Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (71)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB222
Act 301
· 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB222 #1 B. Davis Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANI…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO CLARIFY MARKETING BY PROVIDERS UNDER THE … | B. Davis | Notification that SB222 is now Act 301 |
|
SB394
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB394 #1 - Motion to Suspend the Rules to withdrawal SB 394 from…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE OF REVENUES DERIVED FROM A … | J. Bryant | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB258
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB258 #2 - Motion to Suspend the Rules to withdrawal SB 258 from…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIGITAL RESPONSIBILITY, SAFETY, AND TRUST ACT. | C. Penzo | Died on Senate Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB403
Act 449
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB403 #1 C. Tucker TO CREATE THE THE 2030 ARKANSAS COMPLETE COUNT…”
|
TO CREATE THE THE 2030 ARKANSAS COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE; AND TO PLAN AND CONDUCT STATEWIDE … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB403 is now Act 449 |
|
SR38
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SR38 R. Murdock TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 13, 2025, AS IOTA PHI THETA F…”
|
TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 13, 2025, AS IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC., DAY AT THE STATE … | R. Murdock | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1245
Act 432
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1245 #3 Clowney Irvin TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST RE…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT. | Clowney | Notification that HB1245 is now Act 432 |
|
HB1365
Act 938
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1365 - House Request HB1365 to be Returned to the House”
|
TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, … | K. Brown | Notification that HB1365 is now Act 938 |
|
SB283
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB283 #1 K. Hammer Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED P…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE … | K. Hammer | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB342
Act 749
· 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SB342 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INJURIES TO C…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INJURIES TO CERTAIN ANIMALS BY DOGS TO AUTHORIZE TREBLE DAMAGES. | A. Clark | Notification that SB342 is now Act 749 |
|
SB378
Act 446
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB378 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS ECONOMI…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SUBMIT A QUARTERLY REPORT CONCERNING … | Crowell | Notification that SB378 is now Act 446 |
|
SB379
Act 464
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB379 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE TAX ADVISORY COUNCI…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE TAX ADVISORY COUNCIL TO SUBMIT A REPORT. | Crowell | Notification that SB379 is now Act 464 |
|
SB380
Act 439
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB380 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF CHILD SUP…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT TO SUBMIT A REPORT … | Crowell | Notification that SB380 is now Act 439 |
|
SB381
Act 465
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB381 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FINAN…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SUBMIT A REPORT … | Crowell | Notification that SB381 is now Act 465 |
|
SB382
Act 466
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB382 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS DEVELOP…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING THE … | Crowell | Notification that SB382 is now Act 466 |
|
SB383
Act 467
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB383 Crowell TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED UNDER THE VENT…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED UNDER THE VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT ACT OF 2001. | Crowell | Notification that SB383 is now Act 467 |
|
SB384
Act 468
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB384 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS DEVELOP…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY SUBMIT A PROGRAM FACT SHEET … | Crowell | Notification that SB384 is now Act 468 |
|
SB385
Act 469
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB385 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RURAL SERVICES D…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RURAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION … | Crowell | Notification that SB385 is now Act 469 |
|
SB387
Act 470
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB387 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING ENTITIES TO SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING THE NUMBER … | Crowell | Notification that SB387 is now Act 470 |
|
SB388
Act 447
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB388 Crowell TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT RELATED…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT RELATED TO THE PROGRESS OF FOREIGN OFFICES OF THE … | Crowell | Notification that SB388 is now Act 447 |
|
SB389
Act 471
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB389 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF THE DE…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO … | Crowell | Notification that SB389 is now Act 471 |
|
SB404
· 2 mentions in chapter
Matched: “SB404 J. Boyd TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANC…”
|
TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROBATE OF AN … | J. Boyd | Sine Die adjournment |
|
HB1103
Act 334
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1103 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF COMM…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTION APPROPRIATION FOR THE … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1103 is now Act 334 |
|
HB1271
Act 479
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Pilot. Were your Committee on gross bills who was referred House Bill 1271 byresentative Warren and Senator Penzo compared the”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MECHANICS' AND MATERIALMEN'S LIENS; AND TO CLARIFY THE PRIORITY OF … | Warren | Notification that HB1271 is now Act 479 |
|
HB1347
Act 363
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1347 Warren Hammer TO ALLOW THE ARKANSAS TEACHER RETIREMENT SYST…”
|
TO ALLOW THE ARKANSAS TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO PAY AN ANNUITY OR BENEFIT OWED TO … | Warren | Notification that HB1347 is now Act 363 |
|
HB1348
Act 364
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1348 Warren Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SURVIVOR BENEFITS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SURVIVOR BENEFITS FOR THE DEPENDENT CHILD OF A MEMBER OF … | Warren | Notification that HB1348 is now Act 364 |
|
HB1385
Act 374
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ore recommend Du past calendar Committee on Ari who started House Bill 1385 by Representative Cooper recommend new pass. City County lo…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION; AND TO REQUIRE THE OIL … | C. Cooper | Notification that HB1385 is now Act 374 |
|
HB1410
Act 323
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1410 Unger Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROHIBITED ACTIVIT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES BY PUBLIC SERVANTS. | Unger | Notification that HB1410 is now Act 323 |
|
HB1477
Act 303
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1477 Barker Bryant TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN-ENROLL…”
|
TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO SUBMIT AN APPLICANT … | Barker | Notification that HB1477 is now Act 303 |
|
HB1479
Act 418
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1479 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SCRIVENER'S AFFIDA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SCRIVENER'S AFFIDAVITS; AND TO ALLOW A LICENSED ENGINEER, SURVEYOR, OR … | Warren | Notification that HB1479 is now Act 418 |
|
HB1488
Act 391
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…pass, calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who Miss for House Bill 1488 by Warlaw recommend do pass as”
|
TO AMEND THE STANDARD NONFORFEITURE LAW FOR LIFE INSURANCE; AND TO REQUIRE AN INSURER TO … | Wardlaw | Notification that HB1488 is now Act 391 |
|
HB1496
Act 304
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1496 Andrews Dotson TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO…”
|
TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO ENSURE ARKANSAS STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT BY QUALIFIED … | Andrews | Notification that HB1496 is now Act 304 |
|
HB1517
Act 347
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…1 calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was referred House Bill 1517 by Representative Ray recommend to pass. Committee on Insur…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE EARNED WAGE ACCESS SERVICES ACT. | Ray | Notification that HB1517 is now Act 347 |
|
HB1546
Act 335
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1546 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1546 is now Act 335 |
|
HB1548
Act 375
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…d new pass calendar Committee on state agencies to referred House Bill 1548 by Representative Meeks recommend Du pass calendar. Senate…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS; AND TO ABOLISH THE DATA … | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1548 is now Act 375 |
|
HB1552
Act 420
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1552 #1 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN INCH…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN INCHOATE OFFENSES RELATED TO FENTANYL; AND TO ESTABLISH THE … | Gazaway | Notification that HB1552 is now Act 420 |
|
HB1558
Act 392
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1558 McGrew Caldwell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS RE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT … | McGrew | Notification that HB1558 is now Act 392 |
|
HB1595
Act 349
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was referred House Bill 1595 by Representative Steel recommended pass calendar Committee…”
|
TO ENACT THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT'S GENERAL OMNIBUS AMENDMENT OF ARKANSAS INSURANCE CODE. | Steimel | Notification that HB1595 is now Act 349 |
|
HB1597
Act 456
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1597 #1 Dalby Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE. | Dalby | Notification that HB1597 is now Act 456 |
|
HB1608
Act 319
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1608 Rose Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MANAGEMENT OF P…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RECORDS AND ARCHIVES; AND TO REQUIRE … | Rose | Notification that HB1608 is now Act 319 |
|
HB1612
Act 336
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1612 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVI…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1612 is now Act 336 |
|
HB1613
Act 337
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1613 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1613 is now Act 337 |
|
HB1614
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1614 Lundstrum Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RELATED TO CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS. | Lundstrum | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1616
Act 338
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1616 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - OIL A…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - OIL AND GAS COMMISSION CAPITAL … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1616 is now Act 338 |
|
HB1617
Act 339
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1617 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORR…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1617 is now Act 339 |
|
HB1620
Act 350
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was referred House Bill 1620 by Gamt recommend do pass calendar Committee on Joint Budge…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS; AND TO REGULATE PROCESSING AND PAYMENT OF … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1620 is now Act 350 |
|
SB101
Act 300
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “is for the following Senate Bill 101 by Senator Penzo, Senate Bill 200 by Senator Hammer, symbol…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT. | C. Penzo | Notification that SB101 is now Act 300 |
|
SB104
Act 514
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r Committee on Insurance and Commerce, to whom was referred Senate Bill 104 by Centra Penzo recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Ins…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER LICENSURE ACT; TO PROTECT PATIENTS' RIGHTS AND ACCESS … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB104 is now Act 514 |
|
SB200
Act 329
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “is for the following Senate Bill 101 by Senator Penzo, Senate Bill 200 by Senator Hammer, symbol 263 by Central Crowe. Senate Bill…”
|
TO INCLUDE TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS THAT ARE LEASED IN THE EXEMPTION FROM THE … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB200 is now Act 329 |
|
SB22
Act 377
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB22 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL APPROPRIATIO…”
|
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 |
|
SB227
Act 505
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB227 C. Tucker TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967;…”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE PROVISIONS OF … | C. Tucker | Notification that SB227 is now Act 505 |
|
SB246
Act 340
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB246 J. Dismang TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; AND TO AMEND…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; AND TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE … | J. Dismang | Notification that SB246 is now Act 340 |
|
SB264
Act 483
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB264 Irvin Motion to Re-refer back to committee for purpose of A…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS PRIMARY CARE PAYMENT IMPROVEMENT WORKING GROUP. | Irvin | Notification that SB264 is now Act 483 |
|
SB271
Act 460
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…per recommend new pass. City County local who was the first Senate bill 271 by Central Crow recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Cit…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A COUNTY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION OF SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TO THE … | Crowell | Notification that SB271 is now Act 460 |
|
SB278
Act 438
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB278 J. English TO REPEAL THE STATUTES CONCERNING THE OCCUPATION…”
|
TO REPEAL THE STATUTES CONCERNING THE OCCUPATIONAL AUTHORIZATION AND LICENSURE OF CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT OFFICES AND … | J. English | Notification that SB278 is now Act 438 |
|
SB279
Act 397
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB279 Irvin TO ASSIST THE DIVISION OF LABOR WITH ENFORCING THE FA…”
|
TO ASSIST THE DIVISION OF LABOR WITH ENFORCING THE FAIR AND PROMPT PAYMENT OF WAGES … | Irvin | Notification that SB279 is now Act 397 |
|
SB298
Act 320
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…te Bill 200 by Senator Hammer, symbol 263 by Central Crowe. Senate Bill 298 by Senator Rice sent 300 by Central Gilmore, Bill 301 by Ce…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LAW CONCERNING THE SETTING ASIDE OF A DECREE TO QUIET TITLE TO … | Rice | Notification that SB298 is now Act 320 |
|
SB305
Act 491
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB305 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE CERTAIN TESTING OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN TESTING OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA PRODUCTS SOLD AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA. | C. Penzo | Notification that SB305 is now Act 491 |
|
SB319
Act 461
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB319 J. Boyd TO AMEND THE UNIFORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT;…”
|
TO AMEND THE UNIFORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT; AND TO CLARIFY CHARGING ORDERS UNDER THE … | J. Boyd | Notification that SB319 is now Act 461 |
|
SB32
Act 886
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “was first Senate Bill 32, 38 by joint budget recommended pass calendar joint budget…”
|
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR … | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that SB32 is now Act 886 |
|
SB321
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB321 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE ADMINISTRAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE FUND. | J. Bryant | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB325
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Motion by Senator Clark for SB325 and SB326”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS JUVENILE CODE OF 1989; TO AMEND THE CHILD MALTREATMENT ACT; TO … | A. Clark | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB326
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “Motion by Senator Clark for SB325 and SB326”
|
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. |
|
SB352
Act 721
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB352 Stone TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SEC…”
|
TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED … | Stone | Notification that SB352 is now Act 721 |
|
SB353
Act 405
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on state agencies to whom was referred Senate Bill 353 by Senator Hester recommend new pass calendar for state age…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE DATES FOR ELECTIONS; TO AMEND THE DATES OF PRIMARY … | Hester | Notification that SB353 is now Act 405 |
|
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 |
|
SB368
Act 445
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “commerce. Weit on rider who was first Senate Bill 368 by”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MINERAL, TIMBER, AND OTHER RESOURCES ON STATE LANDS; TO REDUCE … | Irvin | Notification that SB368 is now Act 445 |
|
SB407
Act 577
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “was first Senate bill 407 by Senator Gilmore recommend Du past calendar Committee on…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987. | Gilmore | Notification that SB407 is now Act 577 |
|
SB413
Act 401
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB413 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOA…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO AMEND THE … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB413 is now Act 401 |
|
SB417
Act 402
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB417 J. Dotson TO AMEND VARIOUS LAWS RELATED TO HIGHER EDUCATION…”
|
TO AMEND VARIOUS LAWS RELATED TO HIGHER EDUCATION. | J. Dotson | Notification that SB417 is now Act 402 |
|
SB449
Act 669
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ll 1548 by Representative Meeks recommend Du pass calendar. Senate Bill 449 by Senator Des. To provide civil immunity for confiscation…”
|
TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY FOR CONFISCATION OF ALTERNATIVE NICOTINE PRODUCTS, VAPOR PRODUCTS, E-LIQUID PRODUCTS, TOBACCO … | Dees | Notification that SB449 is now Act 669 |
|
SB454
Act 430
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “an emergency. Senate Bill 454. State agencies. OK. Any further business to come before th…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DEPOSIT … | Hill | Notification that SB454 is now Act 430 |
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Chair
Unverified
4:50
Senate will be called to order. Are there
Speaker 9
5:01
any requests for leave at this time? Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bo
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
5:07
Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crowell, Davis, Des, Dima 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, Steberfield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If
Speaker 14
5:28
everyone in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise and remain standing for the pledge of allegiance, but prior to that, we will be led in prayer by Senator Gary Stubblefield. Senator
Speaker 16
5:37
Stubblefield, you're recognized. Thank you about Governor. If you'll all bow with me. Heavenly Father, we come to you
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
5:53
just thanking you for, for being our God. And Lord, I know that we go through a lot of heavy burdens we have in this country and in our world today, and I just uh pray that that we would seize your wisdom and your guidance because we need it. We really need it, Lord. I pray that you would forgive us of our arrogance. And our pride and I pray that you would just fill us with humility and help us to be more like uh, Christ.
I thank you for sending your son. To die for our sins. And making it possible that we can spend eternity with
you. And I crash tonight, my man. Pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Speaker 23
6:54
Thank you, Senator Stubblefield for those uplifting words, ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate. It 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
Chair
Unverified
7:10
and the Senate will dispense with the reading of the journal. The morning hour has now begun. Senator Gilmore here to introduce our Senate pages.
If not, Senator Hester, you are recognized for
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
7:29
announcement. Hey, members, just a little housekeeping here before we start today.
Um, it is, it is my goal to get through our whole, we got a long calendar day to get through it all, but we will see as it's, as it's moving forward if access takes a long time or when we get to house bills, you know, we'll make a decision, but it is my goal that we clear clear our calendar today because it's not gonna get any better, uh, moving forward. But with that, if you guys on page 3, Senator Kroll
has a whole list of bills. Those are all just removing. of reports we've talked about that a few times, hopefully in all of our committees. I'm going to ask that we batch those today and I'm not getting in and ready to batch bills. We're a long way from that as well. This is a very unique situation, um, so I'm gonna ask that we consider batching those. And the, and the, when that time comes, uh, well, I'm gonna actually say I wanna I wanna move all Senator Cruz to the end of the Senate calendar and batcham at that time.
And lastly, unless we, if you already have some resolution set up for a Thursday, let me know, but outside of that, without objection, it will be my position that we have no resolutions on Thursdays moving forward. So if without objection, that will be the case of no resolutions on Thursdays moving forward after today. You have one that You have 10, well, except for mine.
I clearly, clearly we have, well, we have one celebrating our, you know, we have the 250th anniversary for the state of Arkansas. It's kind of a bigger, it's a bigger deal, but yeah, so we will do that one next Thursday. All right. Other announcements.
Chair
Unverified
9:20
Senator Hammer, you're recognized for an announcement or introduction. Thank you, Madam Governor. First of all, I'd like to uh have
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
9:30
y'all turn your attention to the galleries, if you will, please. Uh
today joining us are circuit clerks that are in town for their meeting, and if y'all would please stand so we can acknowledge I would express appreciation to your circuit clerks. And then pages
of the day, I'm governor, OK. Thank you. All right, uh, for our pages today, if you all would please come forward and stand right here in front of us and whenever
I call your name. We have Henry Witcher, who is attending Cornerstone Academy is homeschooler. He is a he is a constituent of Senator Caldwell. We have Mary Claire Witcher, who also Cornerstone Academy homeschooled. She is also a constituent of Senator Caldwell. We have Cameron Gooch, who attends St. Joseph Junior. High school in Conway, uh, a constituent of Senator Mark Johnson. We have Aidan White who's homeschooled and is a
constituent of mine, and then we have Drew Nabholtz who attends Saint Joseph in Conway, also a constituent of Senator Mark Johnson. These are excellent pages for the day if you all would please
make them feel welcome and work them today while they're in the chamber, if you would. Thank you, Senator Hammer,
Speaker 23
10:58
and welcome to our pages. We're glad to have you here. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Hold up just
Senator Alan Clark
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11:05
a second, Rebecca. Rebecca. Rebecca, you walking in was perfect. I just wonder to many of you have already picked up your Senate coins. Those of you who haven't need to, uh, I have been in charge of designing them for some time now. My secret weapon is Rebecca Barfeld. I always thought the very first one done was the prettiest until now. Rebecca outdid herself. Y'all give her a hand.
Speaker 50
11:35
Senator Murdoch Thank you, Madam Governor. Members On ask leave
Senator Reginald Murdock
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11:47
for have 5 members from I to Phi Theta fraternity incorporated for them to come on the floor, ask for Senator
Speaker 52
11:54
Murdoch, I apologize. I apologize. I thought
Chair
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you were just making an announcement or introduction. These gentlemen can linger and listen to me say calendar 25 times or they can go
stand back in the hallway. I'm sorry, gentlemen. Madam Secretary,
Speaker 60
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are there items at the desk? Were your committee on roll bills to
Chair
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12:22
is for the following Senate Bill 101 by Senator Penzo, Senate Bill 200 by Senator Hammer, symbol 263 by Central Crowe. Senate Bill 298 by Senator Rice sent 300 by Central Gilmore, Bill 301 by Central Gilmorey about 334 my joint budgets and Bill 335 by joint budgets and Bill 337 by joint budget, Senate concurrent
resolution 4 by Senator Scott, compared the copies of the ritual and find the same correctly enrolled and delivered to. Governor and 8:03 a.m. this morning. Pilot. Were your Committee on gross bills who was referred House Bill 1271 byresentative Warren and Senator Penzo compared the
Speaker 60
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engrossed copy of the ritual and find the same correctly engrossed. Insurance and
Chair
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13:02
commerce. Weit on rider who was first Senate Bill 368 by
Senator Irving recommend new pass. Allender Committee on Ari, who
was first Senate bill 407 by Senator Gilmore recommend Du past calendar Committee on Ari who started House Bill 1385 by Representative Cooper recommend new pass. City County local who was the first Senate bill 271 by Central Crow recommend Du pass calendar Committee on City County Low whom was first sent 322 by Senator Bryant recommend new passend number one, calendarittee on City County Local who was referred to Senate before 24 by Central Stubberfield recommend new pass
calendar Committee on Insurance and Commerce, to whom was referred Senate Bill 104 by Centra Penzo recommend Du pass calendar Committee on Insurance. Marston was first sent 405 by Central Dismain recommend to past calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was first sent Bill 432 by Senator Petty recommended new pass calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce, who was for house for 1367 by representative Warren recommended pass, calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who Miss for House Bill 1488 by Warlaw recommend do pass as
amendment number 1 calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was referred House Bill 1517 by Representative Ray recommend to pass. Committee on Insurance and Commerce who is for 1583 by Rickson Bentley recommend new pass calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was referred House Bill 1595 by Representative Steel recommended pass calendar Committee on Insurance Commerce who was referred House Bill 1620 by Gamt recommend do pass calendar Committee on Joint Budget team
was first Senate Bill 32, 38 by joint budget recommended pass calendar joint budget team was first. 42 by joint budget recommend to pass calendar Committee on state agencies to whom was referred Senate Bill 353 by Senator Hester recommend new pass calendar for state agencies to was first sent by 357 by Senator Bryant recommend to pass. calendar Committee on State agencies who was first sent 49 by Blake Johnson recommended pass calendar state agencies to we first sent 414 by central
hammer recommend new pass calendar Committee on state agencies to referred House Bill 1548 by Representative Meeks recommend Du pass calendar. Senate Bill 449 by Senator Des. To provide civil immunity for confiscation of alternative alternative nicotine products, vapor products, e-liquid products, tobacco products, and cigarette papers from a minor at a school Senate for 49. Judiciary, 450 by Senator Davis
to require the Department of Education to include a human fetal growth and development discussion in the relevant standards during the Arkansas Academic Standards revision cycle sent 450 education about 451 by Centra Hester to require the Department of Health and the Department of Education to establish regional behavioral health crisis response teams to amend the law concerning the education of certain students declare an emergency sent before 5. want. Education symbol 452 by
Senator King concerning certain contracts for maintenance or recycling of wind turbines under certain circumstances sent before 52 judiciary in 453 by Senator King to amend the law concerning the Department of Agriculture sent it before 53. State agencies 454 by Senator Hill to amend the law concerning unclaimed property funds to amend the law concerning the deposit and investment of unclaimed property funds and to create the unclaimed property interest trust fund and declare
an emergency. Senate Bill 454. State agencies. OK. Any further business to come before the body in the
Speaker 23
17:02
morning hour. If not the morning hour has expired. We will now begin the
Chair
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17:09
business agenda beginning with Senate resolution 38. Thank you, Madam resolution 38 by Senator Murdoch to recognize March 13, 2025. It's out of beta fraternity incorporated day at the state capitol.
Senator Reginald Murdock
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17:23
Now, thank you. Now I ask for leave for these esteemed gentlemen. All
right. Members, we have with us today the members of the older Phi Theta fraternity Incorporated along with those that you see here on the floor, you also have those in the East gallery. They are joining us today. And This resolution recognizes today as iota.
5 Theta fraternity day at the state Capitol. It is important. That they, this is the first time I've known them to come here and I wanted to make it, make them aware that we're glad they're here. It's important that they be here. Their history, um, says that they're the 5th largest black Greek letter fraternity with over 75,000 members. Um There are over 350 undergraduate and alumni chapters across the
country, um, including the District of Columbia, Bahamas, Colombia, South Korea, and Japan. The state of Arkansas currently has 5 undergraduate chapters of IOA Phi Theta fraternity and two alumni chapters. They hold memberships in the national pannalytic Council and umbrella organization, commonly referred to as the Divine line, which is composed of internationally, historically African American Greek letter sororities and fraternities.
They are in partnership with the Brown and gold Public Affairs Committee focus on supporting public policy and law that affirms, supports, and expands the citizenship rights of fraternity members in accordance with the fraternity's principles and by extension residents of the community. Members of all of Phi Theta fraternity incorporated are currently serving or have served in public service in the great state of Arkansas, including Bro
DeAndre Jones, city councilman, Fayetteville. District one, Brother Jalen Smith, who many of you know as the youngest mayor in our country, mayor of Earl, Arkansas, and brother Lionel Jordan, former mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the ninety-fifth General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that the Senate recognized today March
13th, 2025 as Iota 5 fraternity day at the Capitol. Be it further resolved that upon adoption, a copy of this resolution we presented to the leadership of Iowa the the fraternity incorporated by the secretary of the Senate. Thank you,
Chair
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20:22
Senator Murdoch. All those in favor of Senate resolution 38 to recognize March 13, 2025, uh, as I oy Theta fraternity Day at the state Capitol, please signified by saying I. And he opposed I have it sent a
Speaker 60
20:35
resolution 38 is adopted. Thank you so much. Madam Secretary. Dear Miss Cornwall, the House of Representatives respectfully request the return to
Chair
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20:59
the house of House Bill 1365, respectfully submitted Sherry sacks. that
Speaker 94
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Without objection, return to the house. Return to
Speaker 97
21:20
the house. 1365. We will now take up Amendment 1. To Senate Bill 222,
Speaker 23
21:27
Senator Davis. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 222.
Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. This is just concurring amendment to clarify even more on the marketing role that they have to comply with federal regulations, Happy to take any
Speaker 23
21:56
questions. All those in favor, please signify to say aye. Any opposed. Now we
Speaker 97
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got through the bill. Amendment is concurred in. We will now vote the bill.
Speaker 60
22:13
Senate Bill 222 by Senator Davis to amend the Medicaid provider led organized organized Care Act to clarify marketing by providers under the Medicaid provider led Organized Care Act and declare an emergency. Senator Davis, you're recognized.
Thank you, Madam President. We have already voted on this, it just simply clarifies that providers can share uh information with who they're in network with, so that families can know what their options are in a pass. Any questions?
Chair
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22:46
Anyone wish to speak against or for. Any senator has closed any objection to rolling
Representative Justin Gonzales
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22:57
the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Ry Scott, Stone
Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. senator wish to
Chair
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23:21
change his or her vote, seeing no one, please cast
up the ballot. By a vote of 350 nay Senate Bill 222 passes, please enroll it. We will now take up Senate
Speaker 23
23:34
bills with Senate amendments beginning with Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 283. Amendment 1 to Senate
Chair
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23:40
Bill 283. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. My bill, my amendment.
All those in favor, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed as habit amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 342. Amendment 1, Senate Bill 342. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Amendment
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
24:07
just adds a House sponsor. I'd appreciate a good
Chair
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24:11
vote. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed as habit. Amendment is adopted. Please send to engrossing.
Speaker 60
24:19
Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 403. Amendment 1, the
Chair
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24:26
Senate Bill 403. Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Clarke Tucker
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24:32
you, Madam President. All this does is add Senator Kroll is a co-sponsor. Appreciate a
Speaker 62
24:37
good vote. All those in favor of the amendment, please
Chair
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24:40
signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Is habit. Amendment is
adopted. Please send to engrossing. Senator Bryant, you're recognized for emotion.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
24:52
That he met a president members like to make a motion to remove Senate Bill 394
Speaker 23
24:58
from committee for purposes Amendment. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? I have it, motion
Speaker 90
25:05
carries. Amendment 1 is 394. Members would
Senator Joshua Bryant
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25:08
like to make a motion to suspend the rules, uh, for the purposes of Amendment 3, Senate Bill 394.
Speaker 16
25:14
All those in favor, please signify to say aye. Any opposed? I have it.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
25:22
Amendment 1 Senate Bill 394. This is just a Easy amendment to add a trigger some trigger
Speaker 16
25:32
language to the bill to get it engrossed before next week. All those in favor of the amendment,
Chair
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25:38
please signify by saying aye. And he opposed as habit. Amendment is adopted. Please
Senator Clint Penzo
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25:43
send to engrossing. Senator Penzo, you're recognized
for emotion. Thank you, Madam President. Motion to withdraw Senate Bill 258 from transportation for
Speaker 16
25:53
purpose of amendment. All those in favor, please signify to say aye. Any opposed? I have it, motion carries.
Chair
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26:01
Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 258. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Motion to suspend
Senator Clint Penzo
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26:07
the rules for adoption of the amendment. I'll all in
Chair
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26:11
favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? As habit Me is about. Thank you. Please send to engrossing.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
26:25
Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, please join me in welcoming our doctor of the day today, Dr. Janna Shaw. She's an anesthesiologist
and pain management pain management specialist at UAMS. Thank you for your service to our state and thank you for being here with us today, Dr. Shaw. We also, as always, have our nurse of the day, Ms. Lee Fazio,
and we have a special note. Y'all remember for a long time our nurses of the day every day. Many years of faithful service, Ms. Brenda Hewitt and Ms. Sherry Bernard, and they're here with us today. So
Chair
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27:17
thank you. That Thanks, Senator Tucker. We will now begin House bills with Senate amendments. Beginning with Amendment 3 to House Bill 1245, Senator Ervin.
Speaker 142
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Is she back here. Yeah. The We will pass over that for the time being. We will now take up Amendment 1 to House Bill 1552.
Chair
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27:56
Amendment 1, the House Bill 1552. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you. My bill by amendment. All those in favor, please
signify by saying aye. Any opposed? I have it. A member is adopted, please send to
Speaker 23
28:13
engrossing. Next, we will take up Amendment 1 to House Bill 1597.
Chair
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28:20
Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1597. Senator Clark, you're recognized. I
Senator Alan Clark
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28:30
Amendment 1 completely is the bill, uh, took everything out
and Uh, put it back almost exactly the way it was with a couple of changes, but it changed it completely. Appreciate a good
Speaker 14
28:43
vote. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify
Chair
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28:46
saying I. Any opposed? I have amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Next We will take up Senate Bill 227.
Senator Ervin, since you're here. Before we take a Senate bill, if we can do as Amendment 3 to House Bill
Speaker 9
29:18
Bill 1245. Thank you, my bill, my amendment, thanks
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
29:22
to the work of Senator Sullivan Senator Brat. Hope you have a good vote. All those in favor of the amendment,
Speaker 16
29:29
please signify by saying I. And he opposed, I have it. Amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing.
Speaker 60
29:38
We will now take up Senate Bill 227. 227 Senator Tucker to amend the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 and to amend the provisions of the
Chair
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29:50
Freedom of Information Act of 1967 concerning public meetings. Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
30:01
This is a bill to after 50 years, define what a public meeting is in Arkansas for for governing local governing bodies. The
reason I say after 50 years is because this issue has been litigated for 50 years with cases going at the circuit court level and going up and down to the Court of Appeals in the Arkansas Supreme Court. This bill is a pro-transparency bill, and it's also pro-fairness to members of governing bodies. I'll get to it in a little more detail toward the end, toward the end of my presentation, but basically everybody supports this bill, which in this line of work is, is pretty, in this area of of the law is pretty remarkable.
So I'm just gonna go over quickly what the bill does, and I'll be happy to take any questions about it. Uh, the code section that addresses public sections that addresses public meetings is 2519106, and it really rewrites that code section and adds some new definitions into section 103 as well. But subsection A, it really sets a table of contents for this section about what the rules are for public meetings in Arkansas. Subsection B. Uh,
talks about notice for public meetings, and it enhances notice for members of the public. The reason why this is ultimately supported by everybody is because there are pieces in this that are for the public, and there are pieces that are in this that are for members of governing bodies, and I'll go through those in a little more detail, but on the notice side, there is real meat in here that will help members of the public have a better idea of what's going to be happening at public meetings, for example, it requires that an agenda for meeting be posted at least 3
days ahead of time if it's a regularly scheduled meeting or if it's an emergency meeting, then it has to be the agenda has to be posted 2 hours ahead of the emergency meeting. Another example is if the governing body or the public entity that it governs already has a website or a social media page. Then when they notify the media about the meeting, they'll post it on their website or their social media page. If they don't already have a website or a social media page, they don't have to create one. It's not burdensome for them. Subsection C.
Of Section 106 deals with when governing bodies can meet in executive session. So this is just clarifying the rules that they have to follow when they meet an executive session. It adds one exemption for governing bodies to meet in executive session, and again, this is another example of something that's in it for governing bodies, and that is that they can meet in executive session in order to discuss how to respond to a cybersecurity attack, um, and, and the definition of public meeting in Section 103. I'll also just point out this is something else concrete for members of governing bodies that if they're
in litigation and they're in a mediation or another court ordered alternative dispute resolution proceeding, then they can that falls outside the definition of public meetings so they can discuss how they're going to negotiate in a settlement in a litigation context in a settlement proceeding outside a public meeting, so the people who are suing them don't know what they're negotiating authority is or or negotiating strategy. No opposition to that that I'm aware of. Um, subsection D deals with how public meetings are. recorded. There's not very much of a change to that in
subsection E we talk about when governing bodies can meet remotely or not, so really the only change to subsection D is if a governing body is meeting remotely or partially remotely, then it has to be recorded in the same manner as the member of the governing body who's attending remotely. In other words, if one person is participating remotely through Zoom, then it has to be recorded on Zoom if a member of a governing body is participating by phone, then the phone conversation has to be quarter. That's the only change in subsection D.
Subsection E, this, this is modernizing how governing bodies can meet a lot of governing bodies are statewide and they want to be able to meet virtually and this is also a benefit, so that's a benefit to governing bodies that meet statewide. It's also a benefit to members of the public because they might not be able to attend a statewide board meeting that's in Fort Smith or Little Rock or Jonesboro or Texarkana or whatever the case might be, they can actually participate remotely in the same way. So what this says is that we want local government. to meet in person like Quorum
Courts and city councils, for example, school boards, when, when they can meet in person and when they can be virtually is already governed by another code section. That's not changing, but then it says everybody else can meet virtually if they want, but if they do, Then the public has to be able to participate in the same way that the members of the governing body are able to participate and also you have to be able to understand how the members of the governing body are voting and what they're saying if they're participating remotely. So that's, that's really what subsection E does. Subsections F and G are really
the meat of the bill, and they're the meat of section 106 to define a public meetings. So the big question that we've been not just litigating in the courts but trying to resolve that the legislature, the whole time I've been in the legislature for 10 years is what our members of governing bodies allowed to say outside of a public meeting, and I think we can have a fair debate about where you draw that line. But what this bill seeks to do is just to draw a line. And that's how everybody really is behind this bill because it provides clarity where there has been a
lack of clarity in the law for a long time. Um, so, uh, F1 provides that polling. There's really two contexts. The first context is when someone who's not a member of the governing body, polls all the members of the governing body to see how they're going to vote on a particular issue that's coming up before the city councilor quorum Court. That's prohibited by F1, which is also prohibited under current law, under case law, and then F2 deals with a situation about when two members of a governing body. are able to talk to each other. How much are they able to say to
each other outside of a public meeting, and that's really where There's been a lack of clarity for a long time. And what this says is that if you are deliberating about a matter of official business, you cannot discuss that with another member of the governing body outside of a public meeting. The reason is because that sort of debate needs to happen in the public so the public can understand what decisions their local governments are making and also why they're making them, but we also want members of governing bodies to have peace of mind about the fact that they can have some conversations outside of public meetings without
governing, excuse me, without breaking the law. And this provides peace of mind like that um that these folks have lacked for a long time. So it explicitly says if you're not deliberating on official business, then you are able to have that conversation outside of a public meeting. So that's what F2 says then subsection G just provides that. If two or more members of the governing body meet outside of a public meeting, and they are deliberating or they're exercising a power of the governing body, then that's prohibited, which again is
current law, and then um it talks about what the ramifications are for a violation. And the only thing that's in this, that's in this bill in the code section, and this is also current law that's being codified. Is that if a governing body violates one of the rules for a public meeting, then a court may invalidate that action or if two members of our governing body have a prohibited communication or a prohibited informal meeting than a court may invalidate that action. And then also governing bodies have to take votes on matters that are taken up in
executive session after they exit executive session. So as I mentioned, we've been talking about this for at least as long as I've been in the legislature, and I generally have a most of these bills and then 2 years ago at the end of the session, Senator Payton said, Senator Tucker, you always oppose these bills. Where is your proposal? And Senator Payton was was right. It was my turn to come up with a proposal. So I got to work on this two years ago and in conjunction as part of this, the Attorney General formed a FOIA working group, and this was really we tackled a number of issues, but
I would say this is the biggest issue that we tackle. Senator Davis was in the working group. Representative David Ray, Ashley Wimberley, who's the head of the Press Association, FOIA. John Toll, and then Ryan Owsley was really our chair. He's he's worked in the AG's office and as BLR, I'm sure many of you all know Mr. Owsley. We worked on this for 2 years, then I filed this bill a month ago, thought we had a pretty good bill, but over the course of the last month I've been working around the clock on this bill. I can't tell you how many changes to the bill that we've made, and the bill has gotten better as a result of that work. It's the
way the legislative process is supposed to work. So now I can tell you that. Governments who have to comply with this law, the Association of Counties, the municipal League, the School Board Association, they're not just OK with this bill. They are for this bill, OK? They support this bill and then folks that y'all know who have traditionally been affiliated with FOIA Transparency, the Press Association. John Toll, who I mentioned, Rob Steinbach. Jimmy Cavin and Joey McCutcheon,
they're not OK with this bill. There for this bill. So everyone who really litigates FOIA issues on a regular basis, supports this bill. Everybody wants it because it's as I, as I said at the start, it's pro-transparency and it provides clarity for people who are on governing bodies. The Attorney General also supports this bill. I'm meant to include him as well, so, um, I think you can feel comfortable. It is, it is a complex bill, but I think you can feel comfortable with the fact that everyone generally was involved with FOIA issues on
every side of FOIA is supportive of this bill and wants it to pass through the process. So with that, I'll be happy to take any
Chair
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39:44
questions. Questions for Senator Tucker. Saying no questions. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator Tucker, you're recognized clothes. Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate
Senator Clarke Tucker
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39:53
it, members, you know, when I was thinking about what Issues I wanted to work on this
session, this session, what political waters were the safest to wade into, I decided FOIA was going to be the the safe political ground, um, but no, I, I ended up spending a lot of time on this, and I, I think we have a very good bill. I really appreciate your
Speaker 99
40:16
consideration and listening to me. I appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no
Speaker 160
40:22
objection. Oh, objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bo
Speaker 9
40:32
Brant Caldwell, Caldwell, Clark. No Crowe. Davis.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
40:45
Days This mine Dotson, Dotson. English Flip out flowers. Gilmore. Hammer, Hester, Hester. Hickie Hill Irvin
Speaker 9
41:03
Blake Johnson. Like Johnson. Mark Johnson.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
41:11
King Lading love. McKee McKee Murdoch. Hayton Henza. Patty, rice. Scott. down
Chair
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41:41
Any senator who did not vote or wishes to change his or her
Speaker 106
41:49
vote. Hester, yes. Blake Johnson, yes. And you have a senator Seeing
Chair
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41:56
no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 308, 2, nay, 3, not
voting, Senate Bill 227 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill
Speaker 60
42:12
246. Senate Bill 246 by Senator Dima to create the Arkansas Access Act and to amend various provisions of the
Chair
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42:19
Arkansas code as they relate to education in the state of Arkansas. Senator dismaying, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Jonathan Dismang
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42:26
you, Governor. The good news is this bill is twice as long as the bill we've discussed
twice in the chamber, so members This is a comprehensive legislation designed to ensure
that our students are equipped with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed in higher education and beyond. First, the bill focuses on acceleration. We aim to ensure that all high school students are equipped with the school's skills needed for success in both higher education and their future careers. We will broaden accelerated course work in Arkansas high schools beyond just AP to include IB and other advanced programs. Additionally, We will standardize the weights for concurrent credit, APIB and
other courses to incentivize students participate in these advanced learning opportunities. A streamlined process will be established to issue district grades and grades for individual schools, ensuring consistency and transparency across the board. Second, we will advocate for common sense in education. Our students deserve a learning environment that is free from bias and undue influence. Students who engage in vandalism of school property will be required. to pay for those damages before before earning their degree and to support our service members
and military families, we will establish a Purple Star campus designation for institutions that demonstrate their support. Additionally, professors' performance evaluations will become part of their tenure reviews, which will ensure their primary focus remains on educating students effectively. Third, we will tackle the cost of education with this bill. This bill sets the stage for a new funding model aimed at encouraging all types of higher education for the first time, we will create funding for non-degree credentials, providing greater accountability
for schools to adopt these programs. Concurrent higher education credits for high school. Students will be funded through per people funding and scholarships, and we will consider the return of investment for the first time in our productivity funding model, ensuring that those dollars are spent wisely with a focus on results. We will address eligibility by making admissions process. more uniform and efficient. We will expand the number of eligible admission exams, including the ACT SAT, CLT
giving the students much or multiple avenues to demonstrate their academic readiness. Arkansas institutions will grant provisional admission to students who meet the baseline admissions requirements, removing unnecessary barriers to higher education. To streamline the process even further, we will introduce a simple statewide universal college application that eases. The admission journey for all of our Arkansas students. And finally, military families will receive in-state tuition benefits to ensure that our service members and their
families have access to affordable education. Uh, we will work to eliminate the barriers for scholarships through this bill we will establish scholarships for students who graduate with merit or distinction distinction, distinction the workforce challenge scholarship will expand it to serve more students in high demand fields. We will also introduce the Arkansas hero. Scholarship offering support for Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients, and the first year award for the academic Challenge scholarship will be doubled from
$1000 to $2000 ensuring that more students have access to the resources they need and for all students with disabilities will establish establish the governor's higher ed transition scholarship program provide tailored support. In all, that'll be about 25 $23 million of additional scholarship support that we're going to offer students. Lastly, We emphasize that standardization in course crediting bringing clarity and simplicity to the credit transfer process. We will standardize course numbering across all state supported
higher education institutions and increase the number of general education and career technical education courses and the Arkansas course transfer system. This will ensure that students can seamlessly transfer credits and make progress towards their degree without unnecessary roadblocks. And in closing the access bill is a commitment to our future. This bill will increase access, reduce barriers, and ensure that all students, no matter their background or circumstances have the opportunities they need to thrive in higher education and
beyond. With that, I'm happy to take
Speaker 158
46:48
questions, I think. Questions for Senator Dimay. Senator Murdoch and then Senator Stubblefield,
Senator Reginald Murdock
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47:02
Senator Murdoch, you're recognized. OK. said that obviously there's so many parts of this bill that that provides uh improvements to the things that we face in Arkansas, higher ed K through 12 even.
It's, would you be amenable to possibly on the house in, uh, amen the the the the legislation to add in some things that I think can improve it better, specifically in section 23, which we talked about in committee that could deal with some of the, the concerns for students specifically as we deal with what they can and cannot do as an excuse absence and what we call education versus advocacy. and some other things that I
think I understand what you are concerned about, but I think there is a piece in there as it relates to that that we can fix if we talk about it and it can make this bill even better. Also, as it relates to accountability. We talked about the accountability and leveling the playing field where the uh private schools that we support legislatively in some areas that have been deemed very important for those students that attend those
private institutions that we also have the accountability to follow them. As well for those items the same way we do in the bill when it relates to public or charter school. We do that same thing for the private that we support in various ways. We spend our money. We share the funds and services currently. So let's make sure we hold that accountable standard because we want them. To be just as good as you want the public in charter to be, so I just wanted to see if we can
be amenable possibly to talk about something that we can amend on the house end.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
48:55
I mean, I, I would want to see language before I would agree to make any changes we did make, yeah, I'm I'm always happy to have a discussion on page 36, in fact, there was substantial changes that were made to the unexcused absences portion that came following conversations with students from Central High School, Benton High School. And very, I think various Catholic high school for that matter, that had advocated for changes. We were able to
actually, I think, take some of their concerns and they were addressed directly in the bill with an amendment that afternoon. Um, and I can run through those if you like, but I, but I do believe it's the right balance and you know you will not be provided an unexcused absence for a protest or a walkout or whatever it may be, there was some talk about um school approved. Protest. I'm not even sure what that means. I hope that those districts all have policies for what they state when they say that there are school sanctioned
protest, but again, those would not be excused absences. However, we did want to make sure that students were able to come and advocate at the Capitol, so there is a path for school districts to create their policies as far as advocation by a student here at the Capitol. The one thing we did want to make sure is that there was a parental permission for a student to come to the Capitol. think you'd had some truancy issues if you didn't provide for that and probably would have the same issues for a walkout protest and then lastly, one of the things that was important to
me was making sure that there was an evening even playing field. There's differences of opinion amongst a school district, amongst the students, and what I don't want to see is a school district waiting or saying that one thing is proper to protest or not protest, but to come advocate for and another is not, uh, and so when they're making those policies, we want to be able to see what's reflected. And so the last part is a reporting back to the Department of Education on any unexcused or excused absences as they relate to political advocacy. Again, we
wouldn't want someone saying that one's rights is lesser than the other just because the administration disagreed with their, you know, their position. And so I think those satisfied a
lot of the concerns and if there's more that you'd like to address, I mean, I would be happy to hear them. Well, I appreciate your
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
51:06
commitment to discuss when you didn't address this, but we can discuss it later is the accountability. The piece as it relates to private schools and what we do with public and charter schools that we support and we have expectations for them, so I just think we need to level that playing field as well. I understand, and I've, and again,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
51:23
I'm happy to have the conversation, but one of the things I want everyone to keep in mind is that the funding follows the student in the EFA process and so there are testing requirements that are in place, but one thing to remember, that is, we do not fund them with parity. Then the FE students are not funded in parity with how we would fund. public schools and if we want to have that conversation, I don't think anyone in the chamber would like to actually. Senator
Speaker 190
51:49
Stubblefield and then Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Madam
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
51:54
Governor. Eent this man, I really like this pill,
uh, but there's, can you tell me, we all in this room are aware of the reading proficiency rates and scores that we have in the state. I mean, we've got 8th graders that cannot read it. Is there, what, what? Part of this bill
relates to increasing those scores. Those proficiency of reading scores. Well, I mean, I think
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
52:22
the, the grading system and being able to
revamp that and make it something that is more cohesive and more reliable and
more understandable would help with that, but, but as far as elementary school education, that is not contemplated in this bill beyond that. This bill addresses high school and then what it means to go into college and how those two entities interact with each other, but as far as elementary school and reading, that's not, you know, contemplated in the bill. Well, I understand
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
52:47
that, but if you can't read, you can't do any of these other. So we've
got, we've got to do something about that, but I
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
52:56
really like the bill. I appreciate you bringing many of those things were addressed and learned with the reading teachers or coaches and that sort of thing, so I know that the governor's office, Department of Education is committed to reading readiness and so again I think some of those
we're still waiting to let the results play out for the initiative that's been undertaken so far. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized, and then Sener hammer.
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
53:28
Thank you, Madam President. So the bill's been out there for a while, and this issue
we faced the other day of of students' right to protest. That was in the original bill, uh, pretty much, and it wasn't amendment. Have you received anything in writing other suggestions from any way. I mean, Senator Clark, uh, uh Senator Tucker made the comment that based on Senator Payton's, where's your proposal? And he came up with one. facing a similar deal now where
people uh on this right to protest, that people want to say I don't like it, but we're not coming up with a
Senator Jonathan Dismang
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54:08
written solution they've given to you. No, but I mean, the solution that's in this bill that the final amendment was in response to the concerns. Again, I don't as the sponsor, there's no scenario in which that I think there should be an excused absence for a walkout. And I think we are treading a very fine line to allow school districts to have what's called a school sanctioned protest. I mean those those, that, that's a
pretty interesting concept to have because again, what's worthy of protest and what's not. Does one child's advocacy for an issue for a protest. outweigh or it doesn't carry the weight of an entire school or 100 kids that want to protest an issue and so hopefully this sets the stage that there's some, you know, policies put in place as we move forward and that, you know, if a child or a student wants to make the decision that they're going to walk out of the school in protest. They've made that decision. They should not be not have an excused absence
Senator Dan Sullivan
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55:01
you gotten anything in writing from this body? No, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
55:10
Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you and thank you for the work on the bill sat through your presentation, but you said something a minute ago. I'm not sure I heard clarified. When it comes to the student being responsible for paying for the damages before they get their diplomas, is that limited just to the school where they attend or what if it happens here at the Capitol or it extends beyond the school
property school property is the way that it's worded now. Otherwise, I
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
55:36
guess that would well. There would be a whole separate cause of action and they could happen outside the school. I mean, so I think that's a, that's a whole different realm when they're damaging, you know, property offsite, off the campus. This is just to provide them the ability to, you know, try to seek a remedy to do that without having to go to the courts and that being the withholding of the but
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
56:00
if they, if they go off, say, a group of
students go off site to protest, and there's damage that's caused somewhere else, the ability to hold that diploma because that
action occurred off site. That's not that it would be up
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
56:15
to whatever the entity was that was damaged to bring those charges and try to mitigate that issue. Yeah, thanks. Send
Speaker 14
56:23
her love and then send her Mark Johnson. Yeah
Speaker 211
56:35
Thank you, Governor. Senator Desmay, in speaking to um
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
56:37
and to the issue of of paying for damages and also the protests. Was there anything specifically that arose within the last year or two that that made you put this piece in that bill and other parts of the country, absolutely. Fortunately
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
56:51
we've not had those events that I'm aware of here. OK, all right, thank you. Thank you. Senator Mark Johnson, you're
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
57:06
recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Senator Disma, this is a complex bill, but I think it's a great bill. I didn't have some constituent questions concerning this issue of protest and advocacy and frankly, I think when anytime we start messing with things that can be construed as First Amendment issues. That's fine, you know, a lot of times everybody says, well, I have a right to free speech. Well, yes, but you also have to deal with the consequences of it like not going to work and maybe getting fired or or having some other
thing. Do you feel that by allowing people to uh You don't get an exccused absence, but obviously one excuse to absence is not a major deterrent, but if someone wants to take off every every time there's some kind of called protest or something, then, then is there a, does this, I guess would be say permissive for a school district to have policies that say, you know, if you do this once, you know, OK, you just missed some class, it probably hurt your grade, but you just can't do it
every Friday and go down to the courthouse or whatever. I'm, I'm trying to balance
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
58:14
that in my Absolutely this this allows the avenue for a school district to set a policy,
but we are mandating that that policy include a provision that the parent knows what's happening with the child. That's good. Thank
Senator Mark Johnson
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58:24
you, sir. Thank you, Madam President. Any other
Chair
Unverified
58:31
questions? Anyone wish to speak against? Senator Love, you're recognized.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
58:46
Colleagues, uh, I rose to to speak against, and it's not
really to speak against this bill just per se, but to speak against a couple of parts, but the one part in regards to the students in exercising their First Amendment rights. I don't even think that we needed to even touch that issue and access. And for us to do so is just to try to create a chilling effect. On student advocacy. As I asked Senator Dismay, was
there anything that any reason why they put that in the bill that responded to something that happened in Arkansas, and the answer was no, and I just feel like we should not have touched that. You know, I watched as the students advocated for their rights to speak out and to speak up. And I think when we begin to To interfere with those rights. We need to be very careful of what we're trying to teach our students. This is a
participatory democracy. And you may not like the way That they want to display their activity. But guess what? It's their First Amendment right and we should respect that. So be very careful as we move forward with this bill because I think the students have the right to speak out and speak up. Thank you. Speak for Senator Clark, you're recognized.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:00:25
Senator Dismay, I appreciate you bringing this bill. Uh, it is an area as so many are where it's hard to get it exactly right. I think that the bill comes as close as you can, especially on the part we've been discussing, and I don't disagree with the central law at all. The, this bill allows students to leave class to protest. But it's not excused. You got to care enough. because it's not school sponsored, it shouldn't be school sponsored. There
shouldn't be any superintendent or principal anywhere making a decision on whether your issue is important enough or not. It ought to just be a blanket rule for everyone. I didn't become passionate when I got in the Senate, and I don't become passionate when I got in the Senate, nor did I imagine most of you. You were probably passionate in high school, and you know that there were things you would have left class for to protest, and there are things that you'd have said no. I got a math test and I'm not going to miss it. So, uh, and the fact that if you damage
school property is included, that there's a penalty as there should be, but if you're off campus and it has, and it has nothing to do with school even though you left school, that's not the school's place to patrol. They should not be patrolling, uh, uh, or trying to limit your free speech elsewhere. Uh, so I don't know how you could have got it any better to allow those who want to to protest at the same time saying the school's not putting their stamp of approval on it. I think he did a great job. I'd be happy to take any questions.
Speaker 226
1:01:59
And the rice question for Senator Clark. Yes, thank you, Senator Clark for taking
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
1:02:04
my question. Uh, just knowing your age, my age. Did your dad kind of limit your First Amendment rights like mine
Speaker 228
1:02:10
did up to a point. Uh, he was a good dad. Yes, he did. I appreciate it more now because he did too. Thank you. Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized for
Chair
Unverified
1:02:22
a question. Thank you, Madam President. Senator
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:02:26
Clark, this is similar to my question to Senator
Dismay. Uh, and in my first term, I sponsored a bill that basically said that you're right to editorialize in a student newspaper. I was guaranteed and therefore, because you don't leave your First Amendment rights when you enter a schoolhouse door, and earlier in this session I had a bill about religious rights using that same principle. You don't shed your rights when you enter the schoolhouse door. And I'm, I like this bill because I think we've tried to uh make sure that students don't
lose their right to peaceably assemble and to petition their government for redress grievances. However, The when and where you do that is subject to what your teacher expects you to be there in class and etc. etc. Do you, do you feel that this bill, uh, uh, makes a proper delineation between those situations and that someone can, if they feel so strongly to basically have an unexcused absence they can exercise their First Amendment
rights if had any problem. Would you agree? I would agree. All right, thank
Chair
Unverified
1:03:41
you, sir. Thank you. person. Any other questions for Senator Clark? Anyone else wish to speak against voting for the bill. 44. Seeing no other senator dismaying your recognized clothes. Senator
Speaker 160
1:03:55
has closed, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boeing Brant. Caldwell.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:04:05
Caldwell. Clark. Croel Davis. Days This man Dotson English. Flippo. Flowers, Gilmore. Gilmore
Speaker 9
1:04:37
Hill Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:04:48
King. King. Lighting, love, McKee Murdoch.
Speaker 9
1:04:56
Payton, Pennzo. Patty. Rice, Scott stone Sabafield. Sullivan attacker Wallace.
Speaker 106
1:05:11
Any senator wished to vote who did not vote, Senator Gilmore, yes. Any other senator, Senator Caldwell, yes. And you have a sender wished to vote
Chair
Unverified
1:05:26
who did not vote or change your vote. Seeing no other please cast up the ballot by a vote of 28, 6 nay, 1 not voting, Senate Bill 246. Passes, please transmit to the house. and Senator Irvin. It
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:05:41
If you want to Make that That Thank you. I want to refer this bill back
Chair
Unverified
1:05:55
to committee for purpose of amendment. Motion to re-refer Senate Bill 264 back
to committee for purposes of amendment. All those in favor signified by saying aye. And he opposed. I have it. Motion Kerry,
Senator Caldwell, you're recognized for an introduction. Thank you, Madam President. I'd
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
1:06:11
like to ask leave for my daughter,
Speaker 243
1:06:18
Mary Anne Weatherford. Senate Bill 278.
Chair
Unverified
1:06:22
Senate Bill 278 by Senator English to repeal the statutes concerning the occupational authorization and licensure of certain employment offices and agencies and to repeal the Arkansas Private Employment Agency Act of 1975. Senator English, you're recognized. Thank you very
Senator Jane English
Unverified
1:06:38
much. This bill basically repeals the
Arkansas Private Employment Agency Act of 1975.
Speaker 158
1:06:49
Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or
Chair
Unverified
1:06:53
for. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the
Speaker 9
1:07:06
boat. Boy, Bryant Caldwell, Clark K Crowe, Davis,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:07:09
Des, Dimaine Dotson, English flippo flowers,
Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott Stone, Steberfield, Sullivan, Tucker,
Chair
Unverified
1:07:26
Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or
her vote, seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. by a vote of 35 e,
zero nay, Senate Bill 278 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate
Bill 279 Senate Bill 279 by Senator Irving to assist the division of labor with enforcing the fair and prompt payment of wages to Arkansas citizens and to clarify the manner in which wage and hour complaints are
investigated. It's in urban, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:08:00
Madam President, and members, Senate Bill 279 is supported by the governor, the Department of Labor and Licensing and the state chamber of Commerce, and it does not have any opposition. Um, what
this bill will do, it helps the department's division of labor better perform its duties under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act, um, and it's a good bill for both minimum wage workers who need the wages that they have earned to support themselves and their families and businesses, um, to help Then prevent unfair competition from businesses that have reduced overhead by failing to pay the minimum wages required by Arkansas law. So it's a good balancing act that brings needed clarity concerning the applicability of the statute of
limitations solely to investigations and actions conducted by the Division of Labor by establishing a standard two-year assessment period while tolling the existing two-year statute of limitations for private actions under the Arkansas minimum Wage Act. what this will allow sufficient time for the department to conduct a thorough investigation and work with the employers to resolve any unpaid wage issues without litigation, when possible, while preserving the rights of the parties to exercise any and all remedies
available under the administrative Procedures Act. Uh, the bill does not affect private actions for wages or the applicable two-year statute of limitations for such actions, um, and, uh happy to answer any questions. Questions for
Speaker 106
1:09:37
an Urban. Saying no questions. Anyone wish to speak? against or for. Send her your recognized clothes from clothes, appreciate the
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:09:47
good work of the folks at the
Department of Labor and Licensing and um me helping them with their bill.
Chair
Unverified
1:10:00
Thank you. Appreciate a good bit. Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:10:08
roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Kroll, Davis, Des, Dimados and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee,
Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice scot, stone, Stuberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any
Chair
Unverified
1:10:31
senator wish to change his or her vote, King not voting, any other senator. Seeing no other police cast
up the ballot by a vote of 34 yeah, 0, nay, 1 not voting. Senate Bill 279 passes, please transmit to the house. We are
passing over the next 3 bills, Senate Bill 285, Senate
Bill 286, and Senate Bill 288. We will now take up Senate Bill 305. Senate Bill
Speaker 60
1:11:00
305 by Central Penzo to require certain testing of,
Chair
Unverified
1:11:03
of processed marijuana products sold as medical marijuana. Senator Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:11:12
Senate Bill 305 has some uh clarification language in it for some definitions. The primary part of the bill, uh, creates
testing requirements for the finished product, um, if, if, uh, a marijuana product has been altered from the original form into a finished product that's made up of multiple Uh, things that has to be tested as an end product for pesticides, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, residual solvents, and THC and cannabido. Uh concentration, um. If there's not any questions, I'd appreciate a good vote.
Chair
Unverified
1:11:58
Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for Senator Love. Do you have a question?
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:12:05
OK. You're right to ask for a question Senator Love. So, so Senator Penzo, I'm trying to figure out what we're trying to do with this bill. I know you're saying testing, but if those products test positive for or for any of the things that you just listed as a is a is it removed the product removed? I mean. There's, there's a I'm, I'm not sure what exactly
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:12:28
the parameters are currently there. It's, it's tested today, like in different stages, but this just moves it to the final uh finished product to be tested. I'm sure there are quality standards that disclosures, um, I'm not sure what all is entailed in that, but um right now it's not tested as a final product and uh with with medical marijuana, we want it to be is Clean as possible for the people that are truly using it for
medicinal purposes. OK. All right, thank you.
Speaker 106
1:13:04
Thank you. Any other questions, Senator Gilmore?
Chair
Unverified
1:13:08
Senator Penzo has left the well. Anyone wish to speak against or for Senator Pinzo has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Saying no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Bowen, Bryant Caldwell, Clark
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:13:30
Kroll, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott stone, Stabberfield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her
Chair
Unverified
1:13:49
vote, seeing no one. Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 350 nay, Senate Bill 305 passes, please transmit to the
house. Senate Bill 319. Senate Bill 319 by Senator Boyd to amend the uniform limited Liability Company Act and to clarified charging orders under the uniform limited liability
Company Act. Senator Boyd, you're recognize. Thank you, Madam President. This bill
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
1:14:21
updates our limited liability company statute to be in line with Texas. This update ensures individuals in Arkansas will have adequate protections when forming an LLC in our state. Currently, individuals with means are more
sophistication or forming LLCs outside of our Arkansas. This means the fees that are associated with that and often the banking accounts support another state rather than our own state, uh, after an agreed to amendment with the banking association, I know of no opposition.
Speaker 106
1:14:53
this bill. Any questions for Senator Boyd? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Chair
Unverified
1:14:58
Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:15:07
Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying dots in English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, scostone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish
Chair
Unverified
1:15:27
to change his or her vote? King not voting, any other senator.
Speaker 97
1:15:37
Hickey, no any other senator seen no other. Gilmore Present Anyone else he'll know anyone else. Please check the board. Seeing no one else. Police
Chair
Unverified
1:15:54
cast up the ballot. By a vote of 31 yeah, 2 nay, 1 not voting, one present. Senate Bill 319 passes please transmit to the house.
Senate Bill 321. Senate Bill 321 by Senator Bryant to amend the law concerning the state administration of
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:16:21
justice Fund. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members, what this bill does is require um With
mandatory funding for our reimbursement of jurors from the administration of justice Fund. So if you're curious what the administration of justice fund, it's what our courts use to
operate after they collect the fines and fees from our individual courts. So the AOJ fund has specifically 9 different sets of statutes that collect fines and fees and costs from our circuit courts. They've got 8 different statute levels that collects fines and fees for the operation of our courts from the district courts and two miscellaneous filing fees that apply to either court. So when that money gets collected from our courts, it goes into a fund. And with that fund, the attempt
is it directly impacts the administration of justice, and one of those key functions administration of justice is an adequate and funded juror pool. So how this works across our counties is they go ask the quorum Court, the circuit, the circuit clerks asked the corn courts for a an appropriation to spend money for their jurors. Now that while it is basically funded upfront by the county, that fund at the county level is anticipated to be reimbursed by the administration of Justice
Fund because it is a state court and it has a state obligation to pay the fund. What is happening is those fines and fees are not, they're not meeting the entire appropriation obligation of the fund. So the fund itself has roughly $39.3 million of anticipated funding in the budget. That is an appropriated amount among 25 line items. There are currently 4, as you can see in the bill, one of these is
struck, and that was struck by a different act passed this session already passed by the governor. It struck the the district court coordinator, which is the reason why it remains struck in this bill. So there's now 3 mandatory line items. Those 3 mandatory line items fund 15.4 million out of the 39.3 million of the appropriated amount. The remaining part of it is considered discretionary funding. Which means they try to equally pay out the discretionary funds throughout the year based on the
proportionate share received of the fines and fees. The problem with that is, as the county's bill to get asked for that reimbursement, they get shortchanged. So if they sent $100,000 bill in for that quarter. They're only getting at this point 56.7% of that funded by the state. They do not get that made up by the state that comes out of the county's coffers. And then the next time they build, it's the same result. Now that changes yearly based on the funds that come in. Next
year they anticipate 75% funding, which means 75 cents on every dollar billed will come back to the county and the county is obligated to fund a state court. The problem with that is, is that is specific to the administration of justice. Now, while several of these funds are nice to have, they may not necessarily be administration of justice. Yes, are they in the in the law profession? Sure, but not necessarily directly related to the operation of the courts. So the impact this will have to those other funds, so we can get this bill through to make
mandatory, the reimbursement of our jurors. It will affect the current other funds by 2.7%. They'll still get plenty of funding, but 2.7% will be skimmed off the top of them to ensure that our jurors are reimbursed to our counties. With that, I'll be glad to
take any questions. Any questions for Senator Bryan. Anyone
Chair
Unverified
1:20:13
wish to speak against or for. Senator Bryant, you're
Speaker 160
1:20:18
recognized clothes. I'm close with. Appreciate it. Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the boat.
Speaker 9
1:20:32
say no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:20:35
boat. For Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, dismay dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, love,
McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Ryan Scott, Stone, Stubber Phil Sullivan, Tucker.
Chair
Unverified
1:20:53
Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Senator King not voting. Any other senator, Senator Tucker, no. Any other senator. Seeing no other. police cast up the ballot by a vote of 33,
yeah, 1 nay, one not voting. Senate Bill 321 passes, please transmit to the house.
We are passing over Senate Bill 325 and Senate Bill 326. We will now take up Senate
Speaker 60
1:21:30
Bill 352. Senate Bill 352 by Senator Stone. To prohibit anti-system. Semitism in public elementary and secondary schools and prohibit anti-Semitism in state-supported institutions of higher
Chair
Unverified
1:21:40
education. Senator Stone, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
1:21:53
Anti-Semitism has existed before our country was founded. Unfortunately has found its way into our country and into our state. This bill sets up guardrails on how schools both K-12 and higher education will address anti-Semitism if it rears its ugly head in our school systems and with that I'm open for any questions. Any questions for
Speaker 106
1:22:15
Senator Stone. Anyone wish to speak against.
Chair
Unverified
1:22:24
4 senator Tucker, you are recognized to speak on the
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
1:22:33
bill. Thank you, Madam President. Anti-Semitism is horrible. I think everyone in here is against anti-Semitism. There are other forms of discrimination, discrimination in the United States and in Arkansas. And I can't help but point out the irony.
That we're singling one vulnerable group out and leaving out others, others that have been targeted in legislation that we passed in this chamber this session. Uh, there are other minority groups that have been historically oppressed, racial minorities, women, other religious minorities like Muslims, immigrants. Gay and lesbian and transgender Arkansans. So I'm 100% against anti-Semitism, as I know that we all are. But I just don't want it to be
lost in the discussion that there are other forms of oppression and other historically oppressed groups that belong in this conversation just as much. Any other senator wish
Speaker 106
1:23:39
to speak. Against honor. Or for Senator Sullivan, you're recognized to speak
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:23:49
for. Folks, if you read the bill, the bill clearly states that it's against all anti all discrimination, very clearly
states that. I think I maybe on the first page, maybe the first line of the 2nd page, but to say that this bill does not do that is to misrepresent what the bill is. Uh, it goes on to spell out specifically anti-Semitism, which is fine, and I welcome anyone and we'll help co-sponsor any bill that has the same or similar wording as Senator Stone's bill that does the same thing for anybody else who's discriminated against.
Uh, yeah, we hear lots of problems. I feel sometimes like we're playing whack a mole and we're the mole. Every suggestion that gets made somebody whacks it down. Folks, this is a good bill. Some would say it's already covered, it may be, uh, some places it is, but it clearly states that we oppose anti-Semitism. We oppose all discrimination. I'd be glad to answer any questions. Anyone else wish to speak
Chair
Unverified
1:25:00
against, for, or on the bill. He's Senator Sullivan has left the well, and I'm sorry, Senator Murdoch Senator Sullivan, would you entertain a question if you would, please, sir. Thank you, and I apologize, Senator Murdoch. Sometimes I don't know if some of you all are standing up to
stretch or to ask a question, so I apologize. Senator Murdoch, you're recognized for a question. My question to you, Senator Sullivan.
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
1:25:31
Is it you, you're questioning why. After reading the bill. We could a question could be asked about the discriminatory practice. My question to you is about the bill, you brought and passed.
That's what my question is about. That does nothing but oppress. And take away the rights of
people to be included to participate and be a part of the processes that we so much need
to be so that we can be a better body, country and nation. So whenever An oppressive bill come about and this one is good anti-Semitism is bad for everybody, but for you to stand and speak and
wonder why with what you have presented, then it causes nothing but frustration and more irritation to what SB 3, which would have to be act is now presented to us. Which is nothing but discrimination, lack of
inclusion and lack of access. How do you do that and square that with standing there today is my
Senator Dan Sullivan
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1:26:42
question to you. I think I just did. You did. Well, that's your opinion, but I'm, I'm saying the bill is speaking on the bill, not speaking about SB1 or SB 3. I'm speaking on this bill. I think the light in which clearly states that it opposes all discrimination. Maybe the sponsor will reread that statement on the bill, but I'm,
I'm saying also that others right the same bill if they think there's a group left out that needs to be included, write the bill. That's all I'm saying. I'll be glad to to be up here and sponsor it and speak against it, and I think, I don't know one of us that supports discrimination. I don't know one of us is Senator Tucker said, who supports anti-Semitism. We don't do that. We've got multiple bills that do that. And if, if
someone here in this body thinks that this bill is not inclusive enough if there are other groups that were not addressed, and write the bill and come up here.
Speaker 279
1:27:43
We're glad to pass it too. My, so my question to you, senator, inside of your mind,
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
1:27:49
and I'm asking you this because you're speaking and you're there in the well. This that you're saying out of your mouth now does not conflict with you, with the legislation that you
passed Senate Bill 3. What you're saying now does not totally conflict in your mind.
Senate Bill 3 had to do with affirmative action more than a action, opportunity, inclusion. Discrimination, and you're talking about discrimination as though you, you, you disagree with it, but your bill spoke of it. I mean the
Speaker 281
1:28:26
whole process and Senator Murdock, I If we
Chair
Unverified
1:28:30
can and just stick to questions about this bill. I recognize that we had a lengthy
full debate on Senate Bill 3. I was here for it, uh, but we are discussing Senate Bill 352 and any questions asked of Senator Sullivan, Senator Stone, or If someone comes to speak against the bill, any questions, I would just ask that they be about 352. Thank you. I'm done. Senator Love, you're
recognized for a question. Thank you, Governor and to prohibit
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:29:06
anti-Semitism, I think everybody would join in doing
that, but I want to ask, where do you stand on hate crime legislation? That's not in this bill. But it has something to do with anti-Semitism,
right? We, we, I'm on the bill. Here's the thing, yeah, and I'm, I'm on the bill because it says to prohibit anti-Semitism. I'm asking you, where do you stand on hate crime legislation? If you want to prohibit anti-Semitism. That is the point of the bill, right? That is
is in the tide to turn around and read it. Are you
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:29:47
waiting for an answer, or are you waiting for? OK. What do you stand on hate crime legislation crime legislation is not in this bill. I stand behind the way the bill is written, and I stand for that. I'm not going to be baited into a a a debate of hate crime. I'm for the bill. Thank you,
Chair
Unverified
1:30:02
Madam President. Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak on, against, or for. Senator Stone, you recognized clothes. Oh, I'm sorry.
Senator Clark, you're recognized to speak for. Thank
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:30:26
you, Madam Governor. Central of, I'm against hate crime legislation. That's a long, long discussion. I chaired judiciary back when we heard those bills, uh, although we did pass something along those lines. I'm also a lifetime member of the NAACP. I'm very much for this bill
because the issue that we've been dealing with, especially on college campuses across this country is pure anti-Semitism, harassment of Jewish students. And violence against Jewish students. It shouldn't be allowed against anybody, but that's the, that's what's been happening and it's been encouraged. But adult Employees of these colleges and administrators who won't take a stand against it. It's much more personal to some
other people than it is to me. But I am the Ukrainian caucus caucus in the legislature. My great grandfather, Joseph Pizaro. family left. Down the river left Ukraine down the river Kiev when he was 6 years old and left everything, left their farm, left everything because they were smart enough to save their lives and weren't, weren't part of the starvation and everything else that
happened to the farmers there on past. That was because they were Jewish. They left Spain in 1492. That was the name Bizarro left Spain in 1492 upon the pain of death for not converting. From Judaism. And it, I am shocked at what I'm seeing in this country as we look back at Nazi Nazi Germany. I am shocked. These are not, these are not pro-Palestinian protest. I have no problem with
anybody protesting in any direction to protest, but when it's hatred against a group and harassment and violence against a group, it needs to be addressed and I appreciate that Senator Stone has brought this bill. And it's very personal to me as other things are very personal to
Speaker 275
1:32:40
you. Thank you. Anyone else wish to speak against for or on Senate Bill 352.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
1:32:51
Seeing no one else, Cener stone, you recognized clothes. Members, I believe this bill diminishes no one's rights in any way. It's an
effort to make sure that the Jewish people receive parity along with everybody else. With that, I'm closed for the bill and would appreciate a good
Speaker 99
1:33:12
vote. Senator has closed, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Yes Brant
Speaker 291
1:33:27
Croel Davis Des Desma, Dotson English flippo flowers. Gilmore, Gilmore. Hammer, Hester, Hickey.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:33:42
Hell Irvin, Irvin. Blake Johnson.
Speaker 291
1:33:53
Blake Johnson. Mark Johnson. King Latin. Love. The key. Murdoch. Payton, Penzo Patty. Rice. Scott Stone Sta afield.
Speaker 106
1:34:24
Sullivan. Sullivan Tucker. Wallace Any senator who did not vote, who wished to vote or change your vote, Senator Urban, yes, roll, yes. Sullivan, yes. Any other senator Love, no. Any other senator?
Speaker 14
1:34:54
Please check the board, seeing no other. Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 29 4 29 4 nay, and
Chair
Unverified
1:35:06
2 present Senate Bill 352 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 364. Senate Bill 364 by
Senator Hester to amend the law concerning violations and penalties related to contractors. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Governor, if
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
1:35:25
it's OK, be recognized for a motion. Senator Hester, you're recognized for a motion. Members, I'd like to re-refer Senate Bill 364 back to committee for purposes of amendment. You
Speaker 16
1:35:36
offered the motion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Any
Chair
Unverified
1:35:41
opposed? I have it, motion carries. And then next, crop of bills, we are going to take up after Senate Bill 417. So now we will take up, if you
will turn to page 4, we will take up Senate Bill
Speaker 302
1:36:08
404. Centiel 404 by Senator Board to require notification to the Department of Finance Administration of the probate of an estate if the Department of Finance Administration has filed a
Chair
Unverified
1:36:18
certificate of indebtedness against the Satan. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Current law requires the
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
1:36:26
administrator of an estate to serve notice on reasonably ascertainable creditors. This bill makes it crystal clear that DFA is one of those creditors and provides the address to which notices to be served at DFA. There is no fiscal
Chair
Unverified
1:36:40
impact. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against a question Senator dismay and you're recognized. I miss
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:36:48
this morning in committee, I believe. Is this it went the judiciary. Oh, that's fine. OK.
Do they have the ability to uh to do this at this point right now let me pull it up real quick. Sorry, I
didn't realize that that was one of them. Do they have the ability to issue that certificate of indebtedness
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
1:37:13
now, or we're giving them a new authority to issue against someone's estate. So what law requires is if you have indebtedness, you're supposed to notify DFA. It doesn't say DFA. It says DHS, but if there's a certificate of indebtedness, a tax lien, then DFA should be notified. That's
not happening all the time. This just makes it crystal clear that DFA is one of those entities, and it gives the name and address of where that
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:37:36
notice needs to be sent. So someone dies and they don't back taxes, we're going to fight the DFA is going to file against
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
1:37:44
their state. Essentially. So seemingly they've already filed a state tax lien against their state, then some a state, then someone dies,
the administrator of the state is supposed to notify DFA. OK. Now the questions.
Speaker 275
1:38:01
Anyone wish to speak against or for.
Chair
Unverified
1:38:08
Senator Boyd. I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. Senator
has closed any objection to rolling the vote. Madam Secretary, please roll the boat.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:38:20
Bowen, Bryant Caldwell, Clark Crowell, Davis Des, Dimain Dots and English flippo flowers Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love,
McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone Stubber Phil Sullivan,
Chair
Unverified
1:38:38
Tucker Wallace. Any senator was to change his or her vote, Senator Hill, no. King not
Speaker 285
1:38:48
voting, dismaying no. Hickey, no. Peyton, no. Scott. Did you
Speaker 97
1:38:56
have your hand up? No, These present. Dotson presents.
Davis present, crow present. Penzo present. Caldwell, no. Rice No. Stubblefield. No. Flippo, no. Hammer present. Irvin, no. Any others, please
Chair
Unverified
1:39:28
check the board. Love present. Murdoch present.
Scott Yes Any others, please check the board. Gilmore, no. Any others, please check the board. Sullivan present. Please check the board. All in, all out. Seeing no other police cast up the ballot by a vote of 15, no
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
1:40:10
nay, 1 not voting, 10 present. Senate Bill 404 fails. Senator Dismaying. I can make a motion to expunge the vote by which Senate Bill 404
Chair
Unverified
1:40:27
failed. You all heard the motion. All those in favor. And he opposed I have it motion carries.
Senate Bill 413. Senate Bill 413 by Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning a school district board of directors and to amend the law concerning the certification of
Speaker 302
1:40:47
an oath for a school board director. Send your hammer, you're recognized. Thank
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:40:54
you Madam Governor. The bill's pretty simple. What it does is place the responsibility on the school board member that's been elected to notify and to prepare and to bring to the county clerk their paperwork in order to be filed, whereas now currently there's some responsibility on the county clerk, but we're going to put it onto the board member that's
Chair
Unverified
1:41:11
been elected, be glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer. Anyone wish to
speak against or for Senator Hammer, thank you. Appreciate it. Senator Hammer is closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:41:34
Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boy, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, Dimaine Dodson, English Flippo flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey,
Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, stone, Stubber Phil
Speaker 13
1:41:50
Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator was to change his
Chair
Unverified
1:41:55
or her vote, King not voting. Any other senator. Bless you, Sander Stone, any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote
Speaker 14
1:42:07
of 34 e, zero nay, 1 not voting, Senate Bill 413
passes, please transmit to the house. Senate
Chair
Unverified
1:42:19
Bill 417. Senate Bill 417 by Senator Dodson, to amend various laws related to higher education, Senator Dodson,
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
1:42:26
you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President, members, Senate Bill 417 is a higher education cleanup bill that was brought to me by some of the institutions. I'll go through it briefly so you can see when I first got this bill, it was much longer than this, but we've pared it down and uh went through committee once and pared
it down again and so I think these are, these are all things that are, are fairly well noncontroversial at this point, but sections 12, and 8 deletes affirmative action programs, plans summaries, and my Nor the retention programs in accordance with state and federal laws, Section 3 deletes unnecessary restrictions on duplication of service offered by since institutions no longer have specific service areas where courses and programs can be offered. Section 4 deletes a report on the cost of
remediation, remediation that was part of a prior funding formula. Uh, Section 5 deletes unnecessary committee reporting on energy conservation and the development of alternative energy. The committee never convened and so that's being deleted. Section 6 adds language allowing all to your camps the authority to use the alternative delivery method for construction if they choose to do so. Sections 7 and 15 deletes the requirement that the campuses
use the Arkansas Building Authority for leasing and transfer of facilities, um, an institution may use if the desired or an ABA has no objections. Sections 9, 1213 and 14 delete unnecessary language since institutions no longer have classified or non-classified positions, Section 10 adds language, allowing a president to delegate signatory authority for from the boards. secretary to another board member when selling a parcel of
donated land and Section 11 deletes unnecessary language about contract amendments for alternative delivery projects since these amendments are calculated and determine in the guaranteed maximum price for a project. Happy to try to answer any questions, any questions for Senator Dodson. Anyone wish to speak
Speaker 106
1:44:30
against or for. Appreciate a good vote. Senator is closed. There is
Speaker 160
1:44:40
an objection to rolling the vote. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd. Bowen
Speaker 161
1:44:48
Bright Caldwell. Clark Clark. Crowl.
Speaker 9
1:44:54
Davis. Davis Days. This man. Dema Dotson. Dotson. English lippo. Flipper
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:45:19
flowers, flowers, Gilmore. Hammer. Hester Hicky. Hickie. Hell Irvin. Like Johnson.
Speaker 9
1:45:35
Like Johnson, Mark Johnson. King, King. Laing, lighting, love. No.
McKee, Murdoch. Peyton Penzo Patty. Yeah Brice Scott.
Speaker 173
1:46:10
To Stab afield. Sullivan. Tucker, Wallace. Yeah Any
Speaker 106
1:46:14
senator wish to change his or her vote, Senator Blake Johnson, yes.
Senator letting know. This maying,
Speaker 314
1:46:29
yes. Caldwell, yes. Davis Yes. Crow, yes. Any others, please check the board.
Speaker 14
1:46:47
up the ballot. by vote of 27, 5 nay, 3 not
voting, Senate Bill 417 passes. Please transmit to the house. We will
Speaker 142
1:47:00
now take up Kroll bills. Uh, this is Senator Crow, you're recognized
Chair
Unverified
1:47:11
for a motion. This is what Senator
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:47:13
Hester talked about before. I'm going to make a motion that we batch these. Does anyone want to pull one out?
And we've got 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 387, 388, and 389. If, if no one wishes to pull any of those out, we will
Chair
Unverified
1:47:48
vote those as a batch. Secretary will need to read the titles of each of
Chair
Unverified
1:48:02
requirement that an Arkansas economic development Commission submit a quarterly report concerning the training activities of the Arkansas Industry Training Program. Symbol 379 by Central Crow to repeal the law requiring the tax advisory council to submit a report. Senator 380 by Senator Crowell to repeal the law requiring the Office of Child Support Enforcement to submit a report concerning the child support enforcement program. Symbol 381 by Central Crow to repeal the
law requiring the Department of Finance Administration to submit a report concerning the activities of the multi-state tax commission in Arkansas's participation in the activities of the commission. Symbol 382 by Central Crowell to repeal the requirements that The Arkansas Development Finance Authority submitted a report concerning the capital access fund. December 383 by Central Crowell to repeal the annual report required under the venture capital Investment Act of 2001.
Senate Bill 384 by Senator Crowell to repeal the requirement that the Arkansas Development Finance Authority submit a program fact sheet to the Legislative council in Arkansas legislative audit for each new bond issue. Senate Bill 385 by Senator Crow to repeal the requirement that the rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission submitted biennial report concerning the activities of the division. Sym 387 by Central Crowe to repeal the law requiring
occupational licensing entities to submit a report concerning the number of individuals granted automatic occupational licenser and and expanded occupational license. Senate Bill 388 by Central to repeal the annual reporting requirement relate to the process of foreign offices of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Symbol 389 by Senator Crowell to repeal the law concerning the Secretary of the Department of Finance Administration to submit a
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
1:50:11
report concerning alcoholic beverages. Senator Crow, and again, these are those bills, the bunch of reports we get in ALC that we as revenue and tax went over, uh, in about 10 different meetings this session already. We've gone over them at least twice. Thank
Chair
Unverified
1:50:30
you. Thanks, Senator Crow. Again, we'll be voting these in a batch. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please
roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell,
Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, Dismay Dots and English flippo
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:50:47
Flowers Gilmore, hammer, Hester Hickey Hill Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice scot, stone, Stuber Phil Sullivan, Tucker. us. Any senator
Chair
Unverified
1:51:02
wish to change his or her vote, King not voting. Gilmore present. Any other senator see no other
Speaker 14
1:51:13
please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33, yeah, zero nay, 1 not voting and
Chair
Unverified
1:51:22
one present. The batch of Senate bills passed, police transmit to the house.
Speaker 98
1:51:28
We will now go to House bills. And, and senators, I know it's getting later in the day and we're getting restless, and we're disappointed that my razorback's
Chair
Unverified
1:51:39
lost, but we're going to push through these house bills beginning with House
Bill 1347. Senators, that was my nice way of saying please be quiet. I know you're restless, but we need to be able
Speaker 60
1:51:55
to hear 1347 by Representative Warren and Senator Hammer to allow the Arkansas teacher retirement system to pay an annuity
Chair
Unverified
1:52:01
or benefit owed to a person to a special needs trust established for the benefit of the person. Senator Hammer, you recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. I recorded the game. I didn't know
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:52:14
how it came out, so I appreciate that.
Speaker 4
1:52:20
Um Well, she had been sitting, should have been sitting
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:52:24
in this chair, Senator, ma'am, yes ma'am. All right, this bill is a special needs trust. It's a legal arrangement that helps people with disabilities receiving financial support while keeping their government benefits. House Bill 1347 amends ATRS law, so the special needs trusts may be named to receive the benefits on behalf of such beneficiary. It came through
retirement without any objection and is proved or it was reviewed by Osborne Carre and Associ be glad to answer any questions.
Chair
Unverified
1:52:55
Any questions for Senator Hammer? Anyone wish to speak against or for. Send her, you recognized clothes. Close. Appreciate a good vote, Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no
Speaker 9
1:53:09
objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Front Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, dismay dots
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:53:16
and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton. so petty rice, Scott stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any
Speaker 13
1:53:29
senator was to change his or her vote King not
Chair
Unverified
1:53:35
voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot.
My vote of 34, 0, nay, 1 not voting, House Bill 1347 passes as amended, please return to the house. House built. House Bill 1348. Haville 1348
by Representative Warren and Senator Hammer to amend the law concerning survivor benefits for the dependent child of a member of the Arkansas Public Employees retirement system, or a member of the state police retirement system and declare an emergency.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:54:18
Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Thank you, madam and
Governor. Another bill came out of the retirement committee without any objection. This bill affects provisions the Arkansas Public retirement system, as well as Arkansas State Police retirement system. It deals with survivor annuity. benefits for dependent children of active members who die. The requirement has been that the children be enrolled in higher ed as we've shifted to encourage college or trade focusing on gainful employment, removing the higher ed requirements and providing this benefit for all
these children until they reach the age of 23, the annual benefits right now has been 280,000 versus 7 million total for the two systems, this 2,008,000 will grow, but it will have a minimal effect on the system. The actuary does not. see a significant change for either of these retirement systems, and I'll be glad to answer any questions. Questions for Senator Hammer. Anyone wish to speak
Chair
Unverified
1:55:13
against or for. Sender, you're recognized clothes. Thank you, ma'am.
Governor closed for the bill. I appreciate a good vote. Senators closed. Any objection
Speaker 9
1:55:29
to rolling the vote? Say no objection, Madam Secretary,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:55:32
please roll the boat. Bowen Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Ds, Dima Do some English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone,
Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any
Chair
Unverified
1:55:53
senator wish to change his or her vote. Senator Dodson, no, King not voting any other senator. Seeing no other, please cast up
the ballot. By a vote of 33A, 1 nay, one not voting. House Bill 1348 passes as amended and they corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please return to the house. We are passing over House
Bill 1365. We will now take up House Bill
1410. House Bill 1410 by Representative Longstrom and Senator Bryant to amend the law concerning prohibited activities by by public servants. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:56:38
Members, this is a bill that you wouldn't think
we would uh Need to put in code. However, this deals with regulatory authorities that um Give
tip-off notice whenever a complaint comes in. So our
regulatory authorities have the have the job of inspecting different industries, relationships get established, comfort levels of good actors, and that's a good thing. But whenever somebody else calls in a complaint, we don't want that individual to tip off who should have a surprise inspection to catch them in violation of the law. And so what this bill does is just provide a a provision that says you can't do that, and if you do, you risk the possibility of. s us pe n sion termination or any of the penalties provided by
law. It does not evade the opportunity for them to give advance notice for routine inspections, public safety notifications, or official communications necessary to do their job for other inspections. So with that, I'm happy to take any questions or give fact
Chair
Unverified
1:57:45
scenarios if needed. OK. Senator Johnson, you're recognized
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:57:48
for a question. Thank you, Madam President. Senator Bryant, uh, this is only affecting public employees,
public servants. So say the two guys with the code enforcement were having lunch, and they were talking about so you know that Josh Bryant's in a code violation. I think we're going to go nail him today, and I overheard that and I tipped you off. I wouldn't be breaking the law because I'm not a municipal employee. No, Senator Johnson, you would not be. OK, well, it's a good bill. I just get a little get into free speech stuff. I'm a little leery. Yeah, now, now if
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:58:22
I, if one of them went to you and said, hey, you know Josh Bryant.
You need to tell him we're coming, and that that makes circle, you know, I, I may get in or the guy telling you to tell me may get in trouble if they can prove that, but not you. OK, I just
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:58:38
want to make sure it's limited to those people who are in those positions because that's where the potential for corruption is. All right, thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
Chair
Unverified
1:58:49
Any other questions for Senator Brian. Seeing no other questions. Anyone wish to speak against or for.
Senator has closed any objection to
Speaker 160
1:59:01
rolling the boat. Saying no objection,
Speaker 9
1:59:04
Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:59:08
Caldwell, Clark Crow, Davis, Ds, Dismay dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield
Speaker 13
1:59:22
Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change his
Speaker 314
1:59:33
cast up the ballot by a vote of 35, yeah, 0,
Chair
Unverified
1:59:38
nay House Bill 1410 passes, please return to the house. House Bill 1477. Houseville
1477 by Representative Barker and Senator Bryant to allow the
governing body of an open enrollment enrollment public charter school to submit an application for consideration for the Arkansas Teacher of the Year. Senator Bryant, you're recognized, Madam
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
2:00:10
President, members, this bill does as the title says, it
just allows our teachers that are at our open enrollment public charter schools to participate in running for the Teacher of the Year program for the state, the bottom of page one where it strikes language, uh, How this used to go is that that
the individual co-ops or the education co-ops would take applications and send one each, but because our charter schools aren't necessarily have to be members of the co op. It just takes them out of the loop and applicants submit directly to our, uh, the school boards or the board of the charter school sends it directly to the division of of elementary ed for them to review the applications. Questions for
Chair
Unverified
2:00:54
Senator Bryant. Anyone wish to speak against or for.
Senator Bryant has closed any objection to rolling the boat. Saying
no objection, Madam Secretary, please
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:01:12
roll the boat. Boy, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, dismaying Dotson, English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
2:01:35
Any senator was to change his or her
vote. Seeing no one. police cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 ya, zero nay, House Bill 1477 passes, please return to the house. House Bill
1479. Hasville 1479 by Representative Warren in Central Pennzo to amend the law concerning scavengers affidavits and to allow a licensed engineer, surveyor, or notary public to
execute and record a scurvenger's affidavit in certain circumstances. Senator
Penzo, you're recognized. Thank you,
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:02:15
Madam President. House Bill 1479 deals
with Scrivener's affidavits, um, currently, the statute concerning these affidavits only gives title companies and lawyers the ability to make simple corrections to the recorded document with an affidavit. We realized then when there's a simple error made by a surveying
engineer or a notary, neither the title company nor an attorney can execute a scrivener's affidavitt to correct the error error because they didn't author the, they didn't make the error, it was somebody else. This would allow surveying engineers and notaries to correct their own errors in a document that they that is recorded. I'd be happy to answer any questions. If there aren't any, I'd appreciate a good vote. Any questions for Senator Penzo. Anyone wish to speak against or for
Speaker 9
2:03:10
Senator has closed any objection to rolling
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:03:19
the boat. Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Kroll, Davis Des, dismay Dotson, English flippo flowers Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting the Love,
Speaker 13
2:03:30
McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scotstone, Stubber Phil Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to
Chair
Unverified
2:03:36
change his or her vote, Senator King, not
voting. Any other senator. Seeing no other police cast up the ballot by votes of 34, yeah, zero nay. One
not voting House Bill 1479 passes as amended, please return to the house. House Bill 1496. House Bill 1496
Speaker 60
2:04:01
by a Representative Andrews and Senator Dotson to amend provisions of the Arkansas Code to
Chair
Unverified
2:04:07
ensure Arkansas students are taught by qualified teachers.
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
2:04:13
Senator Dodson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Members this bill refines teacher qualification rules by simplifying professional development requirements, giving districts more control on meeting professional development requirements that work best for their students and their teachers. And expanding flexibility via licenser plans and exceptions by allowing a teacher on a pathway to a standard license to
meet their requirements by demonstrating success in the classroom with students. More
Chair
Unverified
2:04:43
than happy to try to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Dotson. Appreciate a good wish to speak against or for Senator has closed. Any
objection to rolling the boat? Saying no objection. Madam
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:05:02
Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, Dimain Dots an English flippo Flowers Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King Ludding love,
Chair
Unverified
2:05:14
McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice Scott, stone Stubber Phil Sullivan,
Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Tucker,
Speaker 97
2:05:28
no. Flowers present. Letting knowing not voting. Scott, no. Love, no. Murdoch present. And other senator,
Speaker 14
2:05:46
Seeing no other. Please cast up the ballot by a vote of
Chair
Unverified
2:05:52
28 yeah, 4 nay, 1 not voting to present House Bill 1496 passes please return to
Speaker 160
2:05:59
the house. House built 1558. House for 1558 by Representative McGrew
Chair
Unverified
2:06:05
and Senator Caldwell to amend the law concerning the Arkansas Real Estate Commission to create a property management broker and property management associate
licensed and to amend the real
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:06:24
estate license law. Senator Caldwell, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Appreciate it. members, all this does is allow the real estate commission to establish a license for real estate property managers, nothing else has changed. Presently they have to have a sales license and maintain that, and it just allows people to or brokers and associate brokers to manage real estate properties still under the real estate commission.
Speaker 106
2:06:51
Any questions, Senator Sullivan, you're recognized for a question. Thank
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
2:06:57
you, madam. Thank you, Madam President. I'm sorry I didn't check with you earlier. Has the, these associations weighed in on this at
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:07:03
all they worked all the, they weren't very many problems on the front end. We've worked on this for about 3 years, and it's in agreement with the real estate commission to do this. Basically, Senator Sullivan, what it does, uh, if you want to manage property, you you still get a license through the real
estate commission as a property management broker. You don't have to maintain your sales license if you're not selling. state and so the I figured that you
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
2:07:30
do a good job of working with people and giving them input and we tried
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:07:34
this last session and and worked out the problems. We did get into one of the issues of attorney General had a technical correction on the back page that we've made that amendment and so it's everybody's on board. I figured that
Speaker 352
2:07:46
just didn't have a chance to read the bill. Thank you. Thank you.
Chair
Unverified
2:07:54
Any other questions for Senator Caldwell. Anyone wish to
Speaker 160
2:07:58
speak against or for? Senator Caldwell has closed any objection to rolling the vote, seeing no
Speaker 9
2:08:06
objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Bo Bryant Caldwell,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:08:10
Clark Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo,
Petty, rice, Scott stone, Stuber Phil
Chair
Unverified
2:08:26
Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote, Senator Dodson, no.
Speaker 97
2:08:37
Senator Penzo, no. Senator Bryant present. Senator Hester, no. Senator Flippo. presents, Senator Davis present. Cendered love present. Any other senator.
Speaker 314
2:08:59
Stubblefield, no. Crow present. Davis, yes. Please check
Speaker 14
2:09:11
the board. Seeing no others. Please cast up the ballot by a
Chair
Unverified
2:09:16
vote of 27 yeah, 4 nay, for present House Bill 1558 passes as amended. Please return to the house. House Bill 1608.
Speaker 60
2:09:31
House Bill 1608 by Representative Rosenson for Hammer to amend the law concerning the
Chair
Unverified
2:09:36
management of public records and archives and require approval of the Arkansas State Archives prior to destruction of certain documents. Senator Hammer, you're
recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. A lot of
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
2:09:49
our courthouses and other institutions of government that have been required to keep records. This is being brought by the Arkansas State Archives because what they're running into To is that they're running out
of storage and capacity in a lot of the courthouses and other government facilities and what they want to be able to do is that if something is determined to be over 50 years old, that they would be able to consult with the Arkansas State Archives in order to be able to uh to get rid of those records that are 50 years old and older. However, they have to be electronically saved, but there are some things like just records that have no real
historical value to them, but the way the law's currently written, they have to hold on to them. And so what they're asking for is permission to go ahead and after those have been electronically saved if they are shown by the Arkansas State Archives to have no historical value that they would be able to destroy because we're running out of capacity and
storage in in some of our government facilities like courthouses. I'd be glad to take any questions. Any
Chair
Unverified
2:10:58
questions for Senator hammer. Anyone wish to speak against or for.
Speaker 160
2:11:06
Senator has closed. Appreciate a good vote. Any objection
Speaker 9
2:11:14
to rolling the boat? No objection, Madam Secretary, please
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:11:18
roll a boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Kroll, Davis, Des, Dima Datsun English flippo Flowers Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker,
Chair
Unverified
2:11:37
Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote, flowers present. King not voting. Any other senator saying no other, please cast up
Speaker 14
2:11:57
the ballot. By a vote of 33 0 nay, 1 not voting, one present. House Bill 1608. Passes
Chair
Unverified
2:12:09
Please return to the house. House Bill 1614. That's what 1614 by Representative
Lundstrom and Senator Clark to bend the law concerning designations related to certain criminal justice grant programs. Senator Clark, you're recognized. Uh, thank you,
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:12:29
Madam Governor. House Bill 1614 is a little uh bill from Representative Lustrom doesn't do much that she allowed me to co-sponsor. What it does
do is it requires uh that Some agencies that are not currently supporting to uh any anyone report to the state agencies committee uh once a year, uh, and that's the main
thing it does. I'll be happy to take any questions. No opposition, by the way. Any
Chair
Unverified
2:13:00
questions for Senator Clark. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator, you're recognized clothes. I'm closed. Appreciate a good
Speaker 160
2:13:12
vote, Senators closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection,
Speaker 9
2:13:20
Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Bo Bright Caldwell, Clark
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:13:24
Crowe, Davis, Dees Dima Dotson English flippo flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King lighting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker,
Chair
Unverified
2:13:43
Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote, flowers, no.
Speaker 14
2:13:46
Any other senator? Seeing no other Police cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yeah, one nay, House Bill 1614 passes
Chair
Unverified
2:13:56
as amended, please return to the house. Wait, Senator Clark, you're recognized for a
motion. Thank you, Madam Governor. I move that we
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
2:14:14
Return SB 325 and SB 326 back to Senate Judiciary
Chair
Unverified
2:14:18
for the purpose of amendment. You all have heard the motion, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed? I have
it motion carries. Thank you. We will now take up the
Speaker 357
2:14:31
budget calendar that you had to keep it on. and dismaying, you're recognized.
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:14:45
Alright, yes, members, we're going to do these in batches, so the first, or no, I'm sorry, we're going to vote
Chair
Unverified
2:14:54
Senate Bill 22 1st. Senate Bill 22 by the Joint Budget Committee, and act for the Department of Inspector General Appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. Thank you,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:15:02
members, if you have any questions on Senate Bill 22.
Chair
Unverified
2:15:07
No questions, no one would speak against or for.
Speaker 160
2:15:09
Senator has closed any objection to rolling the vote.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:15:16
Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, Dismay Dotson English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker,
Speaker 13
2:15:37
Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote, King.
Chair
Unverified
2:15:47
Not voting. Any other senator see no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34, 0, nay, 1 not voting Senate Bill 22 passes. Please transmit to the house. We will
Speaker 160
2:15:59
now take up the batch of house bills unless someone wants to pull one of them out. Senator Dimay,
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
2:16:06
I'll read through those. House Bill 1103, House Bill 1546. House Bill 1612. 1613.
House Bill 1616. House Bill 1617. Would anyone like to pull those out from
Speaker 302
2:16:34
the batch. All right, see you then. House Bill 1103, my joint budget and Act
Chair
Unverified
2:16:39
for the Department of Corrections Division of Community Correction Appropriation for the for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year has about 1546 by joint budget, and I'm for the Department of
Corrections Division of Correctional Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1612 by joint budget tonight for the Department of Education, Educational television division, Capital Improvement Appropriation. House for 163. act for the Department of Education Division of higher education, North West Technical Institute Capital Improvement Appropriation, house for 1616. I dropped budget and I for the Department of Energy and Environment, oil and gas
commission capital improvement appropriation, house for 1617 budget
Speaker 302
2:17:23
and act for the Department of Corrections Division of Correction, Capital Improvement Appropriation. No questions.
Speaker 160
2:17:35
or for Senator has closed any objection to rolling the vote. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Caldwell, Clark, Crowe,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
2:17:50
Davis, D, Dima Datsun, English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Anyone was to change his or
Speaker 113
2:18:07
her vote, Senator King not voting any other. Senator Seeing no other, please
Chair
Unverified
2:18:14
cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yeah,
0, nay, 1, not voting. The batch of house budget bills passed and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please return to the house. Adam's at the desk. What your committee on gross
pills who was first Senate bill 283 by Senator Hammer compared to the engrossed copy of the original and find same correctly and engrossed calendar Committee
on the Grossels who was referred to 342 by Senator Clark compared the gross copper rich and engrossed. Committee on Gross Bills team was first Senate Bill 394 by Senator Bryant compared the engrossed copy of the ritual and find the same correctly engrossed calendar Committee on grossville team was first sent 403 by Senator Tucker compared the engrossed copy of the rich and directly engrossed. Community and growth girls to was for House Bill 1245 by Representative Clowney and Senator Irving compared the engrossed copy of the original and Fete correctly engrossed
calendar Committee on Gross who is for House Bill 1552. Resentative Gasaway and Senator Gilmore compared the engross copy of the ritual and find the same correctly engrossed calendar Committee on the ros bills for House Bill 1597 very soon Dalby and Senator Clark and the gross copy of the original and find the name correctly and gross the calendar, Senate Bill 455 by Senator. To allow regulation of hemp products by Arkansas Tobacco Control and to amend the Uniform Controlled Substance Act to remove certain substances that
are defined as hemp products. Senate Bill 455. Agriculture. Senate Bill 456 by Senator Petty to create the home opportunities made easier act before 56 City County Local Senate resolution 44 by Senator Hill to honor DJ Daniel and his fight against brain cancer and support naming him an honorary state Capitol police officer and to proclaim March 17, 2025 is DJ Daniel Day
in the state of Arkansas. Announcements. And the announcements. Senator Clark, you're recognized for an announcement. 15 minutes upon adjournment. Any other announcements? No other announcements. The Senate. stand in adjournment subject to the clearing of the desk until
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Call
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions of Senate Pages
Announcements
Doctor of the Day
Items to be Read Across the Desk
RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SR38 R. Murdock TO RECOGNIZE MARCH 13, 2025, AS IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC., DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.
HB1365 - House Request HB1365 to be Returned to the House
SENATE BILLS TO CONCUR IN HOUSE AMENDMENTS
SB222 #1 B. Davis Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO CLARIFY MARKETING BY PROVIDERS UNDER THE MEDICAID PROVIDER LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SENATE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
SB283 #1 K. Hammer Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY; AND TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE LAW CONCERNING UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.
SB342 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INJURIES TO CERTAIN ANIMALS BY DOGS TO AUTHORIZE TREBLE DAMAGES.
SB403 #1 C. Tucker TO CREATE THE THE 2030 ARKANSAS COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE; AND TO PLAN AND CONDUCT STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES TO INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN THE 2030 FEDERAL DECENNIAL CENSUS.
SB394 #1 - Motion to Suspend the Rules to withdrawal SB 394 from Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee for an Amendment and then re-refer SB 394 back to committee
SB258 #2 - Motion to Suspend the Rules to withdrawal SB 258 from Senate Public Transportation for an Amendment and then re-refer SB 258 back to committee
HOUSE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB1245 #3 Clowney Irvin TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.
HB1552 #1 Gazaway Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN INCHOATE OFFENSES RELATED TO FENTANYL; AND TO ESTABLISH THE CLASSIFICATION FOR A CRIMINAL ATTEMPT, SOLICITATION, OR CONSPIRACY FOR CERTAIN FENTANYL RELATED OFFENSES.
HB1597 #1 Dalby Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE.
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB227 C. Tucker TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE PROVISIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967 CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS.
SB246 J. Dismang TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS ACCESS ACT; AND TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE AS THEY RELATE TO EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
SB264 Irvin Motion to Re-refer back to committee for purpose of Amendment
SB278 J. English TO REPEAL THE STATUTES CONCERNING THE OCCUPATIONAL AUTHORIZATION AND LICENSURE OF CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT OFFICES AND AGENCIES; AND TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ACT OF 1975.
SB279 Irvin TO ASSIST THE DIVISION OF LABOR WITH ENFORCING THE FAIR AND PROMPT PAYMENT OF WAGES TO ARKANSAS CITIZENS; AND TO CLARIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH WAGE AND HOUR COMPLAINTS ARE INVESTIGATED.
SB305 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE CERTAIN TESTING OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA PRODUCTS SOLD AS MEDICAL MARIJUANA.
SB319 J. Boyd TO AMEND THE UNIFORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT; AND TO CLARIFY CHARGING ORDERS UNDER THE UNIFORM LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT.
SB321 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE FUND.
SB352 Stone TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
SB364 Hester TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES RELATED TO CONTRACTORS.
SB378 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SUBMIT A QUARTERLY REPORT CONCERNING THE TRAINING ACTIVITIES OF THE ARKANSAS INDUSTRY TRAINING PROGRAM.
SB379 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE TAX ADVISORY COUNCIL TO SUBMIT A REPORT.
SB380 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT TO SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.
SB381 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MULTISTATE TAX COMMISSION AND ARKANSAS'S PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION.
SB382 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING THE CAPITAL ACCESS FUND.
SB383 Crowell TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED UNDER THE VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT ACT OF 2001.
SB384 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARKANSAS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY SUBMIT A PROGRAM FACT SHEET TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE AUDIT FOR EACH NEW BOND ISSUE.
SB385 Crowell TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RURAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SUBMIT A BIENNIAL REPORT CONCERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DIVISION.
SB387 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING ENTITIES TO SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS GRANTED AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE AND EXPEDITED OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE.
SB388 Crowell TO REPEAL THE ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT RELATED TO THE PROGRESS OF FOREIGN OFFICES OF THE ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
SB389 Crowell TO REPEAL THE LAW REQUIRING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO SUBMIT A REPORT CONCERNING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
Batch Vote on SB378, SB379, SB380, SB381, SB382, SB383, SB384, SB385, SB387, SB388 and SB389
SB404 J. Boyd TO REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROBATE OF AN ESTATE IF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION HAS FILED A CERTIFICATE OF INDEBTEDNESS AGAINST THE DECEDENT.
SB404 - Motion to Expunge the Vote by what SB404 Failed
SB413 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF AN OATH FOR A SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR.
SB417 J. Dotson TO AMEND VARIOUS LAWS RELATED TO HIGHER EDUCATION.
HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
HB1347 Warren Hammer TO ALLOW THE ARKANSAS TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO PAY AN ANNUITY OR BENEFIT OWED TO A PERSON TO A SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST ESTABLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PERSON.
HB1348 Warren Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SURVIVOR BENEFITS FOR THE DEPENDENT CHILD OF A MEMBER OF THE ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OR A MEMBER OF THE STATE POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
HB1410 Unger Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES BY PUBLIC SERVANTS.
HB1477 Barker Bryant TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO SUBMIT AN APPLICANT FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE ARKANSAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
HB1479 Warren Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING SCRIVENER'S AFFIDAVITS; AND TO ALLOW A LICENSED ENGINEER, SURVEYOR, OR NOTARY PUBLIC TO EXECUTE AND RECORD A SCRIVENER'S AFFIDAVIT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
HB1496 Andrews Dotson TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO ENSURE ARKANSAS STUDENTS ARE TAUGHT BY QUALIFIED TEACHERS.
HB1558 McGrew Caldwell TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION; TO CREATE A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BROKER AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE LICENSE; AND TO AMEND THE REAL ESTATE LICENSE LAW.
HB1608 Rose Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RECORDS AND ARCHIVES; AND TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THE ARKANSAS STATE ARCHIVES PRIOR TO THE DESTRUCTION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS.
HB1614 Lundstrum Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DESIGNATIONS RELATED TO CERTAIN CRIMINAL JUSTICE GRANT PROGRAMS.
Motion by Senator Clark for SB325 and SB326
Budget Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee
SB22 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTOR GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
Vote on Senate Budget Bills
HB1103 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.
HB1546 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.
HB1612 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION DIVISION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.
HB1613 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.
HB1616 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - OIL AND GAS COMMISSION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.
HB1617 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - DIVISION OF CORRECTION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.
Batch Vote on House Budget Bills
Items to be read across the desk
Announcements
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 9
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Speaker 14
Speaker 16
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
Speaker 23
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
Speaker 50
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
Speaker 52
Speaker 60
Speaker 94
Speaker 97
Senator Breanne Davis Chair
Unverified
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Speaker 62
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
Speaker 90
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
Speaker 142
Speaker 149
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 99
Speaker 160
Speaker 173
Speaker 106
Senator Jonathan Dismang
Unverified
Speaker 158
Speaker 190
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
Speaker 211
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
Speaker 226
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
Speaker 228
Speaker 233
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
Speaker 243
Senator Jane English
Unverified
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
Speaker 279
Speaker 281
Speaker 275
Speaker 110
Speaker 291
Speaker 302
Speaker 285
Speaker 13
Senator Jim Dotson
Unverified
Speaker 161
Speaker 314
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
Speaker 98
Speaker 4
Speaker 352
Speaker 357
Speaker 113