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House Convenes

March 4, 2025 ·1:30 PM ·House Chamber ·1:26:53
Video Transcript

Bills discussed (43)
Bill Title Sponsor Status
HB1447 Act 255 · 5 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1447 #1 Long TO EXEMPT A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLER LICENSED UNDER…”
 TO EXEMPT A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLER LICENSED UNDER THE ARKANSAS SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS ACT FROM … Long Notification that HB1447 is now Act 255
HB1489 Act 302 · 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1489 Wardlaw TO AMEND THE METHOD OF EXECUTION TO INCLUDE NITROGE…”
 TO AMEND THE METHOD OF EXECUTION TO INCLUDE NITROGEN GAS. Wardlaw Notification that HB1489 is now Act 302
HR1027 · 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Clerk, please read House Resolution 1027. 10”
 TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS'S PARTICIPATION IN THE CRISIS RECOVERY SUPPORT NETWORK COORDINATED BY THE … Cozart READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1047 · 3 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “Madam Clark, please read House Resolution 1047. House Resolution 147 by”
 TO RECOGNIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE ARKANSAS 4-H PROGRAM ON THE YOUTH OF THE … C. Cooper READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1054 · 3 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HR1054 Beck TO WISH ELIZABETH "BETTY" KAUFMAN THINES A HAPPY 107TH…”
 TO WISH ELIZABETH "BETTY" KAUFMAN THINES A HAPPY 107TH BIRTHDAY AND TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR … Beck READ AND ADOPTED.
HB1169 Act 383 · 2 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “HB1169 L. Johnson TO CLARIFY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR AN INVOLUN…”
 TO CLARIFY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR AN INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE A PERSON WHO IS … L. Johnson Notification that HB1169 is now Act 383
HB1094 Act 494 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1094 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - TOBACCO PREVENTION AN…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAMS APPROPRIATION FOR … Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1094 is now Act 494
HB1146 Act 296 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1146 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR…”
 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1146 is now Act 296
HB1175 Act 297 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1175 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM -…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - DIVISION OF HERITAGE APPROPRIATION … Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1175 is now Act 297
HB1185 Act 799 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…r Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1185. House Bill 1559, Senate Bill 265. Begley report. That we h…”
 TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. L. Johnson Notification that HB1185 is now Act 799
HB1253 Act 384 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1253 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNE…”
 TO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. L. Johnson Notification that HB1253 is now Act 384
HB1265 Act 660 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1265 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROP…”
 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL … Joint Budget Committee Delivered to the Secretary of State
HB1365 Act 938 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1365 K. Brown TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATI…”
 TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, … K. Brown Notification that HB1365 is now Act 938
HB1370 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1370 J. Mayberry CONCERNING MAKING UP MISSED SCHOOL DAYS; AND TO…”
 CONCERNING MAKING UP MISSED SCHOOL DAYS; AND TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INCLUDE … J. Mayberry Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1477 Act 303 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ir. Mr. Speaker, we your committee on Education and who the House Bill 1477, House Bill”
 TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING BODY OF AN OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO SUBMIT AN APPLICANT … Barker Notification that HB1477 is now Act 303
HB1493 Act 298 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1493 AN ACT FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL IMP…”
 AN ACT FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION. Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1493 is now Act 298
HB1502 Act 325 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…, your Committee on Public Transportation, who was referred House Bill 1502, House Bill 1596, House Bill 1605, Senate Bill 253, vaguely…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF A HISTORIC OR SPECIAL INTEREST … Maddox Notification that HB1502 is now Act 325
HB1544 Act 299 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1544 AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR STATE TURNBACK FOR COUN…”
 AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR STATE TURNBACK FOR COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES BY THE … Joint Budget Committee Notification that HB1544 is now Act 299
HB1552 Act 420 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Speaker, we're your Committee on Judiciary and was referred House Bill 1552. House Bill 1581. House Bill 1593. House Bill 1597, house 1…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN INCHOATE OFFENSES RELATED TO FENTANYL; AND TO ESTABLISH THE … Gazaway Notification that HB1552 is now Act 420
HB1559 Act 632 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…blic Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1185. House Bill 1559, Senate Bill 265. Begley report. That we have the same cons…”
 TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID … McGrew Notification that HB1559 is now Act 632
HB1575 Act 376 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ommittee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor to whom was a House Bill 1575 beg leave report with the same consideration here returned…”
 TO PROHIBIT A PERSON THAT IS EMPLOYED OR HAS A DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST IN … Lundstrum Notification that HB1575 is now Act 376
HB1576 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…, will your committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor. House Bill 1576 vaguely reporting the same consideration here we start with…”
 TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY. Lundstrum Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1581 Act 316 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ur Committee on Judiciary and was referred House Bill 1552. House Bill 1581. House Bill 1593. House Bill 1597, house 1609.a leave repor…”
 TO ADD TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS TO THE LIST OF OFFENSES INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF … Henley Notification that HB1581 is now Act 316
HB1586 Act 386 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1586 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID WAIVER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM…”
 TO AMEND THE MEDICAID WAIVER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TO CLARIFY THE NUMBER AND TYPE … L. Johnson Notification that HB1586 is now Act 386
HB1593 Act 358 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…udiciary and was referred House Bill 1552. House Bill 1581. House Bill 1593. House Bill 1597, house 1609.a leave report with the same c…”
 CONCERNING THE REPORTS MADE TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY THE BOARD OF … Wooldridge Notification that HB1593 is now Act 358
HB1596 Act 327 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…on Public Transportation, who was referred House Bill 1502, House Bill 1596, House Bill 1605, Senate Bill 253, vaguely reporting the sa…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MOVING TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS IN A HIGHWAY WORK ZONE; TO CREATE … Steimel Notification that HB1596 is now Act 327
HB1597 Act 456 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…referred House Bill 1552. House Bill 1581. House Bill 1593. House Bill 1597, house 1609.a leave report with the same consideration here…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE. Dalby Notification that HB1597 is now Act 456
HB1605 Act 328 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…rtation, who was referred House Bill 1502, House Bill 1596, House Bill 1605, Senate Bill 253, vaguely reporting the same consideration…”
 TO AMEND THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER-GENERAL CONTRACTOR METHOD OF PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM TO TO MAKE THE … Wing Notification that HB1605 is now Act 328
HR1060 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…Speaker, we your committee on house management and who the House resolution 1060. House Resolution 1061, House Resolution 1062, House Resolu…”
 TO COMMEND THE MAUMELLE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FALCONS BOYS' GOLF TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2024 … Achor READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1061 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ttee on house management and who the House resolution 1060. House Resolution 1061, House Resolution 1062, House Resolution 1063, House Resolu…”
 TO RECOGNIZE THE MOUNTAIN HOME BOMBERS HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' INDOOR TRACK TEAM AS THE CLASS … Painter READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1062 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…t and who the House resolution 1060. House Resolution 1061, House Resolution 1062, House Resolution 1063, House Resolution 1064. How and curr…”
 TO RECOGNIZE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025, AS SCOUTING DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL. Nazarenko READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1063 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1060. House Resolution 1061, House Resolution 1062, House Resolution 1063, House Resolution 1064. How and current resolution 1007, Ho…”
 TO RECOGNIZE COLLEEN NICK AND THE MORGAN NICK FOUNDATION ON THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE … Rose READ AND ADOPTED.
HR1064 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…olution 1061, House Resolution 1062, House Resolution 1063, House Resolution 1064. How and current resolution 1007, House Memorial resolution…”
 TO RECOGNIZE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS AND NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION STAR SCOTTIE PIPPEN FOR HIS … Hawk READ AND ADOPTED.
HR147 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Madam Clark, please read House Resolution 1047. House Resolution 147 by”
 Pre-2017 bill
SB125 Act 611 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB125 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION…”
 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB125 is now Act 611
SB127 Act 612 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB127 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROP…”
 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB127 is now Act 612
SB226 Act 247 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “1496, Senate Bill 226 vaguely reporting the same consideration here we start with…”
 TO AMEND THE SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST PREVENTION ACT; AND TO MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL … G. Leding Notification that SB226 is now Act 247
SB245 Act 258 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB245 AN ACT FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL IMP…”
 AN ACT FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION. Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB245 is now Act 258
SB253 Act 256 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…referred House Bill 1502, House Bill 1596, House Bill 1605, Senate Bill 253, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for the same…”
 TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF A MANUFACTURED HOME UNIT. Hill Notification that SB253 is now Act 256
SB26 Act 257 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB26 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF AERONAU…”
 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 … Joint Budget Committee Notification that SB26 is now Act 257
SB265 Act 294 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…are and Labor to whom the House Bill 1185. House Bill 1559, Senate Bill 265. Begley report. That we have the same consideration here fo…”
 TO REDUCE AND MODIFY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE RELATING TO WASTEWATER AND THE … Irvin Notification that SB265 is now Act 294
SB48 Act 246 · 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB48 J. Boyd L. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE O…”
 TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DEDUCTIBLES UNDER CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES. J. Boyd Notification that SB48 is now Act 246
SCR4 · 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…current resolution 1007, House Memorial resolution 1006 and Senate concurrent resolution 4 Bagley report the same consideration here with the same rec…”
 TO RECOGNIZE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR JOYCE ELLIOTT DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOR HER SERVICE … J. Scott Approved by the Governor.

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October 2, 2026
Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 9:44
I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor Daniel Bramlet, pastor of First Baptist Church from Hope guest today of Representative Dolly Henley and to remain standing for the Pledge of allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. Thank you.
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Speaker 7 10:01
I want to explain what I'm about to do, the blessing, the blessing in scripture is something that's designed to draw the recipient into the presence of God. The curse is designed to push people away. Blessings are offered to men and women, those on whom God has shown favor. So leaders and workers and parents and children all receive blessings in scripture, blessings invoke the favor of God on the life of the individual. We often see them when the leader's facing a difficult task, asking God to draw the leader in or give him or her the ability, uh, beyond themselves to accomplish what's set before them. I would like to bless you today. Father, I know there are as many different cultures and backgrounds in this room today as there are gathered around our great state. I know there are many differing opinions and courses of action, but you are one. You invite us to seek you, and you promise if we do that we will find you. I pray for my brothers and sisters in this room today asking for your blessing on their lives. You've called them for the task ahead of them, encourage them, Lord, equip them. We live in a country that is deeply divided along political lines, yet you call them to work together for the common good of our people. They constantly feel the impact of insults and name-calling of those who stand against them, yet you call them to keep moving forward to make decisions not based on pain inflicted, but for the betterment of those who love them and those who hate them. Many of them have families. I pray you protect them from the push and pull of politics, guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, give their children peace in a world that is anything but peaceful. Allow them to clearly see your work around them. I pray you give them joy in their work here and at home. Let them see the fruit of their work and the product of your work on their behalf. Bless their hearts as they feel for Arkansans, bless their minds as they seek your will for all of us, bless their strength to continue standing when our enemy would push them down and bless their souls, Lord, touch them in the place that you created in each of us to know you. Imprint on each soul gathered here, the grace of your presence and the strong love Jesus showed us on the cross. We love you.
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Speaker 14 12:54
Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow So everyone
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Chair Unverified 13:17
indicated their presence. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 13:27
With 99 members present. The chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Any requests for leave. Seeing Represent a Matthew Shepherd
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Chair Unverified 13:42
moves we dispense with the reading. You, you're asking for leave, Representative Shepherd. You're recognized leave for Representative Eubanks. Is leave granted for Representative John Eubanks. So ordered.
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Speaker 14 13:57
Representative Matthew Shepherd moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal with no objections, so ordered. Madam Clerk, any reports from
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 14:07
select committees, you are recognized. Mr. Speaker, we your committee on house management and who the House resolution 1060. House Resolution 1061, House Resolution 1062, House Resolution 1063, House Resolution 1064. How and current resolution 1007, House Memorial resolution 1006 and Senate concurrent resolution 4 Bagley report the same consideration here with the same recommendation that do pass
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 14:28
respectfully submitted. Representative, Chair. Thank you, Madam Clark Rei reports from standing committees. You're recognized. Mr. Speaker,
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 14:37
we your Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom the House Bill 1185. House Bill 1559, Senate Bill 265. Begley report. That we have the same consideration here for time with the same recognition that it do pass respectfully submitted. Representative Wooldridge, vice chair. Mr. Speaker, we your Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor to whom was a House Bill 1575 beg leave report with the same consideration here returned with the same recommendation that do pass as Amendment number 3, respectfully submitted to Representative Wooldridge, Vice Chair. Mr. Speaker, will your committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor. House Bill 1576 vaguely reporting the same consideration here we start with the same recommendation that do passes amendment number 3, respectfully submitted Representative Wooldridge, vice chair. Mr. Speaker, we're a committee on Public Health, welfare and Labor. who was afraid house 1610, vaguely report with the same consideration here return with the same recommendation they do pass as Amendment number one respectfully submitted. Representative Wooldridge, vice chair. Mr. Speaker, we your committee on Education and who the House Bill 1477, House Bill 1496, Senate Bill 226 vaguely reporting the same consideration here we start with the same recommendation that do pass respectfully submitted. Representative Burke's chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your Committee on Judiciary and was referred House Bill 1552. House Bill 1581. House Bill 1593. House Bill 1597, house 1609.a leave report with the same consideration here was returned the same. information that do pass respectfully submitted Representative Dalby, chair. Mr. Speaker, your Committee on Public Transportation, who was referred House Bill 1502, House Bill 1596, House Bill 1605, Senate Bill 253, vaguely reporting the same consideration here for the same recommendation that it do pass respectfully submitted Representative Holcombe, Chair. Mr. Speaker, we're your committee on joint Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs, to whom was referred. Pass Bill 1400 vaguely reporting the same consideration here, but with the same recommendation that it do pass effectively submitted. Representative Carolyn Brown, vice chair. Thank
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 16:15
you, Madam Clark. Is there any unfinished business? Any executive communications. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Members, if you would rise, I'd like to direct your attention to the back of the chamber and welcome today our Arkansas state troopers, Sergeant Chuck Lewis, the administrative Services Division of from Little Rock and Corporal Trey Keller from the Highway Patrol Administration of Little Rock, gentlemen, thank you for your service to our state and to the House of Representatives. Also serving us today we have in the back of the chamber Doctor Shannon Cooper, an internal medicine and pediatric physician from Walnut Ridge, Representative Fran Kavanaugh's
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Speaker 32 17:01
district. Welcome. Serving alongside Doctor Cooper is our nurse, Ms. Lee Fazio. Lee, thank you for being here with us today. Members
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 17:20
up in the East Gallery today, we have, uh, as guest of Representative Matt Brown. We have students from the University of Central Arkansas Student Government Association, if y'all would rise, let us give you a great welcome. Thank you for being here. Madam Clark, please read House Resolution 1054. House
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 17:45
Resolution 1054 by Representative Beck to wish Elizabeth Betty Kaufman, Tina, a happy 17th birthday and to recognize and honor her service in the state of Arkansas. Representative Beck, you're recognized to present your resolution.
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Representative Rick Beck Unverified 18:11
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, It is great. To be down here today recognizing. I'm gonna call her Betty because that's who she likes to be called Betty, uh, Daddy Tennis. For this milestone in her life. 17 years old today. It it's just amazing. Now, Betty couldn't be with us today, but I'm, I'm told she's sitting at her home where she still lives to this day. She's sitting at her home watching us on live stream everything that we do so everybody pay attention. All right, we do have several members of her family up in the East galleries that that have joined us and they tell me that this morning they had breakfast with Betty and they told her that we were gonna do this resolution and she was very excited about it, so, so that's that's good to hear. So I didn't know where to start, so I I we'll just start at the beginning. How about this? Elizabeth Kaufman was born in the rural community of Saint Vincent, Arkansas in March 4th. Of 1918. That's a long ways back there, guys. Now, I will tell you I, that's the little community that I lived in in the Kaufman family is known as farmers. They are the experts and farmers and, and this explains why in 1931, Betty worked with her 8 siblings, 7 brothers and 1 sister, and they took over operation of Kaufman's farm. Now apparently they did a pretty good job of it because just a few years later in 1939, They were recognized as Arkansas's landowner champions for the best farming practices and improved utilization of cotton crop land. So they, they, they, they did it right and that lives on to the day because in 2018, uh, the Kaufman forest became one of Arkansas's century farms. So, The legend lives on. Now later in life, Benny. Betty And her husband Henry Tinus started what's called, what's called Tina's supermarket. And they were way ahead of their time, guys, because this was a supermarket that the farmers would bring produce in. And then and eggs and whatever they had, and they were given like a store credit and you would go into the store and get what you needed and, and the people in the town got very fresh produce and eggs and everything that day. So, you can say that they were maybe the original farmer market, you know, where the farmers came in and did their thing, so they did a great job of that. Betty has And then and eggs and whatever they had, and they were given like a store credit and you would go into the store and get what you needed and, and the people in the town got very fresh produce and eggs and everything that day. So, you can say that they were maybe the original farmer market, you know, where the farmers came in and did their thing, so they did a great job of that. Betty is always been service. Always about service, and she loves serving our commun her community, and she served as a deputy, uh, county clerk for the Conway County for several years. But Betty is most proud of her service. Now listen to this as a digrapher and a secretary for the House of Representatives and if you go right up there and the walkway to the West gallery, you will see her portraits hanging on the wall for 1953, 1955 and 1959. So she was down here for those period. Her great niece kind of told a story on Betty that Betty's apartment was more than 1 mile away. From the state capital. So she asked her, you know, well, do you, do you, you know, like, in DC they wear tennis shoes to the, then they put their high heels on when they get to the, to the Capitol and, and Betty's answer was no. She said, I bought the tallest high heels I could find, and I strutted both ways. Quite a character. Uh. Now, Betty is also very happy of the fact and she tells people that the photograph of her service of Here in the House of Representatives, she's so proud of the fact that her portraits are still hanging on our walls. So with that, Betty, your portrait is very proudly hung in the West Gallery on the on the entrance to the West Gallery, but then I thought, What would a birthday be without a birthday card. So what we were doing, I This is a portrait. A bed is 1953 portrait, and we all know this, we've all signed this, the staff has signed it. Every member of the House of Representatives has signed this, and we signed this to wish you the very, very happy birthday and we truly appreciate your service to this institution and A discharge to this institution. Now, With that, I'm gonna close for my resolution, and I'm a Ask the speaker to please have the resolution read in title. Madam Clark, please read the resolution by title.
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 23:25
To which Elizabeth Betty Kaufman, Tina, a happy 107th birthday and to recognize and honor her service to the state of Arkansas. Representative
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 23:36
Beck has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Beck. Closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1054. All those in favor say aye. Oppose nay Congratulations, Representative Beck resolution is adopted. Miss Betty, happy birthday. Madam
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Speaker 32 24:16
Clerk, please read House Resolution 1027. 10
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 24:20
by Representative Cozart to express support for Arkansas's participation in the crisis recovery Sport Network
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 24:27
coordinated by the Southern Regional Education Board. Representative Cozart, you're
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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 24:37
recognized to explain your resolution. Speaker, I'd like to have represent Barker and Representative Volt down here with me, please. Y'all please join him in the well. Ladies and gentlemen, this resolution is, um, Basically just to express the support for Arkansas's participation in the crisis recovery support. Uh, network coordinated by the Southern Regional Education Board. I'm gonna hit the highlights on this, and then we'll move on because it's, it's a long 3-page bill. So what it is after natural disasters and hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, things, school shootings, anything that could distress a school or a, a, a place of hier ed, uh, it's, it's just devastating to them. So the school districts and post-secondary institutions have focused on crisis prevention and management, but they may not have the capacity to provide the sustained support for students, teachers, communities, and even their counselors near this recovery time. Rural schools in post-secondary institutions in particular tend to have fewer and limited access to additional counselors in this time of emergency. So, school counselors are also, also often expected to respond to students' needs after a crisis, even themselves grapple with the emotion of, of that crisis. Uh, so schools and post secondary institutions affected by this crisis may require at least one year of, uh, additional support for facility. So, I'm gonna cut on down, what this does, this is the Southern Regional Education Board, uh, with its 75 year history of partnering with states to improve education is is uniquely equipped to lend this effort because of the ability to mobilize key education and policymaking stakeholders at all levels. To it. So it is um in collaboration with our governor's offices, state election agencies, local schools, post-secondary institutions, they will complete, um, The existing school and school district crisis management efforts by focusing on long-term health and physiological, uh, psychological, I'm sorry, resilience and deploying counselors with specialized training to these needs. So, um, in the House of Representatives, we want to support our southern region education Boris recovery support unit, and that's what this resolution is about. I have in the gallery, uh, Ms. Lee Posey, she is a. President of, uh, SREB in the, uh, state strategies and policy with us today. uh, Mr. Speaker, would you have the, uh, Clark Reed just entitled Only please. Madam Clark, please read the title of
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Speaker 53 27:22
the resolution for Arkansas's participation in the
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 27:25
crisis recovery Support Network coordinated by the Southern Regional Education Board. Representative Cozart has explained the resolution. Would
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 27:35
anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative Cos Archer recognized a close for the resolution. Representative Cozart is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House resolution 1027. All those in favor say aye. Po, the ayes have it. Congratulations, Representative Cozart. Your resolution is adopted. Madam Clark, please read House Resolution 1047. House Resolution 147 by
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 28:14
Representative Cooper to recognize the positive impact of the Arkansas 4H program on the youth of the state of Arkansas and to proclaim 4H day at the state Capitol on March 4th, 2025. Representative Cooper, you're recognized. Friends, you may have noticed a sea of green in the Marlborough halls this morning. And that's because it's 4 each day at the Capitol. We're so glad to have these guests here today, and we want to welcome them. And thank them for visiting us today. 4H is the premier youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture's cooperative Extension Service. Youth between the ages of 5 and 19 can participate. And Fre each current reaches 258,000 young people all across the state of Arkansas. The 4H emblem is the four-leaf clover with an H on each leaf. Those were Hs represent the emphasis on the head, heart, hands, and health. The program is designed to prepare young people to step up to challenges in their communities and to provide youth with the skills they need to become leaders. The core elements of 4H include youth leadership. Youth adult partnerships, life skills learning, and community service. For each programs are grounded in the belief that youth best learn by doing. members complete hands-on project projects in areas like agriculture, science, health, and citizens. They practice these in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Roach offers a wide variety of hands-on learned by doing opportunities for everyone. You can concentrate on one area, or they can try and assess assortment of programs throughout their 4H experience. Based on their interests and guided by adult mentors, youth develop their own pathway in 4H with the ultimate goal of learning life skills. To help them thrive today and tomorrow. The 4H program has its roots in my home county where in 1908, a group of 65 boys swarmed the White County corn and Cotton Club to learn the latest in agricultural practices and technology. My family's been heavily involved in 4H for several generations. My grandmother was born in 1909. And just after 4H was formed, And, uh, she had some keepsakes that, that she had and passed down to the family and we were looking at those keepsakes one time and we found a letter and a ribbon where in 1925, she would have been about 16 years old and she and her sister were chosen as delegate delegates to the 4 girls and boys Congress. It was being held at the Arkansas State Fair. Included in that package were train tickets to Little Rock so they could attend the fair as delegates. They would have had to travel from El Paso in Southwest White County to Conway to catch that train, and you can imagine what a big, big adventure that must have been for them. Back in 1925. And I think it speaks to Uh, the importance of that to her and the importance of that experience to her that she kept that letter and those ribbons and pass those down to her descendants. Colleagues, we have some special guests with us today in the North Gallery. This is part of the state 4H officer team. Uh, 4 members are with us. Uh, the other three are down in the Senate chamber this afternoon. These young people are elected by their peers, and they represent 4H and serve as leaders and role models for other 4H youth. They advocate for 4H and provide input for improving the program. They provide educational opportunities and connect the county, district and state levels of the program. I'll ask that each of them stand. As I recognize them by name. State for each president Connor Henry from Arkansas County. State 4H Vice President Day Rogers. State 48 Secretary Secretary Sylvanna Burgess from Jefferson County. Delta District Vice President, Caitlin Cooper. They're joined today by Doctor Debbie Nisler, Assistant vice president for 4H. You them a round of applause. One of those girls up there might be related to me. You might be able to figure out which one it is. Colleagues, I encourage you to read this resolution when you have the opportunity. There's some good information in there, but to be respectful, everyone's time today. I'll ask that the clerk read the resolution by title only, and I would appreciate
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Speaker 53 33:06
a good vote. Madam Clerk, please read resolution by title. To
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 33:09
recognize the positive impact of the Arkansas 4H program on the youth of the state of Arkansas and to proclaim for a day at the state Capitol on March 4th, 2025.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 33:20
Representative Cooper has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Representative Cooper is closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House resolution 1047. All those in favor say aye. Posey. Congratulations, Representative Cooper. The resolution has been adopted. Members you'll see walking around the chamber. We have a great group of pages here serving with us from, uh, different parts of the state. We're honored to have them here today. Please give them an applause
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Speaker 77 34:10
for the work doing for us. The morning hour has ended.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 34:15
Representative Wayne Long recommends that we concur and send an amendment number 1 to House Bill 1447. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Amendment number 1.
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Speaker 81 34:36
Amendment Bill 1447 it's like Representative Long may have been
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 34:40
called out. We will come back to that. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1489. 1489
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 34:49
by Representative Wardlaw to amend the method of execution to include nitrogen gas. Representative Wardlaw, you're
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Speaker 85 35:08
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So members
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Representative Jeff Wardlaw Unverified 35:20
Little less than a year ago. A guy pulled up to the mad butcher store in Fort Ice. Walked into the store. Pulled out a shotgun. And started shooting people while they were buying their groceries for their families. He then shot a nurse on the way out of the store. That was helping another victim. Survive, killing her. Got into the parking lot and commenced the shooting again, shot a number of members of the community in the parking lot. Later, the police were able to stop him and get him arrested. I represented that community for a number of years. That nurse that that passed away from that gunshot. I worked very close with her on a daily basis in the healthcare field. Her her mother and my wife. Our colleagues at work today. It came to me with a list of items they wanted to see changed in Arkansas code when it came to Capitol. Offenses. Not necessarily for the guy that shot the folks in Fordyce. He has not been adjudicated, but they wanted to see things changed in Arkansas code. That list of paper was very hard to look at because it was very descriptive about things they wanted done in Arkansas law. Almost 100% of that list was unconstitutional, as I said in committee. So I carried that list over to the AG's office and I asked him, I said, what can we do? To help These victims' families that are hurting. Well, this bill. Changing the method to ni nitrogen gas is what came out of that discussion. It was the only thing we could do. And basically all this bill's gonna do is put us back. Going at putting people to death that have killed folks and It is a humane way of doing it. Alabama has been doing it. Other states are moving to this direction because it is readily available and I'll be glad to answer any questions. See you. I appreciate. Representative Wardlaw has explained the bill. Would
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 37:37
anyone like to speak against the bill. Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um,
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 37:48
That was a very, um, Tad, uh, story, and I, I can commiserate and I pray for the families of everyone affected by the bad Muer shooting. I'm not down here to speak against a bill to encourage anyone's vote, um, I rise today to speak against HP 489. I don't rise out of malice of the sponsor, uh, or his pursuit for justice or out of some moral equivocation or uneasiness about the need to enforce law. I rise because I, like many other followers of the Catholic Roman faith in this body are led by our faith and conscience and stand in opposition to the death penalty in any shape, form, or machination. As such, it's incumbent upon me to try to, um, not stand here and encourage you or change your minds or influence your sacred honor to represent your will of your constituents. Uh, but rather to provide justification to our constituents, for those of us who are faithfully and dutifully bound to answer to our God and Creator in accordance with our faith. Fundamentally, my and our faith tradition teaches us that the death penalty violates two key tenets of our moral ethic. God is the only entity that can create and take life. And through that understanding, all life, even if that life has been morally corrupted or is in so much need of repentance or even committed the most ghastly of cardinal offenses should and requires the opportunity of repentance in order to achieve eternal life. Uh, as our creator and our redeemer, God has instilled in all of us basic human dignity. The death penalty runs contrary to the teachings of the gospel. The death penalty stirs deep moral questions, often clashing with the gospel's teachings. Jesus spoke of much of mercy, forgiveness, and the sanctity of life. Urging us to love even our enemies. And in Matthew 5:7, he blesses the merciful, promising them mercy, while justice matters, the gospel leans towards redemption and not retribution. The message of Christ challenges us to seek grace over vengeance,
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Chair Unverified 39:50
reflecting God's love for all. Thank you. Representative McKenzie has spoke against the resolution. What do you, uh, Bill, would anyone like to speak for the bill? Would anyone like to
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 40:03
speak against the bill. Representative Wardlaw is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1489, prepare the machine, madam clerk. As everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot By a vote of 67 ya, 23 nays, and 2 present. The bill is passed. Members of Representative Wayne Long recommends that we concur and Senate amendment number 1 to House Bill 1447. Madam Clark, please read Senate Amendment number one. Amendment number one in the House
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Speaker 79 40:45
Bill 1447. Representative Long, you're recognized to explain Amendment One.
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Representative Wayne Long Unverified 40:52
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's simply adding a, um, Um, senator as the Senate sponsor. I'd appreciate a good vote.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 41:01
Representative Long has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? For the amendment. Representative Long is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is concurrence with Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1447. Prepair the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 94 ye, 1 nay, and 0 present. You have concurred in Senate Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1447. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1169. Hospital 1169
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Speaker 34 41:44
by Representative Johnson to clarify the admission criteria for an involuntary
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 41:46
commitment to include a person who is in a mental condition as a result of a medical condition.
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 41:54
Representative Johnson, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this issue came to me through a group of neurologists who had some concern around our voluntary commitment process and also our 72 hour hold process. We had these processes in existence. Both of them have been in statute for a long time. The way this statute currently reads, it doesn't create a differentiation between mental illness and a medical condition. Uh, the neurologists were concerned that dementia, which is a medical condition, might not qualify as a reason to hold someone. And certainly there are occasions within the medical field. where a person with dementia is a risk to themselves or others, and we need to be able to hold them so that they don't go out and cause a problem for themselves or if they're having, for instance, a medical condition in the emergency room, maybe they're having a heart attack, they're confused, no one's around, they're trying to leave, trying to reassure us that as medical professionals, we have the ability to, uh, do the same things for our, uh, patients with medical conditions causing mental incapacity as we do for mental conditions. Uh, it seemed like a real simple process to work on this spill. I put out an original draft and heard back from some psychologists that had concerns for some judges that had concerns, all of them said, hey, this is a problem we need to address since made different language suggestions. So the bill you have in front of you today is a bill that's had input from all three of those groups. Uh, and to my knowledge, I don't think at this point it has any opposition, and I'd be happy to try to answer questions on the bill. Ting Nan, I appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Johnson
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Chair Unverified 43:21
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 43:28
Representative Johnson is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1169, prepare the
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Chair Unverified 43:43
machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted, casts up the ballot,
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 43:50
by a vote of 99 ya, zero nay, and zero present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 43:59
Bill 1586. Is 1586 by Representative Johnson to amend the Medicaid waiver for autism spectrum disorders to clarify the number and type of qualified professionals to diagnose autism spectrum disorder. Representative Johnson, you're
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Chair Unverified 44:10
recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr.
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 44:12
Speaker. Uh, members, a few years ago, we changed our laws around how we diagnose autism. We were one of the only states that required 3, disciplines to diagnose autism, a physician, a psychologist, and a speech pathologist. We changed that to 2 out of 3 disciplines. What we didn't do in that statute is clarify that it should be two different of the three tops. So in other words, we're trying to clarify that it, it would have to be a physician and a psychologist or a psychologist and a speech pathologist, but not two speech pathologists creating the diagnosis of autism, just cleaning that language up and if there's any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Johnson has explained the bill.
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Chair Unverified 44:53
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Johnson is closed for the bill.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 45:02
Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1586. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted So everyone voted, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 99, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1253. House Bill 1253 by Representative Johnson to adopt
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 45:32
the emergency Medical Services personnel licenser Interstate compact in Arkansas. Representative Johnson, you're recognized to
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Chair Unverified 45:38
explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members,
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 45:41
we've seen a lot of these compact bills come through. I think they're all intended to do the same thing, which is to try to help expand our workforce, help facilitate, uh, cross-state participation of different licensure. This compact is similar to the others we passed. I will say we did add an amendment to this compact, as we've done with many compacts clarifying ALC's delegatory authority, um, and we had some good testimony. I, I know there were lots of folks there that were listening. One of the gentlemen, that physician came to testify. He's got a lot of experience prehospital medicine. I think you did a good job of outlining the, uh, the, the reasons this is a good bill, and I'd be happy to answer questions on it if I can. Thank
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 46:24
you. Appreciate a good vote. Representative Johnson has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Nazarenko, you're recognized to speak for the bill.
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Representative Jason Nazarenko Unverified 46:40
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I thank you all. I, I have no doubt that everyone here thinks, uh, or knows this is a good bill. Uh, but I wanna make sure that you understand the gravity of this bill and just how important it is. I, I think most everybody here knows that I'm an Army veteran. I spent 23 years in the army. My last 10 was flying Black Hawks in 2019, I retired and moved back home to Cotter. I was blessed to have a job with Ava Life Team flying aired. helicopters back and forth just like these ones that you see out here to our, uh, our hospitals. Every time a, a new crew comes on, the pilot will brief the, uh, the medic and the nurse. That, that team is made up of a pilot and a nurse and a medic. Uh, when you come on duty, you brief, uh, everything that you got that day, the weather, the capabilities, and one thing that you talk about is licensure. Uh, normally where I was at in Harrison, Arkansas, my crew was licensed in Missouri and Arkansas. What that meant was we could do anything we wanted in Arkansas, Missouri to include transfer. flights that would be from a uh one hospital to another. As well as scene flights landing on the side of a uh a crash site or whatever that was. Many times we would, we would transfer over to places that we weren't or they weren't necessarily licensed to. One of these times I specifically remember was picking up a patient in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and taking them to the next higher care over in Oklahoma. Now remember those crews were Missouri and Arkansas licensure and not, uh, not Oklahoma. What that meant was we could bring that patient to Oklahoma, but then after we dropped that patient off, we would refit the aircraft. I would gas it up. We would make sure we had all our medical supplies and then we would head back home. On our way back home after lifting off up in Oklahoma all the way back to Arkansas, we were fully capable of helping somebody, but if there was a crash underneath me in Oklahoma, I couldn't do anything about it. If there was somebody that needed the medic and the nurse that were behind me. I couldn't affect that and that was a hard pill to swallow, and I can tell you I got that call before. I got the call because central communications, even though they would try to track who you were able to license for, sometimes they would miss that and they made a call one time after we had lifted off, headed back home to Arkansas for us to take a scene flight there in Oklahoma, and I had to turn it down. We were the closest available aircraft to that scene, and we had to turn it down. As I said, I think everybody understands. this is a good bill. I think this is a great bill. And I hope that you all will join me in, in voting yes, positively for this because this bill will save lives. Thank you. Representative Nazarenko
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 49:33
spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Johnson, you're recognized to close for your bill. Yeah, I want to thank you
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 49:44
for those comments. You know, it's easy to get up here and, and say things about comment about compacts like it's about workforce. Uh, it's sometimes easy to forget it's about patient care. And that's one thing that I think does make this compact a little different. So thank you for bringing that to our attention again. Thank you for those comments and appreciate a good
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 50:04
vote. Thanks. Representative Johnson is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1253. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 99, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill
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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 50:32
is passed. Representative painter for what purpose? Uh, Mr. Speaker, having voted on the prevailing side of consideration of House Bill 1510. I move for reconsideration. Representative Painter, how did you
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Chair Unverified 50:42
vote? No That's a proper motion. It's a
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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 50:56
debatable motion. Representative Painter, please come to well, discuss your motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, when we consider this bill the other day, there was some, uh, members that were not here and they wanted the chance, the opportunity to vote. So that's all it's
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 51:11
doing is giving them a chance to vote. I appreciate it. Representative Painters explained the motion. Does anyone want to speak against the motion? Anyone likes to speak for the motion. Question before the house is the passage of motion to reconsider
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Chair Unverified 51:32
on House Bill 1510. Prepare the machine, madam
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 51:41
clerk. Everyone voted. So everyone voted. casts up the ballot with the vote of 64 ya, 19 nays, and 8 present, the motion to reconsider has passed. Madam Clerk, please prepare the machine. So everyone voted So everyone voted, cast up the ballot. The vote of 51 ye, 30 nays, and 13 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1370. That's 1370
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 52:29
by Representative Mayberry concerned in making a missed school days and to require a public school district to include additional days or hours as applicable in these schools calendar for the purpose of making a
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 52:42
missed school days. Representative Mayberry, you're recognized
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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 52:48
to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not last weekend but the weekend before that, I was sick. And I had a fever the day before, um, Sunday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday comes along. I'm coughing and, you know, I didn't feel like I really needed to be in church around other people and spreading my germs. And so I chose to stay home. I love being in church. Being around other people and fellowshipping with them. That's really important. But thank goodness my church has a way for me to stay home. And watch service online. It's not the same as being in person. I'll, I'll tell you that. But it is far better than missing that sermon. Because when I don't hear my pastor's sermon that week. My whole week kind of falls apart. It's one thing that I use to keep myself in line. I'm very thankful that we have a way to still serve remotely. This bill right here would allow our students the opportunity. In rare cases to also continue their education remotely or maybe even with work that's sent home. When we have emergencies which we know we do. We just had two huge snowstorms. Many of the schools in our state probably are at about 5 or 6 days, maybe summer at 7. By now, majority of them of the school districts have had to close because of ice or, or weather. Right now, they aren't allowed to use an AMI day, which we used to allow. That's an alternative method of instruction. This bill Would allow after 7 days, which most of the school districts in the state have not even reached 7 days. But day 8. 9 or 10. They can If they want to. I like to use. And AMI day. No school district in the state has to, if there's a school district that They don't think they have good internet or they just don't like the idea. They don't have to. This is giving our school districts one more tool in their tool belt to be able to use. Giving some local control. It's 3 days. Not 3 months. Just 3 days. I also would like to point out when I was looking at this part of the law, I noticed that when we talk about emergency circumstances, we did not actually have in the law the ability for a school district to close by law for a circumstance that's created by humans. We had listed inclement weather, acts of God, utility outage, a contagious disease outbreak, but we actually didn't have in law that if there was an active shooter or threat that the school district could close. So we added that in here as well, which I think is really important because certainly we want to give that
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Speaker 123 56:17
ability to our school districts to close. I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Mayberry
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 56:24
has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Gramlich recognized to speak against the bill. I just, I just want to speak on
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Speaker 126 56:45
my personal experience with AMI days is. When you talking 50,000 ft view, they sound like this great thing, you know, the school year, blah, blah, blah, but I have found is when I send my work home for kids, one, it's not really what I was going to want to do that day anyway. Off the clock because I have to send something out. And then the kids are supposed to do it when they're out, and then they don't. And then they come back to school and they have all this missed work. So I have two options. I can either say, oh, the work didn't really matter because I had to make it up, but it wasn't directed to exactly what I wanted to be directed to anyways. Or I make them do the work, and now I have 2 missed days because we're not actually doing this. stuff I wanted to do in the first place. So like I understand. I understand your goal of like we need to fix this problem, but like, I just AMI days are not improving education. Like they just, they aren't helping and ultimately for me in my classroom, it ends up being an extra day we missed because I'm not. Thank you.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 57:42
Representative Gramlich spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill Representative McKenzie, you're recognized to speak against the bill. It's kind of like
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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 57:56
Yahtzee. If you get in the well 3 times, if you roll 3 doubles in yachts, you go to jail. If you come to the well 3 times to speak against the bill, you go to jail. Um, so this will be the last time you hear from me today. Um, I was not in committee when this bill was heard. Um, but it's important. There's a few things mentioned in the presentation that are important. Uh, I'm for promoting flexibility, not at the chagrin of student performance. Um, AMI Days art were previous to coming out of COVID and in the world before learns, uh, a tool in the toolbox, most certainly. They're a tool in the toolbox for flexibility to try to keep kids somewhat occupied. On a day where they can't have in-person instruction. They are not a tool in the toolbox of promoting learning and encouraging student progress. Um, just 3 weeks ago, uh, Secretary Ley came and did a joint session of education to present to us the NAEP assessment scores. Uh, we are on a steady decline since 2013. We ranked near the bottom of the country in all measurable metrics of student performance, encouraging any more days of the 170 some odd that we require of in-person learning out of the classroom is, is going to encourage more learning loss, more. up. Um, and more, uh, more opportunity for us to have to dig back, dig ourselves back out of the hole we've created. Um, there is an important anecdote that Secretary Leva likes to say is that the number one priority of all Arkansas schools. Um, you would think it's, uh, to promote excellent education, to have high achievement gap, to have a sense of community, it's safety. It's safety. Every student in the state of Arkansas should walk into a public school and feel safe, not only in the physical world, but they should feel safe that they are going to be prepared for the world outside of the school. More time with kids outside of the classroom, away from in-person instruction is not safely preparing our kids for the world outside. So for that, I wish, I encourage a no vote. Representative
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Chair Unverified 59:56
McKenzie has spoke against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Hudson, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you Mr. Speaker, just
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Representative Ashley Hudson Unverified 1:00:16
speaking from experience because I, I have 4 kids and we've done AMI and we've done no AMI. Here's the reality. At the end of the school year, they're just gonna tack on extra days, which is what they've been doing since we got rid of AMI. And those are not quality instruction days. You end up with a bunch of kids watching movies, bringing snacks, having lay me down to read day. You also have parents who made summer vacation plans and our already gonna be out of town because they expected the school year to end on a certain day. So we're not talking about tacking on a bunch of quality days. These kids don't need to be going to school well into June and July because we don't give them 3 days that they can do some activity on a, a day that they're out for an emergency or for weather or something and get we we're not doing an apples to oranges here. We're not saying that either they're gonna get quality instruction or they're not. So I do want you to bear in mind, especially when we're talking about one, giving flexibility to these schools to allow them 3 days, um, after they've exhausted all of these other options, um, and 2, that what we're really talking about is not whether or not they're gonna get quality days because the reality is, depending on what grade they're in and where they're in school. These are not quality days that we're talking about. These are people trying to mark time to, to meet the number of days that are required. And I would remind y'all too, we don't require this as the private schools that take learns funds. And so what you also end up with are some pretty unequal calendars, especially for families that may have kids in private school and also in public school. So I'd
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Chair Unverified 1:02:00
encourage a yes vote. Representative Hudson has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Duke, you're recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you,
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Representative Hope Duke Chair Unverified 1:02:17
Mr. Speaker. So a couple of things I would like to make note of when it comes to AMI days. I was pretty familiar with them in 2017 when they went into law, I was not a fan of them then. And I remain still not a fan of them for a couple of different reasons. Number one, when it comes to tacking them on at the end of the day, I have two issues with that argument. I mean, at the end of the school year. Number one, manage the calendar. You have the responsibilities of school district to manage your calendar. I live in the, as you all know, Northwest corner of the state. I Probably experienced as many or maybe more days, snow days than most of you. So, it's a reality for me and for our school district that we are gonna have to deal with snow days. So you have days at the beginning of the year that you can address that, whether it's through Thanksgiving break, whether it's through fall break, you can take those things into account when you do your calendar. I don't think anything beats in person instruction. Also, to the point in it really bothers me when the point is made that at the end of the year is wasted days. I personally take offense at that. I realize that there are instances, I don't think near as many as people like to think, where the maximum. Time is not made of the kids at the end of the school year. But when I taught, and my children who are teachers, they make the most of those days. They're not just packing up their classrooms, and they're not just putting on movies. They may be doing a field trip. They may be doing science experiments. They may be making classrooms look different, but they're not wasting their time. And if they are, then that's a management problem. That's not an AMI day problem. And finally, may I remind you, my district a lot, like many of yours, do not have internet capabilities for all of their students. Whole lot of my kids don't have that whenever they go home. So, they get sent home packets, and those packets are pre-made, so they're not necessarily falling in line with the course content that's going, they're going through at that time. So whether we like it or not, when they come back to school, they're gonna have to go back and review to the representative. this point earlier and make up that content that they were doing through the AMI days. And that is why I believe it is very important that we have students in school that we recognize we have capable teachers who are gonna maximize that, maximize that time, and if they are not, their principals and their superintendents and their school boards and their parents need to address that issue. So for those reasons, and a whole lot more, I am going to vote no against AMI days. And I encourage you to do the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:05:04
same. Thank you. Representative Duke has spoke against the
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Chair Unverified 1:05:08
bill. Represent a vote, you recognize, speak for
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Speaker 138 1:05:16
the bill half of you didn't know this was going to be a controversial bill whenever
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 1:05:22
you got here today. So, I, I agree COVID AMI was horrible. I get that. But if you have a school that's out of electricity or out of, let's say out of water, and they can't get a drink of water, they can't go to the bathroom, and they start testing on, on say that Friday, and we're trying to say that, hey, guess what, they can use that AMI day for that. There is a way, because my children did it as teachers. There is a way to teach, and it be online and the teacher with them and speaking to them. Schools that are not set up that way, I would encourage them to set
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Speaker 142 1:05:55
up that way, cause that's a pretty good way to use AMI where
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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 1:06:00
you're actually there with the student. I want to say exactly what I said in committee. Being in the classroom is great, but if that's the only way you can learn, why do we have Arkansas online teaching. Why do we have the school online? Arkansas Academy. I think it's what it may be called or something to that. And it's all online. That's all they do every single day is online teaching. So if being in the classroom is more important than being online, then maybe we should shut that down. If we want to make sure that all kids are learning at a high standard. Then maybe we should shut that down and those kids should be put in a classroom. I don't want to do that. I think they do a good job, actually. I have no problem with how they run their school. But I also don't have any problem with how any of our superintendents decide if they've got to let kids stay home for a day. They're worried about people being on black ice. They got to worry about, hey, that storm, do I, do I like wait and see if that storm's gonna hit the school before I send kids home? Do I put them out in the middle of the storm? Do I make them drive to school uh in snow, or will they be going home in snow. Y'all, we're not talking about 7. 10 2030 days. We're talking about 3 days that they can use. Doesn't mean they have to even? It says they may use them. So no school has to use them. She has done very well in making
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Chair Unverified 1:07:35
it very presumptive. And with that, I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Varus spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative
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Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified 1:07:54
Beatty, you're reckon I speak against the bill. I always like when we can come back and re-litigate a matter over and over again. We've, we've litigated this matter last session. I'm certain we'll re-lit. The problem is, this is a completely unnecessary bill. Our schools already have control of their calendars, and this bill is, like I said, completely unnecessary. It is a local control issue that is already provided for in law. So let them maintain control. Representative Beatty has spoke against
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:08:24
the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Against the bill, uh,
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Representative Jessie McGruder Chair Unverified 1:08:38
Representative McGruder, you're recognized to speak for the bill. Uh, excited for my first time coming to the well to speak for a bill, uh, I'm honored to be here serving with all one. 99 of you all here in the State House of Representatives. And uh What that means is all of us represent different districts. All of us have different opinions about things. Give you a scenario. March of 2023. A tornado hits Wyn, Arkansas. Destroys their school. They have to have another method of instruction when this happens. All we're asking for right now is a different method of instruction. When we're not asking for 10 days. We're not asking for you to do this for 5 days. We're actually for 3 days to be built into the calendar for teachers to have an alternative method of instruction. Everything is different and everybody's district. So we're saying that we want to put the choice back in the school district's hands, so they can make the best choice for their students, their student body, and their student population. If this doesn't work for your school district. Then don't opt in or don't vote for this, but we're saying, give the choice back to the school district, so local control is in effect. I thank you all and that's why I'm voting yes on this bill. Representative McGruder has spoke for
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:09:52
the bill. Anyone would like to speak against the bill? Representative Richardson, you recognized to speak against the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, I think I've only spoke
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Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified 1:10:04
against a couple of bills here. I want, and I'm gonna speak against it and and hit it on something that Representative Duke also hit as a reminder, we still have about 30% of Arkansas students in this state who do not have internet access at their house, and I can still remember the times when we did have the, these days where students were having to go to the local library and sit out in front of the library. I know the State Farm offices were providing free internet for kids to go out and have these. days, if you're talking about uh a black ice day or inclement weather. These students are not going to have access to internet. They're not gonna be able to, to perform. Yes, online school works great if you have an in present teacher that can present to these kids and provide them a quality education when they don't have that available to them, then their access is limited, um, to things like packets being sent home that have very little rerelevance. So for that. Reason I'm going to be voting no, and I would appreciate a no vote as well. Representative Richardson has spoke against
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Chair Unverified 1:11:08
the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill?
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Representative Jim Wooten Unverified 1:11:13
Representative Wooten, you're reckon I speak for the bill. Colleagues, here we are again, questioning whether or not The local school board has the smartness or the ability to deal with it. Who knows when it's gonna snow. Who knows when it's gonna be a tornado. You, you don't know. The school's got a difficult situation to deal with. But this bill simply says that if they want to use it, they can use it. I don't know why it was done away with. Every university, every college in this state has online education. Every one of them. So why Is there such a debate? Because 30% don't have it. We're going to keep 70% from it. You need to notice. What part of the state's objecting to this. This is coming out of the governor's office. I'm telling you, right's right and wrong's wrong, and there's nothing wrong with this piece, with this bill. Every college, I won't repeat it again, every college. In this state Has online Education. Thank you, and I'm voting for it. Representative Wooten spoke
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Speaker 161 1:12:45
for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Representative Rose, you're recognized to speak for the bill or against
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Representative Ryan A. Rose Unverified 1:12:59
the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, thank you, Rep Mayberry. I appreciate your work. I always appreciate your presentations. I guess it's the point in the session where we make outlandish claims and accusations against each other. Um, I will be voting no. On this bill and nobody from the governor's office has reached out to me to discuss that with
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Chair Unverified 1:13:17
me. So, thank you. Representative Rose who spoke against the bill, Representative Richmond, for what purpose? Motion. I'll hear your motion. Motion for immediate consideration. That's a proper motion. It's non-debatable. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. No,
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Unknown speaker 1:13:51
It's a motion for immediate consideration, Madam Clerk.
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Speaker 59 1:14:27
Members of you are voting on a motion. For immediate consideration. So
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Chair Unverified 1:14:35
everyone voted. So everyone voted, cast up the ballot by a vote of
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:14:41
76, 19 nays and one present. The motion is passed. Madam clerk, prepare the machine for a vote on House Bill 1370.
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Chair Unverified 1:15:01
So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:15:08
up the ballot. The vote of 54, yeah, 35 nay, and 6 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 48. Senate Bill 48 by
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Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified 1:15:26
Representative Johnson to amend the law concerning disclosure of deductibles under certain insurance policies.
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Chair Unverified 1:15:33
Representative Johnson, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you,
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Representative Lee Johnson Unverified 1:15:40
Mr. Speaker. Members, this is a Senate bill that requires disclosure of deductibles all in one easy place to find on your homeowners insurance policy, and I'd be happy to answer any questions on the bill. See now appreciating your vote. Thank you. Representative Johnson has explained
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:15:55
the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill
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Chair Unverified 1:15:57
Representative Johnson is closed for the bill. Question before
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:16:04
the house is the passage of Senate Bill 48. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 97, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Representative Meeks, for what purpose?
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Speaker 14 1:16:34
Motion Hold on, I need to go to my budget calendar. Representative Gene was about to Thought you were wanting to just pass over all these today, Representative Jean. Representative Gene, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we've got, uh, we're gonna pass over.
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:17:05
House Bill 1094. Tobacco sensation. Um I did have a batch. But we're not gonna do one now because People want to pull it out for separate votes. So we'll just take up one at a time. House Bill 1146. It's the Attorney General's appropriation. It comes out of state central services, uh, it is held flat. There's no increases, any questions. Your one vote is for the bill and mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, had the clerk read the bill for the 3rd time.
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Chair Unverified 1:17:46
Madam Clark, read the bill for the 3rd time. House Bill 1146. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:17:53
to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Jean's closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1146. Where the machine, Madam clerk.
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Chair Unverified 1:18:09
Everyone voted. One vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:18:14
So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. vote of 98 ya, zero nay, and 0 present, the bill in the emergency
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:18:22
clause has passed. Representative Jean. Mr. Speaker Next appropriation is House Bill 1175. This is Parks and tourism, uh, it's mainly out of special revenue. There is about a $10 million deduction in this budget, uh, they cut out a grant line item out. There's no increase. Any questions? One vote is for the bill, the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill for the
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Chair Unverified 1:18:53
3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:19:00
the bill? the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1175. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Remembers,
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Chair Unverified 1:19:10
your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. So everyone voted
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:19:15
Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 95, 0 nay, and 2 present, the bill and the majority and the emergency clause has passed. Madam Clerk, please or Representative Jean, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:19:31
Uh, the next one is we're gonna pick up. House Bill 1493. This is the Capital Improvement Appropriation that comes from the governor's letter number 12. Uh, and we're also got one on the end of this, uh, agenda which is a Senate bill. This deals with the two-year colleges, uh, this is the money that has to be I can't to get a governor's letter, has to go through Pier and has to get a vote through council to fund any of this, uh, last year or this current year we're in now, the two-year schools got nothing. So, this is just in case there's an air conditioner or have an emergency. We have a method of funding it. That's what this does. Any questions? Seeing no, your one vote is for the bill, the mercy clause. Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clark, read the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:20:27
bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has explained to be anyone like speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Jean's closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1493. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. And your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
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Chair Unverified 1:20:47
So everyone voted Everyone voted Cast up the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:20:53
ballot by a vote of 95 yeah, 0 nay, and 3 present the bill in the emergency clause is passed. Representative Jean, you're
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:21:04
recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last House bill today is a supplemental appropriation that is appropriation for this fiscal year that we're in right now. It comes from the treasures, is what this is, is more state turned back, uh, for our property tax relief. They looked at their numbers and they will feel they were gonna run out of appropriation to turn back to our counties and cities for our homestead exemption that we fund through sales tax. So this is an additional 25 million in appropriation, uh, because we're getting fairly close to getting ready to, to, to run out the appropriation that we have now. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill, the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk read the bill the 3rd time. Madam Clark, read the bill for the 3rd time. 1544.
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:21:50
Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1544. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Members your one votes for
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Chair Unverified 1:22:09
the bill and the emergency clause. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 98, yeah, 0, nay,
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:22:20
and 0 present. The bill and the emergency clause has passed. Representative
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:22:24
Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 26, this Department of Commerce. This is the Department of Aeronautics. It has no general revenue, revenue comes from fuel sales, uh, from airplanes. Any questions? It's flat, no general revenue. Your one vote is for the bill and the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, the clerk
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Speaker 182 1:22:42
rebuild 3rd time. Madam clerk read the bill for the 3rd time. Representative Jean has
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:22:51
explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 26. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. members,
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Chair Unverified 1:23:07
your one vote is for the bill in the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:23:11
emergency clause. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot By a vote of 99, 0 nay, 0 present. Build in the emergency clause
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:23:21
has passed. Representative Jean. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, we're gonna skip over House Bill 125, and we're gonna go to House Bill 127. This is the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Their operation budget. Any questions? Representative Wooldridge, for what
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Speaker 161 1:23:36
purpose? Request? Recognized. We pass over this today? That your request. That's my
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Speaker 189 1:23:42
request. Are you being a good steward of this. All right. OK. We'll do, we'll honor
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Speaker 191 1:23:47
that honor request. Then we'll go on to Senate Bill
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Representative Lane Jean Unverified 1:23:51
245. This is, uh, the same thing we passed her on the House bills. This is for the four-year institutions. Uh, the Capital Improvement. Once again, uh, last year, or the current year we're in right now. Uh, University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff received $5 million for a health and wellness center, and also, uh, some, uh, stuff for their police department and their land grant, uh, match that we did last year, and the University of Arkansas had, uh, 7 million in there for a, uh, biotech lab, and that's all the money out of the millions of dollars that came out of this. Once again, it's got to go through a letter to the governor, to the peer. and then uh ALC has to approve this. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the mercy clause, Mr. Speaker, at the clerk read the bill a 3rd time. Madam Clerk, read the bill for
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Chair Unverified 1:24:53
the 3rd time 245. Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:25:04
the bill Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Question before the house is the passage of Senate Bill 245. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Remember your
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Chair Unverified 1:25:14
one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. So everyone voted. Everyone voted, cast up the
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:25:23
ballot. By a vote of 99, 0 nay, and 0 present the bill in the emergency clause has passed.
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Chair Unverified 1:25:33
Representative Meeks, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, pursuant to House Rule 33M. I move we adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon. That's a proper motion. It's non-debatable. All those in
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:25:44
favor say aye. Poe's name, I have it. Have any announcements from Committees Any committee announcements. Representative Schultz, for what purpose? City County
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Speaker 195 1:25:59
local will meet at 100 a.m. tomorrow
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Speaker 196 1:26:05
and MacB. Representative Pierce, what purpose? You're recognized uh 12 noon and MacB. Representative
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Chair Unverified 1:26:12
Gazaway, for what purpose? You're recognized agencies will meet tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. room 151. Represented more for what purpose? You're recognized
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Representative Jimmy Gazaway Unverified 1:26:24
15 minutes upon adjournment today, Mac A. Representative Lynch, for
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Speaker 198 1:26:30
what purpose a.m. 138. Representative Maddox, for what purpose? You're
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Chair Unverified 1:26:33
recognized. Insurance of commerce tomorrow at 10 a.m. in room 149.
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Representative John Maddox Unverified 1:26:36
Any additional committee announcements. Any committee announcements. Seeing none of the desks will remain open as needed for
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Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified 1:26:46
the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items in the adjourned motion, the House will
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Agenda

Call to Order

9:37
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Prayer

9:44
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Pledge

12:24
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Roll Call

12:58
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RESOLUTIONS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HR1054 Beck TO WISH ELIZABETH "BETTY" KAUFMAN THINES A HAPPY 107TH BIRTHDAY AND TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HER SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.

17:53
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HR1027 Cozart TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS'S PARTICIPATION IN THE CRISIS RECOVERY SUPPORT NETWORK COORDINATED BY THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD.

24:20
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HR1047 C. Cooper TO RECOGNIZE THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE ARKANSAS 4-H PROGRAM ON THE YOUTH OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND TO PROCLAIM 4-H DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON MARCH 4, 2025.

28:15
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End of Morning Hour

34:13
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CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1447 #1 Long TO EXEMPT A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLER LICENSED UNDER THE ARKANSAS SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS ACT FROM LICENSURE AS A PLUMBER.

40:50
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REGULAR BILLS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1489 Wardlaw TO AMEND THE METHOD OF EXECUTION TO INCLUDE NITROGEN GAS.

34:45
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HB1169 L. Johnson TO CLARIFY THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR AN INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE A PERSON WHO IS IN A MENTAL CONDITION AS A RESULT OF A MEDICAL CONDITION.

41:58
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HB1586 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID WAIVER FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TO CLARIFY THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS TO DIAGNOSE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.

44:03
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HB1253 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.

45:28
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motion to reconsider-1510

50:36
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HB1370 J. Mayberry CONCERNING MAKING UP MISSED SCHOOL DAYS; AND TO REQUIRE A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL DAYS OR HOURS, AS APPLICABLE, IN ITS SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE

52:30
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PURPOSE OF MAKING UP MISSED SCHOOL DAYS.

HB1365 K. Brown TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, AND COMMISSIONS.

REGULAR SENATE BILLS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

SB48 J. Boyd L. Johnson TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DEDUCTIBLES UNDER CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES.

1:15:18
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Bills and their Emergency Clauses to be considered which have been introduced by Joint Budget Committee

HB1094 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAMS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

HB1146 AN ACT FOR THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

1:19:10
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HB1175 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - DIVISION OF HERITAGE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

HB1265 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

HB1493 AN ACT FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.

1:19:35
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HB1544 AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR STATE TURNBACK FOR COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES BY THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER OF STATE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.

1:21:40
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SB26 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025- 2026 FISCAL YEAR.

1:22:28
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SB125 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

SB127 AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - FAYETTEVILLE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR.

1:23:26
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SB245 AN ACT FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION.

1:23:55
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Motion to Adjourn

1:25:37
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Announcements

1:25:52
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Adjourn

1:26:00
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Documents

No documents posted.

Speakers

Representative Brian S. Evans Chair Unverified
69 segments
Speaker 7
6 segments
Speaker 14
3 segments
Chair Unverified
32 segments
Representative Cameron Cooper Chair Unverified
31 segments
Speaker 32
2 segments
Representative Rick Beck Unverified
10 segments
Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified
7 segments
Speaker 53
2 segments
Speaker 77
1 segment
Speaker 81
1 segment
Speaker 85
1 segment
Representative Jeff Wardlaw Unverified
5 segments
Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified
9 segments
Speaker 79
1 segment
Representative Wayne Long Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 34
1 segment
Representative Lee Johnson Unverified
12 segments
Representative Jason Nazarenko Unverified
7 segments
Representative Stetson Painter Unverified
2 segments
Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified
9 segments
Speaker 123
1 segment
Speaker 126
2 segments
Representative Ashley Hudson Unverified
5 segments
Representative Hope Duke Chair Unverified
7 segments
Speaker 138
1 segment
Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified
5 segments
Speaker 142
1 segment
Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. Unverified
2 segments
Representative Jessie McGruder Chair Unverified
3 segments
Representative R. Scott Richardson Unverified
3 segments
Representative Jim Wooten Unverified
3 segments
Speaker 161
3 segments
Representative Ryan A. Rose Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 59
1 segment
Representative Lane Jean Unverified
18 segments
Speaker 182
1 segment
Speaker 189
1 segment
Speaker 191
1 segment
Speaker 195
1 segment
Speaker 196
1 segment
Representative Jimmy Gazaway Unverified
1 segment
Speaker 198
1 segment
Representative John Maddox Unverified
1 segment