Senate Convenes
Video
Transcript
Bills discussed (26)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SR31
· 6 mentions in chapter, transcript
Matched: “SR31 TO RECOGNIZE MISS AMERICA'S TEEN 2025 PEYTON BOLLING.”
|
TO RECOGNIZE MISS AMERICA'S TEEN 2025 PEYTON BOLLING. | Hester | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SCR4
· 4 mentions in transcript, chapter
Matched: “We will win with Senate concurrent resolution 4. Senate”
|
TO RECOGNIZE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR JOYCE ELLIOTT DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOR HER SERVICE … | J. Scott | Approved by the Governor. |
|
HB1117
Act 229
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1117 R. Scott Richardson Bryant CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF…”
|
CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF INSTRUCTION ON FIREARM SAFETY IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC … | R. Scott Richardson | Notification that HB1117 is now Act 229 |
|
HB1149
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “for House Bill 1149 by Representative Senator Davis compared the engrossed copy…”
|
CONCERNING VEGETABLE GARDEN PROTECTION. | Vaught | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1194
Act 251
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “state agencies team was for House Bill 1194 of Kavanaugh recommend new pass calendar committee on state…”
|
TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A MONUMENT ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS … | Cavenaugh | Notification that HB1194 is now Act 251 |
|
HB1245
Act 432
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1245 Clowney Irvin TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGIS…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT. | Clowney | Notification that HB1245 is now Act 432 |
|
HB1256
Act 231
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1256 Wooldridge Irvin TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF EXAMINERS…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN COUNSELING TO ISSUE A PROVISIONAL LICENSE FOR … | Wooldridge | Notification that HB1256 is now Act 231 |
|
HB1447
Act 255
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1447 #1 Long Hill TO EXEMPT A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLER LICENSED U…”
|
TO EXEMPT A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLER LICENSED UNDER THE ARKANSAS SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS ACT FROM … | Long | Notification that HB1447 is now Act 255 |
|
HB1478
Act 230
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1478 Schulz Hill TO REPEAL THE REGISTRATION OF DISEASE INTERVENT…”
|
TO REPEAL THE REGISTRATION OF DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS. | Schulz | Notification that HB1478 is now Act 230 |
|
HB1507
Act 252
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ommend new pass calendar committee on state agencies to Mer House Bill 1507 by Representative Ladyman recommend to pass. Calendar Commi…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL JUSTICE, OR GOVERNANCE SCORES; AND TO CLARIFY THE … | Ladyman | Notification that HB1507 is now Act 252 |
|
SB111
Act 395
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB111 K. Hammer TO ESTABLISH THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COM…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB111 is now Act 395 |
|
SB167
Act 563
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB167 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE DATES BY WHICH CERTAIN REQUE…”
|
TO AMEND THE DATES BY WHICH CERTAIN REQUESTS TO TRANSFER PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC SCHOOL … | A. Clark | Notification that SB167 is now Act 563 |
|
SB200
Act 329
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB200 K. Hammer TO INCLUDE TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATE…”
|
TO INCLUDE TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS THAT ARE LEASED IN THE EXEMPTION FROM THE … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB200 is now Act 329 |
|
SB222
Act 301
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB222 B. Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO CLARIFY MARKETING BY PROVIDERS UNDER THE … | B. Davis | Notification that SB222 is now Act 301 |
|
SB2268
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ctly engrossed. Public Health Committee on grossels, who is Senate Bill 2268 by Senator Wallace compared to the gross copy with the orig…”
|
Pre-2017 bill | ||
|
SB244
Act 275
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB244 J. Bryant CONCERNING POSTPONEMENT OF JUDGMENT IN DISTRICT C…”
|
CONCERNING POSTPONEMENT OF JUDGMENT IN DISTRICT COURT; AND TO PERMIT A SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE … | J. Bryant | Notification that SB244 is now Act 275 |
|
SB254
Act 359
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…pass, calendar Committee on City County Local who was fired Senate Bill 254 by Senator”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RURAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS; TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PROPERTY IN … | Irvin | Notification that SB254 is now Act 359 |
|
SB258
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB258 #1 TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIGITAL RESPONSIBILITY, SAFETY, A…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIGITAL RESPONSIBILITY, SAFETY, AND TRUST ACT. | C. Penzo | Died on Senate Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB259
Act 293
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB259 Gilmore TO TRANSFER APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DIRECTOR…”
|
TO TRANSFER APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR. | Gilmore | Notification that SB259 is now Act 293 |
|
SB26
Act 257
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…s calendar Committee on joint budget to who was referred to Senate Bill 26, my joint budget”
|
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 |
|
SB260
Act 277
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB260 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF COU…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF COURT FINES, FEES, OR COSTS AFTER DEFAULT. | J. Bryant | Notification that SB260 is now Act 277 |
|
SB263
Act 330
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB263 #1 Crowell Crowell TO INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX C…”
|
TO INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT. | Crowell | Notification that SB263 is now Act 330 |
|
SB265
Act 294
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB265 Irvin TO REDUCE AND MODIFY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LICENSING…”
|
TO REDUCE AND MODIFY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE RELATING TO WASTEWATER AND THE … | Irvin | Notification that SB265 is now Act 294 |
|
SB297
Act 283
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…ndar Committee on City County local to whom was referred to Senate Bill 297 by Senator Hammer recommend due pass calendar Committee on…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES CHOOSING TO ELECT COUNCIL MEMBERS; AND TO REQUIRE FILING … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB297 is now Act 283 |
|
SB329
Act 426
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…alist Alice Stewart, Senate Memorial resolution 3 calendar, Senate Bill 329 by Senator Bowen. To create the online marketplace guarante…”
|
TO CREATE THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE GUARANTEES ACT. | J. Boyd | Notification that SB329 is now Act 426 |
|
SB330
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “…driver's license test and the driver's instruction manual. Senate Bill 330. Transportation. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized for an…”
|
TO AMEND THE CONTENTS OF THE WRITTEN DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST AND THE DRIVER'S INSTRUCTION MANUAL; … | J. Scott | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
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Chair
Unverified
1:20
Senate will be called to order. Are there any requests for leave
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
1:26
at this time, Senator Boyd, you're recognized, I'd like
Chair
Unverified
1:34
to ask. Leave for the Senator Pinzer. Thank you, Madam
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:40
Secretary, please call the roll. Bo Bran Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, Dema, Datsun English Flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin,
Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Le, Patty Rice, Scott Stone Stuber Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone
Chair
Unverified
2:02
in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise. We will be led in prayer by Senator
Boyd, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. If you'll bow with
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
2:17
me and quiet yourself in the presence. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day.
Thank you for the blessings you've provided us. Please be with all of those who have traveled here to the capital and all those who will be traveling home, please with each of us legislators and give us wisdom and guidance as we make. decisions that affect the people of Arkansas. In Christ's name, I
Speaker 23
2:43
pray. Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God
Chair
Unverified
2:54
indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Senator Boyd, for those uplifting words today. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate. It is our expectation that each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today's proceedings. Without objection, the rules will be suspended and the Senate will dispense. With the reading of the journal. The morning hour has now begun.
I'd like to recognize Senator Wallace to introduce our pages for the day. Senator Wallace, you're recognized. Thank you.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:42
Remembers, we are honored today to have uh pages with us, and I would like to recognize and ask you
all to come here with me when I call your name, Riley Hinton. She is from Lisa Academy West in Senator Scott.
is her senator. Leland Tackett and Jerry take it. Be in high school and Senator Hammer is her page, and we want to welcome you all to the Arkansas State Senate. and just go right back over there. Thank you,
Chair
Unverified
4:24
Senator. Thank you, Senator Wallace, and welcome to all of our pages. We're glad to
have you here today. Announcements, introductions. Sender, Senator
Murdoch, you're recognized for. Thank you, Governor. I want
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
4:41
to ask leave for the Kip Delta uh staff and former Senator Kevin Smith, who's with us today. As they join us on the floor. Thank you. It's my pleasure to
introduce um the leadership with Kip Delta Helena or Kip Delta period as they are embarking on a transition and change as to try to improve the outcomes um for our children uh in uh that they serve, um, today, George Carden, uh, the chair, the new chairman, elected chairman of the board is with us. Uh, we welcome him as well as again former senator um Kevin Smith along with his wonderful staff, uh, I want to
introduce them because they're special and they're doing some special work at a special time and I want to make sure you knew who was working for you and that we appreciate what they're doing and we will support what they're doing on to see you guys as we work to take care of them. So thank you so much for allowing us to do this. Thank you, Senator
Chair
Unverified
5:54
Murdoch, and thank you all for being here and for the work that you've done. Other announcements, introductions, Senator letting, you're recognized.
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
6:04
Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, today we have the Arkansas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers here in the West Gallery. They drove down from Fyville this morning. They are the largest professional social work organization in the state. So just please help me welcome them to the Arkansas Senate. Any other announcements, introductions. Send
Speaker 42
6:24
her D, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. We've got the poultry Federation is
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
6:36
here today with a lot of their board members, their main contributors, and so I'd love for us to welcome them. Marvin and his work, really appreciate that and and a special shout out to a colleague of mine at Simmons Foods is here today, Mr. Weathers, so I would like our, our body to welcome them today. Thank you. Any other announcements or
Chair
Unverified
7:02
introductions. If not, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk?
Yes, your committee on gross bills who was first sent Bill 238 by uh Senator Payton compared the engrossed copy with the original and find some correctly engrossed. Public Health Committee on grossels, who is Senate Bill 2268 by Senator Wallace compared to the gross copy with the original find some correctly engrossed. Revenue and tax on gross bills was first sent 289 by Senator Dotson compared the engrossed copy with the original Fein some correctly engrossed revenue and tax. Committee on Gross who was
for House Bill 1149 by Representative Senator Davis compared the engrossed copy with the ritual and find the same correctly engrossed. Agriculture. We're committee on Agrata who was 1st 251. I sent for Stone recommend new passendar houseville 1413 by Representative Shepherd recommend. do pass Calendar Committee on City County Lo who was first Senate on 91 by Senator Penzo recommend DuP pass, calendar Committee on City County Local who was fired Senate Bill 254 by Senator
Irving recommend Du pass calendar coming down City County local who was first sent Bill 270 by Senator Kroll recommend Ducas calendar Committee on City County local to whom was referred to Senate Bill 297 by Senator Hammer recommend due pass calendar Committee on Insurance and commerce to was first Senate bill, 3075 by Center for Dismay recommend Du pass calendar Committee on joint budget to who was referred to Senate Bill 26, my joint budget
recommend to pass. Calendar on drop budget to was 1st 127 by joint budget recommend do pass calendar Committee on Joint Budget who was first sent 132 by joint budget recommend do pass as amended number 1 calendar Committee on joint Budget to was first sent 245 by a joint budget recommend do pass calendar committee on State agencies who was first sent Bill 188 by Senator Tucker recommended Du pass. calendar Committee on State agencies who was first sent 208
by Senator Hammer recommend due past to concur in House Amendment number one. Calendar of state agencies to was first sent to 11 by Senator Hammer recommend due pass to concur in House Amendment number one. calendar Committee on state agencies to whom was first sent 231 by Central Dotson recommended pass. Calendar of state agencies team was 1st 272 by Central Crow recommended to pass to as amended number one calendar,
state agencies team was for House Bill 1194 of Kavanaugh recommend new pass calendar committee on state agencies to Mer House Bill 1507 by Representative Ladyman recommend to pass. Calendar Committee on state agencies team was for a house for 1514 by Represented painter recommend Du pass calendar, Senate resolution 31 by Senator Hester. To recognize Miss America's team
2025 Paton boiling resolution 31 calendar, Senate Memorial resolution 3 by Senator Mark Johnson, member of public servant, public policy expert and Emmy Award-winning journalist Alice Stewart, Senate Memorial resolution 3 calendar, Senate Bill 329 by Senator Bowen. To create the online marketplace guarantees Act, Senate Bill 329. Insurance and commerce, 3:30 by Centra Scott to amend the contents of the written driver's
license test and the driver's instruction manual and to add hand signals used by bicycle operators to the written driver's license test and the driver's instruction manual. Senate Bill 330. Transportation. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized for an announcement or introduction. Thank you,
Madam President. Sorry, I'm a little bit late. We have a group from
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
11:11
Jonesboro up here in the gallery if you'd all stand and wave, we'd like to recognize you.
Chair
Unverified
11:18
Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Senator Sullivan. Senator Stone, you're recognized to introduce our
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
11:31
doctor of the day. Uh, members, I want to recognize Doctor Jared Smith, Doctor Smith is a physician from Camden. And um also I want to recognize Sleep Ozzio. She's a nurse, she's a nurse of the day, and we also have one other doctor of the day that's in Senator Tucker's district, and in a
minute he's going to come up and introduce her.
Chair
Unverified
12:02
Thank you. Thanks, Sinder Stone. No other announcements or introductions or any further business to come before the body in
the morning hour, if not the morning hour has expired. We will now begin the business. Agenda.
Speaker 67
12:19
We will win with Senate concurrent resolution 4. Senate
Chair
Unverified
12:23
concurrent resolution 4 by Senator Scott at Al to recognize former representative and Senator Joyce Elliott during Black History Month for her service to the state of Arkansas. Senator Scott, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Governor. It is an honor to
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
12:41
stand before you today as we close out Black History Month to recognize and
celebrate a woman whose life work has transformed this state in profoundly impacted my own journey, former state senator Joyce Sa Joyce Elliott for over 15 years, Joyce Elliott has been my mentor. She has been a tireless advocate for community she served and the issues she cared deeply about, whether in the classroom shaping young minds or in the halls of the fighting for justice, equity and opportunity. She always led with passion, conviction, and an
unwavering belief that the power of the people have to create change. Her legacy is not only written in the law, she helped pass, but in the countless lives she touched mine included. To me, she has been more than a mentor. She has been like a second mother, a colleague and one of my very best friends. She helped me find my voice while I was a young leader still trying to figure out who I was. She ensured that I had opportunities to grow, she took me to my first
demo Democratic National Convention, she taught me the true value of building relationships across party lines. She instilled in me the courage to stand firm in my convictions, while never losing sight of humanity and those whom I disagree with. There has never been a time in my life. When I needed Joyce Elliot and she didn't come through for me. Whether I needed guidance. Encouragement.
Or simply someone to remind me of my highest potential. She has always been there. And for that I will forever be indebted to her. Her impact extends beyond these walls. Arkansas is a better place because she was relentless in her pursuit of justice and her belief that every child regardless of your zip code deserves a quality education. She has shaped policies, changed
lives, and let the legacy that has inspired generations to come. So today as we celebrate Black History Month. Let us honor not just the past but the living history among us. Senator Joyce Elliott embodies the very essence of what it means to be a public servant, a trailblazer and a force of good despite our political differences. I am beyond grateful that God placed her
in my life. When I needed her the most.
Thank you, Joyce Elliott. Your legacy lives on. And I will continue the work that you started. I asked for a good Colleagues, sorry. I asked for a good motion on this resolution
Chair
Unverified
15:46
today. Thank you, Senator Scott. All those in favor of Senate concurrent resolution 4 to recognize former representative and Senator Joyce Elliott during Black History Month for her service to the state of Arkansas
please signify by saying, I, and he opposed, I have it, Senate concurrent resolution 4 is adopted.
Please transmit it to the House, Senator Hester. Senator Hester.
is recognized. Senate resolution 31 by Senator Hester Bryant Deen Dotson to recognize Miss America's teen 2025, Peyton Boiling. Senator Hester, you're recognized members. I'd like to make a motion to suspend
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
16:46
the rules to hear Senate Resolution 31 right now on the floor. You all have heard the motion. All
Chair
Unverified
16:53
those in favor, please signify by saying aye. And he opposed. I haven't motion carries.
Speaker 82
17:02
Well, I'm very proud to introduce you guys, uh, Miss America Teen from
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
17:05
uh from Benton County. Her name is Peyton Bowling, goes to Bentonville schools. She is a senior, and here's something that's very interesting. She went from not being in pageants less than a year ago to winning and winning and winning, and now she is Miss America teen and we are very proud to have her here and I'm gonna read a little bit of this resolution. Whereas Peyton Bowling of Rogers, Arkansas made history when she came to the first ever Arkansas. contestant to win the Miss
America team competition, which was held on January 4th, 25 in Orlando, Florida. And whereas Payton Bowling is the 18 year old daughter of Colonel Mike and Patricia Bowling and is the senior at Bentonville High School. I'm gonna skip some of this here. Cause she's done a lot of really impressive things, one being missing a lot of school and making straight A's. But Peyton's journey reflects her commitment to service, leadership, and the creation of positive change, inspiring
others to live, engaged and as thoughtful citizens. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Senate of the ninety-fifth General Assembly, the state of Arkansas, that the Senate recognized Ms. Miss America's team 2025 Peyton Bowling, be it firmly resolved upon adoption a copy of this resolution be presented to Peyton Bowling by the Secretary of the
Chair
Unverified
18:28
Senate. All those in favor of Senate resolution 31 to recognize Miss America Teen Peyton Bowling,
please signify by saying aye. And he opposed, I have it. Senate Resolution 31 is adopted. Now, I did not read the
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
18:50
entire length of impressive things that Phaeton's done in her short life. But one of the things she has accomplished that is very, very impressive and she was a Senate page for 5 months in the US Senate. That is something that is very difficult to achieve. She's done it. I'm
going to ask her to speak uh briefly and you'll
Speaker 90
19:10
see why she's so impressive. Thank you. Hello, I am deeply honored to stand here before you as the first Arkansan to win the title of Miss America's team. I want to begin by thanking Senators Hester, Dotson and D's for sponsoring this resolution in my honor and for all of your support. Before earning the title of Miss America's teen, I had the incredible incredible opportunity of serving as Miss Arkansas's dean, which allowed me to travel over 25,000 miles
across this great state. We Arkansans from all walks of life and learning more. about the heart of our communities, whether it was a local high school, a community event, or a small town festival, I witnessed the warmth, generosity, and resilience that makes Arkansas truly unique. As a proud student in Bentonville High School, Arkansas's largest public high school. I serve as all student body vice president, and I'm honored to be an AP scholar with distinction. This fall, I plan to attend the University of Arkansas and continue my education with hopes of furthering develop my
leadership skills to better serve our community. But ultimate goal is to someday serve in a body such as this, and like all of you, hope to make a difference, tackling challenges and making our state better. One of the experiences that shaped my perspective is serving as the United States Senate page, where I worked in the Senate chamber and saw firsthand how government functions. It was there that it became concerned with the knowledge gap that many people have about how the government works. That experience is why I became involved in the Miss America opportunity. I took
action when I returned home by launching service initiative, Civics in motion, and focused on encouraging civic education. I have partnered with the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and the National Civic SB. I believe that it is important to to preserve democracy, and we must ensure that the next generation understands how to actively participate. We must be asking ourselves important questions, like how do we want to show up for each other and what type of world do we want to live in. These questions must be
answered together. Collectively, as Miss America's teen, I will travel the United States speaking to Americans about a number of issues, including civics education. I advocate for the American Heart Association, best buddies, as well as the Miss America opportunity, which is the largest scholarship provider to women in the country. Personally, I have earned $70,000 from this year alone. This is life changing as my entire college tuition is now paid for, and closing, I want to express how truly blessed I feel
to be a part of such a Vibrant, supportive, and empowering state like ours, as I continue this journey, I will carry with me the lessons learned from Arkansans, and I'm excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I may be wearing the title of Miss America's Teen Across My Chess, but Arkansas will always be in my heart. Thank you guys. And
Chair
Unverified
22:09
Thank you, Peyton. We are proud of you and thrilled to have you here today in the Senate. Senator
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
22:18
Mark Johnson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President.
Uh, colleagues, I move that we suspend the rules and consider Senate memorial resolution 3 at this time.
Chair
Unverified
22:27
You all have heard the motion, all those in favor, please signify by saying I, and he opposed. I
have it. Motion carries. Some a more memorial resolution 3 by Senator Mark
Johnson to member of public servant, public policy expert and Emmy Award-winning journalist Alice Stewart. Senator Mark Johnson, you're
recognized. Thank you, Madam President,
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
22:51
and folks, please can you join me up here at the podium. Uh, it is honor and thank you, Governor, for giving me this honor to introduce and Senate memorial resolution 3, to remember public servant, public policy expert
and Emmy Award-winning journalist Alice Stewart. For those of you that didn't have the pleasure of knowing Alice, she was a real, really great lady. She was so multi-talented. It's, it's, it's really uh I miss her so much for that reason. We lost her way too soon. Uh, she, she started out in my line. I'm, I'm gonna read the resolution quickly or the highlights anyway. Whereas public servant, public policy expert Emily Emmy Award-winning
political journalist Alice Stewart, formerly of Virginia, passed on May 18th, 2024, and whereas Alice Stewart was born in Atlanta, Georgia, started a career there as a local reporter before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1998 to be a news anchor for KRKTV Channel 4 here in Little Rock. And whereas Alice went on to serve as the communications director for then Governor Mike Huckabee and also served in this role during his presidential campaign in 2008, and I might
add he carried won the Iowa caucuses that year, whereas Alice Stewart served the people of Arkansas as Deputy Secretary of State under Secretary of State Mark Martin and served in communications director for the presidential campaigns of former US Representative Michele Bachmann, former US Senator Rick Santorum and US Senator Ted Cruz, and whereas Alice was hired by CNN as a political commentator ahead of the 2016 presidential election and appeared on air frequently,
including the guest on the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. And whereas Alice Stewart also served as a senior advisory committee at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University's Kennedy School, where she previously was a fellow, whereas Alice was guided by deep faith in Jesus Christ and a strong conviction to follow him and was a faithful member of the church at Rock Creek in Little Rock. And whereas Alice Stewart was devoted to her loving family as well and adored her sisters, Andrea Schwin, Heather Thompson.
Eric Fraker, nieces, Brittany Lzo, Katie Schwinn, and nephews Jonathan Schwin and Thomas Schwinn, whereas in their free time, Alice Stewart was an avid and competitive runner and instrumental in the founding of the Little Rock Marathon, which is this weekend, uh, and including being the media director for that event. It was a board member of Girls on the Run of Central Arkansas, a nonprofit that honored her by saying of Alice Stewart, Dallas knew the importance of teaching girls that they have
limitless potential and the power inside to lift themselves. And others, whereas Lieutenant Governor Leslie Rutledge said of Alice Stewart, Alice was a wonderful friend to me and never wavered in her love for others. She was one of the hardest working people I've ever known. Alice was a gracious and generous host, always inviting others to come to fellowship with her. And whereas CNN program host Wolf Blitzer said of Alice, we always invite her to come on my show because we
knew we would be a little bit smarter at the end of that conversation. She helped our viewers better to appreciate what was going on, and that's why we will miss her so much. And whereas Kenneth Hurd wrote of Alice Stewart in Arkansas Money in Politics magazine. I respected Alice Stewart more than any reporter I dealt with during my two decades in news. And whereas former Governor Mike Huckabee said of Alice Stewart, she was an avid runner and marathoner, encouraged me during
my training for the 2005 Little Rock Marathon. She did an ongoing feature about the training and my completing the marathon the first of several for me. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate ninety-fifth General Assembly, the state of Arkansas, that the Senate remember public servant, public policy expert and Amy Award winning journalist journalist Alice Stewart. Madam President, I move the adoption of resolution. Thank you,
Chair
Unverified
27:16
Senator, Senator Johnson, and thank you for carrying this memorial
resolution, and we have a number of Alice's friends here today, Minnie and her family are watching online. Thank you,
Speaker 102
27:28
Governor, and I know how close you were to her. I
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
27:32
didn't know as well as you did, but I always respected her, and I'm glad she didn't try to have me run one of those
Chair
Unverified
27:39
marathons. Thank all the folks that worked on this you know Alice is probably the only person who could get me to ask a Republican senator to carry a bill recognizing a CNN. Employee former employee, and
um, you know, Alice was a great friend to me. She has had been for a long time. She has friends all over the world and and family, you know, in this line of work, senators, before we take the vote in this line of work, uh, we all know that it's easy to make
Speaker 35
28:11
people mad. It's easy to perhaps find enemies, but It's rare when you find true friends and unconditional
Speaker 3
28:18
friends. Who love and support you regardless of your flaws, regardless of theirs, regardless
Chair
Unverified
28:24
of party line and Alice was that person, and she did a lot for our state and our country, and I am a better
Speaker 3
28:34
person and a better Christian for having her in my life. And with that, all those in favor of Senate Memorial resolution to remember public servant, public policy expert and Emmy Award winning journalist Alice Stewart, please signify by saying I. And
Speaker 11
28:50
opposed Oz habit the Senate Memorial resolution.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
29:07
Madam President, may I recognize your friend behind me who is our acting city
Speaker 112
29:16
manager. Yeah, Governor, senators, this is just a wonderful tribute to a great friend, and on behalf of some of her other friends that we have here from the marathon from her political past. We're just so honored to be here today. Alice was just an incredible individual. She was a uniter, and she was someone that was loved by so many and we
heard a lot from the resolution today, so I won't take up much more time, but just to say thank you for this incredible honor for her. Uh, so many of her friends. family are watching from afar, and that just tells you so much about who she was as an individual and as a person. And uh I just am
Speaker 113
29:52
so thankful to be here today on behalf of her, so thank you for this incredible honor.
Chair
Unverified
30:10
Thank you, ladies, thank you, Senator Johnson. We will now move to the Rest of today's
Speaker 107
30:18
agenda. Beginning with Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 167. Remember, Wanda spin it, but 167. My bill and my
Speaker 116
30:27
amendment, I'd appreciate a good vote. All those
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
30:30
in favor of the amendment please signify by
Chair
Unverified
30:40
saying aye. Any opposed? I habit amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Senator Tucker.
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
30:46
You're recognized Thank you, Madam President, colleagues, it's an honor to introduce our other doctors of
the day, Dr. Katherine Baltz. She comes from a long line of public servants. Y'all may know her parents, Doctor Morse, Henry and Anne Henry. Doctor Henry served in the legislature for about 18 years, including 12 years in this body. Her mother is an outstanding and impressive public servant in in her own right, and Dr. Baltz has carried
that legacy forward. She and other ophthalmologists who are like-minded in public service set up a way to raise money through their clinics to donate it to the school for the blind and visually impaired here in Arkansas, and they've been doing some outstanding
work in bringing eye health care to people all over Arkansas. It's a great honor to have you with us today, Doctor Balts. We will now take up Amendment 1
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
31:41
to Senate Bill 263. Amendment 1, the Senate Bill 263, which is Amendment 2 Senator Kroll, you're
Chair
Unverified
31:53
recognized. Thank you. Amendment to add House sponsors. Appreciate a good vote, please. All those in favor,
please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? Is habit. Amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. Senator Hill, you're recognized. What 258. 200.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
32:11
Colleagues, I'd like to suspend the rules for Senator Penzo. And put it on the calendar today SB 258 to refer back to committee, uh, for an amendment. transportation Motion
Speaker 55
32:27
to withdraw from transportation. And to For purposes
Chair
Unverified
32:35
of amendment. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye, and he opposed, I
Speaker 116
32:42
have it. Remember one Senate Bill 258. Pennzo's bill, Pennzo's
Speaker 3
32:49
amendment. You all have heard the motion. All those in favor, please signify by saying a. Any opposed? I have it. Amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. century. Amendment 1. Amendment 1
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
33:15
to House Bill 1447. Amendment 1, House Bill 1447. Senator Hill, you're recognized.
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
33:26
All this bill does is add me to the, to
Chair
Unverified
33:33
the bill. All those in favor, please signify to say aye. Any opposed, I have it. Amendment is adopted. They send to engrossing. We will now begin with Senate
Speaker 95
33:46
bills beginning with Senate Bill 111. Senate Bill
Speaker 53
33:49
111 by Senator Hammer to establish the dentist and dental hygienist compact. Senator Hammer, you're recognized.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
33:58
Thank you, ma'am. Governor, members of the Senate, this bill establishes a compact for dental hygienists. It's supported by the Department of Defense, also by the National Dental Association is not opposed in the state by any organization. There was nobody spoke for or against the bill, and it just simply allows for
dental hygienists to be able to participate in a PAC so that we can have more of them come in the state and operate, and I'll
Chair
Unverified
34:27
be glad to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer? Any a question
Speaker 143
34:34
from Senator Dodson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Um, Senator Hammer, who, who controls the uh I guess credentialing and that sort of thing in the compact for Dennis and dental hygienists, if, if this is adopted, do we,
do we retain state control for that, or are we subject to an out of state entity that controls the licensing for those going forward. Yes, thanks for that question, Senator Dodson. A couple of things
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
35:01
to point out. Number 1, we are not giving up any of our authority as far as scope of practice. Everything remains in the state as far as what it takes to operate within the state. And if you look on page 4 line 34 and 35. It says a dental hygienist means an individual who is licensed by state licensing authority to
practice dental hygiene, so we maintain the licenger control, but we also contain the scope of practice which is referenced on page 2, lines 24 through 26 requires dentists and dental hygienists who practice in a participating state pursuant to a compact privilege to participate within the scope of practice authorized in that state. So we're basically just recognizing
Speaker 143
35:41
out of state. dental hygienists and those type of things to come in and practice in the state and giving them
a authority authority here in the state within their scope of practice, right, and one of the big drivers behind this is from
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
36:00
the Department of Defense because of the movement of spouses that are affiliated with military members to be able to come in the state and be able to practice and you know, we don't want anybody leaving the state, but if they do, it gives them
Speaker 143
36:12
that permission too, so it's like all the other compacts. of our dentist and dental hygienists reciprocity to go into other states that also are part of this compact, yes, and I
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
36:22
think that's why it supported at the national level as well. OK.
Chair
Unverified
36:28
Thank you. Thank you. Question Senator Rice,
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
36:36
you're recognized. Kardashian this on these compacts. I
don't, OK, there you go, Mike. All right, the compact that that I'm concerned about is
one, you said they still maintain uh the uh scope that's within Arkansas. Does this comact
have any oversight. By any legislative body such as rules through ALC or legislature. I think I would go back to what
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
37:06
I cited before, and that is that the licensure requirements are maintained within the state and not overridden by the PAC. Maybe that'd be a good way for me to summarize it. The reason I'm asking, that's been asked
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
37:18
for by legislators on some of the
compacts is to give the state some type of authority and control, uh, some of these out of states may have the in-statement, but they want to go. On That again, not particular to this bill, and there's been some, some things put in and my question is going to be on all of those is if you refuse to do anything that it uh a multi-state compact wants to do
if the legislature or ALC rejects that. Are you thrown out of the compact, and I think the answer's going to be yes. Because you've either got to accept a compact authority or you've got to reject it. Would you agree with that? I
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
38:12
would agree with that, and I'm looking in the bill and I may misstate, but I think on page 5, there's uh online section 3 starting at line 19 at state participation in the PAC in order to join the compact and thereafter continue as
participating state, a state must enact a compact, participate fully in commission data system, and there's some specific guidelines that are mentioned in there, but I do not see anything, at least in my interpretation, nor was it brought out in committee, if I remember right, anything that undermines the authority of us, and if and I would just say this, if it did, it wouldn't bother me to be kicked out of the compact because I don't want to surrender our rights as a state in order to be servant to
a compact, but the way I understand and read this bill, it, you know, it, I don't think it, I think it addresses your question, but again, allows us to maintain controls us to have state sovereignty in this instance. Would you
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
39:08
agree? I agree. Thank you. Send her love, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. Um,
Speaker 11
39:13
Senator Hammer, I just want to get a clarification on something
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
39:27
that that you said. Did you say that um a dentist from out of state, are they going to be practicing within the scope of what we have said or they practice within their scope from their state. And the reason why I asked that question is because if, if there's, if there's different, I mean, different laws in different states. I mean, we understand that, so are they practicing within their scope from the state that they're coming from or within the scope that. A practice that we provide. But first of all, it is, this is
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
39:57
only for hygienists. This is not, yeah, not for dentists, OK? Uh, but again, I'll go back to page 2, line 24, requires dentist and dental hygienists who participate and participate in state pursuant to a compact privilege to participate within the scope of practice authorized in that state, so whoever practices in this state are going to have to come into compliance with what we require. OK, so then if there, if there's If
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
40:22
there's a scope of part of their scope that we don't recognize in the state of
Arkansas than the dental hygienist can still practice within that scope. even if we as a state have not provided that. If there's just say for instance, if there's a procedure that Arkansas has not adopted and we've chosen not to adopt, but they can do that just say in Missouri, if Missouri was in a compact, then. You're stating that they can then practice when they that scope that was in Missouri and
Speaker 165
40:59
it doesn't necessarily have to be adopted in Arkansas. You know, I mean this
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
41:06
is and this is just not to this bill, but any compact bill. Is, is, is, that's, that's
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
41:12
what we're saying, is that not correct? I think I'm, I'm gonna stay back to what I hear you asking and make sure it's what I understand you're asking. If somebody comes in from another state that is whose state has less standards than our state. They would still be expected to come up to the standards of our
state in order to practice this, I think, is just covering the overall overarching ability to transfer back and forth if you're part of the compact. And that's why. Again, I think the Department of Defense is, you know, is is favorable to it. Um, I'm looking also on page 6, line 2022, providing an alternate pathways for an individual to obtain an unrestricted license does not disqualify a state from participating in the compact. I think you're concerns are addressed and that we, you know, of course we think as a state we've got the highest standards.
We wouldn't want to create any pathway for somebody to come in with lesser standards and have access to our citizens. OK. All
Chair
Unverified
42:10
right. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for Senator,
you're recognized clothes. Thank you again. I'd just
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
42:19
make observation that there was no objection to this, and I appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection
Chair
Unverified
42:26
to rolling the boat. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
42:36
Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo Lee, Patty Rice, Scott Stone, Stephil Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change his
Chair
Unverified
43:00
or her vote, Senator Urban present. Senator Dodson, present.
Any other senator, Senator Love present. Any other senator. Seeing
no other, please cast up the ballot. My vote of 31, 0 nay, and 3 present Senate Bill 111 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 200. Sending about 200
by central hammer to include textbooks and other instrumental materials that are leased in the exemption from the gross receipts tax. Senator Hammer, you're
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
43:39
recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Last session, I passed a bill that would allow textbooks and other instructional materials that are, are uh purchased for application in the school setting to be free of the tax implications with it, and this results as a real life situation. where one of the schools in my district made a large purchase for some electronic devices to be used in the classroom. The vendor that provided those to them, had a little bit of uncertainty as far as whether or
not the tax would apply, contact the DFA, DFA would reassured, provided the vendor provided the school with all the documentation to say yes, even though it's a lease that qualifies under the legislation that was passed. There's a little bit of uncertainty. And so we are including that including textbooks and other instructional materials that are leased in the exemption from the gross receipts tax, and so this is just bring a little clarity for any others. A lot of your schools benefited from that. I
know the one in my district that took advantage of that benefited from her greatly, and I would also point out that there was a fiscal impact that was required on this, and there was zero impact on this, so it's just bringing clarity that if they lease it, that can be treated the same way as a. so that vendors will not have a level of anxiety that DFA is going to come back on later and try to collect that and with that, I'll be glad to answer any questions that did save districts millions of dollars, by the way, so there was no fiscal impact according to DFA on this bill. I be glad to
Chair
Unverified
45:13
answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Hammer. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
45:23
you're recognized to close. Thank you,
Chair
Unverified
45:25
man. I'm closed. Appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
45:32
seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, Desma dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark
Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzole, rise Scott stone Stuberfield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her
Chair
Unverified
45:58
vote? not voting. Any other senator? Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33A, 0 nay, 1 not voting. Senate Bill 200 passes.
Speaker 53
46:16
Please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 222. 222 by Centra Davis to amend the Medicaid
Chair
Unverified
46:27
provider-led organized Care Act. To clarify, marketing by providers under the Medicaid provider led organized Care Act and to
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
46:33
declare an emergency. Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Uh,
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
46:38
this bill clarifies that it is not a marketing violation for direct service providers to um inform an existing or potential
Medicaid enrollee in a past of their status of in-network or out of network with a pass. So right now, currently, um, if you're a direct service provider, you cannot let any of your enrollees or potential enrollees into past no, if you're in network with a pass. And that really puts um those kids and those families at a big disadvantage because they don't know. What they're signing up with and if their children with disabilities will get services or not. So let's just clarifies
that they are allowed to inform them of whether or not they're in or out of network with the past. And it also um still says that direct service providers cannot attempt to influence an individual's choice of a pass or give any misleading or inaccurate information, so there can be no steering or attempt to influence those families about which paths to go with, they simply can inform them of whether or not they're in network. I'm happy to take any questions. Any questions
Chair
Unverified
47:44
for Senator Davis. Seeing no questions, anyone wish
to speak against or for. Senator, you're recognized clothes. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, see
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
48:01
no objection. Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Bowen, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, these Dima dot some English flippo flowers Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo Lee Petty rice, Scotch stone,
Stubberfield Sullivan. Tucker Wallace. Any senator wished to change
Chair
Unverified
48:25
his or her vote, King not voting, any other senator. Seeing no other
please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33 yeah, zero nay, 1 not voting. Senate Bill 222 passes and the corresponding emergency clause
is adopted, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 244. Senate Bill 244 by Senator
Bryant concerning post appointment of judgment in district court and to permit a suspended imposition of sentence in certain district court cases. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
49:04
President. Thank you, colleagues. It's Bill Senate Bill 244 just provides clarity to the postponement of judgment that is typically used in courts today for traffic misdemeanor traffic issues that the courts have obviously expanded that into
criminal areas, so this bill just clarifies that both misdemeanor traffic offenses and
criminal cases can be used in the postponement of judgment. So what that would mean is if you go into before the judge, he can impose a sentence upon you as guilty and you'll pay and do the do the appropriate measures that the court orders, but then if you comply, he can suspend or turn that into a not guilty sentence and dismiss the case, so
it just basically they're already doing this in the district courts. This just provides clarity that
a statute aligns with their common practice. Questions
Chair
Unverified
49:56
for Senator Bryant and Senator Payton, you're recognized.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
50:04
Thank you, Madam President. So currently, the way
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
50:09
I'm understanding it, it, it's limited to traffic, which includes a lot of things like DWI or whatever, but at the court's discretion, they can postpone that sentencing for up
Senator John Payton
Unverified
50:23
to a year. This bill has a list in it of things that you cannot apply it to, and that list includes CDL driver that and uh and uh DWI I think it was. So, basically, we are taking It seems like the passage
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
50:39
of this bill takes some items. And puts them in a list of things that are currently, the court can currently Postponed and they will no longer be able to postpone.
Is that how you understand they currently do not, so they just wanted to put
that into statute. So you're saying the practice of the court right now is they don't postpone these types of things, so they're putting the list in the statute. OK,
Chair
Unverified
51:11
thank you. Senator Mark Johnson, you're recognized for a question.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
51:15
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Bryant, uh, I know that some district courts, let's say someone has a speeding offense and the judges in effect say,
If, if you don't do this again and in 6 months here, whatever the the period of time he wants to sit or he or she wants to sit is that that that then the, the case will be dismissed. Is this in effect codifying that practice except for the exceptions that you noted for Senator. That is correct. His codifying
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
51:46
existing practices where if they comply, they'll dismiss. If they don't comply, then they can impose that
judgment, further judgment or the guilty. Instead of as you said this and
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
51:59
I have, frankly, I personally experienced this before, but uh a minor offense, of course, but it is done so I think to help people have a clean record for insurance reasons and all that. Is that correct? All right. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Madam President. Any other questions for Senator Bryant. Instead of as you said this and I have, frankly, I personally experienced this before, but uh a minor offense, of course, but it is done so I think to help people have a clean record for insurance
Chair
Unverified
52:18
reasons and all that. Is that correct? All right. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Madam
President. Any other questions for Senator Bryan. Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat.
Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
52:33
roll the boat. Bowen, Bryant Caldwell, Clark K Crowell, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Payton, Penzoli, Patty, rice, Scott, stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his
Chair
Unverified
53:00
or her vote, King not voting, any
other senator. Seeing no other police cast up the ballot by a vote of 33, 0 nay,
1 not voting. Senate bill 244 passes, please transmit to the house.
Senate Bill 259. Senate 259 by Senator Gilmore to transfer appointment authority for the director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission to the governor. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
53:31
Thank you, Governor. Um, you know, sometimes we have
to make amendments to bills. Um, this one was amended in committee, and I amended it here on the floor and I said, my bill, my amendment, I should have said my bill, Jimmy Hickey's amendment. Um, but with that, members, this is a very simple bill when transformation was done a few years ago, it wasn't really contemplated about where the director of waterways commission should should rest and with whose authority should they be hired or fired? This bill cleans that up, um, and then we amended it to add upon confirmation by the Senate. So with that, happy you take any questions.
Chair
Unverified
54:04
Any questions for Senator Gilmore. Anyone wish to speak for
or against. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling. About seeing no objection, Madam
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
54:21
Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Krull, Davis, D, Dima dots in English flippo flowers Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Bike Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, Love,
McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Le, petty rice, scotch stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator which should change his or her
Chair
Unverified
54:45
votes, Senator King not voting, any others. Seeing no others, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 33 ya, zero nay, 1 not
voting, Senate bill to 59 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 260. Senate Bill 260 by Senator Bryant to amend the
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
55:07
law concerning the collection of court fines, fees, or costs after default.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
55:14
Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, Senate Bill 260 is an attempt to give another
tool to our district judges, um, to be able to collect the fines and fees and costs that are due to the courts. So they go through great lengths to try to keep defendants out of jail or to keep them maybe from doing some community service by imposing fines and costs.
In the courts obviously imposes fees such as jail fees, court automation fees or warrant fees. But whenever they don't get paid and they keep getting racked up, there's no, the only mechanism they can
have is to impose a a civil remedy, a civil action, which is an ineffective and long process and is, is not able to really to be accomplished in the district courts. However, if that same case has a restitution against it, there is a very well detailed procedure to get the restitution paid.
to the courts. So what this bill does is just give another tool to our, to our courts, to our district courts, to be able to pursue the fines, fees, and costs due to the courts at the court's order, in order to get those fines and fees paid to the court. So with that I'll, I'll be glad to take any questions.
Chair
Unverified
56:29
Any questions for Senator Bryant. Senator Flowers, you'll recognize for a question. Senator Bryant, is this uh
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
56:41
would this be prioritized so that if there is an order or judgment for child support, um, to be paid or other judgments that precede. The fines, fees, or cost default. It it'll be it, there is a priority where the state falls. I don't
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
57:01
know if that falls before or after, but that would fall into a different
section of code, uh, because they can still do this process, it's just done, it's just done through civil
action. This would follow in that same line, so whatever authority or or
process or, or layer, the, the state is in that order under the civil action, this would follow in the same order. The state wouldn't have any, wouldn't
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
57:24
go to the top. If, if they're at the top now, they'll
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
57:28
stay at the top if they're 3rd in line, they'll stay 3rd in line.
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
57:37
I'm just concerned that um I don't, I'm not sure that it
would not supersede. Uh, judgments for child support payments are either, um, United States tax liens. flowers. I, I, I don't know. I just know it'll stay that
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
57:57
the court has the authority to do
this now through a different process, if they were to use that process or this process uh for restitution, it'll, it will be in line with the current, the current manner. So you say the
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
58:14
court has the ability to do it now through a civil process. And so, so what? I mean, are they subject to
I mean, you're just adding to the civil process so that the state income tax can
be applied for the delinquent or defaulted lines, fees or costs. OK. We talk this over with DFNA.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
58:45
Yeah, when I spoke to DFNA about the original concept, they said there is a
process, and they defined the process of the civil action, and then the courts say that is, that is ineffective action, and they, they, they would like to
be able to have this remedy of the of the restitution process applied to the state income
Chair
Unverified
59:06
tax. OK, thank you. Senator Clark, you're recognized for a
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
59:12
question. OK Thank you, Madam Governor. Senator Bryant, Sen Flowers
raised a good point. We certainly wouldn't want this getting in front of the children but if that had been the case, don't you believe that those folks would have been there to testify yesterday. Yes, I do believe. Any other questions, Senator Tucker, you are recognized for
Chair
Unverified
59:35
a question. Thank you. My question, Senator Brian, is similar to the
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
59:39
question I asked in committee yesterday, just asking for the benefit of the members on the
floor. Right now, for fines and costs, you can use the methods that you use to collect on a civil judgment, for example, garnishing a bank account. If I have $1000 in unpaid fines, a court could garnish my bank account for $1000 to get paid, and that's, that's currently the law, correct? And the first paragraph, subsection A, on page 123 to 25, that adds not just fines and fees, but that excuse me, not just fines and costs, but it adds fees to that. So for
example, I think we're all familiar with the installment fee at this point, but if I owe $300 in an installment fee if this bill passes, then a court would be authorized to garnish my bank account to collect $300 for the installment fee specifically. Or other fees incurred in the court process. Correct. Currently not affected by my
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:00:40
change uh or any installment, I would read that as, as a fairly broad, but,
but yes, I mean at the court's own action based on the circumstances of the events, they could, they could. Go to the state and intercept
your income tax to pay anything due
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
1:01:01
to the court, right, right, but, and that's true. I I understand that's true with lines 29 to 31, but with all the other civil collection methods, there's also a change from fines and costs to fines, costs and fees in the bill, correct, thanks. Any other questions? Anyone wish
Chair
Unverified
1:01:20
to speak against or for. Sender his
closed any objection to rolling the boat. Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:01:32
please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill are.
Speaker 72
1:01:55
Blake Johnson. Irving, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Keen, Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Senators who wish to change their vote,
Chair
Unverified
1:02:14
I see Senator Scott, no. Senator Davis. Present Senator King not voting.
Senator letting know Senator Flowers present. Any other senators, please check the board. Seeing no others, please cast up the ballot. My vote of 207
yeah, 4 nay, 1 not voting, and 2 present Senate Bill 260 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 265.
Speaker 53
1:02:52
Sam 265 by Senator Irving to reduce and modify the membership of the licensing committee relating
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:02:58
to wastewater and the licensing committee related to
waste solid waste, and to amend the apprenticeship license in solid waste
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:03:07
licensing. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. The bill does exactly what the titles
say. These are, these are subcommittees of the Arkansas pollution Control and ecology Commission. And so when they've reduced that membership, they, they accidentally left off reducing the membership of the subcommittees as well. So that's what the bill does. It also, um, uh, brings in line. It allows
for an environmental officers to be with the planning and development districts so that they can have an environmental officer trained, um, and then it also brings in line the, um, For an apprenticeship that those licenses, uh, would be, uh, available for a two-year instead of 1 year. Any questions
Chair
Unverified
1:03:59
for Senator Ervin. Senator Stubblefield, you're recognized for a question. Yes,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:04:06
thank you, ma'am. Governor. Senator Irvin, are there, are there different levels of these license certifications, these people who certify the wastewater are the different levels of those. And what is the criteria for having more than One or 2 or
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
1:04:22
3. Oh, are you talking about
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:04:29
what this section of the bill on page one as far as like what they,
as far as different criteria, I mean, I think. The 3 members that they they have reduced that from 5 to 3, um, I think there's a pretty consistent, there, there must, there has to be a pretty, there is a consistency with, if you're a water operator, um, and, and how you're licensed as a plant operator than how you're licensed, those are consistent. I don't think there's different levels, but I will get the information to you to be certain the
department know if they're all on the same level? Are there different levels that Of wastewater treatment criteria to do this job. Uh, well,
to serve on the committee, no, I mean, in order to be able to serve on these subcommittees of the pollution and and ecology commission, they would all they would do, there would not be no difference. It's just what's prescribed in the language of the
bill as long as they're, as long as they are licensed by the commission, um,
as, and their active wastewater treatment plant operators that are licensed, but I don't think there's a degree if or if there is a or not, it doesn't matter as to their service on the subcommittee. OK.
Chair
Unverified
1:05:52
All right. Thank you. the questions. Seeing no other questions. Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator,
you're recognized clothes. I'm clothes. Thank you, Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary,
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:06:10
please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying dots in English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting Love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo Lee, Patty Rice, Scott Stone. Stabil Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator
Chair
Unverified
1:06:31
wish to change his or her vote, King not voting, any other senator.
Seeing no other, please cast up
the ballot. By votes of 33. er nay, 1 not voting Senate Bill 265 passes, please transmit to the house. House Bill 1. Rather, House Bill 1117.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:06:59
Oh House Bill 1117 by Representative Scott and Senator Bryant concerning the administration of instruction of firearm
Chair
Unverified
1:07:05
safety in public school districts
and open enrollment public charter schools.
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:07:14
Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Uh,
colleagues, when Representative Richardson asked me to sponsor Houseboy 1117. I was a little bit held back because nobody likes another mandate on our schools, and so while I was hesitant, he explains to me what he experienced over the summer. He lives in a subdivision. There's a pack of kids that run together and play, much like I did when I was a kid growing up in Bentonville.
And what he realized is there's there's families in that subdivision that uh have firearms and practice with firearms and and practice good behaviors and safetyth firearms. There's those that do not participate at all in firearms, therefore really have no instruction likely, and there's those in the middle that have the firearms but probably don't really educate or or instruct their children on how to behave around a firearm. So in his situation, uh, this group of kids stumbled upon some firearms, the right decisions were made, but
had the, the decision's not been made correctly, it could have ended up um in tragedy. So I told him I would, I would consider it and uh when he presented in the house, the first round had a lot of questions, a lot of pushback with the with how his bill was drafted. He got all those answered and it flew out of the house committee anyway, pretty well received. So I'm gonna read the, the intent of the legislation that he has divined to protect Arkansas children from
accidental discharge of firearms by providing age appropriate firearm education instruction and empowered the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission to work with the division of Elementary and Secondary Education to
create and approve age-appropriate firearm courses. So the good news is, is AGFC already has these courses and the courses they don't have, they've got immediate access to not only make the materials,
but also put them in a in a manner that is easy to access for our school districts. Um, additionally, there's already about 180, 180 plus
school districts implementing this instruction. And so that is on board with it. It, it requires them to provide up to 30 minutes, um, defined as age appropriate and inside with the what the des he says and what the teacher counsel says is appropriate for that year of school and authorizes and or requires the school districts to present that training. Now, we do a lot of other training for safety. We do fire drills, we do um tornado drills. We, we talk
about drugs and influence of drugs. This is very neutralized language, if you look at on page 2, I really just want to make sure that the children understand how to avoid injury if they find an unsecure firearm to not touch the firearm if they find an unsecured firearm, so I notify an adult immediately. It also discusses school safety related to firearms at at the schoolhouse and the proper handling and storage of firearms, and then it is a neutral viewpoint. They're not attempting to try to influence them on 2nd Amendment
issues. They're also Not trying to brand uh weapons or or supporters or opponents of guns in general. This is just about school safety. And so with that, I decided I would, I would support it if it were to come across the Senate, so if I'm willing to support it, I'm willing to run it. So with that, I'll take any questions. Questions for
Chair
Unverified
1:10:39
Senator Bryant and Senator Tucker, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. That language you
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
1:10:44
just referenced on page two, I think that's, you know, I think that's well
written language. I'm, I support Education along these lines. Um, I guess my question is, And you may have kind of indirectly answered this is, uh, Whether parents should have the option to opt out or not, because they might have an objection to their to their kid receiving this kind of education. There is a parental opt out for live fire instruction, so that's included on the last page of the bill, but I don't see a parental opt out anywhere else in the bill. So am I reading that right that it is, it would be mandatory for
every, for every child regardless whether the parent approves their child to participate in this education or not. Uh, Senator Tucker,
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:11:28
that was not, I did not think that was posed over in the house, and I believe I didn't
read it myself, and so I believe you'd be correct. They would, they
would implement this just like they're doing a fire drill or drug awareness training in the classroom. OK. Thank you. Hm
Chair
Unverified
1:11:52
Anyone wish to speak against or
for. Senator, you are free to close. Senator Bryant has
closed. Any objection to rolling the boat. Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:12:14
call the roll. Boyd Brant Caldwell. Caldwell. Clark Crowe Davis.
Speaker 242
1:12:22
I Days dismaying. Dotson, English Flippo. Flowers? Gilmore. Hammer.
Speaker 53
1:12:37
Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill Hill. Irvin.
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:12:57
Like Johnson, Mark Johnson, King lighting. Laing. Love. Love McKee Murdoch. Murdoch Satan Hayden Penzo leave. Patty. Yeah Rice. Scott stone. Steerfield.
Chair
Unverified
1:13:28
Sullivan Tucker. Wallace. I Any senator wished to change his or her vote or vote who did not
vote. Peyton, yes. Letting no. Murdoch? No. Love present. Any other senator Seeing no other.
Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 28, yeah, 5, nay, 1 present, House Bill 1117 passes, please return to the house.
Speaker 53
1:14:15
House Bill 12:45. Hospital 12:45 by Representative Clowney and Senator Irving to create the Arkansas
Chair
Unverified
1:14:22
Behavior Analyst Registration Act. Senator Irvin, you're recognized.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:14:30
Thank you, Madam President, members of Representative Clowney and Representative Maddox Swart on this bill. This bill actually came through the legislature two years ago. There were some issues and and they have worked to resolve all those issues. And so, uh, currently there's no opposition to this bill. Um, it is currently we are these are unregulated at the state level, and what this does is allows for an option for people to apply to register.
for to become a registered behavioral analyst, um, if, if they so choose, uh, it allows parents, particularly of autistic children to have assurances that the behavioral analysts that they are seeking treatment from is qualified under the state of Arkansas. Currently, this is not regulated at the state level. This just provides that option for Arkansas to have that ability, um, uh, for, for making sure that these folks are good and quality.
art. It's really important for a lot of the people who are parents of children, particularly with autism, and that's really who has been bringing this
bill forward and is very passionate about this bill. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Questions for
Chair
Unverified
1:15:47
Senator Ervin. I see Senator Bryant and Senator Flowers. Senator Bryant, you're recognizedly
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:16:01
of of these type of BAs up in my
area. They reached out, said that they didn't, they feel like what they're doing now works very well that they, they work through the national program, and they get implemented and they're used and they're qualified, um, what, what was the, what is the reason that we're adding a layer so if they want to join this registry they have. to pay Into this registry are they if they want to, only
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:16:26
if they want to apply. It is not mandatory. If they want to keep doing what
they're doing at the at the federal level, that's fine, or national level, that's fine. This just gives an option for those who want this to be able to do it here at the state level. OK, so the ones that
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:16:41
don't want to do at the state level, uh, but we got a state organization that
is pushing this. Are they going to exclude those that don't want to join the registry? No, not, no, not to my knowledge, no.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:16:52
Is it, is it it's just, it's just how you're identified. OK, um, so they're not gonna
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
1:17:02
eventually make it to where it's mandatory. I mean, we don't know what's 2 years from now, but the intent won't be to
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:17:09
make it mandatory. No, and I think that was the problem with the bill 2 years ago, and that's why
Chair
Unverified
1:17:15
it's been changed. OK, thank you. Send her flowers, you'll
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:17:25
recognize for a question. Senator Irvin, I'm trying to understand how would this affect
those persons who serve now as behavioral. Analysts and in particular I want to know how
would this relate to Individuals Behavior analyst that might be evaluating for schools. Children to determine if they have A disability that's recognized under the individuals with disability education Act. I mean, uh.
You have any kind of response for that. I'm just kind of concerned if if they're
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:18:14
not required to be registered now. I, I think, I think the majority they're at this that there's a federal level but again, Arkansas as a state doesn't really have any say about any of that. And so what there has been a concern, particularly from parents, particularly parents that have children that have autism, that
there is a need for this to be done, uh, and, and the options to be available to let these folks also register at the state level and participate at a state level, um, for this type of registration. I, I don't think it'll affect anything that's changing, this just gives an option for people that are behavioral analysts to be able to register at both the state level and the national level. So I don't think it will change anything that's happening with what you're describing at all. So you're saying these
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:19:08
individuals that are behavior analyst now are all registered at the national level, yeah, most likely I
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:19:15
believe so, yes. This just gives an option for a state level registration. They have to qualify
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:19:22
in some kind of way, take a test or what to be on the state registration.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:19:29
That's just, it's put in, um, right here, it's, uh, evidence that or she is certified by that behavioral analyst certification
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:19:40
Board. What does that entail? Is that a test
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:19:44
or what? I mean, again, it's whatever is required to become board certified behavioral analyst in the registration and the application is listed right there
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:19:55
on page 2. Well, I'm, I'm looking at it and it says an application. But it doesn't. it just says. Evidence the application uh appropriate application fees is
determined by the board, evidence that he or she has successfully completed a criminal background check, and I guess if you are. Uh Correct. And
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:20:23
then evidence that he or she is certified by the by the behavioral analyst certification Board as a board certified behavior analyst or a board certified behavior analyst Doctoral. So evidence of that would be a degree, a certification, that would be the evidence. That would be a utilized in order to make sure
that they are who they say they are as a behavioral
analyst. Is that different from the national again this only gives, there's no change. at the national level, this just gives these folks, this community, an option to be able to do this at the state level, and, and that's what they're seeking
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:21:05
towards. Well, I'm just trying to understand if if behavior you're analyst now.
Have to have the national registration. did, is that right? if a parent
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:21:19
has an issue or problem, they want to be able to go to somebody in the state
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:21:25
of Arkansas, but my question is, Do behavioral analyst in the state of Arkansas now have to be registered nationally. I would have to, I,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:21:37
I, I believe so, but again, well, they would have to be certified. So,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:21:50
Yes. I just want to know
what why is this? I, I don't understand and, and what we end up
excluding a lot of people that have been treating our children or adults
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:22:07
even. No, the only way you would exclude is if somebody chose just not to participate in it, which is fine. They don't, it is, it is literally. An option that the behavioral
analyst community wants to have for their own profession to be able to have that here in the state of Arkansas versus nationally because of concerns that they, that parents have had. On who is treating their children. And so that's why you have the bill. That's why it's been brought forward. Again, the legislature supported this two years ago, there was a change to where they wanted to make sure it was not mandatory,
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:22:52
so we've changed that, that issue. Good, well, OK. So you say we did this 2 years ago. Did
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:23:08
registration. No, that the governor vetoed the bill because of that. So that's why the bill has been brought back with those changes. To gain support. So they worked with the health department, they've worked with
everybody on this bill in order to bring back the bill
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
1:23:29
for passage. And, and it's the board. The behavior analyst certification board that's gonna set the fee. And determine whether the evidence is a is is uh is sufficient to be verified, even for people coming from out of the state.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:23:56
Yes, it re reciprocity is listed in the bill and it Accommodates for reciprocity. Thank you. Yeah,
Chair
Unverified
1:24:05
mhm. See other questions Senator Clark, Senator Hammer, and Senator Dodson. And Senator Sullivan and Senator Mark Johnson.
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
1:24:12
Central Irvin, what problem are we solving? Have we had people posing
as behavior analysts, and they weren't have parents who were worried, found out that somebody wasn't certified or that they investigated and found
out that they weren't certified at
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:24:31
all. Yeah, yes, I mean, Yes, but also they want an ability to come to an Arkansas in state board to address any kind of a problem, and right now they don't have that option. There's nowhere for them to go. I mean, there's a federal, national, but how do you take your problem to a national organization to try to resolve
it, and there's no Arkansas. that can address these concerns by parents with a behavioral analyst and be the same thing if we just abandoned all license, you know, licensure or anything at the state level for anybody in healthcare, where would you go if you're a patient or a parent of a patient, particularly in this, these are parents that have children with autism that are very concerned
and have had adverse experience experiences, and that's what's generated this legislation. I think Senator Hammer carried this bill 2 years ago and probably could speak better to your question, if that would be OK with Senator Hammer. Thank you, Senator. Thank
you for the question. I'll, I'll yield to Senator
Hammer. Do you want to ask a question or come speak on the bill. Oh, OK.
Speaker 274
1:25:56
Sender Hammer, you're recognized. Either way it's
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:25:59
fine. Thank you, and I'll come speak in favor
of the bill in a minute, but Senator Irving, this goes back to 2 years ago we had a pretty lengthy debate in public health. There were people actually came and spoke against it, but by the time the debate was over, they actually, once they understood what was going on for it, they became favorable to it and, and as I recall what brought this up was that there are some people that are
practicing in state that were we're dealing inappropriately with some parents, but because there was not an in-state regulation to hold them accountable, they were being purported to the national, but the national were not holding them accountable. That's the whole purpose of this bill is to bring accountability and public safety for for our children that are seen by these individuals. Is that, is that right? Yes, thank you. OK, thank
Chair
Unverified
1:27:00
Senator Ervin has left the well. Anyone Senator has left the well unless Senator returns to the well. Anyone wish to speak against? Against Senator Sullivan, you're recognized to speak against. You know,
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:27:31
most of you know I've been very concerned about these boards and commissions that consider themselves independent. And giving them authority and independence over what we, the legislature may do. This here just seems that I didn't have a chance to answer the question or ask the question, but there's a penalty phase in here that if this board decides someone has violated the subchapter, uh, they can find them no less than $500.
I'm really concerned that we're going to give a board or a commission that authority, we had a great discussion this morning in state agencies about due process and uh Senator Hammill will remember that about people having an opportunity to challenge that. I just don't see that in the bill. Maybe it's there, I don't see it. But again, I'm really concerned with as these national associations hand down the state associations with their
criteria is, and you know, like the term or not like the term, we've had several pieces of legislation come down through learns and now the higher ed act about DEI, uh, whether you're for it or against it. Many of these groups that certify uh the education, in other words, if you're gonna get, and I know in social work and other psychology, they hand down to the university certain criteria that they have to meet. In order to be licensed. And that seems like what we're
doing here, that we're giving the psychology board, uh, the, and I think it's in the law that this state board will be eligible to create or implement criteria that may or may not be in line with what the policy is for the legislature. And folks, we've been setting policy for years here at the House and the Senate to protect children, to make sure were in line with state policy
and it would be, ah, I know there are people that disagree, but folks, allowing these kind of boards and commissions to set policy for what the licenser criteria is for people, is a difficult road to go down, uh, and for that reason, I'll be voting no. Thank you. Any questions? Senator Hammer, you're recognized to
Chair
Unverified
1:29:59
speak for. Like, and there was due process in the bill
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:30:03
this morning, it just didn't get through, but on
that other point, I think if I'm looking at it wrong and Senator Irving, if somebody can correct me when they come behind me, the question of due process, I think is absent now because the only one that you answer to is at a national level. What we're trying to do is bring accountability into the state level so that those individuals that want to have that oversight which keep in mind that there are those in the profession that are wanting to have this oversight and account because it will separate the good actors from the bad actors, or it will allow a process where
somebody can be registered as with the state and then there can be that local accountability is right now it's held at the national level, and some of the problems that were brought out two years ago are still problems today where the national organization, if they choose not to get involved or hold their members accountable, then there's no recourse at the state level to be able to do that. This will, at least for those that want to volunteer to get into. To it had the ability to have that, have that credentialing, if you would, or a higher level
of standard that they don't mind being in that position. And so I think it's a good thing to do and it's something that some want and something that some don't want. That's, that's, you know, part of the reason why the bill is permissive and it's not a shell, and Senator Sullivan, I'll be glad to answer your question. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized. You're my quote and you want to
Chair
Unverified
1:31:29
ask it now. Are we going to allow, does this
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:31:41
bill allowed this board, state board, to find people $500. I think the only reason they'd
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:31:45
be fined is if they were found to have done something wrong and would we want not want to impose some level of accountability to keep everybody where they're supposed to be going. I mean, it's just like, you know, I drive down the interstate. I expect to be fined if I get caught going over the speed limit if I don't want to be fined, I go under the
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:32:05
speed limit. So it's the police board finding you or Officer of the state fining you,
officer, and I can appeal it up to the up to the judge. I think the answer to my question is yes. This board will be allowed to find people $500 and
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:32:20
maybe rightfully so because right now in the absence of the national organization is I understand it, not doing it. There are people probably that need to be fined, but it would only be after due process that they had that opportunity and so if they get fined, then I think they would be deserving of that. If they don't, then they, then they wouldn't be. Well, I'm going to ask, don't you agree question, you know,
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
1:32:42
necessarily have to, you know, I don't trust these national associations. My experience with them is that they come down with criteria for licensing that is quite often not in line with the policy of the state of Arkansas. Would you disagree? And I don't, and I guess that's what's
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
1:32:59
puzzling me and Senator Irving clean it up after I come. That's the whole purpose of this is that if the national organization forces something down on these people that are in that profession, we now would
have a safety gap to say no, we're not going to do that, but as it is right now, and please correct me if I'm wrong, if they want to be licensed, it's going to be with the national organization, and they would not have the opportunity this will allow that opportunity to put a safety net between us and national organizations that want to push down the DEI agenda, and so maybe I'm disconnecting, but you can straighten me out, Senator, when we come back up. Thank you. Thank you. Speak against Senator Martin Johnson, you're
Chair
Unverified
1:33:42
recognized to speak against. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
1:33:46
Um, Anytime we're adding another layer of regulation of bureaucracy. I mean, I always try to pay attention and it's not like I'm gonna let it wake at night worrying about what behavior analysts do. Uh, and I hope they all do a good job, but this is a lot of problems with this thing. Uh, it, it, it says that a person shall not hold himself or herself out to be a
registered behavior analyst or use any combination of the term registered behavior analysts or indicate or imply that He or she is a registered behavior analyst. Now the, the imply really bothers me because that gets pretty subjective, and you've got a uh unaccountable board actually making that determination. I, the thing that really gets me, and I, I don't, I'm not correcting Senator Sullivan. I'm just enhancing what he said.
It doesn't say that you get a fine of $500 if you're in violation. It says a person to be found to be in violation of this subchapter is subject to a fine of no less than $500. So it could be $5000 or $50,000 or $500,000. I don't know, but it seems like, you know, we want to regulate a profession. Actually, what you really want to do in many cases, and I'm not picking on these analysts.
You're, you're excluding people so you can limit the field and limit the people getting into the profession. We already have a national registration credential, I guess. It's a credential that people can get, uh, but you can see how bureaucracy can grow and grow and grow if we don't start going in the other direction and maybe deregulating some of this now. If someone is misleading or or otherwise taking advantage of a
of a citizen or a parent or whatever it might be. We have the deceptive trade Practices Acts that can, can, they can go to the Attorney General who can have some pretty strong uh sanctions they can put on it, but the fact that you've got an unlimited fine, it's, if you, you might have, I might have implied that Senator Sullivan to him that I'm an analyst. He might have inferred that I'm an analyst, but I didn't think I implied that, but he might have inferred that.
They go to this board and they say, well, That's a terrible thing, and we're gonna find you at least 500, but if, if you fight us, we may find you 5000. So this is a good example to me of a bad bill, so I would appreciate a no vote. Thank you,
Chair
Unverified
1:36:39
Madam President. Speak against. Or 4 Senator, you're recognized clothes.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:36:47
So the members actually agree with Senator Johnson on the language, and that does need to be changed. So I'm going to pull it down and amend that part, um, but, but to response, because you're right, it, it could mean something different, and so I'm going to make sure that we get that changed. But to the response of the board of nursing issues civil penalties and criminal classy misdemeanors and the like, all these boards and commissions do
administer civil fines and pen penalties that is consistent language with how our boards and commissions in the state of Arkansas function. Yesterday in committee, the Forestry Commission, there was a fine that the Forestry Commission can, um, assess of I think up to $5000. So, I wanted to address that. Um, I will, I will bring this bill back and fix that. part of it, but again, uh, we worked with the governor's
office on this bill. They are good with the bill because of of The changes that were made in it, but I agree with Senator Johnson, I'm going to pull it down and get an amendment to address that part of the bill that's not written correctly.
Thank you. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. Can I re-refer it back to the committee? OK, re-refer HB 1245 back to
Chair
Unverified
1:38:11
public health for purpose of amendment and the motion to re-refer back
to public health for purposes of amendment, please signify by
saying aye. Any opposed, I have it. Motion carries.
House Bill 1256. House Bill 1256 that's center Irving and uh representative Wooldridge to require the Arkansas Board of Examiners in counseling to issue a provisional license for a licensed associate counselor and a licensed associate marriage and family therapist. Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Thank you, members,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:38:49
what this does is just uh allows for um the board to issue a provisional license so that we can keep these people going while they're getting their permanent
Chair
Unverified
1:39:01
license uh approved. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or
for. Senator, you're recognized close. Thank you. I'm closed. I appreciate a get that senator
has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat, seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:39:16
the boat. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and
English flippo flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Laing, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo Lee, petty rice, Scott stone. Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace. was to change his or her votes. Senator
Chair
Unverified
1:39:40
King not voting. Any other senator. Seeing no other police
cast up the ballot by votes of 33A, 0, nay, 1 not voting, House Bill
1256 passes, please return to the house. House Bill
Speaker 53
1:39:58
1478. House Bill 1478 by Representative Shultz and Senator Hill. repeal the registration of disease intervention specialist. Hill, you are
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
1:40:09
recognized. Thank you, Governor. Colleagues, all this bill does is repeals the registration of the disease intervention specialists came to us from the health department.
Chair
Unverified
1:40:19
Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for?
Send her your recognized clothes. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat? Madam
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
1:40:34
Secretary, seeing no objection, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, dismaying dots and English flippo flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, the Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo Le, Patty Rice Scott Stone Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace.
Chair
Unverified
1:40:56
Any senator. Any senator wish to change his or her vote king not voting, any other senator. Seeing
no other police cast up the ballot by a vote of 33, 0 nay, 1 not voting. House Bill 1478 passes, please return to the
House, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? For your committee on engrossed bills
and was first sent by 167 by Senator Clark compared the copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendarit on and gross bills to
his first symbol 263 by Central Krol compared the engross copy of the ritual and find the same correctly engrossed calendar Committee on the Greilston was for House Bill 1447, Borough of Saint Long and Senator Hill compared to the grossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Calendars to his first Senate 258 by Senator. out compared the engross copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed transportation, Senate resolution 32 by Senator Scott to recognize Kappa Alpha Psi
fraternity Inc. for its positive impact upon its communities, state of Arkansas, the nation in the world, Senate Resolution 32. Calendar send Bill 331 by Central Letting concerning coverage for genetic testing for inherited cancer mutations and to create the genetic testing acts and Senate Bill 331. Insurance and commerce 332 by Senator Dotson. And I for the Department of Education Division of Elementary
and secondary education, sexual risk avoidance education program appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year, Senate Bill 332 joint budget 333 by Senator Flowers, and I for the University of Arkansas Pan Bluff police station facility construction appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year, Senate Bill 333. Joint budget 334 by joint budget, and I for the Department of Education Division of Elementary and secondary education, capital
improvement appropriation symbol 334. Joint budget December 335 a joint budget and act for the Department of Education, Arkansas School for the Deaf, Capital Improvement Appropriation symbol 335 Joint budgetym 336 by joint budget, and I for the Department of Health, Capital Improvement Appropriation 336. Joint budget. Simba 337, my joint budget and act for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services Building Authority division, Capital Improvement appropriation 337
joint budget December 338 by Senator Hill to provide sales and use tax exemptions for student farmers and to provide sales and use tax exemptions for certain products and services to be used in relation to a project for a youth farming program by 338 revenue and tax 339. Clark concerning the membership of the child maltreatment investigations oversight committee, Senate Bill 339. State agencies 340 by Senator Clark to amend Arkansas law concerning certain fees,
expenses, and costs imposed on a juvenile or the parent guardian or custodian of a juvenile Senate Bill 340 Judiciary symbol 341 by Senator Clark, an act for the administrative office of courts fees, expenses and costs imposed on a juvenile or parent. Guardian or custodian of a juvenile appropriation for the 2025, 2026 Senate Bill 341. Joint budget, 342 by Centra
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
1:44:27
Clark to amend the law concerning injuries to certain
Chair
Unverified
1:44:35
animals by dogs to authorize travel damages Senate Bill 342. Judiciary sym 343 by Senator Irving to amend the law concerning state-owned motor vehicles to amend the law concerning public property and to amend the automobile and pickup truck acquisition Act for the state of Arkansas Senate Bill 343 agent state agency SE 344 by Senator Irving to transfer the healthy employee lifestyle program for the Department of Health to Department of Transformation and
Shared Services and to amend the law concerning the healthy lifestyle programsymbol 3. before State agencies 345 sent to Irving to promote tourism and economic development by improving efficiency of the uh private club permitting process of hotels, restaurants, and large event facilities and remo an overly burdensome tax requirements. Senate Bill 345, City County and Local 3465 Senate efficiency, an act for the Arkansas Senate
Appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year, Senate Bill 346. Senate efficiency.
Any announcements? seen no announcements. The Senate will stand
an adjournment. Subject to the clearing of the desk.
Unknown speaker
1:46:06
Until 1:30 p.m. on March 3, 2025.
Agenda
Call to Order
Roll Call
Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance
Introductions of Senate Pages
Announcements
Doctor of the Day
Announcements
Items to be Read Across the Desk
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS FOR THIRD READING AND ADOPTION
SR31 TO RECOGNIZE MISS AMERICA'S TEEN 2025 PEYTON BOLLING.
SMR3 TO REMEMBER PUBLIC SERVANT, PUBLIC POLICY EXPERT, AND EMMY AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST ALICE STEWART.
SCR4 J. Scott TO RECOGNIZE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR JOYCE ELLIOTT DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOR HER SERVICE TO THE STATE OF ARKANSAS.
SENATE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
SB167 #1 A. Clark Clark TO AMEND THE DATES BY WHICH CERTAIN REQUESTS TO TRANSFER PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED.
SB263 #1 Crowell Crowell TO INCREASE THE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.
SB258 #1 TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS DIGITAL RESPONSIBILITY, SAFETY, AND TRUST ACT.
HOUSE BILLS WITH SENATE AMENDMENTS
HB1447 #1 Long Hill TO EXEMPT A SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLER LICENSED UNDER THE ARKANSAS SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS ACT FROM LICENSURE AS A PLUMBER.
SENATE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
SB111 K. Hammer TO ESTABLISH THE DENTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST COMPACT.
SB200 K. Hammer TO INCLUDE TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS THAT ARE LEASED IN THE EXEMPTION FROM THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX.
SB222 B. Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO CLARIFY MARKETING BY PROVIDERS UNDER THE MEDICAID PROVIDERLED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB244 J. Bryant CONCERNING POSTPONEMENT OF JUDGMENT IN DISTRICT COURT; AND TO PERMIT A SUSPENDED IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE IN CERTAIN DISTRICT COURT CASES.
SB259 Gilmore TO TRANSFER APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR.
SB260 J. Bryant TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE COLLECTION OF COURT FINES, FEES, OR COSTS AFTER DEFAULT.
SB265 Irvin TO REDUCE AND MODIFY THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE RELATING TO WASTEWATER AND THE LICENSING COMMITTEE RELATING TO SOLID WASTE; AND TO AMEND THE APPRENTICESHIP LICENSES IN SOLID WASTE LICENSING.
HOUSE BILLS FOR THIRD READING AND PASSAGE
HB1117 R. Scott Richardson Bryant CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF INSTRUCTION ON FIREARM SAFETY IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB1245 Clowney Irvin TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.
HB1256 Wooldridge Irvin TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN COUNSELING TO ISSUE A PROVISIONAL LICENSE FOR A LICENSED ASSOCIATE COUNSELOR AND A LICENSED ASSOCIATE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST.
HB1478 Schulz Hill TO REPEAL THE REGISTRATION OF DISEASE INTERVENTION SPECIALISTS.
Items to be read across the desk
Adjourn
Documents
No documents posted.
Speakers
Chair
Unverified
Senator Justin Boyd
Unverified
Representative Justin Gonzales
Unverified
Speaker 23
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
Senator Reginald Murdock
Unverified
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
Speaker 42
Senator Tyler Dees
Unverified
Senator Dan Sullivan
Unverified
Speaker 67
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
Senator Bart Hester
Unverified
Speaker 82
Speaker 90
Senator Mark Johnson
Unverified
Speaker 102
Speaker 35
Speaker 3
Speaker 11
Speaker 112
Speaker 113
Speaker 107
Speaker 116
Senator Alan Clark
Unverified
Senator Clarke Tucker
Unverified
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
Senator Ricky Hill
Unverified
Speaker 55
Speaker 95
Speaker 53
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Speaker 143
Senator Terry Rice
Unverified
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Speaker 165
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
Senator Joshua Bryant
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Senator Stephanie Flowers
Unverified
Speaker 54
Speaker 72
Senator Gary Stubblefield
Unverified
Speaker 242
Speaker 267
Speaker 274
Speaker 174