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House Management

March 19, 2025 ·9:00 AM ·Room 138 ·1:36:02
Video Transcript 1 document

Bills discussed (13)
Bill Title Sponsor Status
HR1084 · 5 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “HR1084 Springer TO HONOR MARTHA JARROW FOR HER MANY YEARS OF SERVI…”
 TO HONOR MARTHA JARROW FOR HER MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES … Springer READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1085 · 4 mentions in chapter, agenda, transcript
Matched: “HR1085 McCullough TO RECOGNIZE PARALYMPIC MEDALIST OLIVIA CHAMBERS…”
 TO RECOGNIZE PARALYMPIC MEDALIST OLIVIA CHAMBERS OF LITTLE ROCK FOR HER REMARKABLE GIFTS AND INCREDIBLE … McCullough READ AND ADOPTED.
HB1680 Act 811 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “House Bill 1680. Correct, sir? Yes. OK, I'm just making sure since I have s…”
 TO PREVENT A FOREIGN-PARTY-CONTROLLED BUSINESS FROM LEASING LAND; AND TO PROHIBIT A PROHIBITED FOREIGN PARTY … Vaught Notification that HB1680 is now Act 811
HR1079 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HR1079 Brooks TO HONOR D.J. DANIEL FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CAN…”
 TO HONOR D.J. DANIEL FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER AND SUPPORT NAMING HIM AN … Brooks READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1086 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ENTS THAT BRING RENOWN TO HER AND TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. HR1086 McAlindon TO CONGRATULATE BENTONVILLE EDUCATOR BONNIE POLLO…”
 TO CONGRATULATE BENTONVILLE EDUCATOR BONNIE POLLOCK FOR RECEIVING A MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD AND ITS ACCOMPANYING … McAlindon READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1087 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HR1087 Vaught TO RECOGNIZE THE DE QUEEN HIGH SCHOOL LADY LEOPARDS…”
 TO RECOGNIZE THE DE QUEEN HIGH SCHOOL LADY LEOPARDS BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 4A … Vaught READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1088 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…Y LEOPARDS BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS. HR1088 L. Johnson TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 19, 2025, AS ROOTED DAY IN AR…”
 TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 19, 2025, AS ROOTED DAY IN ARKANSAS. L. Johnson READ AND ADOPTED.
SB327 Act 443 · 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “what bill number. This is bill number. SB 327. Representative Lane Jean District 99.”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PAYMENTS TO LOCALITIES. Crowell Notification that SB327 is now Act 443
HB1525 Act 923 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Mr. Chair? House Bill 1525 and what this is, this is an agricultural remediation bill,…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING REAL PROPERTY; AND TO ADDRESS AGRICULTURAL IMPACT REMEDIATION AGREEMENTS. Steimel Notification that HB1525 is now Act 923
HR1 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ection, because I don't see Representative Brooks. Let's do House resolution 1,084 by Representative Springer. Recognize yourself for the…”
 Pre-2017 bill
SB218 Act 440 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “I do, uh, there again, thank you, Mr. Chair. So I have SB 218. What this bill does, this is a”
 TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. Irvin Notification that SB218 is now Act 440
SB378 Act 446 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…epresentative of District 30. Um, the first one is gonna be SB 378, and this is just a simple repeal of a bill that's known of…”
 TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SUBMIT A QUARTERLY REPORT CONCERNING … Crowell Notification that SB378 is now Act 446
SB388 Act 447 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “sir. Thank you. Um, this is gonna be SB 388. It's very similar. This is a repeal of another report that…”
 TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT RELATED TO THE PROGRESS OF FOREIGN OFFICES OF THE … Crowell Notification that SB388 is now Act 447

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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 0:16
To become the state champions for the foray, uh, conference. So with that, I would appreciate a good vote. Do
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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 0:23
we have any questions by the committee, saying none, is there anyone in the audience who'd like to speak for or against seeing none. Are you closed for your motion pass. Alright, we have a motion do pass. I mean, discussion on the motion saying none, all in favor say aye. I opposed. Congratulations Representative, you've passed your resolution.
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Speaker 15 1:10
Queen and nobody would have known. There
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 1:14
you go. Alright, moving right along, we'll run, we'll go back up to, uh, without a Rejection, because I don't see Representative Brooks. Let's do House resolution 1,084 by Representative Springer. Recognize yourself for the record and then you may begin, ma'am. Good morning, Madam
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Representative Joy Springer Unverified 1:42
Chair, members of this uh prestigious committee. My name is Joyce Springer, representative for District 76. Today I bring to you House resolution 1084 to honor Miss Martha Gyro, the director of member services. I just cannot begin to uh tell you all what a wonderful employee that we have here as director of member services. She served this uh A House of Representatives for so many years and um With that, I'll just allow you to read the resolution to find out about all the other accolades that uh that are being bestowed upon her. So with that, I would appreciate a good vote.
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 2:26
Are there any questions? Yes, sir. Representative Richardson, you're recognized. Thank you. I'm just curious. I noticed the
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Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified 2:31
co-sponsors on here and not a single male is on there. Is there a reason for that? Well, uh, this is
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Representative Joy Springer Unverified 2:41
in honor of women's History Month, so I didn't think that you all would want to be. recognize as as women, so that is the reason why I did not ask any of the men. OK. Just
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Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified 2:52
so you know, we are very supportive of Women's Month and want to show our support in every
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Representative Joy Springer Unverified 2:57
way possible. Alright then, would you like to make uh I I'm, I'm open to making a motion if you all want to
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Chair Unverified 3:04
be added the men of the house would like to be added to this. Representative Allen, you're recognized story
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Representative Fred Allen Unverified 3:10
Month. There's no such thing that I'm
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 3:14
aware of. Are there any other questions? Seeing no other questions, there's no one signed up to speak for or against the resolution. Are you closed for your resolution, Madam Chair, I'm closed. What's the will of the committee? Motion to pass on, is there any discussion on the motion, seeing no discussion, all in favor, say I oppose no. Congratulations thank yous of the committee. Moving right along, we'll move down to house resolution 1085 by Representative McCullough. Please introduce yourself for the record.
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 59:55
I keep forgetting that. Did you hear me though, didn't
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 59:59
you? All right. All right, Representative Jean, you're recognized. Present your bill. If you would introduce yourself to the committee.
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:00:14
what bill number. This is bill number. SB 327. Representative Lane Jean District 99. You're recognized. Thank you, sir. Uh, members today I bring you Senate Bill 327, this is, this is a practice we've been doing for over 30 years. This sets the amount of money that we pay the state fair, it's 800 and roughly $88,887,000 a year, uh, the state fair is owned. And all the buildings is owned by the state of Arkansas. They have a $1 a year lease to the Fair association and for the last 30 something years we have been putting money in there to help them maintain the buildings and they pay probably a little over $200,000 to premiums for our kids to show cattle, hogs, chickens, rabbits, and stuff like that. But anyway, this is nothing new. We just set the pavement, uh, for the next 6 or 8 years and I'll entertain any questions. All right, committee, any questions?
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:01:29
Say no, anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against the bill. And I Representative Jane, you're. Clothes for your bill
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:01:37
if you like. I'm, uh, I'm closed my bill. I appreciate a good vote and I make a motion do pass. All right, we have a motion to
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:01:45
pass. All those in favor say aye. opposed Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members of the committee.
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Representative Trey Steimel Unverified 1:02:03
Introduce yourself for the committee, please. Thank you, Mr. Steel, Representative, uh, District 2. So what I have here, uh, first off, uh, we're gonna cover I guess 1525. Is that correct, Mr. Chair? House Bill 1525 and what this is, this is an agricultural remediation bill, and this is going to be a good bill that will, will help as uh interest in wind and solar farms increase across the state of Arkansas. This will require You know, folks in uh the commercial renewable energy that put these facilities in or require them to have a plan in place once the renewable energy facility is no longer usable. I mean, to me it's common sense legislation when we have only so much, uh, land in the state of Arkansas, and God isn't make me any more in Arkansas for us. So I feel this is a great piece of legislation that will put some stopgaps in place and allow um our farmland to return. To, uh, usable farmland against once that renewable energy field is, is, is out. So with that, I'll take any questions, any questions? C9
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:03:14
represented to your Oh, hang on a minute. We have a salmon Marham here. Yeah, you would come to the table.
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Simon Mayhan Unverified 1:03:46
Good morning, uh, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Simon Mayhan. I'm with the Southern Renewable Energy Association. We're a trade association of large scale wind, solar batteries and transmission developers, uh, I have some written testimony here, uh, that I'm gonna pass off to our, our representative here, uh, we are in support of this legislation and just want to let you all know that this is some common sense rules that that many of our developers already follow with our landowners, uh, having Plans in place of what to do when the, the facilities are at the end of their life, so we're here to support the legislation. There is a couple of, of, uh, issues around potential uh double bonding uh for uh when you retire these facilities, but otherwise we are in support of this legislation. I appreciate it. Thank you. All right, any questions? Representative Thank you,
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Representative Kendra Moore Unverified 1:04:37
Mr. Chair. Thank you, sir, for your support of this legislation. I just have a question regarding soil quality and potential herbicides that may be applied over several consecutive decades with this remediation include returning that soil quality back to a productive status. Uh, Mr.
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Speaker 66 1:04:56
Simon, yes, sir. That, that I'm not, I'm
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Simon Mayhan Unverified 1:05:00
not sure, uh, my understanding is most agricultural land uses already use herbicides and pesticides. And so I, to my knowledge, I don't think we use anything too different than what is already used on some of the other in some of the current agricultural use. I
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Representative Trey Steimel Unverified 1:05:21
Uh, to answer your question, to my understanding, yeah, that will be part of the plan is to make sure that that soil is usable as it was before it, uh, the solar field came in or the wind field came in. All right, Committee,
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:05:33
any other questions? All right. Anyone in the audience wish to be bar or against the bill? No safety, you're ready to close for your bill? I am and I appreciate, uh, the
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Representative Trey Steimel Unverified 1:05:46
ability to close here what we have, uh, in front of us is some common sense legislation that will help Arkansas farm owners, and I would also like to add that we uh placed an amendment in here and probably one of the most uh important amendments is that if it is a private, um farm owner that is putting in a solar field to power their facility, their personal facility. They do not have to enter in this agreement. I'm a big believer of the government shouldn't tell me what I can and can't do with my property. And with that, that amendment was put in there, so there would be no remediation required if it was a private farm owner putting in a solar field to run his grain bins or any other uh facility on his personal property. So with that, I will, uh, you know, ask for a good vote. All right. See a motion due past.
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:06:36
We have a motion do pass. All those in favor say aye, posed. Congratulations, Representative, your bill is passed. I believe you have one more.
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Representative Trey Steimel Unverified 1:06:53
I do, uh, there again, thank you, Mr. Chair. So I have SB 218. What this bill does, this is a bill that amends the Arkansas Small Business Innovation Research, uh, matching grant program, commonly known as the SBIR. And what this bill does, it lifts the lifetime cap of 3 awards under the state program. The Federal program has no caps and our limit penalizes the most innovative companies in Arkansas and discourages companies from potentially applying knowing that they're limited to only 3 of these, uh, these grants. So currently the AEDC, you know, administers this program and they're OK with, uh, the lift of this, this, you know, limit of 3 to my understanding, and, um, you know, with that, you know, I'll take any questions. Committee. Any questions? So not anyone
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:07:43
in the audience wished to speak for or against the bill. Representative, you're ready to
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Representative Trey Steimel Unverified 1:07:54
close for your bill? Yes, I would appreciate a good vote on this and with
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:08:01
that, you know, I'm closed The emotion to pass. All those in favor
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Speaker 75 1:08:10
say aye. Congratulations. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank the committee. Uh,
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:08:19
Francis OK. To introduce yourself to this committee, we hardly ever see you.
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Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified 1:08:26
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Appreciate it. Uh, Frank Cavanaugh, state representative of District 30. Um, the first one is gonna be SB 378, and this is just a simple repeal of a bill that's known of a report that's no longer needed because it's already in another report that we get. And so this is just a, uh, repeal of unneeded statute and with that I take questions. All right, any questions? With anyone in
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:08:50
the audience wish to speak for or against the bill. See that. We have a question, motion. Alright You ready to close for your bill? I'm ready to
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Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified 1:09:07
close my bill. I appreciate a good
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:09:10
vote members have a motion. All those in favor say aye. Po. Congratulations, you have one more. Yes,
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Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified 1:09:17
sir. Thank you. Um, this is gonna be SB 388. It's very similar. This is a repeal of another report that was established in 1989 and the last time it was used was 1991. We're just asking to get it off of the. The law books and with that I appreciate a good
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:09:35
vote? See, no one in the audience was to pick for or against the bill. Representative Rick close for your bill. I closed my bill. I appreciate a good vote. All right, we have a motion to pass. All those in favor say aye. Pod Congratulations. Thank you, members. Appreciate it. is Representative Gazaway here. He is not here. You go. You get all right. OK. All right, Represent to introduce
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Representative Kendra Moore Unverified 1:10:23
yourself. Jeremiah Moore, House District 61. Today I'm presenting Senate Bill 275. This is another agency bill coming from the oil and gas commission. What this does, it has to do with the liquefied petroleum gas board or LG LPGB and it enables the LPGB to adopt the rule the requirements of a nationally recognized safety standards of national, national fire protection pamphlet 58 regarding the storage handling, transportation and use of liquefied petroleum. There is no known opposition. this board or to this bill, and with that, I would appreciate a good vote. All right, any questions committee?
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:11:01
Say not anyone in the audience will speak for or against the bill. Representative, I'm closed for my bill and I motion to pass. All right, we have a motion to pass.it, what's the will? I way in favor say aye. That was a post. Thank you. Congratulations. All right, Mr. Gasaway's not here. Representative Volt. Would you like to present your bill?
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 1:11:40
Alright Representative DMa District 87. All right, you're recognized
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:11:50
to present your bill, and it is
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 1:11:52
House Bill 1680. Correct, sir? Yes. OK, I'm just making sure since I have several on there today. Um, today, uh, I bring you a house bill 1680. I want to give you a little bit of back information before we talk about the bill itself. According to the most recent USDA Department of Agriculture, uh, report on foreign holdings of the of the US agricultural land throughout December the 31st of 2023, foreign entities owned 1,597,000 acres. Of agriculture land in Arkansas. Arkansas is ranked the 3rd ranked 3rd in the country for the largest increase in foreign held agricultural acres in 2023 with 187,000 acres increase. From 2022. Um At the total foreign ownership 1,143. 1,984 acres are, uh, in the forest land and 368. 167 acres are in crop land. The increasing amount of foreign owned. State Farmland raises many concerns. I was gonna point out just a couple of them today, but foreign ownership could lead to the transfer of valuable agriculture technology and intellectual property to other countries, potentially undermining the competitiveness of US agriculture. In addition, the increased demand from the foreign buyers may drive up land prices, making it more difficult for our local farmers and residents to own land. The presence of foreign owned land, particularly by entities linked to China. Uh, Communist Party has raised concerns about potential foreign influence and control over critical resources. Furthermore, ownership of land near critical infrastructure sites such as military bases and electric, um, substations raises national security concerns. There's a risk that such ownership could be used to espionage. Or other activities to threaten the United States' security. The presence of foreign owner owned farms can alter the dynamics of local farming in our communities, potentially leading to changes in land use and agricultural practices. Also land prices and competitiveness from foreign investors can lead to the displacement of our local farmers who may struggle to compete financially. Recognizing the concerns associated with foreign ownership of the American farmland, the US Congress passed the Agriculture, Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978. This law requires foreign entities to report purchases, sales, and interest in US agricultural land to USDA. Through the farmer agencies. It defines foreign entities broadly including individuals, companies, and even foreign governments. So I want to talk about a few things that we've already done in our state. In recent years, Arkansas has taken significant legislative steps. To address concerns over foreign ownership of agricultural land, particularly focusing on entities linked to China Communist Party. Other countries that are adversarial to the United States also are included in that. These efforts aim to protect the state's economy and security interests by limiting foreign influence and ownership in critical resources of our critical resources. So in 2021, we had Act 10:46, which required 4 foreign owners of Arkansas land to submit a copy of their AFIDA to the farmer, um, agency. Uh, the form that they have to turn in is called 153. Um, and they have to turn it into our Arkansas Department of Agriculture, non-compliance can result in fines up to 25% of the land market value. In 2023 we had Acts 6:36, which prohibits foreign party controlled businesses from owning public or private land in Arkansas. It prohibit entities under this act include entities subject to the Federal International traffic in arms regulation, which is known as the ITAR which targets uh countries like China, North Korea, Iran, and the Russian Federation. The act has led to the following actions by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. On October 17th, 2023, the Department of Agriculture sent a letter to the Attorney general requesting an investigation into yenta, a Chinese state-owned chemical company. And their ownership of 160 acres of farmland in Craig County. The company agreed to divest the property and pay a $280,000 fine for not filing the appropriate foreign ownership paperwork with the state. On December 11th of 2023, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture sent a letter to the Attorney general requesting an investigation of Razer, Razer or reserve, I'm not sure which way it's pronounced. Machinery LLC due to their Chinese ownership, ultimately the attorney general found that there was not a violation of the current Arkansas law due to Chinese ownership's long term lease agreement. On December 11th, 2023, the, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture sent a letter to the Attorney General requesting an investigation of Jones digital LLC, the Chinese, uh, owners of these digital assets or crypto mining operations are currently contesting the Arkansas statute in federal court. On July 23rd of 2024, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture sent a letter to the Attorney general requesting an investigation of Zero Street LLC in Fort Smith. Ultimately, the Attorney General found that there was no violation of the current law, uh, here in Arkansas. So now let's talk a little bit about House Bill 1680 and what it would do. It would amend Act 633 from the 2023 session. It, uh, This, it will be a banning CCP linked companies from Uh, from holdings of any interest in agricultural land within a 10 mile radius of critical infrastructure. And you can find the the definition for critical infrastructure on page 2 of the bill lines 5 through 22. That will include military installations and facilities, emergency services, power generation or transmission, uh, locations, utilities, bridges, tunnels, railways, dams, security, cybersecurity or classified information storage systems and communication of information technology nods or facilities. It will also be expanding the scope of restrictions by barring a prohibited foreign party control business from leasing any interest in the uh land in the state. You'll find this on page 2, line 32. We're also going to be shortening the divest period of prohibited foreign party control businesses from 2 years to 1 year, and you can find that on page 6. Expanding the definition of agricultural land to include land within the corporation uh corporate limits of a municipality. Um, that's pretty much what the bill will do, I think, um, if we have questions, I can ask the secretary to come up here, um. To help me answer questions if need be, any questions? Seeing man. You
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:20:08
got one. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Representative Vau, I don't know if you
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Speaker 96 1:20:17
can answer this or the Department of I can answer it, but just kind of something came to my mind and, and you mentioned that and I understand the prohibitive foreign parties and all, but we have still have a large amount of foreign ownership. Is there any particular, or do you have any information on where these foreign ownerships are coming from.
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 1:20:38
Where are they from? Yes sir. I can give you some of where they've come from. Just a second, um, we have some from Canada, some from the Netherlands, some from Germany, um, and there's, uh, A lot in the other section, it doesn't list them all out for me, but it's like 508,000 acres of land that's just in the
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Speaker 96 1:20:59
other section is there any particular country where there's a larger percentage or is it just kind of balance out? I mean, do we have more Canadians down here buying land or do we have more people from Argentina? I know a lot of crop ro crop land, people from Argentina have been buying. Right, um, the secretary Mike
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 1:21:16
can come answer that for me because I'm not sure that I'll give the correct answer. and I don't want to be wrong. Hopefully I wasn't wrong by what I just said. I
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Speaker 102 1:21:29
went, would you introduce yourself? Yes, sir. Westward, Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Representative Vau uh was, was absolutely correct. So, uh, tho those categories through that through the USDA report that we get, uh, we get, uh, completed every year. We get copies of those FSA forms and those filings, but, uh, the largest, the largest ownership is Canada and the Netherlands are the two biggest. Germany is 3rd and then uh just a a broad variety of countries make up the other
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Speaker 103 1:21:53
508,000 acres. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Alright. Commit, any other questions?
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Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified 1:21:58
All right, we have someone signed up to speak against the bill. Russell Thomas. Mr. Thomas, if you would introduce yourself for the committee. And you're recognized to Speak
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Speaker 106 1:22:21
your piece. OK. Is working now? Thank you,
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:22:24
Mr. Chairman. My name is Russell Thomas. I'm from Hot Springs, Arkansas, um, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to speak, uh, before you regarding the proposed amendment to the law restricting property ownership of citizens of certain foreign countries. I'm not only here as an almost
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Speaker 109 1:22:44
lifelong Arkansan, but also as someone whose family is directly and unjustly impacted by this legislation. I was born
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:22:51
here in the United States. And I've lived in Arkansas for 50 years. My wife was born in Soviet Union. She immigrated here
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Speaker 109 1:23:00
legally 30 years ago. She took up American citizenship 15 years ago. Our daughter is 23 years old. She
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:23:07
was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and has lived in the same house her entire life.
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Speaker 109 1:23:19
Um, under the laws of both nations, my wife and my daughter are dual citizens of the US They have US citizenship. They have Russian citizenship, um. As the law currently stands, it prohibits citizens from a list of countries, including China, Russia, and about 20 others from owning real property through legal entities such as trusts, corporations, partnerships, etc. Additionally, individuals from these countries are restricted from owning agricultural land. The penalties for violating these laws are very severe foreclosure. Fans of up to $15,000 in imprisonment for two years. That probably is per Incident potentially per piece of property or entity or something. Um, while the law does provide exemptions for permanent residents, green card holders, for example. It fails to Protect those who've taken the ultimate step of embracing American values by becoming US citizens. Incredibly, the very act of naturalization strips. These people Of their rights. To own property, the protections that they had when they were here on the green card are lost once they become a US citizen. This means that My family,
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:24:45
along with tens of thousands of others and including, I believe the Jones digital case you referred to that gentleman is a US citizen. He was naturalized. Um, and, and it was not his was not farmland. His was a crypto or Um, a farm, I mean a crypto industry. Um It means my family along with tens of thousands of others could face foreclosure on their properties, we rightfully own and invested in our entire life savings into even though we have no mortgages. It means we could be fined and imprisoned, not for any wrongdoing but for the fact that my wife and daughter have dual citizenship. As for myself, I could be charged simply for acting as a fiduciary or agent in managing the, the properties for them. Furthermore, the definite, I mean, um. The law must be amended to correct
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Speaker 109 1:25:48
this injustice, in my opinion. US citizens, including dual
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:25:54
citizens should not be punished for embracing the American dream. I urge the committee to add some exemptions and affirmative defenses
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Speaker 109 1:26:06
for US citizens. That currently exists for resident aliens who are people who are simply Citizens of
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:26:13
these other countries that are here on a visa. They have more rights than American citizens do under this law. Furthermore, the definition of prohibited foreign party should explicitly exempt US citizens, including dual citizens from these
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Speaker 109 1:26:29
restrictions. The law as it stands goes against the very values our nation holds. It casts
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:26:36
suspicion on loyal Americans based solely on their heritage. I implore you To ensure that Arkansas remains a place where immigrants who follow the law work hard and become US citizens are not treated as second-class citizens. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope the
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Speaker 109 1:26:57
committee will take some necessary steps to protect families like mine from unjust penalties and uphold principles of fairness and equity under the law. All right, Mr. Thomas, are you willing to take questions?
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Representative Marcus E. Richmond Unverified 1:27:15
Yes, absolutely. Committee, any questions, Marcus? Thank you for your testimony for coming here today. So, This particular as it's written right now both naturalized citizens. As well as dual citizens. could actually fall under. The uh the potential Fines and property and all that other stuff. Yes, they did. OK. Follow up Yes Representative Bont, would you comment on that, please? I would Uh I would, I would disagree because
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified 1:27:49
it doesn't matter if you're a US citizen, you're a US citizen. It doesn't matter how many citizenships you have, you're still a United States citizen. So this does not negatively infect, uh, affect in any way. I mean I can have the secretary come to the table and answer the question also, but it does not negatively affect anyone that is a US citizen, no matter how many citizenships they have. Mr.
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Representative Marcus E. Richmond Unverified 1:28:14
Chair, could we have the secretary come? Yes. Yes, sir. Westport Department of
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Speaker 102 1:28:30
Agriculture. Did you hear my question? I, I did, yes, sir, and so I, I, I would agree with Representative Vaugh, you know, I, I do think that, uh, just like the US Constitution does not specifically state that US citizens are entitled to own property. There are other provisions of the US Constitution, uh, as well as what we believe the Arkansas Constitution that that provide those protections for US citizens, so we, we do not understand that this bill would impact a US citizen's ability to own, uh, or, or do anything with, with personal uh property. rights. Follow up, sir. Again, I I'm sorry, but this is
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Representative Marcus E. Richmond Unverified 1:29:04
an important matter, sir. I'm sorry, sir, I've forgotten your name. Russell Thomas. Mr. Thomas, we're in the bill specifically, do you know or can you point out in the bill what causes you the most concerned about this issue, OK, so in
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:29:22
in 1680. If we go to Um Line 25 of page 2. We have a prohibited foreign party. And it's defined as being the same as in 18. 11802. In 1811, 802. of foreign A prohibited foreign party means a citizen or a resident. Of a country subject subject to the uh international traffic and arms regulations. It has a CFR citation to it. So, If you're a dual citizen, you're a citizen of both countries. And I repeat, the definition of a prohibited foreign party is a citizen. Of a country subject
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Speaker 109 1:30:14
to this regulation to the IFAR. Would anybody else like to read this? I'm sorry, what was that question? OK, alright. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:30:37
When you, when you continue with that definition. The, the
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Speaker 109 1:30:42
real problem comes with the Um Definition of
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:30:47
the foreign control business. Yeah, I trust is falls under that. Uh, our family's properties are all in self-directed. IRA accounts, retirement accounts, which are trust. And the
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Speaker 109 1:31:02
definition Of a prohibited business. is a trust that is controlled.
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Speaker 131 1:31:11
By a prohibited foreign party. Representative Steele. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just ask
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Speaker 102 1:31:23
the Secretary to respond to that. Yes, sir. So I, I think, uh, our, our position would, would still be the, would still be the same, yes, sir. So I, I think, you know, portions of that were already, uh, in, in the current law as as it existed and we haven't had anybody try to challenge that particular portion, uh, under a dual US citizenship, uh, and certainly it is not of the the intent of the department they're not specifically stated, you know, trying to prove a negative, I guess, but, you know, it's uh there there's no intent of the department or or the state to pursue any
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Speaker 103 1:31:53
any. US citizen and their ability to and their property rights in the state work and so on.
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Speaker 134 1:31:59
Representative Steele, yeah, just follow up and I'm sorry, Mr. Richardson, I did forget your last name. Thomas Thomas, Mr. Thomas, these proceedings, you know these proceedings are are videotaped, so. So if this legislation would cause you any problems in the future you would have evidence and testimony from the representative and the secretary of the Agriculture Department saying On record that this would not indirectly affect you. I, I hear you, but I, I
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:32:29
don't a large number of properties and I'm getting to an older age. And if, if my daughter and my wife inherit these, uh, they would have great difficulty dealing with this. The letter of the law. is what I'm telling you. The, the other
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Speaker 109 1:32:51
interpretations we're getting are, here's how we feel, this is what we think. Point blank, this needs to
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:33:00
protect US citizens. It is incredibly offensive that it does not. It protects resident aliens but not US citizens. Shepherd. Mr. Chairman. It looks like to
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Representative Matthew J. Shepherd Unverified 1:33:16
me this, this may be an issue that that already is existed in existing law. Do you agree with that? I agree, but this also expands it. Well, I understand, but, but just to be clear, this is an issue in existing law. It doesn't it, I understand that Representative Vox's bill expands the prohibitions and I recall that I believe when this, when the underlying legislation ran, I think actually it was amended or there was definitely a discussion about about uh allowing resident aliens to continue to have to be able to own property and I think there's a provision that if you are no longer Alien, you have a certain period of time to divest yourself of that property. That's correct. I agree with that
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:33:59
and and the way you, a lot of people are divesting that a resident alien status is by becoming a US citizen. And then they fall into the grasp of this law. I think I agree with you that
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Representative Matthew J. Shepherd Unverified 1:34:11
this is just, it's, it's a uh I think clearly the intent was to prohibit citizens of these countries from owning land, there was a carve out to allow resident aliens to own land, but this dual citizenship issue is just something that was, I don't recall it ever being discussed when the previous bill was brought
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Speaker 125 1:34:32
through. That's correct, but in 2023, there was a previous bill, I think it was House Bill 1225.
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:34:39
I saw it. And I responded, I sent every sponsor emails try to discuss it with people that that bill was withdrawn a few weeks later. What became AC 363636. Uh, slipped through without me seeing it, but I've tried for two years, dozens of contacts. With a lot of legislators and, and most of my local delegation, pointing out this issue and uh just asking for one simple thing, exempt US citizens. You exempt resident aliens, so
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Representative Matthew J. Shepherd Unverified 1:35:19
exempt your citizens. So and, and is that, that's your issue with this bill, is that right? That's
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Russell Thomas Unverified 1:35:24
what I'm here arguing. I mean, there's other issues, but that, that
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Representative Matthew J. Shepherd Unverified 1:35:27
one is all I really need to take on this is the one that you think is just. Absolutely. So what I, and I was texting with the AG's office about this, so what I would ask is that, uh, I mean, That I, I guess what I would ask is the sponsor would pull it down, let us have a discussion on putting an amendment on, uh, even though this was not, this is not an issue created by this bill. It's just highlighting an issue that may have already existed and hopefully we can resolve that. I think we can pretty easily. I agree. And with the committee's permission, I can pull it down because that's not the intent.
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Agenda

REGULAR AGENDA

HR1079 Brooks TO HONOR D.J. DANIEL FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER AND SUPPORT NAMING HIM AN HONORARY STATE CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER, AND TO PROCLAIM MARCH 17, 2025, AS D.J. DANIEL DAY IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.

HR1084 Springer TO HONOR MARTHA JARROW FOR HER MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.

1:32
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springer

1:38
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HR1085 McCullough TO RECOGNIZE PARALYMPIC MEDALIST OLIVIA CHAMBERS OF LITTLE ROCK FOR HER REMARKABLE GIFTS AND INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT BRING RENOWN TO HER AND TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.

HR1086 McAlindon TO CONGRATULATE BENTONVILLE EDUCATOR BONNIE POLLOCK FOR RECEIVING A MILKEN EDUCATOR AWARD AND ITS ACCOMPANYING PRIZE OF $25,000.

HR1087 Vaught TO RECOGNIZE THE DE QUEEN HIGH SCHOOL LADY LEOPARDS BASKETBALL TEAM AS THE CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS.

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vaught

0:15
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HR1088 L. Johnson TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 19, 2025, AS ROOTED DAY IN ARKANSAS.

Documents

TitleTypePagesSource
Agenda — HOUSE MANAGEMENT, Mar 19, 2025 Agenda 1 Official source ↗

Speakers

Representative DeAnn Vaught Chair Unverified
31 segments
Representative Steven Walker Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 15
1 segment
Representative Joy Springer Unverified
5 segments
Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified
3 segments
Chair Unverified
1 segment
Representative Fred Allen Unverified
1 segment
Representative Lane Jean Unverified
5 segments
Representative Roger D. Lynch Unverified
21 segments
Representative Trey Steimel Unverified
13 segments
Simon Mayhan Unverified
3 segments
Representative Kendra Moore Unverified
5 segments
Speaker 66
1 segment
Speaker 75
1 segment
Representative Frances Cavenaugh Unverified
4 segments
Speaker 96
4 segments
Speaker 102
6 segments
Speaker 103
2 segments
Speaker 106
1 segment
Russell Thomas Unverified
24 segments
Speaker 109
13 segments
Representative Marcus E. Richmond Unverified
5 segments
Speaker 131
1 segment
Speaker 134
2 segments
Representative Matthew J. Shepherd Unverified
7 segments
Speaker 125
1 segment