Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (80)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB189
Act 396
· 8 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
· 7 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 |
|
SB270
Act 360
· 4 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 |
|
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 |
|
SB515
Act 647
· 3 mentions 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 |
|
SB516
Act 761
· 3 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
· 3 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
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
HB1386
Act 410
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
HB1444
Act 548
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
HB1497
Act 411
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
HB1656
Act 1024
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
HB1704
Act 388
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
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. |
|
SB309
· 2 mentions 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
· 2 mentions 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. |
|
SB390
Act 695
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
SB42
Act 379
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
SB422
Act 615
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
SB457
Act 1001
· 2 mentions 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
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
SB517
· 2 mentions 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
· 2 mentions 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. |
|
SR52
· 2 mentions 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
HB1669
Act 509
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…umber one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was for House Bill 1669 by Representative Bentley recommended do pass as amended nu…”
|
TO CREATE THE KEEP KIDS FIRST ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTIONS FROM DISCRIMINATION FOR … | Bentley | Notification that HB1669 is now Act 509 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
SB22
Act 377
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…e you a committee on enrolled bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 22 by joint budget, Senate Bill 38 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB22 is now Act 377 |
|
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 |
|
SB307
Act 373
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ill 42 by joint budget, Senate Bill 270 by Senator Crowell, Senate Bill 307 by Senator Dismane, Senate Bill 333 by Senator Flowers, Sen…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC UTILITIES; TO CREATE THE GENERATING ARKANSAS JOBS ACT OF … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB307 is now Act 373 |
|
SB325
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom was referred Senate Bill 325 by Senator Clark, recommend due pass. as amended number two…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989; TO AMEND THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT; TO … | A. Clark | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB333
Act 381
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…270 by Senator Crowell, Senate Bill 307 by Senator Dismane, Senate Bill 333 by Senator Flowers, Senate Bill 336 by Joint Budget, compar…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF - POLICE STATION FACILITY CONSTRUCTION … | S. Flowers | Notification that SB333 is now Act 381 |
|
SB336
Act 382
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…307 by Senator Dismane, Senate Bill 333 by Senator Flowers, Senate Bill 336 by Joint Budget, compare the”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB336 is now Act 382 |
|
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 |
|
SB373
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ulture, we are Committee on Education, to whom was referred Senate Bill 373 by Senator Irving, recommend due pass.”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION. | Irvin | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
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. |
|
SB38
Act 378
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…lls to whom was referred to Senate Bill 22 by joint budget, Senate Bill 38 by joint budget, Senate Bill 42 by joint budget, Senate Bil…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH -LICENSING AND REGULATION BOARDS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB38 is now Act 378 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
SB455
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…for your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 455 by Senator Bryant, compared to the engrossed copy of the or…”
|
TO ALLOW REGULATION OF HEMP PRODUCTS BY ARKANSAS TOBACCO CONTROL; AND TO AMEND THE UNIFORM … | J. Bryant | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB459
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ue pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 459 by Senator Letting recommend due pass as amended number one…”
|
TO AMEND THE MINIMUM AGE NECESSARY TO ADJUDICATE A JUVENILE DELINQUENT. | G. Leding | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB475
Act 773
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 475 by Senator Disman, compared to the engrossed copy of the or…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION ACT; AND TO REGULATE PHARMACY SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATIONS. | J. Dismang | Notification that SB475 is now Act 773 |
|
SB487
Act 754
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ber one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 487 by Senator Irving recommended do pass as amended number one…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW ON THE DESTRUCTION OR EXPUNGEMENT OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY RECORDS. | Irvin | Notification that SB487 is now Act 754 |
|
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. |
|
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 |
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Transcription by CastingWords
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
4:30
Senate will now be called to order. Are there any requests for leave at this time? Senator Scott, you're recognized. Leave for Senator
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
4:58
Dees. Thank you. Madame Secretary, please call the roll.
Speaker 7
5:01
Floyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee,
Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo,
Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
If everyone in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise,
Chair
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we will first be led in prayer by our pastor of the day, Senator Jamie Scott, who will introduce our pastor. Following that, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Scott, you're recognized.
Senator Jamie Scott
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Thank you Governor. Colleagues, the few that are here.
Today I have Pastor D.L. Richardson. He is the state president of the Baptist Convention of Arkansas. I'm glad I got that right because he would have gotten me. But he has watched 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
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an honor to be here. Let us pray.
Most gracious and heavenly Father, how we thank you, O 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, O 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, that their decisions and deliberations that they would make will 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 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, oh 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 master's name of your son we do pray. Amen. God bless you. I pledge you to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
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one nation, under God, individual, for liberty and justice for all. Thank you so
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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
Senator Matt McKee
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Governor. We've got quite a few 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.
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it's right up here right here turn around get come
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on boy right here right there and then you stand next to them and then
Senator Matt McKee
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they stand next to you okay i know i'm pretty good so i
can do that 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 in Senator King's district.
Ellen Wright from Texarkana Middle School in Senator Hickey's district. Alex Wayland from a STEM freshman academy in Senator English's district. And Michael Wayland from the same academy, oh no, from STEM high school in Senator English's district. And you may know their dad. He works in the auditor's office, Mr. Wayland. Jake Hurst from Buffalo Island Central in Senator Wallace's district.
And Sophie McFaul, also from Buffalo Island Central in Senator Wallace's district. So we're glad you are all here. We hope that they've treated you in a semi-decently manner. And let's give these guys a round of
applause and tell them how I'm proud
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of you. Thank you, Senator McKee. Other announcements or introductions?
Senator Greg Leding
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Senator Letting, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I'm told we have members from Fayetteville Leadership here with us in one of the galleries today, so if you would just
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help me welcome them to the Arkansas Senate. Madam
Secretary, are there items at the desk? Yes. Dear Ms. Stacks, the Senate respectfully requests the return to the Senate of Senate Bill 309. Respectfully submitted to Ann Cornwell.
File it. Were you a committee on enrolled bills to whom was referred to Senate Bill 22 by joint budget, Senate Bill 38 by joint budget, Senate Bill 42 by joint budget, Senate Bill 270 by Senator Crowell, Senate Bill 307 by Senator Dismane, Senate Bill 333 by Senator Flowers, Senate Bill 336 by Joint Budget, compare the
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enrolled copies with the original and find the same correctly enrolled and at 8.12 a.m. delivered to the Governor for her approval.
File it. We are committee on engrossed bills to whom is deferred Senate Bill 460 by Senator Irving, compare the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed.
Agriculture. Agriculture, for your Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 455 by Senator Bryant, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Agriculture, for your Committee
on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred Senate Bill 475 by Senator Disman, compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the
same correctly engrossed. Insurance and Commerce. Committee on Engrossed Bills to whom was deferred House Bill 1656 by Representative Beck and Senator Davis,
compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find
the same correctly engrossed. Agriculture, we are Committee on Education, to whom was referred Senate Bill 373 by Senator Irving, recommend due pass.
Calendar. Committee on Education, to whom was referred Senate Bill 390 by Senator English, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom was referred Senate Bill 270 by Senator, 277 by Senator Bright, recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary, to whom was referred Senate Bill 325 by Senator Clark, recommend due pass. as amended number two. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 326 by Senator Clark recommend due pass as amended number three. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom
was first Senate Bill 457 by Senator Letting recommend due pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 459 by Senator Letting recommend due pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first Senate Bill 487 by Senator Irving recommended do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was first sent before 90 by Senator Irving recommended do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to whom was for House Bill 1669 by Representative Bentley recommended do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee
on Judiciary to whom was first House Bill 1704 by Representative Andrews recommended do pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax to whom was the first Senate Bill 422 by Senator Tucker, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, whom was referred House Bill 1129 by Representative Gainbridge, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, whom was referred House Bill 1386 by Representative Kavanaugh, recommend do pass. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Tax, whom was referred House Bill 1444 by Representative Wilkington,
recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Revenue and Taxes, who was for House Bill 1497, by Representative Painter, recommend due pass. Calendar. Senate Resolution 52, by Senator Hammer, to recognize the Bryant High School Hornets basketball team as the Class 6A state champions, Senate Resolution 52. Calendar. Senate Bill 515, by Senator Petty, to require that a unit dedicated to Arkansas veterans and their families
be included within existing Arkansas History Course Content Guidelines, Senate Bill 515. 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 Senator 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. Senate Bill 518 by Senator Hester, to prohibit a local government from enacting 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
Senator Jamie Scott
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518. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Any other announcements or introductions at this time? Or other business
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to come before 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
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State, is in the gallery here, Dennis Milligan. Please welcome our Auditor of State, Dennis Milligan, to the gallery. We will
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now take up Senate Memorial Resolution 5.
Senate Memorial Resolution 5 by Senator Scott to remember Pastor Robert J. Jenkins for his good works and devoted service in his community and the state of Arkansas. Can I ask
Senator Jamie Scott
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join me in the will? Thank you.
Thank you, colleagues. Today I have a memorial resolution for Pastor Robert Jenkins. And before I read the resolution, I have his family here and some faith leaders from my
community and from the state of Arkansas that he's had a great impact on. But when the tornado hit us, what, two years ago? Two years ago, I call them Pops just like everybody else does. But Pastor Pop Jenkins was right there at the age of 84 probably then And 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 for my district and my community during that storm. And anytime I called, he was always there. So I thought it was very fitting to honor him and recognize him for his commitment to North Footerock and the state 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
1st, 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 Jenkins 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 Pro Duffers of Little Rock in 2009. Whereas Pastor Jenkins is preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Heath Jenkins and Robert Jenkins. Pastor Jenkins leaves to cherish his loving wife, devoted sweet wife of 65 years,
years. Jewel Jenkins, daughters and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of Arkansas that the Senate remember Pastor Robert Jenkins for his good work and devoted service in his community in the state of Arkansas. Y'all, Pastor Jenkins was just, he was none other. He was just an amazing man of God, 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,
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and I will forever be here to support y'all. Thank you, Senator Scott. All those in
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favor of Senate Memorial Resolution 5 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. Any opposed, I have it. Senate Memorial Resolution 5 is adopted.
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Would you like to speak? Would you like to speak?
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Okay. I want to thank my family. I want to thank everybody. Thank you so much. I have words, but they will come out. Thank you.
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I'm just going to go hug her. That's all. That's all.
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We are going to temporarily pass over Senate Resolution 49. We
will now take up Senate Resolution 50. Senate
Resolution 50 by Senator Murdoch to commend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for 118 years of outstanding service and leadership in this community.
Senator Reginald Murdock
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Senator Murdoch, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I want
to ask for leave for the illustrious members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as they enter 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 Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was founded on December 4th, 1906 on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York
by students who recognized the need for a strong bond, a 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 Arthur Callas, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinkle Jones, George Biddle Kelly, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harrell Ogle, and Versa Woodson Tandy. And whereas Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice both educationally and socially.
And whereas the Jewel Founders and early leaders of Alpha Phi Fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for the fraternity's principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. And whereas the legacy of Alpha Phi Fraternity Incorporated and its statewide network of Arkansas alpha men includes among its membership, the former president of AT&T Arkansas, Ronnie Dedman, chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Lawrence B. Alexander, former superintendent of the Fayetteville School District, Dr. John L. Colbert, former mayor of Forest City, Cedric Williams, who's present, mayor of Little Rock, Frank D. Scott Jr.,
Yours truly, Representative Jay 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. Clemons, former Representative John Llewellyn, former Representative William H. Townsend, and former Senator Jerry Jewell. Whereas Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, under the leadership of its General President,
Lucian J. Metellus, Jr., is focused on addressing the fraternity's past, current, and future role in shaping policy that impacts its communities. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, that the Senate command Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated for 118 years of outstanding service and leadership in its great state and communities.
Be it further resolved that upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be provided to Jermaine O'Neathaly, 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
Chair
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Murdoch. All those in favor of Senate Resolution 50 to commend Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for 118 years of outstanding service and leadership in its community,
please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Senate Resolution 50 is adopted. Thank you, members. Thank you. Thank you, Senator.
I'm so sorry. Senator Murdoch, you're recognized again to recognize the
Senator Reginald Murdock
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rest of the gentlemen. I'm so sorry. Those esteemed gentlemen on the East Gallery, I'm so sorry, brothers. Please acknowledge them. Don't take much action. I'm so sorry. Sorry, Brother Scott.
Senator Reginald Murdock
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this. Our Southwest Regional Conference is coming to Little Rock this weekend, and we will have thousands of people spending millions of thousands of dollars this weekend. So they'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 1 to Senate Bill 189. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Alan Clark
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you, Madam Governor. The amendment on Senate Bill 189 was just to add a House sponsor.
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All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is concurred
in. Senate Bill 189 by Senator
Clark to authorize invirtments for human use to be sold without a prescription or consultation with a health care professional. Senator Clark, you're recognized. SB
Senator Alan Clark
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189 still does the same thing it did two weeks ago when you passed it off the floor. Exactly. It allows ivermectin to be sold over the counter.
Chair
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I'd be happy to take any questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're recognized closed. I'm closed. I'd appreciate a good
vote. Senator has closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark,
Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson,
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King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Steffa, Phil, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
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Any Senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator
Chair
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Flowers, no. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33 yea, 1 nay. Senate Bill 189 passes. Please enroll
it. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 339. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 339. Senator Clark, you're
Senator Alan Clark
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recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor, colleagues. This amendment was just out of House sponsor.
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All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have
it. Amendment is adopted. Senate Bill 339 by Senator Clark. Concerning the membership of the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight
Senator Alan Clark
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Committee. Still does the same thing it did two weeks ago. 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 two years, not every year.
Chair
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Be happy to take any questions. Any questions for Senator Clark? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator, you're recognized to close. I'm closed. I'd appreciate a good vote.
Senator is closed. Any objection rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell,
Davis, Dees, Leave, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love,
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McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
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her vote? Seeing Senator Flowers, no. Any other senator? Seeing no other. Please cast up the ballot. By vote 33 yea, 1 nay, Senate Bill 339 passes as amended. Please enroll it.
Senator Tucker, you're recognized for an announcement. A motion. Thank you,
Senator Clarke Tucker
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Madam President, colleagues. I was visiting 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 re-voted. I was in the middle of something, 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
Chair
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re-vote Senate Bill 189. That's the motion. All those in favor to expunge the vote by which Senate Bill 189 passed, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
Ayes have it. Motion carries. Senate Bill 189 of Senator Clark to authorize inversion for human use to be sold without a prescription or consultation with a health care professional.
Chair
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Senator, we should say any more. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing
no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin,
Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King,
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Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
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Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Flowers, no. Senator Tucker, no. Any other
senator? Senator Murdoch, no. Letting, no. Scott, no. Any other senator? If you're
in the middle of something, please check the board. Seeing no other senator, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 29 yea, 5 nay, Senate Bill 189 passes as amended.
Please enroll it. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 345. Amendment 1
to Senate Bill 345. Senator Irvin,
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you're recognized. Thank you. This is my
bill, my amendment to concur the House Amendment. It's a technical change of the House Amendment was. Thank you, Senator. All those
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in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye.
Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it.
Amendment is concurred then. Senate Bill 345 by Senator Irving 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.
Senator Irving, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. The House amendment that we just concurred didn't change any substantively. And so, again, we've heard this bill.
Thank you for voting for it the first time. It just eliminates that very burdensome, over-regulatory structure of making somebody have a non-profit 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 non-profit corporations that were being cooked on a shelf.
Chair
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Appreciate a good vote. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
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Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam
Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore,
Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Ladding, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Steffa, Phil Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
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Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Love, no. Dotson, no. Any other senator? Senator Hammer, present. Clark, present. any other
Chair
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no other please cast up the ballot
by vote 38 to nay and to present senate bill 345
passes as amended please enroll 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 Hall Collection in the United States Capitol. Senator Tucker, you are recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues
Senator Clarke Tucker
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leave for Mr. Cressy, Kevin Cressy, and his family to be on the floor with us.
Special dispensation for our former senator and friend, Mr. Broadway, back here. So another exciting moment today, Kevin Cressy, 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 an Arkansas native, been here his whole life, still lives in central Arkansas. Now, there's still hope for us all because he had a career in advertising before he started living his dream in the arts, right? So we
can still do it if we want, although maybe not to the same level of success, which he has had a ton of. He's created busts 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 Dogtown Proud mural in Argenta in 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, D.C. 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 as one of only four 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 y'all know, the statues that were being replaced in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol were 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 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 want to commend 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 is 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 career maybe went a little, the 80s were not his peak decade. But in the early 90s, 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 was still a little good in him. And even when he was at his best, there was still a little bad in him. And I don't know about y'all, but I think that's true for me as well. But what Kevin has done is, in one statue, 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
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vote on this resolution. 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 to have that moment. So I encourage senators, if you have not been to Statuary Hall, to
see the work of Kevin Cressy. And special thank you also to Shane
Broadway and Jamie Land for all the work that they
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did to make that happen. Senators, all those in favor of Senate Resolution 49 to honor
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sculptor Kevin Cressy for creating the sculpture of Arkansas music icon Johnny Cash now on display in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol. Please signify by saying aye. Any opposed, I have
Senator Clarke Tucker
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It was a close call, Kevin. Members may ask me to allow Kevin just to share a few brief remarks
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with us. That would have been embarrassing to be voted down, so I'm glad. Thank you. Thank you so much.
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It was so funny because when Senator Tucker wrote and said they were going to be due to a House resolution, 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 a resolution. And I kind of felt like Barney Fife with Opie and Andy trying to describe, you know, 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, and they'll resolve it. But this was a highlight of my career.
I have to tell you, being from Arkansas, I love the fact that so many people own this sculpture. 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 three to four 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, people who needed an advocate. and that's what you all have done.
You know, 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 a stone hitting the water, and it is 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. I 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 spent over three and a half 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.
Speaker 209
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So hope to see you all there. Thank you so
Speaker 87
48:01
much. Senators, if you haven't had an opportunity to go to the U.S. 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, if you haven't
Chair
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had an opportunity, if your family hasn't, to go to the U.S. Capitol to see the Johnny Cass
Speaker 212
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statute, then certainly come by my office and see that. We will now go back to the
Speaker 87
48:49
We will now go back to the business agenda.
Chair
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with Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 83. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 83. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Joshua Bryant
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49:09
you, Madam President. This is just an amendment that I had to change
Chair
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49:14
a reference to a different statute. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 376. Senator
Clark. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 376.
Senator Alan Clark
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49:30
Senator Clark, you're recognized. Senate Bill 376 was an attempt, 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 vote. All those in
Speaker 87
49:57
favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye.
Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send
to engrossing. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 406. Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 406. Senator Clark, you're recognized. The amendment just adds a House sponsor. All those in
Senator Alan Clark
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50:17
favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes
Speaker 153
50:22
have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 445. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 445.
Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Bill is my amendment. Well, it's an amendment that was put on in the House. Caught a couple technical errors in the language,
Chair
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50:43
so it fixes those things. Thank you. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Aye.
Speaker 153
50:49
Any opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing.
Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 46. Amendment 1 to Senate Resolution 46. Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Clarke Tucker
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51:02
This amendment just adds Senator Irvin as a
Chair
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51:07
co-sponsor. Thank you. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed?
Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1268. Amendment 1 to House Bill
Senator Jamie Scott
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51:20
1268. Senator Scott, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. It's just an amendment to add me as a sponsor. All those in favor of the amendment,
Speaker 87
51:29
please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it.
Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1288. Amendment 1 to
Chair
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51:37
House Bill 1288. Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized. Amendment to Lee Johnson's bill to
Senator Mark Johnson
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51:45
add Senator Irvin as a co-sponsor, and I don't know how in the world
Senator Alan Clark
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51:52
I got it. All those in favor of
Speaker 87
51:55
the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing.
103. Senate Bill 103 by Senator Penzo. To create the Pharmacy Non-Description Act and to require pharmacy benefit managers to accept any pharmacy or pharmacist willing to accept relevant and reasonable
terms of participation and declare an emergency. Senator Penzo, you're
Senator Clint Penzo
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52:29
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, 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 better and be there for their families. You know, there's been a lot of issues with PBMs that we've had to deal with, and I think this improves access to medications in Arkansas for patients.
And I'd just ask everybody for a
Speaker 87
53:57
questions for Senator Penzo? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling
Speaker 242
54:05
the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Dees, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey,
Hill, Irving, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Keene, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up
Chair
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54:37
the ballot. By vote 34, yea, 0, nay, Senate Bill 103 passes, and
the corresponding emergency clause is adopted.
Please 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. Okay, members,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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55:04
this is not going to be the easiest thing to understand, but if we want to try to get in the
weeds, I'll get there with your attempt to. But just to give you a quick synopsis of this, what this is going to do is this is going to clean up the books of the Arkansas Lottery.
Whenever the 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 accounted principles. what that's done is created an issue on 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 And I cannot tell you exactly what that negative will be at that particular time because it's based on not only what the large game prizes are, but also what's called our OPEB. 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 correct this, although this is going to seem odd, is this is not going to 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 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 going to 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 lottery scholarship 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 revenue's 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 account which is 20 million dollars we're going to 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, and in the bill, it states that we'll be following generally accepted accounting principles, and I think that's going to correct every issue we have
Chair
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58:38
with that. I'll attempt to answer any questions. Questions for Senator Hickey.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
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58:47
Senator Love, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Governor. And Senator Hickey, I guess
Speaker 254
58:55
I got a couple of questions. But number
Speaker 255
58:57
one, so with access, I thought we did away with that
Speaker 257
59:03
lottery shortfall. Did we not? No, sir. No, sir. The shortfall account's just sitting out
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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59:09
there at $20 million, and it takes this legislation to do that.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
59:13
Okay. And so now we're going to be paying for scholarships in advance. We've already, no,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
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59:20
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've got that revenue in hand, and then we're able to fulfill how much our scholarships are. We already know what they're going to be. So because of that's the reason that we don't need the shortfall
Senator Fredrick J. Love
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1:00:12
reserve account any longer. Okay, so if we receive more, a lot of, well, I guess, so we'll never have a shortfall.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:00:25
No, sir, not the way that our
current legislation is written. Because actually our current legislation, 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 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 dollars that's probably over and above what we need in the lottery scholarship trust account now too so we've even got that back
Senator Fredrick J. Love
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1:01:12
which we didn't we used to not have and so the money that that sometimes the schools refund us sometimes the schools refund us lottery money scholarship money is that money going to flow back into the nothing nothing would change
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
1:01:25
with the way that's being done which i believe that flows right back
Speaker 263
1:01:29
into the trust account itself but the scholarship trust
Speaker 240
1:01:38
account okay thank you yes sir thanks for your questions any other questions for senator hickey
Speaker 87
1:01:48
seeing all the questions anyone wish to speak against or for senator has closed any objection
to rolling the vote seeing no objection madam secretary please roll the
vote Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King,
Speaker 56
1:02:11
Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:02:18
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Flowers present. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote
of 33, yea, 0, nay, 1 present, Senate Bill 232 passes, and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please transmit to the House.
Senate Bill 241. Senate Bill 241 by Senator 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.
Senator Scott, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Senator Jamie Scott
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1:03:05
Chair. Thank you, colleagues, for the opportunity 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 an unimaginable hardship.
Without clear bereavement policies, public employees may be forced to take unpaid leave and
use personal days, adding financial strain during an already difficult time. And this was something that the governor's office brought up because I worked with them on this bill for the past month. Employees who returned to work too soon after a significant loss, such as a child, may struggle with focus and productivity. So many agencies are already accommodating informal bereavement leave. This bill just standardizes 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 statute 21-4-206. We took the exact same language, and I worked 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. I'll be happy to answer any questions if there are any colleagues left in the chamber to ask any. Any questions for
Chair
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1:04:28
Senator Scott? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Speaker 242
1:04:32
Senator, you're recognized closed. Thank you, colleagues. I appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection
Chair
Unverified
1:04:42
to rolling the vote? objection noted Madam Secretary, please call the roll Boyd, Boyd, Bryant Bryant Caldwell we're already in the middle of the roll call
Speaker 281
1:05:12
roll call Caldwell Clark Crowell? Crowell. Davis? Dees? Leave. Dismaine? Dotson? Dotson. English?
English. Flippo? Flippo. Flowers? Gilmore? Gilmore. Hammer? Hammer. Hester? Hester.
Speaker 284
1:05:47
Hickey? Hill? Ervin? Ervin.
Blake Johnson, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson,
Mark Johnson, King,
Love. McKee? McKee. Murdock? Murdock.
Speaker 284
1:06:22
Peyton? Peyton. Penzo? Penzo. Petty? Petty.
Speaker 285
1:06:32
Rice? Rice. Scott? Stone? Stubbafield? Sullivan? Tucker? Tucker? Wallace? Senators,
I will go slow. any senator wish to
Speaker 240
1:06:59
vote or change your vote. I'm going to begin on this side. Senator McKee,
Speaker 287
1:07:09
yes. Senator Boyd, yes. Senator Wallace, yes. Senator Petty, yes. Hammer, yes. Tucker, yes. Love, yes. Senator Stone, yes. Senator Sullivan, yes. Senator English,
Yes. Senator Letting. Yes. Senator Dotson. Yes. Senator Flippo. Yes. King. Yes. Hester. Yes. Caldwell. Yes. Mark Johnson, yes. Senator Irvin, no. Dismang, yes. Rice, yes. Senator Kroll, yes. Senator
Blake Johnson, yes. Senator Hill, yes. Senator Bryant, yes. Any
Chair
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1:08:18
other senators? Senator Penzo, Yes. Payton, present. Any other senders, please check the board. Any other senders, please check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot.
Speaker 294
1:08:53
yay, regardless, there was a vote of 30 yay. 30
Chair
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1:09:13
yay, 2 nay, 1 present, 1
not voting. Senate Bill 241 passes.
Transmit to the House. Senator
Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Madam President, I move the
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:09:31
clincher on Senate Bill 241. All in favor, clincher
Chair
Unverified
1:09:39
motion on Senate Bill 241. Please signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. Ayes have it. I feel like our mic got longer.
Speaker 7
1:10:01
Is it just me? It's just longer. We are now taking up Senate Bill 252. Senate Bill 252 by Senator
Dismayne to inform the public of health risks caused by vapor products and e-liquid products and to ensure the safety of Arkansas youth. Senator Dismang,
Speaker 212
1:10:24
you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Members, first I
Senator Jonathan Dismang
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1:10:27
want to say thanks to the City, County, and Local Committee for indulging me, I think, in four meetings.
Ultimately, I think to get to pass, just to get an agreement on what should be in this bill. This bill is going to create an Arkansas vape registry for vape products and that will be utilized by our retailers to know what products have actually been approved by the FDA and will help root out the Chinese products that are currently predominantly on some shelves in some of our stores. One of the things that we did exclude was the open system vape products. So that's the juice products that use the battery that they mix at some of the different vape stores.
So that's excluded from 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 Registry. With that, I'd have to take
Speaker 149
1:11:23
any questions. Any questions for Senator Dismang? Anyone wish to speak
Speaker 87
1:11:30
against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Speaker 7
1:11:37
Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell,
Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester,
Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone wish
Chair
Unverified
1:12:09
King, not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33. Yay, zero, nay, one, not voting. Senate Bill 252 passes. Please transmit to
the House. Senate Bill 364. House Bill 364 by Senator Hester to amend the law concerning violations and penalties related to contractors. Senator Hester, you're recognized.
Thank you, Governor. Members, this bill is involving contractors that do not have a license, 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. So this is kind of, in my opinion, a fairness bill. Like, if you did the work, 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, 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's not an excuse for that. Or like Senator Clark said in committee, maybe you're a young contractor just starting to do 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 if you get caught doing that, 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 consequence will be different than maybe a young person. That's all this does. It allows you to 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
Chair
Unverified
1:13:58
questions. Any questions for Senator Hester? Senator Hill, you're recognized for a question. Senator Hester, is this encouraging people
to work without a license? I hope it certainly does not. Does it seem like it could be interpreted that way? They could go work and
Speaker 325
1:14:08
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,
then that's a whole different consequence. No, you are a contractor, right? I am.
Chair
Unverified
1:14:29
I am a licensed contractor. Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 280
1:14:34
Senator Flowers, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:14:38
I'm trying to understand what contractors this would apply to in terms of the value of a job, the amount
of a job. This would include all licensed contractors 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 contractors board, but, you know, and there's a certain amount. I should have probably been prepared 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, it's required to have a license in the
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:15:22
state of Arkansas. Okay, 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 already file a complaint. What the current law says,
if they do contracting in Arkansas, they don't have the right to collect any
money. So if somebody came and they, you know, framed a house for you, right, or did a bunch of work. Bad workmanship.
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 before the board? Right, you could not sue. Well, 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 person was operating maybe inadvertently, maybe intentionally, that's for the contractor board to figure out.
And the contractor board, this leaves them the total autonomy to figure out what those consequences should be. Before it goes
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:16:36
to any court. Excuse me? Before anyone could file in a court. That's correct. Okay. So,
yeah, I think 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 shouldn't be as severe as 100% of the cost of the work you
Chair
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1:17:05
did. Senator Dismang, you're recognized for a question. But
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:17:07
a similar situation could be, I mean, if 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 over about, you're not
a contractor, I'm not paying you. Is that a relevant situation?
Chair
Unverified
1:17:29
That's a very relevant situation. Any other questions for Senator Hester? Seeing no other questions, anyone wish to
Speaker 160
1:17:44
speak against or for? Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing
no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark,
Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan,
Speaker 149
1:18:12
Tucker Wallace. Any Senator wish to change his or her vote?
Chair
Unverified
1:18:19
Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 34 a 0 nay, Senate Bill 364
passes. Please transmit to the House. Senator Dotson, you're recognized for an introduction.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:18:33
Thank you, Madam President. Members, it's my pleasure to introduce the doctor of the day, Dr. Scott Cooper, who is an orthopedic surgeon from Bentonville. And
the nurse of the day, Lee Fazio.
Speaker 160
1:18:57
Thank you, Senator Dodson. Next we will take up Senate Bill 402.
Senate Bill 402 by Senator 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.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:19:18
Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. 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 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 hire orientations, as well as faculty meetings. This bill will prohibit that in the future. The 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. And I'd be happy to answer any questions or ask for
Chair
Unverified
1:20:35
a good vote. Any questions for Senator
Speaker 87
1:20:37
Penzo? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Penzo has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing,
Chair
Unverified
1:20:45
was there an objection noted? Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bowen? Yes. Bright? Aye. Caldwell?
Speaker 281
1:20:55
Caldwell? Clark? Clark? Crowell, aye. Davis, aye. Dees, leave.
Dismang? Dismang? Dotson? Yes. English? Aye. Clippo? Aye. Flowers? Aye. Gilmore? Yes. Hammer? Aye. Hester? Aye. Hickey?
Speaker 284
1:21:25
Hickey? Aye. Hill? Aye. Irvin. Aye. Blake Johnson. Blake Johnson. Aye. Mark Johnson. Aye.
King. Aye. Letting. Aye. Love. No. McKee. Aye. Murdoch. Murdoch. Payton. Penzo. Penzo. Penzo.
Speaker 281
1:21:57
Petty. Yes. Rice, Scott, Stone, Steverfield,
Chair
Unverified
1:22:14
Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any 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? Seeing no other. Please cast up the ballot. By vote of 27 yea, 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 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.
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:23:03
Senator Crowell, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. This was a constituent-driven bill. They had an accident in front of their house where two of those jacked-up trucks where 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 realized it's a safety issue. They were 100% behind this language, and so was
Chair
Unverified
1:23:29
the Sheriff's Association. Questions for Senator Kroll. Senator Payton, you're recognized for a question.
Thank you, Madam President. I think those vehicles look stupid. I hate them, 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 that's more than four inches lower than the front, then the back bumper is going to 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 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 going to 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 anything more than a four-inch difference is going to be illegal. Because I can promise you there are some utility, I mean, a deuce and a half. You know, we've got National Guard trucks that the front bumper is going to be too high to have the back bumper within four inches
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:25:06
of it. But it's written in the fact that the whole vehicle is this way.
It's not just the bumper altered from the, if you buy them from the factory, 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
says that if it's four inches in height greater than the rear bumper, if the front bumper is four inches higher. I can tell you the intent that they told me is that
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:25:31
they would measure from the wheel well at that point. Do you want me to pull it down and put that in the language then? I mean, because I have no problems.
I just believe this is a safety issue. I've just seen it for five minutes. I'm sorry. But that was the intent. The state police actually were
100% behind this language and from the other states. Well, I mean, 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 like a rollback bed to hold cars on.
You've got to stretch that frame so it's been modified. Mr. Payton,
Senator Steve Crowell
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1:26:15
I don't see you driving a vehicle down the road like this. No,
I hate those things. I don't even think I've ever traded for one, but I've had the opportunity. I
Senator Steve Crowell
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1:26:26
understand your concern, but I think the intent of the law is for the squat. I'm for the intent. Any other questions
Speaker 316
1:26:36
for Senator Kroll? Anyone wish to speak against?
Chair
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1:26:43
Speak for Senator Mark Johnson. You're recognized to speak
Senator Alan Clark
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1:26:48
for. Thank you, Madam President. And my only regret on this bill is that Senator
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:26:56
Kroll introduced it before I did. I had one 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, Leslie Rogers.
Her husband, who is the assistant fire chief of our West Pulaski Fire Department, brought me this issue. They had one
Speaker 386
1:27:23
of these squatter vehicles that hit one of West Pulaski.
Speaker 153
1:27:27
Senator Johnson, I'm sorry to interrupt. Senator Johnson, I would ask the body, there seems to be many
Chair
Unverified
1:27:34
conversations going on at this time. 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.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:27:48
They rear-ended one of 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 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 good with 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
1:28:42
Thank you, Madam President. Thanks, Senator Johnson. Anyone else wish to speak against
Chair
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1:28:49
or for? Senator Crowell has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote?
Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd? Yes. Bryant?
Speaker 390
1:29:02
No. Caldwell? Caldwell? Clark? Clark? Crowell? Aye. Davis?
No. Dees? Leave. Dismang? Aye. Dotson? Dotson? No.
Speaker 281
1:29:15
said no. You said no. No. English? Aye. Flippo?
Flippo? Flowers? Aye. Gilmore? Gilmore?
Speaker 284
1:29:37
Hammer, Aye, Hester, Aye, Hickey, Hill, Aye, Irvin, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Aye, Mark Johnson? Aye. King? King?
Letting? Aye. Love? Aye. McKee? No. Murdoch? Murdoch?
Speaker 284
1:30:07
Payton? No. Penzo? Penzo? Petty? Yes. Rice? No. Scott? No. Scott?
Speaker 281
1:30:24
Stone. Stubbeville. Sullivan. Tucker. Wallace. I'll begin on
Chair
Unverified
1:30:37
this side. Any senator wish to vote who didn't vote or wish to change your vote? Senator Penzo, no. Any other senator? Senator Murdoch, present. Senator Scott, yes.
Senator Clark? No. Senator Dismang? Present. Senator Irvin? Yes. Any other senator? Please check the board. Senator Flippo? Yes. Any other senator? Seeing no other senator, please cast of the ballot by vote of 18 yay, 10 nay, 4 not voting, 2 present. Senate bill 411 passes. Please
Speaker 160
1:31:26
transmit to 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. Senator Urban, you're
Chair
Unverified
1:31:44
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. The bill does what it says.
The reason why is because the Department of Energy and Environment 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 dollars or settlement dollars, but that never came to fruition. So that's what the bill does. Any
Chair
Unverified
1:32:22
questions for Senator Irvin? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please
roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester,
Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Speaker 149
1:33:02
Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator
Chair
Unverified
1:33:05
Tucker, present. Any other senator? Seeing no... Senator King,
Speaker 160
1:33:15
were you making a motion? Is that not voting or were you
Chair
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1:33:19
waving at me? I'm sorry. Not voting, okay. Senator King, not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 yeas, 0 nay, 1 not voting, 1 present.
Senate Bill 416 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 420. Senate Bill
420 by Senator 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 two
bills are going to be involved in what we all have needs in in all of
our districts. It's water and sewer needs. What this does right here, it allows a water, we'll say a water authority rather than just
being government-owned, but sometimes some of them are non-profits, some are even private. It allows them to be eligible to apply for grant, or not grants, but loans from a natural resource commission, low-interest loans. So that's basically as simple as it is. We're expanding those who are eligible for these grants or for these low-interest loans. I think it's important to a lot of our communities. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Chair
Unverified
1:34:34
Any questions for Senator Hester, Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized, and then Senator Love.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:34:40
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Hester, I ask you this question in committee. I hate to be redundant,
but I think the rest of our colleagues should hear. There is no difference in what the rate would be charged to a for-profit business that was seeking this financing versus our non-profit water authorities and water districts around the state.
Is that correct? That's correct. So you've got more people tapping 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 lower that balance available to other borrowers. Is that correct? 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 it up to
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:35:48
more people. There are funds available. But we have a significant statewide, I believe someone said $13 billion
Speaker 407
1:35:54
in committee of identified need. Is that correct? There's $13 billion of need. That's correct. Billion. That's right. Okay. It just seems
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:36:02
like it might not be a good time to actually let somebody else come into it when they
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:36:09
have access to other capital. Thank you for answering my question.
I think it would mean it's the absolute necessary time to start allowing people to use it.
Chair
Unverified
1:36:22
Senator Love, you're recognized for a
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:36:26
question. Thank you, Governor. 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 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, okay? So, who 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 they go out and get a higher interest loan, that interest has to be put into the water. Everybody's water rates go up and there's just communities that 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. Okay.
Speaker 240
1:37:28
All right. Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Hester?
Chair
Unverified
1:37:33
Anyone wish to speak against? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized to speak against. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:37:49
I appreciate what Senator Hester
is trying to do. And again, the customers of these for-profit water utilities are citizens that need water, just like the customers of for-profit utilities need electricity or gas or whatever. The difference is that this is a set of money. We're substituting public funds to loan to a private entity,
and the net result will be there will be less funds available to the qualifying for non-profit organizations or water authorities or water companies. Senator Payton asked me a real good question a moment ago. He said, 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 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 as 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 going to be voting no, and I would encourage you all to do the same. Thank you very much.
Chair
Unverified
1:39:31
Thank you, Madam President. Anyone wish to speak for Senator Hammer? You're recognized to speak for. Members, the reason 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 all fight for down here real
Chair
Unverified
1:40:11
hard, so I appreciate a good vote on this. Any other, anyone else wish to speak for or against? If not, Senator Hester, you're recognized closed. Senator has closed. Is there an objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Boyd? Yes. Bryant? Yes. Caldwell? Yes. Caldwell? Yes. Clark? Crowell? Yes. Davis? Aye. Dees? Leave. Dismayne. Aye. Dotson. Yes. English. Aye. Flippo. Flippo. Flowers. Flowers. Gilmore? Gilmore. Hammer? Hester? Hester. Hickey?
Speaker 284
1:41:07
Hickey. Hill? Irvin? Blake Johnson? Mark
Johnson. King. King. Letting. Letting. Love.
Speaker 285
1:41:40
Peyton. Yes. Penzo. No. Patty, Rice, Rice,
Speaker 281
1:41:46
Scott, Stone, Stuboffel, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:41:58
Any senator wish to vote who did not vote Senator Hickey, no. Senator Love, yes.
Other senators? Senator King, no. Flippo, no.
Speaker 51
1:42:13
Murdoch, yes. Gilmore, yes. Any other senators? Please
Chair
Unverified
1:42:24
check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 25, yay, 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 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 four 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 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, 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 loans for our water departments, 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 how we're currently funding it, how we've currently been doing it since 1997. It's just asking to continue with that
process. And I'm happy to answer any questions if I
Speaker 240
1:44:27
can. Any questions for Senator Hester, Senator Payton, and Senator Love? Thank you,
Madam President. So how is this not borrowing money? I mean, where's the money come from? Are we borrowing it from ourselves or from a different agency or from banks or what? It is
issuing a bond, as we do on a lot of things.
But yeah, I would say it's pretty well borrowing
money. So if you're borrowing money, it's not a balanced budget, and that would be
unconstitutional, wouldn't it? So we do a lot of bonds, and they
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:45:05
have not been proven unconstitutional. Thank you. Senator Love. 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 local government in both of these initiatives, in the issuing of the bonds?
because usually you go before either the city or the quorum court to get the approval for the bonds. What is
the role of the local government in these two initiatives that you're bringing? Okay, so 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 local government would do.
They would come and request a loan for a particular water project.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:45:57
Okay, so, but the last initiative that you just had, you said that the qualified corporation could go and get the loan. So is there any role in the local government in that?
Speaker 438
1:46:11
Okay, so it would have been easier if the bill numbers had been different, and
that other bill would have been second, and this bill would have been first. But what the bill I ran just before, it opened it
up who was eligible to come get these low-interest loans off of these bonds.
And look, 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.
Chair
Unverified
1:46:59
Senator Sullivan, you're recognized for a question.
I said Sullivan, I apologize. Stubblefield.
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
1:47:06
Yes, Senator Hester, this says whether public or private. Could these bonds be used for
the prison project up at my area? Well, I guess
they could be used for any project, Senator Stubblefield, for a public water or private water system. You're well aware
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
1:47:25
that we have no water for that project, and we have a lot of sewer system and water needs there.
So these bonds, this debt could be used, tax payer's debt could be used to pay for that prison that you're wanting to build, we're wanting to build in Franklin County. Senator Stubblefield,
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. Already there's plenty of funds left in that to go ahead. 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 go into effect? Would
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
1:48:09
this be added on to the other costs that are associated with this prison? Senator Stubble, you're going down a line that,
like, I can't answer questions about the prison. This has nothing to do with the prison. Nobody seems to be able to
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
1:48:20
answer questions about the prison. I've found that out in
the last three or four months. But what I'm saying is, will this be added? You don't know if this could be added on to the other costs? It has to be added on if it's used for that project.
Okay, so you want me to discuss prison funding right now?
I'm happy. So the executive branch has said that the cost of prison, based off of our consultant, is $825 million. They said in that $825 million it includes water and sewer. You've got the letter.
I've got the letter. I'm not sure what more you want. Well,
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
1:49:02
all I wanted was an answer to the question, can this be used for that project? That's all I asked.
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 after the water
Chair
Unverified
1:49:30
for the prison will be established.
Right. Any other questions? Senator Payton, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. So, Senator Hester, I'm seeing here that
it's $500 million cap in one category, $165 million in 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 before?
That's a great question. 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 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 titles where I'm saying it. An act of being titled.
I'm sure it's in the body somewhere. Okay,
the 165 million could possibly be used for irrigation projects. if that needed to be. So is that a new increase? No, that is not a new increase. The $500 million is an increase from $300 million, but always about a third of it could be used for irrigation
projects 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 how it 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 okay thank you senator mark johnson
Chair
Unverified
1:51:14
you're recognized for a question thank you madam president
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:51:17
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 part of that is going to be infrastructure is going to be water, wastewater, etc. Could the project, could a project be funded out of this fund and I know this is about new bonds to refill the tank so to speak. Probably a bad pun but that's what it
does. But this program whether 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 that Stubblefield asked. But the prison number is $825 million that we know right now from the consultant. It does include water and sewer. We do not have all the details for that. This program comes into effect in 2027.
The prison will have its water established before this law starts to become those bonds come into effect. The new bonds. So
the new bonds. So what you want to know is, you're not asking a question about this bill. You're asking a question about the current... The existing program. Okay, okay, yeah. Sorry, I thought we were talking questions on this bill. No, the current Natural Resource Commission could fund that,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:53:14
yes. Which might mitigate the other funding that we might have to find to solve the Department of Correction problem. I
Speaker 407
1:53:20
didn't know there was a Department of Correction problem.
What problem? It's the state's problem. We need to
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:53:27
build prison space, part of which that project is water and sewer, etc. So this existing program under current funding or 2026 funding could potentially help pay for that. Sure, yeah. That answers my question. Thank you. I'm happy to continue to talk
about the Natural Resources Commission that's not part of this bill and the prison funding that's 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
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:53:59
not part of this bill. Under their existing parallel program. They got it. All right. That's what answered it. Thank you,
Speaker 2
1:54:06
Senator. Thank you, Madam President. I see Senator Hammer and Senator
Chair
Unverified
1:54:09
King for questions. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you. And
maybe this is part of what was just being discussed, but on page six and seven, it says
it gives the authority, if the governor refuses to give his or her approval for the issuance bond by 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 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 two years. Here's all the projects that we plan
to fund. Right. Allow me a little tolerance. Sure. So for the previous discussion that was incorporated into 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? That's correct. All right. 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 tying. The reason for this bill at this time is it has to be voted on by the people, and the 20 years is up.
Chair
Unverified
1:55:38
All right, thank you. Senator King? Any other questions? Senator Dotson, you're
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:55:47
recognized for 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, 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 10, 20 years 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 bonds and these loans. It will be absolutely devastating to
the tune of 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 in every one of our districts. I see
Speaker 212
1:56:52
Senator King now, and then Senator Flowers. So they've asked a question about
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
1:56:56
the 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. So if there is some provision, and 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
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:57:33
something different? I'm just asking. Not that I recall. Okay. Senator Flowers, you're recognized. Senator Hetzer, I
was out of the room, didn't hear a lot of back and forth questions. Are you saying 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
currently have $300 million. This bill is going to expand it to up to $500 million. But 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 district has ever received
a low-interest loan or even a grant from the Natural Resources Commission, it's because of these
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:58:23
bonds. Okay, but I'm trying to understand what you're saying goes away.
What goes away? The ability to issue
these bonds, which raises the revenue. Continuing future bonds. That's correct.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:58:34
So what happens to the bonds that exist now? Well, they eventually go away because on a
lot of our public facilities, they end up giving
them principal forgiveness. And so those bonds end up getting paid off, but that money is not all returned to us because we do a lot of principal forgiveness in 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 a Natural Resources
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:59:14
Commission. And how long has the Natural Resources Commission had the authority to issue these general
obligation bonds? So since 1997, at least,
and two 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,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:59:38
by voting for 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 referral.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:59:52
You got it. 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 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
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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2:00:18
Arkansas? all why wouldn't this be treated as any other referral uh to
the people through i guess you went through state agencies on this did you did this bill go through state agencies i think this bill went
through uh it went it went through ag i think ag or insurance and commerce ag it went
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
2:00:37
through ag well why 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 parliamentarian said that this could have went in five 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 sent 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 had a lot of questions today.
But look, I think it's critical to all of our areas. It didn't matter to me what committee it
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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2:01:19
went to. But it will be on the ballot.
If we support it, and the House supports it, and the Governor signs it, it will be on the ballot in 2026.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
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2:01:27
Is that in the bill, or is that just because of what the issue is? It's in the bill. It's not stigmatic. Okay. Thank you. Senator Petty, you're recognized.
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
2:01:44
There we go. Thank you, Madam President. Senator, so, and you may not know the answer to this first question, but I have a city in my district that applied for some of these. And if I'm not mistaken, 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 three to one, three requests,
Speaker 415
2:02:16
three dollars for every one that was available is what I heard. Do you know? I do not
know. I do know that we are not short on money. In fact,
I've got a message or an email that I'm going to send out to all the members with all the funds that we have with money in there. We're
not short today, but we will be short in just a few years if we don't up this program. And this
Senator Jim Petty
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2:02:38
program that we have had for a period of time would go to solve problems like we've had
in Phillips County and West Helena and Helena, correct?
I mean, those are the shining stars of who this program needs, right? But again, every county has used these and in need of them. Okay,
Senator Jim Petty
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2:02:57
and the 600 people that have to drive into town to get water, to take showers and cook with in my county and Crawford County, this program would benefit them, it would benefit Northwest Arkansas, it would benefit potentially the costs 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. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
2:03:30
Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Hester? Seeing no other questions, anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized to speak for. Thank
Senator Mark Johnson
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2:03:42
you, Madam President. Colleagues, I want to try to draw
a distinction here so you 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, a lot of your local sales taxes, those taxes are pledged to support a certain bond-issuing 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 there have been a lot of problems in our history about bonds.
In the 30s, the state was practically bankrupt. Our bond rating went to, it just fell through the floor. It was horrible. The Constitution of 1874 repudiates 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.
So 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 the actual bond issue is a general obligation of the taxpayers. It's not tied to the revenues 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 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 referred it to them. And I'll be glad to take
Chair
Unverified
2:05:48
a question, Madam. Senator Payton, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Madam
President. Senator Johnson, is there not interest in fees associated with bonds? Yes, sir. There would be finance charges.
Yes, sir. Bond council, for example. Do you think it's good business to pay interest in 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?
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:06:29
There's a 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, through the bonding program.
Now, am I going to tell you that 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 the most important thing is we're referring it to the people of Arkansas, and the case has to be made
to do that. Okay, well, taking on long-term debt can hurt your cash flow a lot more than spending surplus. We appreciate it. Thank you, Senator.
Chair
Unverified
2:07:36
Any other questions for Senator Mark Johnson? Anyone else wish to speak against or for? If not, Senator
Hester, your recognized close. Hey, members, I think debate on
these things is very healthy, and this is a big deal. But it's a big deal to every one of our communities. This is a program that you all will use. We're proud we
did it. We've got a real problem. This is part of the real solution.
Speaker 149
2:08:06
I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Madam Secretary, please call
Chair
Unverified
2:08:17
the roll. And please speak up when voting so that way we can hear you clearly. Bowen. Yes. Bryant.
Aye. Caldwell. Caldwell. Clark. Aye. Crowell. Crowell. Davis. Aye. Dees.
Speaker 281
2:08:37
Leave. Dismang. Aye. Dotson. Dotson. English Flippo Flowers
Gilmore Hammer Hammer Hester Hickey Hill
Speaker 284
2:08:59
Irvin Irvin Blake Johnson Mark Johnson
Love McKee Murdoch
Speaker 284
2:09:26
Murdoch Peyton Penzo Penzo Petty Rice Scott
Speaker 87
2:09:39
Stone? Stone? Stubbafil? Sullivan? Tucker? Wallace? Any senator wish to vote who
Chair
Unverified
2:10:02
did not vote or change your vote? Senator Love, present. Stone, aye. Letting, present. Murdoch, present. Any other senator?
Please check the board. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 24 yea, 3 nay, 4 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
Chair
Unverified
2:10:44
the Ten Commandments. Senator Dotson, you are recognized.
Senator Jim Dotson
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2:10:51
Thank you, Madam President. Members, Senate Bill 433 adds a section to the existing National Model Display Act to include a display of the Ten Commandments and it lays out the specifics on how the displays can be donated
for display in public spaces. Happy to answer any questions. Questions
Chair
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2:11:09
for Senator Dotson. Senator McKee, you're recognized. Senator Dotson, I
Senator Matt McKee
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2:11:14
guess the screen's on. I'm sorry. - 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 we're not him? - Yes,
Speaker 510
2:11:29
okay, thank you. - Appreciate it, good vote. - Any
Chair
Unverified
2:11:33
other questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator Tucker, you're recognized to speak against. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
2:11:52
Just to be clear, I'm personally for the Ten Commandments. And I know every member in this chamber is personally for the Ten Commandments. The question on this bill is not whether you are individually for the Ten Commandments. The question is whether the state of Arkansas is for the Ten 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 of 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 of the U.S. 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 bridging the freedom of speech. So there's an important distinction here, okay? Government cannot establish religion. An individual retains the right for the free exercise of religion and the freedom of speech.
And I believe strongly in all of that, okay? 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 speech or freedom to exercise their own religion. And I'm going to talk about a few Supreme Court cases, okay? 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 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 three 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 a Christian flag, and then that case went up to the Supreme Court. And what 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. His contract was not retained. He sued that one 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 Ten Commandments went up.
in the state capitol grounds. I'll explain that. And one was in the state of Kentucky where they were putting up Ten Commandments in courthouses. The Supreme Court ruled that the Ten Commandments in Texas could stay up, and the Ten 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 Ten 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 require the Ten 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 the government of Texas do that. The difference was in Kentucky, they were putting up new Ten 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 Ten Commandments in 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 amongst 21 other secular monuments for 50 plus years? Or is this more like Kentucky where we're putting up new Ten Commandments? I mean, this is putting up the Ten Commandments in every school in Arkansas. Again, I personally support the Ten commandments. 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 okay 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 Ten Commandments every day. So again, 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, U.S. 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
Chair
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2:17:28
be voting now, and Senator Stubblefield, I'm
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
2:17:31
happy to take your question. Senator Stubblefield, you're recognized for a question. Senator Tucker, do you remember how the Ten Commandments, how it was decided that they be removed from the courtroom, I mean from the classrooms, schools? Are you talking about in Arkansas? of how it came about that the Ten Commandments
were removed from the walls of the classroom. In Charleston? No, in the United States. No. They took the advice of a child
Speaker 516
2:18:04
psychiatrist. I need to learn more about what you're talking about. When was it removed? Who took the advice? Congress took the words of a child psychiatrist who
Senator Gary Stubblefield
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2:18:13
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 Ten Commandments much the same way that they took 48 states who had 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 that don't have a freedom of religion
and try to practice some of this, they cut your heads
Senator Clarke Tucker
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2:18:59
off. I don't know anything about the example that you gave, so I can't speak to that. But 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
Speaker 523
2:19:13
great country. But the government took the advice of one man.
Senator Gary Stubblefield
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2:19:17
I don't know anything about that, so I can't speak to that. Well, it's all through history. They took the advice of one child psychiatrist and said you cannot put the Ten Commandments on the wall
because it could be detrimental to the health of a young person by seeing the words, thou shalt not kill or thou shalt not heal. Can you explain that to me? I don't
Speaker 524
2:19:37
know anything about that, Senator, so I can't speak to it. Okay. Thank you, Senator Clark. Yeah. Again, just to repeat
Senator Clarke Tucker
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2:19:45
what I said to Senator Subblefield, what makes America a great country is that you can practice any religion you want, and you also can't be forced to practice the religion by the government. Thank you.
Chair
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2:19:57
Speak for Senator Clark, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor.
Senator Alan Clark
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2:20:10
I'll be brief. Senator Tucker and I, actually, not surprisingly, are very close on this issue. 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 or prohibit the free exercise thereof. However, this is not about religion. Anytime 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 Ten Commandments are widely recognized as the foundation of Western law. They're all, I can't remember how many times the Ten Commandments are up on the walls,
on the swinging doors, et cetera, of the U.S. Supreme Court. I don't think the U.S. 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 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 Ten Commandments as a foundation,
but we also were taught in seventh grade social studies that Hammurabi's Code is another foundation of Western law. It's true. If we put Hammurabi's Code, which I'd have no problems with, on the walls of our classrooms, we would not be trying to establish Babylonian Mithraism as a religion in this country. 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 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
Chair
Unverified
2:22:16
questions. Question for Senator Clark. I see Senator Blake Johnson and Senator Disbank. Senator Blake Johnson, you're
Senator Mark Johnson
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2:22:22
recognized. Senator, what was the oldest textbooks used in public schools in the United States? I
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:22:29
don't remember the name of them right now. I should the Bible yes that's public record
Senator Mark Johnson
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2:22:37
actually so do you think they
were trying to establish a religion whenever they were using that or are trying to to make the citizens literate
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:22:51
through that reading well they were actually trying to make them literate but they also it
was also did upon the foundation that biblical teaching and the teaching of morals, which they felt like came from the Bible.
Without that, you had the impossibility of having the type of democratic republic that we have. It's been said that our republic will stand as long as
Senator Mark Johnson
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2:23:22
the people are moral, and that's what it was established on, and I thank you. Yes, sir. Senator Dismang. I'm thinking this is probably not even
Senator Jonathan Dismang
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2:23:36
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. I just don't guess I understand the process. I mean, so is it every room is 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 understand the
process of what we're looking at here and even what it means, where all they have to be.
Senator Alan Clark
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2:24:17
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 classrooms that when people supplied the funds, gave the funds, those posters were bought and they were taken to classrooms and if they were supplied to you free, you had to put them up. It
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:24:45
was as simple as that. The requirement, though, 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 that you
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:25:03
introduced. The way I understand it, since this makes sense, you're asking while I'm here is yes.
Chair
Unverified
2:25:13
Senator Mark Johnson, do you have a question for Senator Clark? Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:25:18
Madam President. Senator Clark, do you believe there's an attack
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:25:21
on western civilization amongst some people? Definitely is. Would you consider 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 total secularization of
Senator Alan Clark
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2:25:42
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 Ten Commandments, as the foundation of Western law, is part of that. And you mentioned the Hammer Rabbi
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:26:14
Code. It's also part of Western civilization. It's 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 culture. Is that maybe one way of looking at this bit? That is correct, but also of historical significance
Senator Alan Clark
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2:26:31
beyond culture, 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 appreciate your voting. Yes. Anyone else wish to speak against or for?
Chair
Unverified
2:26:56
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 Ten Commandments, and it's the same Ten Commandments that, quite honestly, if we would follow those Ten 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 ten 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 Ten Commandments are a great place to start. And it's good for our kids to see it
visually, because hopefully it will make a positive impact on our society. But more than that, if we don't want to display the Ten Commandments, why do we continue to say one
Chair
Unverified
2:28:26
nation under God? Anyone else wish to speak against or for? Senator Dotson, your recognized close.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:28:34
Thank you, Madam President, members. 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 a historical representation of the Ten Commandments, 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 Model Display Act, they shall be posted and put up.
So, I think that addresses that question. Senator Tucker referenced a Supreme Court case from, I believe it was 2005, I think, in Kentucky, where they ordered them to take down the Ten Commandments. And the Texas one, they left it up. We talked about that in committee yesterday. I would encourage you to go back and watch the video. This was well vetted and discussed at length back and forth with a lot of legal cases
and discussion with the folks that came in 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 far different outcome with the current court. We also heard in testimony yesterday that there are over 50 displays of the Ten 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 Ten Commandments being put out there on display for folks. We have one on our Capitol grounds currently.
And then talking about education, we saw a display in committee of one of the original New England 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, you know, from first grade on up, and there was over 43 questions in that on the Ten 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. I think that's all I had. We've had a long afternoon, and I'll let you get to the vote. I'd appreciate a good vote. Please vote
Speaker 149
2:31:48
for the Ten Commandments. Senator has closed. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Yes. Clark? Aye.
Speaker 281
2:32:10
Crowell? Aye. Davis? Aye. Dees? Leave.
Dismang, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill,
Mark Johnson King Letting Love McKee Murdoch
Speaker 285
2:33:03
Yes. Rice. Aye. Scott. Aye. Stone. Aye. Stubbeville.
Speaker 149
2:33:22
Yes. Sullivan. Aye. Tucker. No. Wallace. Aye. Any senator wish to change his or
Chair
Unverified
2:33:27
her vote to vote who did not vote? Dismaying, yes. English, yes. Yes. Irvin. Yes.
Any other senator wish to 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 yea, 4 nay and 3 present. Senate Bill 433 passes.
Please transmit to the House. 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 Irvin, you're recognized. Thank you members. What this bill does for the Secretary of Department of Labor and Licensing is 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 that occurred that is needed after transformation just to make sure
that the secretary of department of labor and licensing is the one that's really in in calling the shots for the department and the agency to clean up needed after the transformation bill and this section and this part was not
Chair
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2:34:57
caught. Questions for Senator Irvin? Senator Love, you're recognized. I
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
2:35:05
guess I'm just not necessarily a question for Senator Irvin,
but since this is part of the initiated act, is it a threshold of 24? Yes.
Chair
Unverified
2:35:17
Okay, thank you. It's language changes. Yes, and I was going to clarify that before you all voted,
but thank you for that question, Senator Lupp. Senator Dismang? I
Senator Jonathan Dismang
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2:35:27
apologize. I meant to catch you early on and got sidetracked. At the very end of this, it allows for transfer authority inside the
division with no oversight for the legislative body, which is something that's a little outside of what we've normally done.
Our staff caught it just recently. Oh, okay. You can do what you want to with the bill. because of
where we are. I know it's a 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
Chair
Unverified
2:36:04
other end. I was not aware of that, but okay. Any other questions for Senator Urban? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
DF&A found it. Sure, you may speak on.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
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2:36:22
Members, what I was referring to is on the very end here, section
136. It gives transfer authority to the Secretary of Department of Labor 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 we typically have not done. Well, okay,
I got it. Okay. Well, what I'm going to do is pull the bill down and make sure that that's
corrected. 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 439
Speaker 25
2:37:18
back to state agencies for purpose of amendment? Okay. Thank you. You all have heard the motion.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Motion carries.
Speaker 212
2:37:29
We 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 licensure of home inspectors and declare an emergency. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:37:53
Members, prior to session, I had an issue with the home inspection out in our territory that myself and Senator Penzo went to address with Department of Labor License. We agreed on some language that would help the bill, but in my discussions, they asked if I 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 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 14 specifically about appraisers, title 52 specifically about home inspectors. So in section one of the bill, excuse me just goes through abstractors and talking about used to if you want to do an abstract inside of a county you could 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 the need for the board to hold the seal they don't account for the seals anymore so there's no need the board to have the authority over that it also in section 9 of the bill goading the top 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 some in the appraisers, but mostly in the home inspections, is to delete the exemption of FOIA. So prior to this bill potentially passing, you could not FOIA the results of an executive function or the inspection process. So in my issue, I wanted to see the inspection results of a complaint, and that was protected by statute. So we are redacting that language and allowing all those to be foiable in code.
So with that, I'll be glad to take any questions. Oh, let me make sure. The last section, since it's three different boards that got combined, the request was to instead have three 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?
Anybody wish to speak for the bill? Seeing no further questions, would anyone... Sorry about that. Senator, you're closed, recognized for the bill. You're closed. Senator, it's closed.
Madam Secretary, if you would, please. Without objection, we'll roll the vote. Any objection?
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees on leave. Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson,
Speaker 56
2:41:11
King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty,
Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Okay, Senators, we should
change the vote. Senator Dismaine is present. Anyone else? Senator Gilmore votes no. Any other senators who wish to change their vote? All right,
Madam Secretary, would you cast up the ballot, please? By a vote of 32 yea, 1 nay, 0 not voting, you have passed the bill.
Please transmit to the House. Next up, we have Senate Bill 454. Senate
Bill 454 by Senator 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
2:42:07
property interest trust fund and declare an emergency. Senator Hill, you recognize the presenter bill.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
2:42:19
Thank you, Mr. President. Before you got up there, our Lieutenant Governor introduced 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 cleans up accounting of interest earned on unclaimed property in 2019 the legislature passed act 325 which allows the state auditor'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 principal separate. With that I'll take any questions. It's general revenue neutral. Senator Hill has explained
his bill. Are there any questions from any members? Anyone wish to speak against the bill? Anybody wish to speak for the bill? Senator Hill, you're recognized to close for your
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
2:43:42
bill. Senator is closed. Madam Secretary, would you please cast up the vote?
Without objection roll the vote roll the vote Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English,
Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin,
Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdock, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any
Speaker 56
2:44:08
members wish to change the vote? Seeing no one wishing to
change the vote madam would you
pass up the vote please? With vote of 34 yay, 0 nay and 0 not voting the bill passes transmitted to the
House and Senator Hector and the emergency clause passes 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. My intention, I'm happy to talk with members offline here, we're going to clear out our calendar today. We already have a long calendar tomorrow. I know we've got three committees going back in to meet later. I assume we've 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 going to be late tonight, I suspect it's going to be late tomorrow. Happy to talk if anybody's got a different plan, but I think that's the plan right now.
Well, we're going to come in at 1.30 tomorrow because our committees are just still jammed
up. Yep. Well, 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. 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. Passing over. Alright, 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 Irvin. House Bill 1167 by Representative Johnson Center 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're recognized.
Explain your bill. Thank you. This allows them to sign for orthotics, prosthetics, diabetic shoes or shoe inserts 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 orthotics related to diabetic foot ulcers. Happy to answer any questions. Senator Irvin presented to Bill. Any questions from
any members? All right. Anybody who wishes to speak against the bill? Anybody who wishes to speak for the bill?
Senator Irvin, you recognize to close
for your bill? I'm closed. Appreciate a good
vote. Any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, roll the vote, please.
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty,
Speaker 56
2:47:36
Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Any members wish to change their vote? Madam Secretary, we'd cast up the vote, please. With a vote of 34 yea, 0 nay, 0 not, voting the bill passes with the, as amended, number one, and... Send it to the House, please. Madam Secretary, would you bring up 1254, please?
House Bill 1254 by Representative Johnson Center Irving to authorize a licensed psychological practitioner to practice independently in the state and to remove the independent practice privileges from psychological examiners. Thank you. Senator Irving, you're
recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, what this does is it just increases our workforce to be able to provide for the, particularly the forensic mental health evaluations, fitness to proceed examinations.
It allows these individuals to work directly under supervision of those higher level professionals just to be able to administer part of the examination. And just basically that's really the meat of the bill. And it just goes through what the licensed psychological practitioner is. They are currently in existence. This is 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. Senator Irvin
has explained the bill. Are there any questions from members?
Anybody wish to speak against? Anybody wish to speak for? Senator Irvin, you recognize closed for your 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, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Filippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark
Speaker 56
2:50:11
Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Any members, would you change the vote? Senator McKee, no. Any other members? Senator Bryant, present. any other members um senator king not voting any other members last call senator stubblefield present senator penzo present any other members madam senator mark johnson present
Madam secretary cast 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 return to the house house bill
1257 senator Irvin house bill 1257 by representative Johnson and Senator Irving to remove the limitations of
the the practice of neuropsychology from technicians employed by psychologists
and to allow psychology technicians to be employed by psychologists.
Senator Irvin, you recognize, to
explain your bill? So, yes, again, this is a second part of that with, again, so that they can only practice an individual who's employed as a technician is only allowed to practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in the following areas. And, again, it's to administer different tests, 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, explain the bill. Questions? Senator Dotson? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:52:05
in this one, it seems like there's 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 is
it on page three? 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 documented training for the technicians that are employed by the psychologist so that they are, you know, trained for the job, basically. So they're not currently required to have any training
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:52:55
before they become a technician? I think
there was some clarity that they wanted. Again, this is something that he worked with, the psychologist, and he worked with everybody on the bill. So they all agreed to the parameters that are listed in the bill. Okay. Thank you. There was additional training, if you look up, that's currently part of the law. I think they just wanted it
to be more 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. that makes sense. Any other questions members? Anybody wish to speak
against the bill? Anybody wish to speak for the bill? Senator Irvin you recognize closed for your 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.
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore,
Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice,
Speaker 56
2:54:17
Scott, Stone, Stubbuffield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any members which change the vote? Senator
Dotson, no. Any other members which change the vote? Senator Mark Johnson, no.
Senator Bryant, present. Senator Penzo, present. Senator McKee, present. Any other members? Madam Secretary, cast up the vote, please. By a vote of 29 yea, 2 nay, 0, not voting. The bill passes as amended. Transmit to the House. Return to the House. All right, Senator Irvin, you're up for House Bill 1258.
House Bill 1258 represents Johnson sent to Irving to create the Community Health
Worker Act and to establish a statewide certification for community health workers. Senator Irvin, you're recognized to
present your bill. Thank you. So, members, all of these bills, 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. If you'll go back to the maternal health bill that we passed through the legislation, it allowed for doulas and for community health workers
to participate in the maternal health 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 roles and their work. This is necessary for them to be able to be included in any Medicaid program, and the bill clearly outlines the parameters of their certification and training, and how they will then be identified through the Arkansas Medicaid
program or health benefit plan. I'll be happy to answer any
questions. Members, you heard the explanation bill. Are there
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:56:28
any questions? Senator Mark Johnson? Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Irvin, you know
how I'm about regulation. And I'm, is this something
the feds require in Medicaid? No, this is something, not that I'm aware of. This
is something that DHS has worked closely with a lot of the stakeholders in the maternal
health 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 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 would assume assume, again, that there are very specific things you know, if Medicaid's going to pay for them that are then required by the federal government and CMS. Okay. And I trust that Representative Johnson did his due diligence with DHS. I know he did in working with them on this bill. So
Speaker 617
2:57:44
we have presume it's secretary putnam signed off on all yes absolutely 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 okay well yes sir in difference to her i will vote for the
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
2:58:11
bill But I have to say, every time I see something that looks like unnecessary regulation, I have to call it into question. But thank you for your answer, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Any other questions, members?
Anyone who would speak against the bill? Anyone who would speak for the bill?
Senator Irvin, you're recognized close for your bill. Thank you. Again, one of the things that I think is really important in this is building individual and community capacity and supporting these individuals where they are. And so I appreciate all the work 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, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting Love, McKee,
Speaker 56
2:59:20
Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any
members wish to change their vote? Senator Clark, present.
Senator Dotson, present. Senator McKee, no. Senator Bryant, present. Senator King, not voting. Any members wish to change the vote? Madam Secretary, cast up the vote, please. By a vote of 29 yay, one nay, one not voting, one on leave, the bill passes as amended, returned to the House.
Members, I've 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.
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3:00:38
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Unknown speaker
3:20:08
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Senate will be back in session. Senator or Madam Secretary,
would you bring House Bill 1271, please? House
Bill 1271 by Representative Warren and Senator Penzo to amend the law concerning mechanics
and material mens liens and to clarify the priority of liens in mortgage construction loans. Senator
Penzo, you're recognized to explain your bill.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:22:11
Thank you, Mr. President. This is House Bill 1271. We had it on the floor several weeks ago. Senator Hickey over here in Caldwell requested some amendments, so we sent it back to committee, got it perfected now. So what it did was the amendment 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. 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 an appraiser, architect, surveyor, or engineer. And for residential property, employees of the lender and the title company can do the inspections.
If construction has already started, this allows where before you couldn't get a construction loan, now this allows a construction loan to be given to finish the project if the person runs out of funds and allows that the construction loan to be placed behind the work that's been done, but before the work that is yet to be done. If there's no questions, I'd appreciate a good vote.
Members, you've heard the explanation of the bill.
Speaker 630
3:23:50
Are there any questions? Senator Blake
Speaker 233
3:23:55
Johnson. Security for the lender is priority in this bill, right? If work has
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:24:01
been, if work has not started, yes. 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 allows them to get a priority position where currently it does not it never gets
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:24:22
finished if you don't get that security
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:24:24
right that's right all right thank 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
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:24:38
are set up i got a real good bill that got six votes that gives security to the lender, so I just wanted to make sure that was the case in this
one. Okay. Thank you. Any minute? Senator Tucker?
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:24:56
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
3:25:07
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 if
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:25:26
a contractor's down 20% of the work, and then a 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
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:25:44
work that hasn't been completed? Perfectly stated. Okay, thank you. Any other members have questions? You being serious? Okay, he said that if 20% of the work was done today, then they go before, after this passes, they'll go before the 80%.
And as of now, though, the lender would go at the end. Is that pretty accurate as a lender?
Speaker 544
3:26:12
Close enough? Any other members have questions? Senator Alan Clark.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
3:26:27
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? 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. Senator is closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling vote?
Madam Secretary, roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dee's, Lee's, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbuffield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Any members wish to change their vote? Senator King not voting. Any members wish to change their vote? Flowers is present. Any other members wish to change
their vote? Madam Secretary, do the ballot please. With
a total of 32 yea, 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 Rep. Warren and Senator Penzo to amend the law concerning property vacated by a municipality and require vested
Speaker 54
3:28:03
abandoned property be conveyed with abutting real
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:28:07
estate. Senator Penzo, you recognize the percentage of 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. This bill is 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
Payton. Thank you, Mr. 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 if 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
Speaker 645
3:29:45
of times these abandoned streets are really, I
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:29:49
mean, if they've been abandoned, they're old streets and alleys. I can see that. I'm just saying that. I mean, I can, I guess that would take a pretty extensive title search to figure out, I mean, go back in time and figure out what that, 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 2003 or 2004.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:30:19
Well, I mean, I understand that I've got a piece of property out in Tawny Town that the corner post, the actual corner pin is on the other side of the road. So, I mean, but that road will never be abandoned. I guess there's all kinds of instances out there where something like that could happen. But, you know, just for a blanket solution, this is probably the easiest way to fix it.
okay thank you any other members have questions senator
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:30:52
blake johnson 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 ways back yeah i mean
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:31:06
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 solves all the problems from that far back.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:31:25
That's further back than... I don't know if there's anybody in here that
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
3:31:40
owned. Probably not. Okay. Senator Hill. I want to piggyback on what Senator Payton was talking about. I'll use the street I live on. If it gets abandoned, that road came 100% off of me. And so why does my neighbor get half of that
if they close that down? He didn't pay for it. He didn't pay the taxes on it. Or still not paying the taxes on it because they just take it over.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:32:09
Yeah. So that's my question on that. Well, I don't know how to answer that one. This is how they set this piece of legislation up, so. Thanks, sir.
Speaker 655
3:32:19
Yeah, thank you. Any other questions from members? Anyone like to speak against the bill?
Anybody like to speak for the bill? Senator, are you closed for the
bill? Senator is closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, would you
Speaker 147
3:32:43
call the roll, please? Boyd. Yeah. Bryant. Bryant. Caldwell. Clark. Clark. Crowell. Davis.
Speaker 281
3:33:00
Davis. Dees. Leave. Dismang. Dismang. Dotson. English English Flippo
Flowers Gilmore Gilmore Hammer Hester Hester Hickey Hickey
Speaker 284
3:33:31
Hill Irvin Irvin Blake Johnson yes, Mark Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, King, Letting, Letting, Love,
no, McKee, McKee, Murdoch Murdoch
Speaker 281
3:34:03
Peyton Penzo Petty Rice Rice Scott Stone Stone Stubbefield Sullivan Tucker Wallace
Wallace Would any members like to change their vote?
Senator Hester, yes Senator Mark Johnson, no Senator Crowell, present Senator Hammer, present Senator Davis, present Crowell, sorry, my apologies Any others? Hammer's present. Senator Gilmore, yes. Any other members? Senator Rice, yes.
Senator Stone, yes. Any others? Madam Secretary,
I'm sorry. Check the board. Members, check the board. All right. Madam Secretary, cast up the vote,
please. by a vote of 13 yea, 6 nay, 10 not voting, 5 present, 1 leave, the bill fails.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
3:35:36
Senator Penzo? I'd like to make a motion to expunge the vote on 1272. All in favor of the motion
say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes. Madam
Secretary, House Bill 1275. House Bill 1275 by Representative Kavanaugh and Senator Blake Johnson to prohibit prior authorizations for health care services
provided for treatment of a mental health
crisis. Senator Johnson, you recognize
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:36:13
the presenter bill? Members, pretty much this entire bill comes down to lines 33 through 35 on the second page. Health benefit plans shall not require prior authorization or pre-certification for a health care service provided by a health care provider to an individual who is suffering from a mental health crisis. This is like the situation we have now.
If you go to an emergency room, they would have to have you have a prior authorization for an emergency. That's not how we handle it 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, you heard the
explanation of the vote. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against the bill? Anybody wish to speak
for the bill? Senator Johnson, you're closed for the bill.
Senator's closed for the bill. Is there any
objection to roll the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, roll the vote.
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott,
Speaker 56
3:37:38
Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Would any members like to change your
vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the
vote. By a vote of 34 yay, 0 nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, 1 leave, the bill passes, return to the House. Senator Flippo, House Bill 1276. House
Bill 1276 by Representative Painter and Senator Flippo, concerning spousal retirement benefits for spouses of certain municipal employees.
Senator Flippo, you recognize the present your bill?
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:38:14
Thank you, Mr. President. Members, House Bill 1276 was brought to Representative Painter and I by the Municipal League, and it does exactly what the title says, is it allows the spouse of a city attorney in first or second class cities, spouse of a deputy city clerk in cities of the first class, and mayors in cities of the second 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 in state retirement. Your local city council or governing body
would decide whether 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 positions. Auctioneer Flippo has presented his
Speaker 669
3:38:59
bill. Is there any questions? Senator Hill? How is that physical impact determined? Yeah, there's a... I don't know. Hang on.
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:39:10
hang on. I got it. I gotcha. It was prepared by Osborne Cario and Associates, Inc.
And it is an actual cost study prepared for the Joint Committee on Public
Retirement. Thank you, sir. Very welcome. And also, Senator Stubblefield, this bill has absolutely zero impact
on any future major construction projects that may or may not be happening in Franklin County. Senator, Senator
has come back to the well, Senator Payton. I'm not sure on this, Senator Flippo, but the language
concerns me as to whether 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, I'm not
Speaker 677
3:40:01
sure if that language covers it. I think it's married at the time of death. I
Speaker 678
3:40:07
hope so. Thank you. That's the legislative intent. Senator Dutton. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:40:14
so there's no fiscal impact to the state, but if the municipalities opt into this and then they're a smaller municipality and they get in over their head,
does that obligate the state to expenses later on? My understanding is no,
Speaker 669
3:40:29
but I don't see it here in this cause of form, So I don't
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:40:35
think this provides any obligation on the state to cover that. Even through APERS
Speaker 678
3:40:39
as far as the retirement? Okay, thank you. Senator Bryan, are you
there for a question? Any other members have questions? First of all, Senator Johnson, do you want another question? Senator Filippo?
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:40:54
Senator Mark Johnson? Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Filippo, as I'm reading this, I want to make sure 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 at the option of the governing body one half the benefit
or the benefit he was received one half or half of the benefit who died in office was entitled to receive Now, that would mean at the option of that municipality. Correct. Yes, sir. Okay, and then it says upon remarriage of the spouse. Those benefits will 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 working spouse dies, the spouse gets to retirement,
and 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? It could certainly be interpreted that way, Senator Johnson. Okay, well, I don't want us to, you know, condone living in sin. But, you know, on the other hand, I mean, I think if the city's making that decision, I guess we can put that on them. But I did want to know if that was the case, that they get remarried and they lose their money.
Speaker 669
3:42:29
They would lose the benefits. That is my understanding as well. Okay. Thank you, Senator. Local control, Senator Johnson. We'll put it on them. One more,
Senator Flippo. Senator Gilmore. Hey, members, could you hold it down a little
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
3:42:44
bit, please? Senator Gilmore. Thank you, Mr. President. I hate to follow a question about living in sin, Senator, but I have to at this point. So, considering that that may be the case, or any other reasons, should we consider it being a pro rata based on years of marriage?
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
3:43:04
Absolutely not. It's the 21st century. I think that the bill is fine, 10 years of marriage. I think the bill is fine as written. So, just for the record, I'm not going to
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
3:43:12
ask you that. I tell you what, Senator Gilmore, you and I get married, we can reconsider
that. Any members wish to speak against the bill? Any members wish to speak
for the bill? Senator is closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote?
Heard an objection. Madam Secretary, call
Speaker 147
3:43:43
the roll, please. Boyd? President. Bryant? No. Caldwell?
Speaker 281
3:43:53
No. Clark? No. Crowell? No. Davis, Dees is Leave, Dismang, Dotson,
Speaker 660
3:44:08
English, Flippo, Flowers, Flowers, Gilmore, Gilmore,
That's going to be quiet, please. Members, could you all be quiet for a second trying to
Speaker 284
3:44:31
hear the vote, please? Hammer. No. Hester. No. Hickey. Aye. Hill. Present. Irvin. Yes. Blake Johnson. No. Blake Johnson. No. Mark Johnson. Aye. King. Aye. Gladding. I'm going to go home.
Speaker 281
3:45:20
Stone? Stone? Stabofill? Stabofill? Sullivan? Sullivan? Members, could you all hold it
down for a second, please?
Chair
Unverified
3:45:38
Tucker? Wallace? Any single senators
want to change their vote?
Starting 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 Payton, 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 Irvin, 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 the vote. By a vote of 29 yay, 3 nay, 1 not voting, 1 present,
1 leave, House Bill 1276 passes return to the House. Senator Wallace?
House Bill 1316 by Representative Allen, Senator Wallace, to mandate coverage for lung cancer screenings. Senator Walsh, you recognize,
present your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, I don't say this often, but this
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:47:53
is a bill that's going to
save lives going forth. It 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 2,000 Arkansans every year. more than breast, colon cancer and prostate cancer combined. Only 22% of those diagnosed survive beyond five
years. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance coverage screen most eligible are Cansans. This bill will ensure uniform coverage requiring all health plans to cover lung cancer screenings
screenings without deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurance. This bill's
been out there for about six weeks. There's been no opposition to this bill. There's no physical impact to the state. It will expand excess
in rural areas and help more Kansas, especially in health care deserts, get screened earlier. This bill will go in effect 1 January 26. It says a health plan shall provide coverage for lung cancer screening.
Speaker 710
3:49:17
And with that, I stand by for your questions. Any questions from members? Anyone wish
to speak against the bill? Anybody wish to speak for the bill? Senator Johnson, you recognize,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
3:49:34
speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.
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.
That would be enough to support this bill for me, but then it's added the fact that my friend, Representative Fred Allen, who's a cancer survivor and very brave in his work against it and to support other screenings, this was his bill. So for those two
reasons, I ask for a yes vote. Thank you very much. Anyone wish to speak against the
bill? Anyone else wish 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. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark,
Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Would any member like to vote that has not or change their vote?
Senator Dotson present. Any others? Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33 yeas and 0 nays, the
Speaker 711
3:51:13
bill has passed. Return to the House.
1414. 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 for 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, maintain current to the rates that are reimbursed. Be glad to answer any questions.
Are there any questions for Senator Hamer? Senator Dotson, you're recognized
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:51:46
for question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator, so if we remove the date, is that going to make it a floating cost of whatever FEMA's rates are?
It'll 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 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
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
3:52:19
would allow us to be reimbursed. Well I guess what I'm saying is so this will be on an ongoing basis whatever they decide to do at the federal level we will have to, we will have to match whatever the federal rate is going forward.
I don't know if it's a match or a reimbursement, I think, is the way it was
Chair
Unverified
3:52:42
explained to me. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Senator Payton, you're recognized for
a question? Thank you, Mr. Pro Tem. 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 date altogether, does that not cede control over it to the Fed,
whenever the Fed wants to change it? 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, we're 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 can put it on the calendar for tomorrow, top of the calendar. But I'll be glad to take any other questions if anybody wants to ask anything else.
House Bill 1414 is pulled down for the day
and put back on the calendar for tomorrow. House Bill 1474.
House Bill 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 recognize the
free bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, back in 2013, Senator Greg
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:54:07
Letting, and I wish he was in here, wrote a really good bill on human trafficking.
It included things like hotels or motels that had been listed as a public nuisance for prostitution or a strip club or other sexually oriented businesses, a private club, and there's a few others they listed, but that's in the old bill. We worked with the Attorney General's office. We worked with the Human Trafficking Board and came up with just one small amendment of 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. It makes a good bill just a little bit better. Members, are there
any questions for Senator Wallace? All right. Seeing no questions. Anyone wish to speak against the bill? Anybody wish to
speak for the bill? Senator Walsh, you're recognized for your bill. Senator, it's closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, roll the vote, please.
Boyd, Brant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin,
Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any members wish to change their vote? Any members
wish to change their vote? Madam Secretary,
cast out the vote for the vote of 34 yay, 0 nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave.
House Bill 1474 passes as amended. Return to the House. Madam Secretary, House Bill 1505. House Bill 1505 by Representative Wing
and Senator Tucker to require a public employer to offer and provide coverage and license counseling for a public safety employee. who has experienced a
traumatic event and declare an emergency. Senator Tucker, you recognize the presidential
bill? Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
3:56:32
This is a bill 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 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 mostly with the cities.
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, you have a question? Okay. 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 you, Bill? Thank
you, Mr. President. I'm closing. I appreciate a good vote.
Is there any objection to roll leading the vote? Bill has an emergency
clause. Madam Secretary, if you would please roll
the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Enzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Are there any members wish to change votes? Senator Sullivan present. Any other members wish to change their vote? members check the board let's call
anybody change the vote Madam Secretary Senator McKee is present Madam
Secretary cast up the vote by vote of 32 yay 0 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 to present House Bill 1536. Thank you, Mr.
President. House Bill 1536 by Representative McElroy and Senator Wallace to withhold state transportation funding
Chair
Unverified
3:58:52
from a school district that does not require passenger restraint systems in school buses under certain circumstances. Now, Senator Wallace,
you recognize the presidential bill. Thank you, Mr. President. Remember, there's a some backstory to this bill and
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:59:06
the reason we're running it. Three sessions
ago we wrote a bill that made it optional for school districts to install seat belts in their
new buses. And one of 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 seatbelts in our school buses. It didn't mandate that
they had to put them in, but it did mandate that if 10% of the
district's population voted or petitioned for a vote on seatbelts, then they had to have a had to have
a campaign for it. Had to vote for it. We have at least one school district that has violated that that law and has violated it more than once. More than 10%
of the population said, we'd like to have a vote, and the school district has ignored it, despite repeated requests to do that. That's a background for that
bill, and what this bill does, if the school districts continue to do that,
and if that specific school district continues to do that, then we'll withhold 25% of their transportation budget. And with that, I'll stand by for your questions.
Hey, members, I'd like to ask any questions. Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. Senator English.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:01:11
I'm just 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
4:01:30
to vote. Each school district, if 10% within that individual
school district, then they would have to. In this case, it's one school district. So one school
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:01:42
district has voted. Has one school
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:01:45
district, the board, and the superintendent has refused to follow a law that we've got in place.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:01:53
But the rest of the school districts across the state have all followed this and they're all putting seatbelts
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:02:00
in their buses? No, no, they've not had petitions as far as I know.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:02:05
Some may have had petitions. So this kind of looks to me like it's a statewide solution
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:02:13
to a local problem. Am I wrong? Well, that's a good point. But
unless we do something, it's not that school district is going to continue to vote or continue to violate the law.
Senator Jane English
Unverified
4:02:29
I don't know about the school districts in my district. I don't know whether they've all decided they
have to have seat belts or not. I've never seen anything, but that's my
Chair
Unverified
4:02:40
question. Yes, ma'am. Senator Flowers, you're recognized. Senator
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:02:46
Wallace, what school district specifically are you talking about? To my knowledge,
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:02:51
it's down in southeast Arkansas. I'm not sure of the
precise school district. I think it may be in Deshaies County.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:03:00
Which is my district. Okay. And I haven't heard this. Okay. I know Representative McElroy is from that area, Deshaies County. I'm
just wondering, why would we punish a school district in a way that would affect children getting to school? Why would we want a policy that does that?
There's already some question about whether there's...
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:03:38
It's a good question. My answer to that is that that school district is already violating a law where everybody in that, the people in that school district did the right thing. Ten percent of the folks came forward and said, we'd like
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:03:57
to put this on the ballot. Well, and Deshaies County is
not a densely populated county, so I'm wondering what would be ten percent, and I guess, of registered voters,
But what are we talking about here? Does anybody?
I believe it's registered voters. Thank you. Senator Payton. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Wallace, it's
late and we have a lot of bills to look at and it's hard to keep up. And when I opened this bill, 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 LexisNexis real quick. But subsection E is the law that you're referring to that we pass. It 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. Exactly.
So to your knowledge, it will not affect another school district? No. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
President. Thank you, sir. Any other questions from members? Anyone wishing to speak against
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:05:37
the bill? Senator Sullivan, you recognize, speak against the bill. Members, I think Senator Payton has a point. However, my district bus drivers in Jonesboro and 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 we need to let them allow the local district to solve their problems. I don't think this is one we need to get involved in. Thank you. Senator's spoken against the bill. Does
anyone like to speak for the bill? Senator Mark Johnson, you recognize, speak for the
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:06:11
bill. 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. Representative McElroy made clear to us that there is a state law that allows patrons of a school district, registered voters, to, by petition, petition their school board and say, we want seatbelts on the next bus you buy. This is not a retroactive thing, although they certainly have the right to do that. And we passed this law, I believe in 23, it may even have been in 21,
But here's an existing law that lets them, if 10% of the 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 going to have seatbelts or they can put it on the ballot at the next school board election and let the entire
voting public in that school district vote up or down on whether or not to put seatbelts on the next buses that they buy. Now, so it is local control. I thought it was, it sounded like a great bill, but there's no teeth in it. And you had a situation in, I believe it's the school district where the representative lives and represent mackleroy 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 and 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 will have uh seat belts case over
or next election we'll put it on the ballot 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 only want to share that for everyone because 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. When they comply with the law, they get all their money. So it's a good bill, and I appreciate a good vote. Do you have a question for me, Senator Sullivan? I'll be glad to take his question. Senator Sullivan, you recognize for a question?
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:09:34
Thank you, Mr. President. I think the Arkansas Senate has thumbed there our nose at federal law multiple times.
So sometimes there's a reason that we do that. My bus driver's supervisor said it takes three to five 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 some have. And if superintendents are thumbing their nose for the protection of their children, which they genuinely believe is reasonable, I don't blame them for a thumb in their nose.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:10:11
Would you? Well, I believe that you'd have two sets of opinions. You'd
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:10:16
have someone that says this would make it harder to get off that bus if it catches on fire, but you might have another person that would say it'd cause you to live if it rolls over. And 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 if you're strapped into a car and anyone that's watched a NASCAR race and see those six-point harnesses
and someone flips a car 16 times going down the straight at 200 miles an hour and they live through it, then I believe seatbelts work. But now, if the district patrons believe that, then I believe that this is a way for them to follow the law. I'm, and 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'll be thrown clear of the wreckage
if you don't have a seatbelt 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 going to 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 the only thing 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 flouted it. So that's really good. Just follow
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:11:58
up. So is that those same statistics are true for three- and four-year-olds and kids with disabilities that are now strapped in? Senator, as
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:12:09
I said in my first response to your question, I'm not an expert on this. I have an opinion, but I also think we're talking about the law and not debating the merits or demerits of any one safety tenant.
Senator Blake Johnson. Senator, I appreciate your viewpoint. If your local district ignores this law, it's a local issue, what other options do those patrons have to take care of this issue on a local basis? Well, I guess
one by one they might defeat any 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 mills if they wanted? I believe
they could. All right. 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 it the next election, they could specifically have on their ballot for the school election
an additional millage that would cover the additional cost of the new bus with the seatbelts. So they would, by a referendum, be choosing that and how to pay for it. I appreciate all those options, and I'm going
to leave it at that. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator. All right. Senator has spoken in favor
of Bill. Anyone would like to speak against the bill? Senator Flowers, you recognize, speak against the bill.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
4:14:05
Thank you. So, since, number one, I don't think this bill is right
for our school districts. I'm pretty sure I didn't vote for the bill that preceded this. I don't know how long ago it was. But
I'll tell you, you're talking about, if it's DeShay County,
that's a school district that has been consolidated over the years. So the students are
transported from Gould and other little small communities around DeShay County. Gould 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 Senate
education, just recently noticed particularly about how these 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 to 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, you have to
consider the millage of a
district, the monies available to them. I also learned from the Bureau that there are three 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 item that I can't even remember. It was it it was really, I say
it was difficult for me to understand. They had a lot of of spreadsheets that they wanted to show me and they did. But what I came out of the conference
with these Bureau of Legislative Research 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 zero funding and they were taken over
from fiscal issues. 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 Payton showed me in this section of the code 619130 I believe which is where I think this is coming from this
transportation bill here the 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 Dumas district and I think it's,
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. Senator, spoken
against bill, anyone want to speak for the bill? Bill. Against Bill. Senator Walsh, we'd like to
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:20:47
close for you, Bill. 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 three 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. And with that, I appreciate you and I ask
for a good vote. Senator is closed for the
bill. Madam Secretary, may I ask you to please call the roll.
Caldwell, Clark, Clark, Crowell, Davis,
Speaker 281
4:22:35
Davis, Dees, leave. Dismang? Dismang? Dotson? English? Flipo?
Flowers? Gilmore? Gilmore? Hammer? No.
Speaker 284
4:22:56
Hester? Hester? No. Hickey? No. Hill? No. Irvin? Irvin? Blake Johnson? No. Mark Johnson? Aye. King?
King? Letting Love McKee Murdoch Murdoch
Speaker 284
4:23:27
Peyton Penzo Petty Rice Scott Scott Stone Stubblefield
Speaker 281
4:23:39
Stubbafil Sullivan Tucker Tucker Wallace No Would any member
Speaker 759
4:24:12
would any member like to change their vote? Senator
Scott? No. Senator Scott? No. Senator Alan Clark? Yes.
Senator Wallace? Yes. Senator Tucker? Thank you.
Senator Tucker? What was that? No. Senator Davis? No. Senator Petty?
Okay. Senator Mark Johnson, no. Any other members like to change? No. Senator Gilmore, no. Any other members like to change their vote? Check the board. Senator Irvin, no. Senator Irvin, no.
Any other members want to change their vote? Check the board. Going once.
Chair
Unverified
4:25:12
Madam Secretary, cast up the vote. By a vote
of 4 yea, 25 nay, 5 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave, House Bill 1536 fails. Mr. President. Senator
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:25:36
Mark Johnson. Having voted on the polling side, I would like to give notice of reconsideration on House Bill 1536.
Motion for reconsideration. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? No. Mr. President, point of order. Point of
order, Senator Johnson. I did not move. I gave notice of reconsideration. And you can ask the council if I did that properly. Hold on a second.
it's not a motion council 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
president withdrawn thank you for uh the challenge senator wallace You rise for what purpose? I just want
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
4:26:39
to say I appreciate him withdrawing that because I couldn't handle another butt whipping like that. Duly noted Senator Wallace.
Say again. Return to the House having failed to pass. All right, Senator
Gilmour? Yes. Senator Gilmour, but standing in for Senator Gilmour
is Senator Boyd. House Bill 1551
by Representative Gasway and Senator Gilmour to amend the law concerning criminal
abortion and to create the offense of coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud.
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
4:27:26
Senator Boyd, you're recognized. 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. Senator, it's
closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling
the vote? Madam Secretary, roll the vote, please. Seeing none. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee.
Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore,
Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Ladding, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Bryce, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker,
Speaker 56
4:28:40
Wallace. Would any members like to change their vote? Any members like
to change the vote? Madam
Secretary casts up the vote. By a vote of 34 yea, 0 nay, 0 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave.
House Bill 1551, as amended, passes, return to the House. Senator Hester, he recognized, well,
hold on, House Bill 1633. Council 1633 by Representative Brooks and
Senator Hester to amend the eligibility requirements for participating in extracurricular activities for
certain students who transfer schools and declare an emergency. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Hello, members. This is
a bill that we've been calling the AAA bill for the last several weeks.
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 public schools and private schools, all members of the AAA got together and 84% of them agreed to this language, which is a very difficult thing to do. So what are we changing here? Two 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 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? I will tell you, two years ago, Hooten's Magazine 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 college athletics. We don't need a transfer portal in the state of Arkansas. But look, I think this is very important. 84% of public and private schools agreed to it. The two main things that you would want to understand is we are restricting transfers, your junior and senior year only, unless you have a qualifying event. And there could be many qualifying events. There's at least eight specific waivers that you can get from the AAA or if your family moves.
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
Speaker 415
4:31:31
questions. Any questions for members? Senator Sullivan. Thank
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:31:40
you, Mr. President. I listened 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 told their story that didn't fit in those exceptions. They're very broad
and AAA has been fairly, has 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 backup, they accept them, and you're right. Every story except for one would have fit in those waivers had they
requested them, if they had been able to substantiate those. One lady was upset about an inter-school transfer, like, you know, from Bentonville to Bentonville West, or this was Fort Smith North to Fort Smith South.
This bill doesn't affect inter-schools. We allow them
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
4:32:29
to handle that themselves. Yeah, 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 is better for students than what the current policy is. That's right. Would you agree with that? I agree. Thank you.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:32:51
Any other members with questions? Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Hester, on these petitions for exceptions,
Speaker 407
4:32:57
who would rule on whether or not those were accepted?
The AAA does. And who's the
AAA? Well, I mean, it's
a non-governmental organization, but the members of it are one either principal or superintendent from every school district that participates.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:33:17
I mean, is there a board that's
set up to review these? Is it their full board? Is it, you know, some group of coaches? I mean, is there an entity that makes these determinations?
It is. So I think it's like anything
Speaker 407
4:33:36
like we do. So I think the staff puts together a packet, but
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:33:40
the board actually votes on that. Oh, so it's the staff.
So it would be their employees that would
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:33:45
evaluate this. Well, it puts together the initial understanding. Right. Something for the people to vote for. And then the board would make recommendations to their full
board. That's correct. Okay. Is there, like, could you go to the Department of Education or Circuit Court or, I mean, I'm just wondering, are they, this NGO, as it's called, a non-governmental organization,
are they the final word on this in high school and athletics? Well, they are the final word unless two superintendents
want to agree, right? If 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.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
4:34:25
Okay. So, and I mean, I'm old enough to remember when they didn't want homeschooled kids to participate in any sports whatsoever. And I came down here and worked to get legislation passed when I was a private citizen. And 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 banter in my mouth about the fact that there was no appeal from that. It's kind of like Judge Parker's court. You know, if you sent us to be hung, they took you out and hung you. There was no appeal. So I would just look, is there any way around this if the AAA staff and board rule against a young person and their parents?
Because that's what school choice is really all about, is a parent and child, not what 85% of the schools think. I just wondered, is there some safety valve in the legislation that would be able to, say, go to Secretary Oliva or somewhere, maybe, and seek relief?
That's not in this bill? That is not in this bill. Okay. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Any other questions from members?
Senator Alan Clark? Senator Hester, did I get that right?
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:35:43
that you said 80 percent? 84 percent. 84 percent 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. Coaches are very much involved in AAA but they may not be the voting members. So 84
percent. Been fighting for school choice here since before I got to the Senate. 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
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
4:36:39
speaking against the bill. Senator, you're recognized. 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 Senate sponsor of the bill, and what, in my opinion, is a pretty clear anti-school choice bill.
And then you got me down here in the well going to be advocating for school choice, okay? 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 Learns. 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 want to 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, I was a decent ball player, but I was a pretty good debater, okay? 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. Okay. 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 going to talk about my son. I'm making a disclosure, not a real disclosure, Phillip. My son is a freshman in high school. He's played three sports this year for his school. He's playing a baseball game right now at this moment, but I'm here with you fine people instead. Sports are really the centerpiece of his identity. And if he were to change schools,
and he had to sit out a year, 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 going to 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, 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 survey of the school, excuse me, I want to see the survey of the students and their families. 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 Hootons. 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. Okay, you can transfer, Susie, but you can't compete for a year because the adults in your community got upset when the star quarterback transferred. 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 they're throughout the bill. I'm just going to give one example on page four. 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. 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'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 it enough on this bill. Senator spoke against the bill. Anyone like to speak for the bill? Senator Clark,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:42:51
you'd like to speak against the bill? Thank you, Mr. Chair, colleagues. Well, now I know because, you know, I have rare, I have a number of
superintendents around me that are for school choice, were for school choice when I first ran for the Senate. Not the majority but a number. But now I know how many are, 16%. That sounds about right. That's what we learned. 84% support this, 16% are for school choice.
This is absolutely, as Senator Tucker pointed out, against learns and But, 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, et cetera, were fleeing. And they said, we've 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, 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. Senator Chesterfield was a co-sponsor of this bill, of SB 400, not this bill, the bill I'm going to, SB 400. Last session, you helped me pass SB 400. that said that we would not discriminate against any child who used school choice. And by that, we meant athletes. We meant student-athletes because we didn't discriminate against debaters.
We didn't discriminate against ROTC. We didn't discriminate against Future Farmers of America. We only discriminate against student-athletes. And them 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 scoffed. You scoffed that we would follow 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 believed you then.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
4:46:18
is exactly 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 student-athletes at public schools school's 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 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 that 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 zero.
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 believe this, including, I think, 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. Playing 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 third reported problem is rampant recruiting with some coaches even having a list of recruits in their office on a bulletin board that they wanted to go after. If these are the problems, there were simple fixes. I have a bill in Senate Education that fixes the first two problems.
It says that if you change schools two 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 could change school one time in high school. But he took it out, I am told, because the superintendents didn't like it. Boy, I am shocked that the superintendent 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 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 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 intended 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 triple a and if they do it a second time that would bring a five-year ban uh from coaching in arkansas it actually originally said lifetime ban but it's been amended to five 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 seven sessions that I ever went and testified against a 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 sign it 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 super majority 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 because he's got kids in school the losers are tens of thousands of students and their families the dad who spoke against the bill two days ago in a public meeting said it well
earlier in his life he had to set out a year he 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 triple a the superintendents who aren't for school coach we got these waivers that you can apply for so maybe you can go if you're an athlete if 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 a hundred. I know how many will know. For most of you to be zero, some of you might come across one or two. You can't ask for something you don't know exists. You may have $100,000 buried in the walls of your house, but it ain't ever going to do you any good because you don't know it's there. However, if we just have the freedom 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 going to 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 wish to speak for the bill? Senator, you recognize you're closed for your bill.
Senator yields to Senator Irvin to speak against the bill. No one wanted to speak for it. Senator
Irvin recognizes to speak against the 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. 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 important in this world. So it's about academics but it's also about the learning
environment and athletics and activities as 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 Spoker against the bill. Anyone
would like to speak for the bill? Anybody speak before the bill? Senator
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:00:31
Mark Johnson, recognize, speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. It is my understanding that the 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 just every year, one time. You say, kid gets in a situation in 10th grade, 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. I appreciate Senator Tucker very much because he called all 29 of us Republicans out on the hypocrisy of the whole thing. And I hadn't thought about it that way. And Senator Tucker, you were right. 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 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, and I look forward to voting for it, whether it's five years or lifetime. I think we've got to get a hold of this. But for the reasons that Senator Irvin 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 Let's
we'll make sure you get it right all right non-debatable motion all in favor of the motion
say aye any opposed no roll. Nose have it. Nose have it. Roll call. Madam
Secretary, call the roll. Is that right or not? Five hands. Five hands for the roll call. I've got five hands. Madam Secretary,
call roll. Boyd. Boyd. Bryant. Caldwell.
Speaker 281
5:03:57
Clark. Clark. Crowell. Davis. Dees. Lee. Dismang. Dotson English Flippo Flowers
Gilmore Gilmore Hammer
Speaker 284
5:04:28
Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King
Speaker 798
5:04:53
Love McKee Murdoch Murdoch Peyton Peyton
Penzo Petty Rice
Speaker 285
5:05:13
Rice Scott Stone Stubbeffield? Stubbeffield? Sullivan? Tucker? Wallace?
All right, members. Senator Despain, no. Senator Clark, no. Senator Stubbeffield, yes.
Stone, no. Senator Boyd, no. Senator Gilmore, no. Senator Stubblefield, no. Yes, Senator
Steele, yes. Any other members? Senator Blake Johnson, no. Anybody else? Senator Love, no. Senator Murdoch, yes.
Anybody else missing? Anybody else? Point of order. Here's
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
5:06:33
your point of order. Well, it has
Speaker 391
5:06:40
the bill number. It says on my byline. It'll say it on
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
5:06:44
my byline, but I have to attach it. But 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. 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?
What are you? Senator Love present. Senator Irving. Not voting. Last call. Senator Love is, I
think he went back to yes. Anybody else, check the board. This is vote for immediate consideration cast up the ballot by a vote of 14 yay 16 nay for not voting zero present one 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 zero 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 students. This is a great
thing for the people of Arkansas and for the student-athletes of Arkansas. Appreciate a
good vote. The senator has closed for his bill. Madam Secretary, call the roll.
Bowhead? Bowhead? Bryant? Yes. Caldwell? Aye. Clark? No. Crowell? Aye. Davis?
Speaker 281
5:09:04
Aye. Dees? It's on leave. Dismang? Aye. Dotson? Yes. English? Aye. Flippo? Yes.
Flowers? Aye. Gilmore? Aye. Hammer? Aye. Hester? Aye. Hickey?
Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Murdoch Payton Kenzo
Speaker 281
5:09:54
Petty Rice Scott Stone Stubbefield Sullivan
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
22 yay, 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 hessier 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 any
opposed ayes have it i would like i would
now request that we vote on just the emergency clause
Senator, motion to re-vote the emergency clause? Yes. All in
favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Madam Secretary, cast
up the vote, please. Roll the vote. Any objections? Any objections? Rolling the vote. Have an objection. Cast up the ballot, please.
Speaker 147
5:12:08
She's got to give it up. Okay. Ready? Boyd. Boyd. Yes. Bryant. Aye. Caldwell. Aye. Clark. Aye.
Crowell. Aye. Davis. Aye. Dees. Leave. Dismang. Aye. Dotson. Yes. English. Aye. Flippo. Aye. Flowers. Aye. Gilmore. Aye. Hammer. Aye. Hester. Aye. Hickey. Aye.
Speaker 284
5:12:38
Hill, Irvin, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Mark
Johnson, King, Letting, Ludding, Love, Love, McKee,
Murdoch, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Penzo, Petty,
Speaker 285
5:13:13
Rice, Scott, Scott, Stone, Stubbafield,
Speaker 284
5:13:23
Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any members
wish to change votes? Senator Mark Johnson,
present. Senator Scott, no. Senator Penzo, present. Any other members which change vote? Madam Secretary, cast out the ballot. By a vote of 26, nay, 3 nay, 3 not voting, 2 present, 1 on leave. House Bill 1633 passes with the
emergency cause as amended. Return to the House. Madam Secretary, House Bill 1647, please.
House Bill 1647 by Representative Meeks and Senator Bryant to amend the a 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
5:14:25
- Senator Bryant, you recognize, present
your bill. - Thank you, Mr. President.
House Bill 1647, this is an agency requested bill to change the name from Department, I'm sorry, Division of Information Systems to Office of State Technology. The request of this is because a lot of people and 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. 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? Anybody like to speak against the bill? Anybody like to
speak for the bill? Senators close for the bill. Any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary roll the vote.
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee,
Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone,
Speaker 56
5:15:50
Stubbafield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any members wish to change the vote?
Senator King, not voting.
Any other members wish to change the vote? Madam Secretary, cast up the vote. By a vote of 33 yea, 0 nay, 1 not voting, 0 present, 1 on leave. House Bill 1647, with the emergency clause, passes, return 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.
House Bill 1673 by Representative Johnson, Senator Irving, to amend the law concerning barbers.
Senator, you recognize, present your bill. Thank you. Representative Johnson worked with the barber board to make these changes. 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. And so that's proving to be a barrier to entry for some applicants
as they are unable to produce the card and it
also removes the requirement for a money order as applications are now made through ELP now and clarifies the requirement for passing an examination which could be offered by the board or a third party for my 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, this is 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, and increases the minimum number of barber chairs because they can split 16 evenly, clarifies the application requirements for students to mirror the changes being made for licensed applicants and repeals a 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?
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:18:23
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Irving, on page three, 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 that to be defined. Immoral is a subjective term and I believe unprofessional is more appropriate in this
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:18:57
situation. Although an immoral barber I don't necessarily want with A straight razor up my throat. 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 state.
So thank you. It would just 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. Senator
Speaker 770
5:19:40
Sullivan, recognized for a question. Sorry. So, you
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
5:19:45
know, in our schooling now, we're going to a lot of trainings and allowing training to equal college degrees.
I'm just now going through the bill, but does it allow far years of training outside of the school or is going through this training school the only way to receive credit? So I believe that
a lot of these changes they worked with the Department of Health on this with the barber board. I think they made that a lot more flexible on page four if you look at that as far as their training is concerned and so they have eliminated
some of the very specifics when it comes to training to make it
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
5:20:26
a lot more easier I think. Just so I understand so in LEARN we're
trying to get people in the shop training and working and that accounts for your license but in this you have to go to barber school to
get your training that's the only path Yes you would be we're not changing what's already existing in that category it's already an existing
law that they go to barber school senator
Chair
Unverified
5:20:58
davis recognized your question thank you mr president
senator ervin wouldn't you say that 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 recognized for a question
okay any other any other questions members anyone which speak against senator gilmore did you have a question okay all right uh any members which
speak against the bill speak against bill senator sullivan speak against bill
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
5:21:50
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 bill any senator like speak for the bill against the bill
senator you recognize close for your bill Yeah. So thank you. I appreciate that. I
think what we're doing is clarifications in the laws. We're not changing the fact that they still are going to a barber school. 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. Senator is closed for the bill. Is
there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant,
Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismaine, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton,
Speaker 56
5:23:10
Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan,
Tucker Wallace. Would any member like to change
their vote? Senator Sullivan, no. Senator Payton, no. Senator Caldwell, no. Senator Penzo,
no. Any other member like to change their vote? Senator Dotson, no. Any other member like to change their vote? Check the board. Madam Secretary, cast up the vote. With a vote of 29 yea, 5 nay, 0 not voting, 1 on leave, 0 present.
House Bill 1673 as amended passes. Return to the House. Senator Boyd, you're recognized for a motion. Thank you,
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
5:23:59
Mr. President. I'd like to make a motion to re-refer House Bill
1700 back to committee for some amendment that Senator Penzo needs. All in favor of the motion
say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. House Bill 1721.
House Bill 1721 by Representative Brown and Senator Scott. to amend sections of the Arkansas Code to prohibit greyhound racing and simulcasting of greyhound racing. Senator Scott, you're recognized to
present your bill. Thank you, Mr.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
5:24:36
President. Colleagues, this bill does two things and is part of a cleanup bill. The first thing it does
is it repeals the greyhound racing statutes from the Arkansas Code. The Racing Commission has already repealed these rules on greyhound racing, so this is just a cleanup bill for the regulatory change that has already taken place.
Southland closed its 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 greyhound racing in the state. You will see in the bill 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 racing across the country for greyhounds. I'm sorry, Senator McKee.
The Racing Commission has reviewed that this bill has no objections. Oak Lawn and Southland have also reviewed and are neutral, and Saracen does not offer greyhound bidding anymore. And that's all I have. Would any members like
to ask questions? Senator Payton, you were first. Thank you. So real quick, as long as
you're not betting on it or it's not a casino license, anybody
else could go out and race a couple
of greyhounds, right? Oh, yes. You don't know? You say anybody else like... Well, when I was reading the bill, I mean, it just pertains to somebody with a gambling license, casino license, 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 that's my understanding it is prohibited
on the highway though right a greyhound bus I'm sure
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
5:26:40
it is Senator Petty you recognize for a question thank you Mr. President And so, Senator
Scott, 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 if you get this passed?
If not, I'm not sure I can. Is that a real question?
I'll 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 vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Lee, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo,
Flowers, Gilmore, Hamer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty,
Speaker 56
5:27:48
Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbeville, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any member would like to change their vote?
Seeing none, Madam Secretary casts up the ballot. By a vote
of 34 yea, 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. House Bill 1725, by Representative Shultz 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, you
recognize, present your bill. Thank you, Mr.
President. This bill was brought to me by the Sheriff's Association. 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 a 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 that you are going to law enforcement training as documented by the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, 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, I think, to motivate behavior, to ensure that your sheriff actually gets some training in law enforcement as it is a law enforcement job. And it's just, I think, a way to sort of regulate and ensure there's training and compliance and good behavior within the profession. Happy to take any questions. Senator Love, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Love, okay. Senator Dodson, you're recognized
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
5:29:54
for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Do you know what the minimum salary is for that position? I don't, and it
could be different per county. So can
the quorum court not decide that right now without this law mandating it? I don't know
if the quorum court can take someone down to a minimum salary. 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 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
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
5:30:33
Love, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is this bill, so what necessitated this
bill? Well, I think occasionally you have people that run for sheriff who are not law enforcement officers and maybe do not leave the profession with a good reputation and maybe do not abide by all the things that they should.
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 would be eligible to be employed as a law enforcement officer for them to hold the position of sheriff. Okay. All right. Thank you. All
right. Going to recognize just, you know, Senator McKee is going to be next since Senator Payton, then Senator Clark. Senator McKee, you recognize for a
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
5:31:22
question? Thank you, Mr. President. If this bill was law, would individuals like Buford Pusser be able to run for sheriff?
Chair
Unverified
5:31:29
I don't know who that is. Okay, well, I'm
sorry. Senator Payton, you recognize for a question? Thank you.
So why wouldn't we have legislators pass a litmus test and be qualified in certain ways, or the governor or land commissioner, attorney general? I mean, 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 history that
had no law enforcement experience before they were sheriff. Well, I am
happy for you to draft and run a bill that sets different qualifications for other elected positions. This is not saying you cannot run for sheriff unless you're 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 that that's true. So I can't draft
the bill. Thank you. Thank you. Senator Clark you are recognized
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:32:46
for a question. Senator almost ever and 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 with a bad
reputation but I can say you don't have to be a law enforcement
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:33:10
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 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 to that
Speaker 842
5:33:37
and share that sentiment in some way. Thank you. Senator Gilmore, next for a question.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:33:44
Thank you, Mr. Chair. 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 like to provide an amendment, I'd be willing to consider it.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
5:34:02
I think we should just define it as quote, C. Senator Dotson.
Chair
Unverified
5:34:08
Senator Bryant, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
5:34:14
President. I was just going to clarify as a former quorum court member, that the quorum court does set the salary of the constitutional officers. And as far as I recall, the constitutional requirements set the description of the constitutional office. So for sheriff, they have to be residents or United States citizens at least 18 years old and registered to vote in the county with no prior felony convictions or fraught. So that's set by the Constitution, but that just brings some clarity.
Speaker 544
5:34:45
Is that a question to Senator Davis? I agree, thank
you. Did you know that? Thank you for clarifying.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:34:58
Any other members have 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 give any of us a text other than our citizenship or being a qualified elector and 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 call this a restriction, but just maybe an opportunity for enhanced training. and being prepared for the job for which you ran and were elected to. Okay, thank
you. Any other questions from members? Anyone who wants to speak against
the bill? Senator Alan Clark to speak against the bill.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:35:55
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't know if the Attorney General has looked at this or not, but I know that I worked with constables a lot when I was first elected to the Quorum Court in order to use them more in law enforcement. And we tried to change some things, and because they were a constitutional office, we couldn't touch any requirements that they had. I had a constituent asked me the other day about running a bill to say that elected officials had to take a drug test.
She was really more interested in city and county than state. And I said, I'm pretty sure somebody ran that bill since I've been here. And we were told it was unconstitutional, that you couldn't add any requirements other than what was in the Constitution. And 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. 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, then one other person would have it. But I know exactly how we'd stop 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 would not do that would be an embarrassment, I want to 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. And management transfers very well across fields.
So, I'm surprised at this bill, but I think it's a definite no. Senator spoke against
the bill. Anybody like to speak
for the bill? Against the bill? Senator, you're recognized to close
for your bill. Thank you, Mr. President. So, 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. So I hope that answers the questions and I'm close for my bill. Senator is close for
her bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Yes. Objection to rolling the vote. Madam Secretary,
Boyd? Yes. Bryant? Bryant? Caldwell? No. Clark? No. Crowell? Yes. Davis?
Speaker 281
5:39:57
Aye. Dees? Leave. Dismang? Dismang? Yes. Dotson? No. English?
English? Flippo? Flippo? Flowers? Yes. Gilmore? Gilmore?
Speaker 284
5:40:16
Hammer? Yes. Hester? Yes. Hickey? No. Hill? Hill? Irvin? Did you get her? Irvin? Blake Johnson Blake Johnson Mark Johnson King King Letting
Love Love McKee McKee Murdoch Peyton Penzo
Speaker 281
5:41:06
Petty Rice Scott Scott Stone Stubbeville Stubbeville Sullivan Tucker
Wallace Would any member like to change their vote? Senator Love, yes Senator Hill, no 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 15 yea,
14 nay, 3 not voting, 2 present, 1 on leave, House Bill 1725 fails.
Motion, do you want to make a motion? Yes, thank you. Senator Davis, motion. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to expunge the vote by
which House Bill 1725 failed. Heard the motion to expunge the vote. All in favor say aye. Aye.
Speaker 704
5:42:45
Any opposed? No. Noes have it. All right. Sorry. Send it to the House.
As failed. All right, members, are there any announcements at
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
5:43:04
this time? Senator? Yes, remember that we have the brackets due tomorrow at 9.30. The brackets due
Speaker 854
5:43:11
tomorrow at 9.30. Any other announcements? Any other announcements? Senator
Irving? Public health is going back in 10 minutes upon adjournment.
Speaker 655
5:43:24
I know, I'm sorry. Senator Hill. Transportation
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
5:43:33
is starting immediately. Senator Clark. 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.
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
5:43:48
Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Special language will meet tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. in Big Mac A.
Any other announcements? Senate will stand adjourned, subject to the clearing. Okay. Madam Secretary. Hey,
members, could you all keep it down for a minute? Hey, members,
keep it down so the staff can hear, please. We have
a committee on engrossed bills who has deferred Senate Resolution 46 by Senator Tucker
compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find the same
correctly engrossed. Is it this one? Ann, is it
that state? Calendar? Wait a minute. That's one on top. Is that the
one? We are committed on engrossed bills to whom is for Senate Bill 83 by Senator Bryant, compared to the engrossed copy of the original, find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is for Senate Bill 376 by Senator Clark,
compared to the engrossed copy of the original, find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is for Senate Bill 406 by Senator Clark, compared to the engrossed copy of the original, find the same correctly engrossed. Committee on engrossed bills to whom is for Senate Bill 445 by Senator Hamer, compared to the engrossed copy of the original, find the same correctly engrossed. Calendar. on the gross bills, to whom was for House Bill 1268 by Senator Unger and Senator Scott, compared to the engrossed copy of the original by the same correctly engrossed. For your committee on the gross bills, to whom was for House Bill 1280 by Representative Johnson and Senator Irving, compared to the engrossed copy of the original by the same
Speaker 672
5:45:35
correctly engrossed. I'm with you. They ordered it. They want a whole be, this is a bill that failed. Who does?
Speaker 99
5:45:49
We hadn't heard a motion. Who made a motion? Let's hold the bill. Okay.
Speaker 864
5:45:52
Hey, members, listen up. To hold the chamber.
Speaker 678
5:46:05
17... House Bill 1725. Make a motion to hold
House Bill 1725 in the chamber. Okay. Without objection.
Speaker 278
5:46:16
I'll favor the motion. Say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. We're going to
hold House Bill 1725. Holding House Bill 1725. You don't have to. Re-Committee on Public Health to
his first sent Bill 9 by Senator Davis. Recommended to pass as amended number 1.
Are we on calendar? Calendar. Committee on Public Health to his first sent Bill 111 by Senator Hammer. Recommended to pass to concur in House Amendment number
1. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is referred to Senate Bill 264 by Senator Irving, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is referred to Senate Bill 285 by Senator Payton, recommended to pass as amended number one. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is referred to Senate Bill 371 by Senator Scott, recommended to pass as amended number two.
Calendar. Committee on Public Health, who is referred to Senate Bill 460 by Senator Irving, recommended to pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health. Whom is for Senate Bill 473
by Senator Stone. Recommended due pass. Calendar. Committee on Public Health. Whom is for House Bill 1382 by Representative Levyman. Recommended due pass as amended number one. Calendar. Senate Bill 519 by Senator Bowett 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 officers' policies or practices in local government, Senate Bill 520. City, County, Local. Senate Bill 521 by Senator Davis to amend the law concerning law enforcement training reimbursement and to extend the time period after completion of training for which reimbursement is required, Senate Bill 521.
State agencies. Senate Bill 522 by Senator McKee. To amend the law regarding the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts, and to amend the law related to the tuition and fees paid by students enrolled in the online program, Senate Bill 522. Education. Senate Bill 523 by Senator Irving. to amend the law regarding alcoholic beverages and to remove the requirement that a private club of a non-profit organization, Senate Bill 523. City, county, local.
Senate Bill 524 by Senator 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, games, and casino gaming and declare an emergency, Senate Bill 524. Insurance, Commerce. Symbol 525 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, local. Symbol 526 by Senator Irving to prohibit the sale of disposed disposable vapor products from a prohibited foreign party. Symbol 526. Revenue tax. Senate Bill 527 by Senator Irving to amend the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for ME Act of 2021 and to increase the medical loss ratio in the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for ME program, Senate Bill 527.
Insurance Commerce. Senate Bill 528 by Senator 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. Senate Bill 529 by Senator Blake Johnson to amend the Independent Law Tax Appeals Commission Act, Senate Bill 529. Revenue tax. Senate Bill 530 by Senator Davis to amend the Arkansas Wood Energy Products and Forest Maintenance Income Tax Credit,
Senate Bill 530. Revenue tax. House Bill 1293 by Representative 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. Calendar. House Bill 1313 by Representative Cooper and Senator Mark Johnson to expand health benefit coverage for certain firefighter retirees of municipalities and counties.
House Bill 13-13. Calendar. House Bill 13-22, by Representative 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 declaring an emergency, House Bill 13-22. Calendar. House Bill 13-27, 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.
Calendar. House Bill 1468 by Representative Cozart and Senator Petty to amend Arkansas law concerning claims against home improvement contractors, residential building contractors, and suppliers. House Bill 1468. Insurance, Commerce. House Bill 1619 by Representative Gamlick and Senator Irving to set administrative fees under the Arkansas Medicaid program for immunization and modular antibodies for respiratory, syndical virus, diseases, and to provide civil immunity, House Bill 1619.
Public Health. House Bill 1640, by Representative Duke and Senator 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 Bill 1640. Education. House Bill 1688, by Representative Kavanaugh, to amend Arkansas law concerning the use of the dealer's extra license plate. House Bill 1688. Transportation. House Bill 1697, by Representative Carr, Senator Dotson, to amend provisions of Title VI and Title XIX of the Arkansas Code concerning provisional positions and motor vehicle restrictions for state-supported institutions of higher education.
Clear and emergency. House Bill 1697. Education. Household 1705, I represent Duke and Senator Bryant to require information concerning how the religious and moral beliefs of the Founding Fathers influenced the founding of the United States and to be embedded into existing social studies standards. Household 1705. Education. House Bill 1713, the representative Rose and Senator Mark Johnson to require ballot titles for initiated measures that to be at or under a certain reading level and declare an emergency.
House Bill 1713. State agencies. House Bill 1734, by Representative Childress and Senator Hammer, to amend the law concerning death certificates and to clarify the medical professionals who may sign a medical certificate of death and pronounce death of a patient, House Bill 1734. Public Health. House Bill 1758 by Rep. Gamlick and Senator Hill to amend the law concerning hearing instrument dispensers
and to amend the definition of practice of dispensing hearing instruments, House Bill 1758. Public Health. Senate Bill 135, return from the House as passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 279 from the House as passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 413 from the House is passed. Enroll it. Return of Senate Bill 417 from the House is passed.
Enroll it. Enroll it. She's stopping. Yes, that motion was before we adjourned. We hadn't adjourned
Chair
Unverified
5:54:43
yet. No. No. No, he's... Okay, yeah, we're still in.
We have you adjourned. Senator Johnson, you're recognized for a motion. Motion to spend
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
5:54:53
the intervening day rule on Senate Bill 527.
And it'll be going to insurance and commerce, and that's my committee. Heard
the motion. All in favor of the motion, say aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Ann?
Anything else come for the body? The Senate will stand in adjournment subject to the clearing of the desk until 1.30 tomorrow, March 20th. We're adjourned.
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 19
Speaker 22
Senator Matt McKee
Unverified
Speaker 32
Speaker 34
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
Speaker 45
Speaker 54
Speaker 75
Speaker 25
Speaker 80
Speaker 87
Speaker 91
Speaker 95
Speaker 51
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
Speaker 124
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
Speaker 56
Speaker 149
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Speaker 176
Speaker 160
Speaker 196
Speaker 202
Speaker 204
Speaker 209
Speaker 212
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 255
Speaker 257
Speaker 266
Speaker 263
Speaker 280
Speaker 147
Speaker 281
Speaker 284
Speaker 282
Speaker 285
Speaker 287
Speaker 53
Speaker 294
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Senator Bart Hester Chair
Unverified
Speaker 325
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
Senator John Payton Chair
Unverified
Speaker 316
Speaker 386
Speaker 390
Speaker 407
Speaker 431
Speaker 438
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
Speaker 2
Senator Bryan King
Unverified
Senator Jim Petty
Unverified
Speaker 415
Speaker 510
Speaker 516
Speaker 523
Speaker 524
Speaker 550
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Speaker 617
Speaker 1
Speaker 630
Speaker 233
Speaker 544
Speaker 645
Speaker 655
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
Speaker 669
Speaker 672
Speaker 677
Speaker 678
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Speaker 660
Speaker 650
Speaker 549
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
Speaker 710
Speaker 711
Senator Jane English
Unverified
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
Speaker 759
Speaker 489
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
Speaker 643
Speaker 790
Speaker 84
Speaker 798
Speaker 391
Speaker 770
Senator Breanne Davis Chair
Unverified
Speaker 842
Speaker 704
Speaker 854
Speaker 99
Speaker 864
Speaker 278