolutely a Senator Tucker pointed out against learns.
And You know, I always use the analogy of East Germany because East Germany put up the Berlin Wall for a reason. Once we made everybody equal, the doctors and the engineers, etc. were fleeing and they said we got to have the doctors and the engineers. They don't have a right to freedom. We have a right to keep what we need, regardless of their families, regardless of what they want.
So this is an anti-choice bill. It's an anti-freedom bill. It's the reason I'm wearing black today or the closest I had to black at my apartment. In 2013, the senator Johnny Key and I, with a lot of help, ramrodded the first real school choice bill through in Arkansas. We only had 51 Republicans in the House and a Democrat governor. We were told we couldn't get it done.
Today, ironically, we have a supermajority of Republicans. And we'll go backwards in school choice for the first time. This will be a momentous day. Center Chesterfield was a co-sponsor of this bill, I've asked for it, not this bill, the bill I'm gonna SB 400. Last session, you helped me pass SB 400. Uh, that said that we would not discriminate against any
child, uh, who use school choice and by that we meant athletes. We met student athletes because we didn't discriminate against debaters. We didn't discriminate against Rosy. We didn't discriminate against future farmers of America. We only discriminate against student athletes. And then we punish if they want to use school choice. We said we would no longer punish student athletes for using school choice. Vast majority of the Senate voted for that bill.
Last spring, I was informed of a meeting held either by the AAA or certainly by AAA members to specifically do away with SB 400. I was told about that because there were coaches and superintendents who don't agree with that sentiment, and so they let me know. And because of that, I came to a majority of you one on one and said y'all would never do that,
would you? And you told me you know you scoffed, you scoffed that, that we would follow the the superintendents and the coaches and do away with the freedom
that we had given the student athletes. There was no way we would do that. I
Speaker 643
4:46:15
believed you then. I believe you now. I believe that is exactly
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:46:23
what you believe. Sadly for many, it won't be the way you vote. House Bill 1633 is supposed to
do two things. One is standardization. The
second is stopping recruiting. We had no need to
go backward on school choice. To do either. The only reason standardization was needed is because we passed SB 400, and we passed SB 400. It only applied to public schools. It was my bill. And I don't like to touch
business and I don't like to touch private entities, including private schools if I don't have to by the government. I was ignorant by what was happening there. So we gave, we gave student athletes at public schools, school choice, but ironically, private schools didn't have it. Well, I was still told that the reason students were having to sit out at private schools is because that's the way they wanted it. But then I find out this past
week that it that they were under the AAA, they had no choice. We changed it for public schools. We didn't change it for private schools. So if AAA and the superintendents and the coaches really wanted standardization. They would have just changed AAA rules to match SB 400. Well, you'd have to go back in school choice. They just need to move forward in school choice. They also could have Let us know, brought us a bill, let us know what the problem is, and I guarantee you I'd have been here first day with that
bill to say we need to include private schools too because the AAA is not allowing private schools to operate by the same rules that public schools are and all kids in this state. should be free to choose the school of their choice, not be forced by the AAA or their superintendent or their school board or anyone else.
Recruiting I was told so many stories on recruiting. SB 400 had already put in law that there were two reasons you could not change schools. If your reason for changing schools was for sports. That was forbidden. There were kids unfortunately who posted on social media that
they were changing schools for that reason. This was a compromise I agreed to because I didn't want anybody to be held back, but we agreed that if the family's reason, if the student's reason, was sports, you couldn't change. But in spite of the fact that students got on social media and said that they were changing for the reason of sports. No one stopped them. They didn't need a new law. All they had to do was follow the law was there. And the other reason that we had that you
could stop it was that if you had evidence of recruiting. You know how many cases that we've had where they said they can't go because we have evidence of recruiting. You would guess correctly, it would be 0. I am for standardization. I am for stopping recruiting. The first problem I was told about in recruiting is that students were now changing
schools every year. I was told this by more than one person. And then I did some math and I said, SB 400 didn't become law until August of 2023. So the very first school year it affected was 2024, 2025, which we're in, how do you switch schools two times. When there's only been an opportunity for once. It just wasn't true. A lot of people
have been fed this and believed this, including, I think, uh, some of the people behind the bill, but it wasn't true. The second problem is that students were changing schools during the school year. This is the supposed problem. Plans, one sport at one school, while another sport at another school. What law do we have that allows that. This was the schools allowing this if it was happening. I think the numbers would be really, really low.
But SB 400 certainly didn't allow that. The 3rd reported problem is rampant recruiting with some coaches, even having a list of recruits in their office on a bulletin board that they want to go after. If these are the problems that were simple fixes. I have a bill in Senate Education that fixes the first two problems. It says that if you change schools 2 years in a row, you can be forced to sit out by the exit school. I am told that Representative Brooks had in this bill
Something similar and it was that if you, if you could change school one time in high school. But he took it out, I'm told, because the superintendents didn't like it. Boy, I am shocked. It's the superintendents did not like school choice. I am just I can't
tell you how shocked I am after fighting this battle for all these years. So the bill says that you can't. that you can be denied to
participate if you change two years in a row and that's all that's possible in high school. So it did the same thing that's that the original bill from Representative Brooks would have done. It also says that you have to change
by December by June 1st, which means there would be no changing during the year. That would be ridiculous that you would go to one
school for football and then they would allow you to go somewhere else to play basketball or somewhere else to play soccer. No one ever intend that. It's not in the law, but
we've got a bill that would actually stop that. I have another bill in Senate education to address the second problem. The bill says that a coach caught recruiting will face a punishment set out by the AAA, and if they do it a second time, that would bring a 5-year ban from coaching in Arkansas. It actually originally said lifetime ban, but it's been amended to 5 years because everybody thought lifetime was too long. Because kids can't be recruited, however many kids are being
recruited, not one kid can be recruited unless some adult is recruiting them. Why would we punish the kids? Why would we punish the families instead of the people that are responsible. It seems that if the coaches are that worried about recruiting, that would be one of the first things that they brought forward. When I was working on that bill about the coaches, whoever's doing the recruiting being punished.
I called AAA and asked for their advice. For the first time in 13 years, I never received a callback. My bills are still sitting in Senate education. Because we couldn't get to them. Senator Bledsoe used to say that we could not become, she was talking about the new Republican majority. We could not become like those before us. In other words, the good old boy
system. But here we are. Real answers to standardization and recruiting set languishing in Senate ed. House Bill 1633, we had a special meeting two days ago just for this bill. I had to leave Senate Judiciary to go and testify against it. And by the way, first time in 7 sessions that I ever went and testified against the bill in committee. After the public testified
against that bill, the bill didn't even get a second. In committee didn't get a second when the public spoke. But here it is on the floor today. How did that happen? We have a committee meeting. The public speaks. It can't get a second, but we signed out a committee. In the dark of night to present it here.
50 House Democrats and a Democrat governor couldn't stop school choice in 2013. It takes a supermajority of Republicans. And a Republican governor to go backwards in school choice. I won't lose today Senator Tucker won't lose today. He will cause he's got kids in school. The losers are 10s of thousands of students and their families.
The dad who spoke against the bill 2 days ago. In a public meeting, said it will. Earlier in his life, he had to set out a year. told what that was like. But he has a 16 year old who plays basketball, who wants to change schools. He has to tell him he can't. His twin brother is in the band. Doesn't care anything about basketball.
He can take his saxophone and go anywhere he wants to go. He asked, how do you explain that to 16 year olds. political doublespeak is
the only way you can explain it. And they say
we've got these waivers. AAA, the superintendents who are for school coach, we've got these waivers that you can apply for, so maybe you can go if you're an athlete if you beg and say, pretty please, we might let you
go. I challenge you with this. Ask 100 of your constituents at Randall. If they, what a hardship, school choice transfer is. Ask 100. I know how many will know. For most of you it'll be 0. Some of you might come across one or two. You can't ask for something you don't know exist.
You may have $100,000 buried in the walls of your house, but it ain't ever gonna do you any good because you don't know it's there. However, if we just have the freedom that we, that we gave student athletes two years ago. They don't have to know about any of that, and they don't have to say, pretty please, please let us go.
We're not going to vote. I know what your principles are. I know what you believe.
But sadly, the reason I'm wearing black is because instead of the right thing, we're going to do fraternity. We're gonna do what our friends have asked us to do, and we're going to
forget about the kids. It's hard for me to believe. But I've
been here long enough to see it coming. I'm going to vote no. Senator spoke against the bill.
Anyone wished to speak for the bill. Senator, you recognize clothes for your bill. Senator yields to Senator Urban speak against the bill. No one wanted to speak for it, Senator
Rick not speak against this bill. Thanks. I'm going to vote no on this bill just because I just do not think that it's fair for a high school kid to lose one year of that opportunity to participate in sports with their teammates. That is most critical time of
their lives. No, I will not yield for question. It is the most critical time of their lives. And that one year can mean the difference and everything for that kid. And I also think that it will hamper them as they move forward for their opportunities for recruitment and opportunities for scholarship beyond high school. So for that reason, I'm voting no. I believe in school choice, and that should extend to athletics, and we need to get out of the way and making
athletics the end all be all to everything that's that's important in this world. So it's about academics, but it's also about the learning environment and athletics and activities. It's part of that for these kiddos. And so I'm voting no. I hope you will vote no too. Go back to the drawing board and do what's right for the kids. Thanks. Senator spoke against me. I would like to speak for the bill. And we
speak for the bill, Senator Mark Johnson recognize I speak against the bill.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:00:36
Thank you, Mr. President. Um, it is my understanding that this bill originally and first let me say, Representative Brooks is my very good friend. He is my state representative, and I trust him in many ways, but my understanding from him was that originally the bill allowed after the 10th grade allowed one transfer. Not this every year one time, you say your kid gets in a situation in
10th grade. I I need to go somewhere else. It allows that choice. If that were still in this bill, I probably could vote for it, but it's not for the reasons that Senator Irvin just said, um, I appreciate Senator Tucker very much because he called all 29 of us Republicans out on the hypocrisy of the whole thing. And uh I hadn't thought about it that way, and Senator Tucker,
you were right, you were right. Uh, because school choice is not about superintendents or principals or coaches. It's about kids and parents. Now, we've had a problem with recruiting and I appreciate Senator Clark trying to address it at where the real culprits are, you know, if, if you got somebody that's, you know, you have a fine for you punish somebody for speeding, you don't punish the car. You punish the driver, and I appreciate you
bringing that bill, Senator Clark. I look forward to voting for it, whether it's 5 years or a lifetime. I, I think we got to get a hold of this, but For the reasons that Senator Ervin just said, we don't punish the kids, and we don't take away the rights that we fought hard to grant to the parents and the children to make their choices instead of government superintendents, coaches, principals making the choices. And I don't question their hearts. I think they're trying
to do the right thing, but that's what school choice and what, you know, America is all about individual choice. So I ask you to vote no. Thank you, Mr. President. So So your motion. Most I'd like to close this. Hold a
Speaker 790
5:03:04
second. I'll make sure we get it right.
All right, non-debatable motion, all in favor of the motion say aye.
And he opposed? No. knows habit, knows habit, roll call, madam. Secretary called the
role. But right or not, 5 hands, 5 hands for the roll call. I've got 5 hands. Madam Secretary, call roll. But Ballet. Brandt
Caldwell. Clark. Clark, Crowe. Davis.
Speaker 281
5:04:02
Days leave dismaying. I Dotson English flippo Flowers. Gilmore. Gilmore
Speaker 284
5:04:28
Hammer? No. Hester? No. Hickey Hill Irvin. Irving. Blake Johnson Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King
Titan. Penzo Patty. Rice Rice. Scott.
Stan Stab afield. Steerfield Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace All members Senator Dipain no, Senator Clark, no. Senator Stubblefield, yes. Senator Um,
stone, no, Senator Boyd, no. Senator Gilmore, no. Senator Stubblefield, no Yes, sort
of steel, yes. Any other members Senator Blake Johnson, no. Anybody else, Senator Love, no. Senator Murdoch, yes. Anybody else missing? Anybody else?
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
5:06:33
Point of order. He's point of order. Well,
Speaker 391
5:06:45
Oh It has the bill number. It doesn't it says on my body. It'll say
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
5:06:49
it on my byline, but I have to I don't know that the members know that and it wasn't announced from the president's chair.
Yeah, Senator Flowers, this is on your motion that you made, right? Right, and the motion is
immediate consideration. That was your motion, correct? So you're voting on immediate consideration. Everybody understand, and with that,
does anybody want to change their vote? immediate. Senator, what
are you, Senator Love, President, Senator Irving. Not voting. Last call Senator Love is I think he went back
to yes. Everybody else check the board.
This is vote for immediate consideration, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 14 yeah, 16 nay, for not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave. The motion
fails. We now go to Senator Hester recognize him to close for his bill. Thank you, members. So this
bill doesn't remove any students chance to transfer and play sports, 0. The only difference is your junior or senior year, if you transfer without a
qualifying event, you would have to play JV for a year. You still get to participate, you still get to hang out with your friends, you still get to practice. You can only participate in the in the, the event of JV rather than Varsity for that year. What it does open up for a tremendous amount of students, everyone from a public school who may choose to go to a private school would then get the opportunity. They would not have to sit out for a year. This is a school choice bill. This is widely opening up choice for for students. This is a great thing
for the people of Arkansas and for the student athletes of Arkansas. Appreciate a good
bit. The senator has closed for his bill, Madam Secretary. I call the roll. And
But it. Ba Brant Caldwell, Clark. Crow. Davis Days
Speaker 281
5:09:11
It's on leave, dismay. Dotson. English flippo. Flowers Gilmore. Hammer Hester
Hickey. Hi Irvin. Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King lighting.
Love Love. McKee. Murdoch Murdoch Titan,
Tucker. Wallace Any members wish to cast their Who Senator Love, no.
Senator Boyd, no. Any other members want to change their vote. Senator Murdoch present. Last call. Any other change? Check the board.
Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot, please. By a vote
of Yeah, a vote of 22 yeah 9. Nay, 0 non-voting, 3 present, 1 on leave. The bill passes, but fails on the emergency or the emergency clause fails.
As amended. Senator Hes you recognized, I'd like to expunge the vote on House Bill 1633, of which the on the emergency clause only. You heard the motion
all in favor say aye. And he opposed. Eyes have it. I,
I would like, I would now request that we vote on just the emergency clause,
Senator motion to revote the emergency clause. Yes, all favor, say I.
Madam Secretary. Cast up the vote, please. Roll the boat. Any objections? Any objections rolling vote, have an objection. Cashed up the
Speaker 147
5:12:13
ballot, please. She's got to get it up. Ready? But it Brant. Caldwell. Clark.
Crawl, Davis. Uh Days leave this man Dodson, English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer Hester Hickey Hill Irvin.
Speaker 11
5:12:55
Mark Johnson, King. Letting Ling Love Love. McKee Murdoch.
Murdoch Hayton. Penzo. Penzo. Patty. Rice, Scott. Scott Stone.
Speaker 284
5:13:26
Stab a fail, Sullivan Tucker Wallace. He remembers
switched to change votes, Senator Mark Johnson present. Senator Scott,
no, Senator Penzo present. Any other members of which change vote, Madam Secretary casts up the ballot. By a vote of 26,
93 nay, 3 not voting, 2 present, 1 on leave. House Bill 1633 passes with the emergency calls as amended. Returned to the house. Ma'am Secretary, House Bill 1647, please. House for
1647 by Representative Meeks and Senator Bryant to amend the law concerning the division of information systems to change the name of the division of Information Systems and declare an emergency clause.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
5:14:31
Bryant, you present your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Ho 1647, this is an agency requested bill to change the name from a department, I'm sorry, division of Information Systems to office of state technology. The request of this is because a lot of people in the in the agencies get confused that they're the keeper of all information, this DIS was transferred under in transformation to shared services in 2019, and so they just want to align more with like the Office of State
Technology, um, use the name of Office of State Technology, much like the Office of Personnel Management or Office of State Procurement. There's no fiscal impact. They're going to exhaust all the materials before they reorder. With that, it's pretty simple, pretty simple bill. Any members like to ask any questions. And I like to speak against the
bill. Anybody would like to speak for the bill. Senators closed for the bill. Any objection to rolling the vote?
See none, madam Madam Secretary,
roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark K
Speaker 11
5:15:41
Crowell, Davis, Des leave, dismaying dots and English flippo Flowers Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee Murdoch, Peyton andzo, Petty, rice,
Speaker 56
5:15:55
scot, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. A members which changed the vote.
Senator King not voting. Any other members which changed the vote. Madam Secretary casts up the vote. By a vote of 33 y, 0 nay, 1 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave. House Bill 1647 with the emergency clause passes returned to the house. We're going to pass over House Bill 1652 put on tomorrow's calendar. Senator Irvin, you recognize or Madam President or Secretary House Bill 1673.
1673 by Representative Johnson Center Irvington in the law concerning barbers. Senator, you recognize the present
your bill? Thank you, our representative Johnson worked with the barber board to make these changes. Uh, I can assure you that if there was any opposition to this, you would have a committee room full of barbers. There is none, this clarifies application requirements to remove the need for a Social Security card and clarification of what counts as an identification card. There's no other board under the
department that requires a copy of a Social Security card, um, and so that's proving to be a barrier to entry for some applicants. unable to produce the card. Um, it also removes the
requirement for a money order as applications are now made through ELP now, um, clarifies the requirement for passing an examination, which could be offered by the board or a third party, removes the requirement for an 80 year old or older barber to request to have a lifetime license. Instead, it will be an
automatic issuance. Uh, it's a good senior citizen friendly bill adds an exemption for state-supported entities from the requirement to obtain a surety bond, cleanup language of forms as forms are no longer provided in paper form with the US of electronic licensing procedures, repeals the average daily schedule for students attending a barbering school, um, And increases the minimum number of barber chairs, uh, because they can split 16 evenly, clarifies the application
requirements for students to mirror the changes being made for licensed applicants, and, um, repeals the requirement for a copy of the Social Security card during the application process. Be happy to answer any questions. It's an agreed upon bill. Senator Dodson, you
recognize for a question. Thank you,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:18:28
Mr. Chair. Senator Irving, on page 3. Line 25, it says you're striking through where it says immoral or unprofessional conduct, you're
striking through that and just unprofessional conduct would be the only grounds for disciplinary action. Why are you removing the term immoral
because I believe it's a subjective term and it's difficult for for that to be defined immoral is a subjective term, and I believe unprofessional is more appropriate in our, in this
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:19:02
situation. moral Barbara, I don't necessarily want with a straight razor on my throat, um.
I, I'm just concerned about that line being removed and us not having a high standard of morality when it comes to professionals in our in our state. So thank you would be so lovely if we could guarantee that everybody that
we deal with would be moral. I'm not sure if we can guarantee that though. No matter what it said,
um, Senator Sullivan recognize for a question.
Speaker 770
5:19:43
Oh, sorry. So, you know, in our schooling
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
5:19:50
now we're going to a lot of trainings and allowing training to equal college degrees is I'm just now going through the this, the bill, but does it allow for years of training outside of the school or is going through this training school, the only way to receive uh credit. So I believe that a lot of these changes, they worked
with the Department of Health on this, with the barber board, um, I think they
made that a lot more flexible on page 4, if you'll look at that, um, as far as their training is concerned and um, so, so they, they have eliminated some of the very specifics when it comes to training to make it a lot more easier, I think so, so
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
5:20:31
in and learned we're trying to get people in the shop, training and working, uh,
and that accounts for your life and but in this, you have to go to barber school, get your training, that's the only path.
Yes, it's, yes, she would be, yes, you would, we're not changing what's already existing in that category. It's already an existing law that they go to
barber school. Senator Davis recognized your question. Thank you, Mr.
Chair
Unverified
5:21:03
President. Senator Ervin, wouldn't you say that
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:21:08
if you were, I don't know, decided to pass judgment on a barber and thought that they were immoral, that you had the free choice to choose another
barber that you found to be moral by your own standards, since we live in America, and there are barbers everywhere, would you agree? I would. Thank you. Senator Gilmore, you recognize for a
question OK, any other questions, members? A one which speak against Senator Gilmore, did you have a question? OK. All right, any members wish to speak against the bill.
Speaking against bill, Senator Sullivan speaking against the bill.
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
5:21:55
Yeah, we are headed down a path for we're allowing work experience and people to go into training by working in the
field and here we're headed back the other way that you have to go to college or school to do that. It's just the opposite way we're headed. Thank you. Senator spoke against the bill. Senator
like to speak for the bill. Against the bill. Senator you recognize close for
Speaker 177
5:22:20
your bill. So thank you, I appreciate that. I think what we're doing is, is clarifications
in the walls, um, we're not changing the fact that they still are going to a barber's school, um, I, I appreciate the barbers that show up, if you've been on public health and we've had a controversial bill, they will show up. Nobody showed up on this, so that means that they're all very good with this bill, so I appreciate a good vote on the bill. Thank you. Center is closed for the bill.
Is there any objection to rolling the vote. See, seeing none, Madam Secretary,
roll the vote. Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crow, Davis, Des leave, dismay dots in English
Speaker 11
5:23:04
flippo flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo Petty, Rice, Scotstone, Stuber Phil Sullivan,
Speaker 56
5:23:15
Tucker Wallace. Would a member like to change their vote,
Senator Sullivan, no. Senator Peyton, no. Senator Caldwell, no. Senator Penzo, no. Any other
member would like to change votes, Senator Dodson, no. Any other member would like to change their vote. Check the board. Madam Secretary cast up the vote. With a vote of 29 ya, 5 nay, 0
not voting, 1 on leave, 0 present, House Bill 1673 as amended passes returned to the house. Senator Boyd, you recognize for a motion? Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to make
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
5:24:04
a motion to re-refer House Bill 1700 back to committee for some amendment
that I, Senator Penzo needs. I favor of the motion. Say aye. And he posed. I have it. House bill
1721. As for 1721 by Representative Brown and Senator Scott to amend sections of the Arkansas code to prohibit greyhound racing and Siulcasting of greyhound racing. Senator Scott, you recognize to present
your bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
5:24:41
Um, colleagues, this bill does two things and it's part of a cleanup bill. Um, the first thing it does is
it repeals the greyhound racing statues from the Arkansas Code, the racing commission has already repealed these rules on
Greyhound racing, so this is just a clean up. Bill for the regulatory change that has already
taken place. Saling closed his greyhound tracks several years ago and so it's no longer having greyhound racing occurring in the state. The second thing that this bill does is it prohibits bidding of There's an effective date of 2028 that was requested and that was what was put in the bill that will line up with nationally after 2028, there
will be no um racing across the country for greyhounds. I'm sorry, Senator Mickey, um, the racing commission has reviewed that this bill has no objections. Oak Lawn and Southland have also reviewed in our neutral in Saracen does not have, does not offer greyhound um bidding anymore and that's all I have. any members
like to ask questions, Senator Peyton, you're first with question. Thank you. So real quick, it,
Senator John Payton
Unverified
5:25:58
it, as long as you're not betting on it or it's not a casino license. Anybody else could go out and raise a couple of greyhounds, right? Oh, yes. You don't know. You say anybody else like just pertains to To somebody with a gambling license, casino license that and betting on greyhounds, but I mean, If somebody was racing greyhounds just for the sport of racing greyhounds. It would not be prohibited from
what I can see here in this bill, right? OK. That's my understanding. All right. It is prohibited on
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
5:26:45
the highway though, right? A Greyhound bus. I'm sure it is. Senator Petty, you recognized for her question. Thank you, Mr. President. So,
Senator Scott, have you, have you seen my dog Lincoln? Have you met my dog Lincoln? No. He's a very big dog, and you
said something about a cleanup bill, and he's been over in my apartment all afternoon. Would you help me with the cleanup, uh, if you get this passed. If not, I'm not sure I can um If not, I'm not sure I can withdraw the question I have no further questions. I mean, I'm done. You're done. Anyone like to speak against the
bill. Anyone like to speak for the bill. I take it that Senator Scott,
you're closed for your bill, Senator Scott is
closed for her bill. Any objection to rolling the vote, seeing
none, Madam Secretary, roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crowe, Davis, De Le, just
Speaker 11
5:27:45
dots and English flippo flowers Gilmore, Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee,
Speaker 56
5:27:53
Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Brisco. Steer Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace.
Any member like to change their vote? See none, Madam Secretary, cast
up about. By a vote of 34 ya, 0 nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave, House bill 1721 has passed. Please return to the house. Last bill of the day, House Bill 1725. 1725 Cindy Schulz and
Senator Davis to amend the law concerning the office of sheriff and to amend the law concerning
compensation for the office of sheriff. Senator Davis,
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:28:42
you recognize present your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. This bill was brought to me by the Sheriff's Association, um, essentially right now if you want to run for sheriff in the state of Arkansas, you've got to be 18. years old. You don't have to have law enforcement background. So what this bill does is simply says, hey, unless you've met these qualifications, you've got
to show within 10 days of your re-election or appointment, um, that you are um going to law enforcement training, um, as documented by the Arkansas law enforcement Training Academy, um, then you can get paid whatever it is that they have on their salary schedule to pay you. With that quorum court with that county, but if you are not in compliance with training, then you are automatically set at the minimum salary for that county until you get in compliance. So
this is, um, I think to motivate behavior, to ensure that your sheriff is uh actually gets some training in law enforcement, as it is a law enforcement job, um, and it's just, I think a way to sort of regulate and ensure um there's training and compliance and good behavior within the profession. Happy to take any questions. Senator Love. You recognized for a
Speaker 580
5:29:50
question. Senator, OK, Senator Dodson, you recognize for
a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Do you
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:30:04
know what the minimum salary is for that position. I
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:30:08
don't, and it could be different per county.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:30:11
Can so can the corn port not decide that right now without this law mandating it. I don't know
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:30:16
if the quorum Court can take someone down to a minimum, like I don't know what, I'm not familiar with exactly what the quorum Court can do. I think they just come in and um start getting paid wherever they set them. I bet there's someone in here who's been on the quorum court and can answer that question. Senator Love, you're recognized
for a question. Thank you, Mr.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
5:30:38
Chair. Is, is this bill so what necessitated this bill? Well, I think occasionally you have people
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:30:46
that run for sheriff, um, who are not law enforcement officers and maybe um do not leave the profession with a good reputation and maybe do not abide by all the things that they should. Um, this is a law enforcement position, though it is elected, I understand that, but I think it's good to have
some training and requirements and that they're actually Um, would be eligible to be employed as a law enforcement officer um for them to hold the position of sheriff. OK. All right, thank you. All right, gonna
recognize just so you know, Senator McKee is going to be next and Senator Payton, then Senator Clark. Senator McKee, you recognize for a question. They was president would
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
5:31:27
if this bill was law, would individuals like Buford Pusser be able to run for sheriff? I don't know. who that is.
Speaker 839
5:31:36
OK, well, I'm sorry. So Senator Payton, you recognized
for a question. Thank you. So why wouldn't
Senator John Payton
Unverified
5:31:48
we have legislators pass a litmus test and be qualified in certain ways or the governor or land commissioner, Attorney General, uh, where does this stop? I mean, I'm not sure that we're supposed to be setting qualifications for these elected
offices where the people choose, and there have been some great sheriffs in, in history that had
no law enforcement experience before they were sheriff. Well, I am happy for
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:32:19
you to draft and run a bill that sets different qualifications for other elected positions. This is not saying if you run, you can run for sheriff unless you're in a law enforcement officer. It simply says, if you run for sheriff, you need to go through law enforcement training. That's it. Yeah, I'm not sure
Senator John Payton
Unverified
5:32:37
that that's true. I can't pass the bill. Thank you. Thank you. Senator
Clark, you are recognized for a question. Senator, Almost ever and
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:32:51
there's been a bunch of sheriffs in Arkansas that left the office with a bad reputation. I think they all had law
enforcement experience. Are you aware of that? I can't speak to every sheriff that is left
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:33:09
with a bad reputation, but I can say you don't have to be a law
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:33:15
enforcement officer to be sheriff, and the second thing I would ask is don't the voters know If somebody runs, whether they have law enforcement experience or not, surely that would be an issue in the campaign. Well, I would not make assumptions
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:33:29
in campaigns as to what voters do and do not know about a candidate, and I think we're all, you know, could, could speak to that and share that sentiment in some way.
Speaker 842
5:33:43
OK, thank you, Senator Gilmore next for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:33:49
Senator, would you not consider that we should add maybe the standard of good moral character to this bill to ensure that these people are adhering to what we would perceive and assume would be the highest standards possible. If Senator Dotson would
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:34:03
like to provide an amendment, I'd be willing to consider it. I
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:34:07
think we should just define it as Senator Dotson.
Chair
Unverified
5:34:13
Senator Ryan, you're recognized for a question. Thank you,
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
5:34:18
Mr. President, I was just going to clarify as a formerorum Court member, the quorum Court does set the salary of the constitutional officers, and as far as I recall the the constitutional requirements that the description of the constitutional Office. So for sheriff, they have to be Residents are United States citizens at least 18 years old and registered to vote in the county with no prior felony
convictions or fraud. So that's set by the Constitution, but that just
Speaker 544
5:34:48
brings some clarity. Is that, is that a question to Senator Davis. I agree. Thank
you. Thank you for clarifying. Any other members have
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:35:03
questions? Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Davis, do we put any similar restrictions on any other elected officials. I mean, they didn't. Giving me.
Other than our our citizenship or being a qualified elector in our age, do you know of any other parallel restrictions that have been placed on local officials like this. I can't speak to that. I don't know that I'd
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:35:28
call this a restriction, but just maybe an opportunity for enhanced training, um, and being prepared for the job for what you ran. And we're elected to. OK, thank you. Any other questions from members?
A one which speak against the bill. Senator
Alan Clark to speak against the bill. Or Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:36:00
I don't know if the Attorney General has looked at this or not. Uh, but I know that I work with Gospels a lot when I was first elected to the Crown Court, uh, in order to use them more law enforcement, and we tried to change some things and we, because they were
a constitutional office, we couldn't touch any requirements, uh, so that they had, I had, uh, you know, constituent asked me the other day about uh running a bill to I say that elected officials had to take a drug test. She was really more interested in city and county and stayed and I said, I'm pretty sure somebody ran that bill since I've been here and uh and it was, uh, we were told it was
unconstitutional, that you couldn't add any requirements, uh, other than what was in the Constitution. That being said, I once threatened to run for sheriff. And the reason I threatened to run for sheriff is we had a number of things happen, but one of the things that happened was we had massive stealing from the evidence room. And the sheriff said he didn't know what to
do about it. And I said, well, I know what to
do about it. I, we changed the lock. I mean, this is business management 101. We had changed the lock, there'd be one key and I'd have
it. And if I got to the point that I thought that I could give the key to one other person than one other person would have it. But I know exactly how we stopped that, and I pointed out to people who said, well, you don't have any law enforcement experience. I said, but I have management experience. And I said, I will surround myself with the best law enforcement experience that's available and I'm no doubt that I would have gone to whatever
courses were offered, but to require them and the idea that somebody who uh would not do that would be an embarrassment. I won't tell you across the board. We have people who have experience and degrees in a field who are an embarrassment and people who could come in from another field and do the job quite well. Uh, and management transfers very well across fields. So I'm surprised that this bill, but uh I think it's a definite no.
Senators spoke against the bill. Anybody likes
to speak for the bill, against the bill. Senator, you recognize
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:38:38
to close for your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. So, uh, just to
clarify, This does not stop anyone from running for sheriff. That meets the constitutional requirements. This just says that once you're elected or appointed. If you do not do law enforcement
training, you will be set at the minimum salary set by the Quorum Court. When you complete law enforcement training, then you can be paid at whatever they choose to pay you in that quorum court, whatever their salary schedule is. This is constitutional, it's legal, because it is just the salary. It's not placing a requirement on the sheriff, the elected sheriff, it's just saying, if you have not met law enforcement training, standards, then you're just paid a minimum salary.
It doesn't stop you from running, and as soon as you comply with the training to be a law enforcement officer, then you can make whatever it is you would have been making. Um, so I hope that answers the questions and I'm
closed for my bill. Center is closed for a bill. Is there any objection to rolling the
vote? Yes, objection, rolling vote, Madam Secretary, would you please call
Speaker 147
5:39:50
the roll forward Brant. Brant Caldwell. Clark
Crowl Crowel Davis. Days leave dismay.
Speaker 281
5:40:02
This man Dotson English. English. Flippo Flippo.
Flowers Gilmore. Gilmore. Hammer. Hester. Heck Hill,
Speaker 284
5:40:28
Hill. Irvin. To get her Irvin. She didn't get. Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King, King,
Speaker 284
5:40:59
Murdoch. Peyton Penzel Patty rice, Scott, Scott.
Speaker 281
5:41:11
Stone, afield. Stop a fail, Sullivan. Tucker? Wallace. Would
any member like to change their vote?
Senator Love, yes. Senator Hill, no. Any other member Bryant, Senator Bryant, no, Senator Gilmore, yes. I'm sorry, say Senator Stubblefield, no. Senator Blake Johnson, yes.
Any other members want to change their votes, check the board. Cast up
the ballot, Madam Secretary. By a vote of 1514 nay, 3, not voting, too present, 1 on leave. House Bill
1725 fails. Motion. Do you want to make a motion? Yes, thank you, Senator Davis. Thank you. I'd like to
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
5:42:32
make a motion to expunge the vote by which uh House Bill 1725 failed. Heard the motion to expunge vote. All
in favor say aye. Any opposed? knows how it Right. Trans uh. Sorry, sent to the
Speaker 704
5:42:50
house. has failed. All right, members, are there any announcements at this time?
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
5:43:07
Senator, yes, remember that we have the brackets due tomorrow at 9:30. The brackets due tomorrow at 9:30. Any other announcements? Yeah
Any other announcements, Senator Irving? Public health is going back in 10 minutes
upon adjournment. I know, I'm sorry. Senator Hill Transportation is starting immediately. Senator Clark.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:43:39
Senate Judiciary is not meeting today. Senate Judiciary is not meeting this afternoon. Our next meeting will be Monday, March 25th, 15 minutes upon adjournment. man, Senator Thank you, Mr.
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
5:43:53
President. Special special language we'll meet tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. in Big Mac. Any other announcements? Senate will stand adjourned, subject to the clearing.
OK, Madam Secretary. Hey members, could y'all keep it down for a minute?
We. Hey members keep it down so the staff can hear,
please. Were a Committee on Gross who was uh Senate resolution 46 by Senator Tucker compared the grass copy Rachel and find the same correctly engrossed. talent Oh
Is it this one? And is that that
calendar. Wait a minute. That's one on top, is that the one?
stuff. Will your committee on gross bills to whom was for Senate Bill 83 by Senator Bryant rather than copy of the original find name correctly engrossed calendars to his first Senate Bill 376 by Senator Clarkar thanross copy of the original
Feinstein's 406 for Senator Clark rather than just copy of the original ross bills to whom refer first in 445. I sent hammer compared to the engrossed copy of the originals. who was for House Bill 1268 by and send for Scott the gross copy of the original pass your committee on the team as House Bill 1289 Representative Johnson Center are being compared the gross copy of the correctly engrossed. That.
Speaker 672
5:45:45
I, I'm with you, you know They ordered it build that field. Who does? We hadn't
Speaker 99
5:45:54
heard a motion. who made a motion. OK I don't care.
1725 in the chamber. With the motion, say aye aye, and
Speaker 278
5:46:21
you opposed. No, no. Eyes have it. We're going to hold House Bill 1725 holding House Bill 1725.
You don't have to. We Committee on Public Health was first sent bill 9 by Senator Davis, recommend to passes amended
number one. Are we on calendar calendar Committee on Public Health team was first sent Bill 111 by
Central Hammer, uh, recommend Duin to concur in House Amendment number 1. Calendar Committee
on Public Health team was first sent 264 by Senator Irving recommend new pass. Calendar Committee on Public Health team was first sent to 85 of Central Payton recommended passes submitted number one calendar Committee on Public Health was for Senate Bill 371 by Senator Scott recommended passes amended number 2 teeth to as far as Sent Bill 460 by Senator Irving recommend Du pass.
Committee on who was first sent 473 by Central Stone recommend Du pass calendar Committee
on Public Health to far House Bill 1382 by Representative Ladyman recommend who passes amendment number 1 calendar. Senate Bill 5 Not tamed by Senator Boy to amend the standard non-forfeiture law for life insurance and to regulate the payment of interest on deferred payment of any cash surrender value according to the terms of the policy. Senate Bill 519.
Insurance commerce. Senate Bill 520 by Senator Sullivan to prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion of this officer's policies or practices in local government, symbol 520. City County local 521 by Senator Davis to amend the law concerning law enforcement training reimbursement and to extend the time period after completion of training, which reimbursement is required sym 521 estate agencies about 5:22 by
Central McKee to amend the law regarding the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science and Arts and in the law related to the tuition and fees paid by students enrolled in the online program. Senate Bill 522 Senate Bill 522523 by Senator Irving to amend the law regarding alcoholic beverages and to remove the requirement that a private club of a nonprofit organization 523. City County 24 by Central Wallace to make operation of an
illegal online casino or sports betting a felony to create the interactive Gaming Act and to include name, image, or likeness drawing. Go games and casino gaming and declare an emergency send Bill 524. Insurance commerce. Send about 5:25 by Senator Johnson, Mark Johnson to amend the law concerning incorporation and organization of municipalities and transferring corporation duties to the Secretary of State symbol 525.
City County 526 by Senator Irving. To prohibit the sale of disposed disposable vapor products from a prohibited foreign parties 526. Revenue tax 527 by Senator Irving to amend the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for me Act of 2021 and to increase the medical loss. show in the Arkansas Health and opportunity for Me program, Senate Bill 527.
Insurance commerce about 528, but centric Gilmore to address the powers and duties of the office of skills Development and the career education and workforce Development board related to secondary technical centers, Senate Bill 528. Education about 529 by Senator Blake Johnson to amend the independent law tax Appeals Commission Act Bill 529 revenue's 5:30 by Central Davis to amend the Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest maintenance income tax credit
symbol 5:30. Revenue tax. House Bill 1293 by Representative uh Andrews and Senator Hammer to increase the payment of a claim to a designated beneficiaries or survivors or certain public employees killed in the line of duty. House Bill 1293 calendarsville 1313 by Representative Cooper and Senator Mark Johnson to expand health benefit coverage for
certain firefighter retirees of municipalities and counties has about 133. Calendar 1322 Clowney and Senator Tucker to amend the laws under the Arkansas local police and fire retirement system concerning line of duty test from occupational cancer and declare an emergency hospital 1322 calendar 1327 by Representative Warren and Senator Penzo to amend the law concerning the eligibility of certain retired employees under the state and public school life
and health insurance program House Bill 1327. 1468 by representative Cozart and sent for Petty to amend Arkansas law concerning claims against home improvement contractors, residential building contractors and suppliers house 1468 16, 19s and gambling and Senator Irving to set administrative fees under the Arkansas Medicaid program for immunization and might, uh, antibodies for
respiratory synical virus disease. and to provide civil immunity, house for 16, 191,640 by Representative Duke and sent for Sullivan to amend the definition of administrator as it relates to ethical guidelines and prohibitions and to amend the restrictions on employment specific to public school administrators, house 1640. Education. Councilor 1688 Kavanaugh to amend Arkansas law concerning the use of the
dealers, extra license plate, house for 1688. Transportation was 1697 by Representative Carr, Senator Dotson to amend provisions of Title 6 and Title 19 of the Arkansas Code concerning provisional positions in motor vehicle restrictions for state-supported institutions of higher education, clear emergency hospital 1697. Education. 1705 by Representative Senator Bryant. To require information concerning how the religious and
more more releases of the founding fathers influenced the founding of the United States and to be embedded into existing social studies standards as of 1705. Education 1713 Rose and Center Mark Johnson to require ballot titles for initiated measures that to be at or under a certain reading level and declare an emmarch to the house to 1713. State agencies 1734 births and
Childress and sent for hammer to amend the law concerning death certificates and to clarify the medical professionals who may sign a medical certificate of death and pronounced death of a patient house for 1734 births and Childress and sent for hammer to amend the law concerning death certificates and to clarify the medical professionals who may sign a medical certificate of death and pronounced death of a patient house for 17341758 by Representative Gambling and Senator Hill to amend the law concerning hearing instrument dispensers, and to amend the definition of practice of. Fencing hearing instruments house until 1758. Public health
Senate Bill 135. Uh, returned from the House has passed roll it. Retiring a Senate bill 279 from the House has passed roll retire to Senate Bill 413 from the House has passed roll it, retiring Senate Bill 417 from the House is passed in roll it. OK you stop it. Yeah, that motion that motion
Speaker 702
5:54:38
was before we adjourned. We hadn't adjourned yet. No, no, he's OK, yeah,
we're still in. We had a job. Senator Johnson, you recognized for motion, motion to spend the intervening day
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:54:58
rule on Senate Bill 527 and it'll be going to insurance and commerce, and that's my committee. Heard the motion on favor of motion, say I.
And he opposed Motion carriers. Your. right And I And. That
Um No one in Anything else come before the body? The Senate, the Senate will stand in adjournments subject to the clearing of the desk until 1:30 tomorrow, March 20th. We're adjourned. I
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Call
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions of Senate Pages
Doctor of the Day
Announcements
Items to be Read Across the Desk
SENATE MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SMR5 J. Scott TO REMEMBER PASTOR ROBERT J. JENKINS FOR HIS GOOD WORKS AND DEVOTED SERVICE IN HIS COMMUNITY AND THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SR49 C. Tucker TO HONOR SCULPTOR KEVIN KRESSE FOR CREATING THE SCULPTURE OF ARKANSAS MUSIC ICON JOHNNY CASH NOW ON DISPLAY IN THE NATIONAL STATUARY HALL COLLECTION IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL.
SR50 R. Murdock TO COMMEND ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC., FOR ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN (118) YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP IN ITS COMMUNITIES.
SENATE BILLS TO CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS
SB189 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AUTHORIZE IVERMECTIN FOR HUMAN USE TO BE SOLD WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION OR CONSULTATION WITH A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.
SB339 #1 A. Clark Clark CONCERNING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHILD MALTREATMENT INVESTIGATIONS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
Motion to expunge the vote by which SB189 failed
SB345 #1 Irvin Irvin TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF THE PRIVATE CLUB PERMITTING PROCESS OF HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND LARGE-EVENT FACILITIES; AND TO REMOVE AN OVERLY BURDENSOME TAX REQUIREMENT.
SENATE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
SB83 #2 J. Bryant Bryant TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERIES; TO REQUIRE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERIES; AND TO ESTABLISH A MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERIES.
SB376 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967.
SB406 #2 A. Clark Clark TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL ESTATE.
SB445 #1 K. Hammer Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSURE OF ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS.
SR46 #1 C. Tucker Tucker TO RECOGNIZE THE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS ROCKETS GOLF TEAM AS THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONS.
HOUSE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB1268 #1 Unger Scott TO ALLOW A PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO BECOME A PARTICIPATING PUBLIC EMPLOYER AND FOR ITS EMPLOYEES TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
HB1288 #1 L. Johnson B. Johnson TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH CARE CONSUMER ACT; AND TO REQUIRE A HEALTHCARE INSURER TO MAKE CERTAIN RETROACTIVE PAYMENTS TO A PROVIDER UPON CREDENTIALING OF A PROVIDER.
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB103 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE PHARMACY NONDISCRIMINATION ACT; TO REQUIRE PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS TO ACCEPT ANY PHARMACY OR PHARMACIST WILLING TO ACCEPT RELEVANT AND REASONABLE TERMS OF PARTICIPATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB232 Hickey TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS SCHOLARSHIP LOTTERY ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB241 J. Scott TO AMEND THE UNIFORM ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE POLICY ACT; AND TO GRANT PAID LEAVE TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S FAMILY MEMBER OR CHILD.
SB252 J. Dismang TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF HEALTH RISKS CAUSED BY VAPOR PRODUCTS AND E-LIQUID PRODUCTS; AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ARKANSAS YOUTH.
SB364 Hester TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES RELATED TO CONTRACTORS.
SB402 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATED TO EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.
SB411 Crowell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE HEIGHT OF VEHICLES; AND TO CREATE AN OFFENSE FOR THE OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MODIFIED BUMPER.
SB416 Irvin TO REPEAL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT PROGRAM; AND TO REPEAL THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND.
SB420 Hester TO EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT STATE PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE WATER AUTHORITY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE USES OF THE CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
SB421 Hester TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROJECTS.
SB433 J. Dotson REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
SB439 Irvin TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF ARKANSAS CODE WHICH RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1914.
SB443 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF APPRAISERS, ABSTRACTERS, AND HOME INSPECTORS; TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING LICENSURE OF ABSTRACTERS; TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING LICENSURE OF HOME INSPECTORS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB454 Hill TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS; TO CREATE THE UNCLAIMED PROPERTY INTEREST TRUST FUND; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Announcement by Senator Bart Hester
HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
HB1167 L. Johnson Irvin TO MODIFY THE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS; AND TO CLARIFY THAT DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDES DIABETIC SHOES AND SHOE INSERTS.
HB1254 L. Johnson Irvin TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSED PSYCHOLOGICAL PRACTITIONER TO PRACTICE INDEPENDENTLY IN THIS STATE; AND TO REMOVE THE INDEPENDENT PRACTICE PRIVILEGES FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINERS.
HB1257 L. Johnson Irvin TO REMOVE THE LIMITATION OF THE PRACTICE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGY FROM TECHNICIANS EMPLOYED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS; AND TO ALLOW PSYCHOLOGY TECHNICIANS TO BE EMPLOYED BY PSYCHOLOGISTS.
HB1258 L. Johnson Irvin TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.
Recess
Reconvene
HB1271 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MECHANICS' AND MATERIALMEN'S LIENS; AND TO CLARIFY THE PRIORITY OF LIENS IN MORTGAGE CONSTRUCTION LOANS.
HB1272 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROPERTY VACATED BY A MUNICIPALITY; AND TO REQUIRE VESTED ABANDONED PROPERTY BE CONVEYED WITH THE ABUTTING REAL ESTATE.
HB1275 Cavenaugh B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED FOR TREATMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
HB1276 Painter Flippo CONCERNING SPOUSAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES OF CERTAIN MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.
HB1316 F. Allen Wallace TO MANDATE COVERAGE FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS.
HB1414 Andrews Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES; AND TO UPDATE THE SCHEDULE OF EQUIPMENT RATES USED IN CLAIMS FOR FIRE SERVICES.
HB1474 Joey Carr Wallace CONCERNING THE PREVENTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE.
HB1505 Wing Tucker TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC EMPLOYER TO OFFER AND PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LICENSED COUNSELING FOR A PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED A TRAUMATIC EVENT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1536 M. McElroy Wallace TO WITHHOLD STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FROM A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS IN SCHOOL BUSES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
HB1551 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CRIMINAL ABORTION; AND TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF COERCED CRIMINAL ABORTION BY MEANS OF FRAUD.
HB1633 Brooks Hester TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS WHO TRANSFER SCHOOLS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1647 S. Meeks Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS; TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1652 Tosh Boyd T0 AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITIES; TO ENFORCE AN UNSIGNED SELF-SERVICE FACILITY STORAGE RENTAL AGREEMENT; AND TO CREATE A TERMINATION PROCEDURE FOR A SELF-SERVICE FACILITY STORAGE RENTAL AGREEMENT.
HB1673 L. Johnson Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BARBERS.
HB1700 Achor Boyd TO AMEND THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO EXCLUDE THE NAME OF A REVIEWING PHYSICIAN FROM DISCLOSURE IN AN ADVERSE DETERMINATION NOTICE UNDER THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION TRANSPARENCY ACT.
HB1721 M. Brown Scott TO AMEND SECTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROHIBIT GREYHOUND RACING AND SIMULCASTING OF GREYHOUND RACING.
HB1725 Schulz B. Davis TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPENSATION FOR THE OFFICE OF SHERIFF.
HB1725 - Hold HB1725 in the Senate Chamber
Items to be read across the desk
SB527 - Motion to suspend the Intervening Day Rule to hear SB527 in Senate Insurance and Commerce
Announcements
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Chair
Unverified
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
Speaker 7
Senator Missy Irvin Chair
Unverified
Speaker 11
Speaker 19
Speaker 22
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
Speaker 32
Speaker 34
Speaker 42
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
Speaker 54
Speaker 75
Speaker 80
Speaker 87
Speaker 91
Speaker 95
Speaker 51
Speaker 62
Speaker 104
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
Speaker 121
Speaker 124
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
Speaker 56
Speaker 149
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Speaker 173
Speaker 160
Speaker 79
Speaker 196
Speaker 202
Speaker 204
Speaker 209
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
Speaker 153
Senator Kim Hammer Chair
Unverified
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
Speaker 240
Speaker 242
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Speaker 254
Speaker 257
Speaker 266
Speaker 280
Speaker 147
Speaker 281
Speaker 284
Speaker 282
Speaker 285
Speaker 287
Speaker 294
Speaker 305
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Senator Bart Hester Chair
Unverified
Speaker 325
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
Speaker 350
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Speaker 316
Speaker 390
Speaker 185
Speaker 407
Speaker 431
Speaker 308
Speaker 438
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
Speaker 440
Speaker 445
Speaker 2
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
Speaker 415
Speaker 488
Speaker 494
Speaker 88
Speaker 510
Speaker 159
Speaker 516
Speaker 523
Speaker 550
Speaker 398
Speaker 165
Speaker 25
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Speaker 583
Speaker 617
Speaker 630
Speaker 233
Speaker 645
Speaker 655
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
Speaker 669
Speaker 672
Speaker 673
Speaker 677
Speaker 678
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Speaker 686
Speaker 660
Speaker 650
Speaker 549
Speaker 71
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
Speaker 710
Speaker 711
Senator Jane English
Unverified
Speaker 733
Speaker 230
Speaker 652
Speaker 759
Speaker 489
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
Speaker 643
Speaker 790
Speaker 84
Speaker 798
Speaker 391
Speaker 770
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
Speaker 177
Speaker 580
Speaker 839
Speaker 842
Speaker 544
Speaker 704
Speaker 99
Speaker 864
Speaker 866
Speaker 278
Speaker 702