Senate Convenes

The Senate will be called to order. Are there any requests for leave? So the Bryant, Senator Caldwell. Senator Senator English, Senator Flowers, Senator Hickey. Senator Murdoch. Is leave granted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boy, brightly Caldwell leave Clark, Crowe, Davis, Deasley, Desma, Dotson, English Lee Flippo Flowers leave, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdochli, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Everyone in the chamber and in the galleries, please rise and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. The Senate will be led in prayer by Senator Matt McKee of Pearcy. Members, let's pray together. Our God and Father in heaven, we are so grateful to be able to come together today. Lord, we thank you for the responsibility that you've given us, Lord, as we represent our friends and neighbors. Lord, we pray that everything that we do here today would be pleasing in your sight, would bring glory to you and would be of a benefit to those people that we represent. Lord, we ask that you would be with those of our state who are out on the roads right now, Lord, those who are clearing the roads, those who are responding to accidents and taking care of people. We pray that you would give them safe passage and bring them home to their families safely. And we are sure thankful for those folks that do that job. Lord, we just, uh, are so grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy for the many blessings that you bestowed upon us as a people. Lord, we just pray that we would give you the praise and the glory every day and give you all the honor that you deserve that you deserve. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the revival for fans, one nation under God, Hinduism liberty and justice. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas 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. Are there any announcements or introductions at this time. Wasn't there any kind of announcement. Senator Hester, you're recognized. Thank you, members. I've got a good friend of mine's two sons have been, uh, shadowing me all day. I've got Michael and Bud and Eus here with me today. I just wanna to like recognize them. You know Any more introductions. Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? Yes, we your on gross spills, who was first sent by 135 by Senator Boyd compared to the gross copy with the ritual and find the same correctly engrossed. go down the list. OK. The committee It should tell you. We're your committee on gross bills to whose 1st 188 by Senator Tucker compared the engrossed copy of the original and findste correctly engrossed, agencies state agencies. Were your committee on grossels who was referred to Senate Bill 239 by Senator D's compared the engross copy with the original and find the same correctly engrossed Education Committee on grossels, who was for House Bill 1180 by representative Bentley and Central Penzo compared the rossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed Education. We're your Committee on judiciary, to whom was referred to Senate Baloo 34 by Senator Dees recommend Du pass. Calendar. Committee on Judiciary to him was for House Bill 1007 by representative uh. How are your recommend due pass as amended number one Committee on Judiciary to who was 3 House Bill 1282. I'm sorry, a House Bill 1292 by Representative Bentley recommended Du Pascalendar. Committee on the Judiciary to who was 3rd House Bill 1355 represented gasaway recommend do pass calendar. Committee on Judiciary who was first House bill. 1356 by Representative Gasaway recommend to pass. Calendar on the Judiciary to him was 3rd house about 1357 by Representative Gasway recommend do pass calendar. Committee on the Judiciary to him was deferred House Bill 1358 by Representative Gasaway recommend do pass Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was for House Bill 1359 Murrison of Gassway recommend Du Pascalendar Committee on the Judiciary, to whom his House Bill 1360 by Representative Gass why I recommend Du passend Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred House Bill 1361 by Representative Gassway recommended passend Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred House Bill 1362 by Representative. As why recommend Duend Committee on Judiciary, to whom was house with 1363 by Representative Asway recommend do pass. Calendar Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was house for 1364 virus and the gas I recommend do pass calendar Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred House Bill 1407 in Dolby recommend Du pass. Committee on the Judiciary who was for House Bill 1437 by in Duffield recommend do pass. Senate Bill 256 by Representative by Senator Dodson to amend the Arkansas uh corporate franchise tax Act of 1979 and to reduce the minimum franchise tax for certain corporations, Senate Bill 256 revenue and Senate Bill 257 by by Senator Penzo to amend the Medicaid Fairness Act to extend the appeal period for providers in the Arkansas Medicaid program and to require compreh of information and notices of adverse decisions. Senate Bill 257. In terms of commerce about 258 by central Penzo to create the Arkansas digital responsibility, Safety and Trust Act, Senate Bill 258. Transportation symbol 259 by Senator Gilmore. To transfer appointment authority for the director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission to the Governor of 259. Agriculture Senate Resolution 27 by Central Caldwell, commending Arkansas farmers, ranchers, and foresters for their vital contributions to the security and economic well-being of the state of Arkansas and the nation Senate Resolution 27. calendar. Is there any further business to come before the body in the morning hour? If not the morning hour has now expired. We will begin the business agenda, Madam Secretary, please read the uh first resolution. Senate resolution 15 by Senator Hammer to honor retired director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Laurie Tudor for her 41 years of service to the department and to the people of the state of Arkansas and to congratulate her on her retirement. Senator Hammer, you recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to ask leave for Ms. Tudor, the commissioners, and Jeff her husband leave granted. Laurie, Jeff, if y'all would stand on that side, we'll get the commissioners all the line up in front, please. Members, it gives me a great honor today to have stand before us, Laurie Tudor retired from the Arkansas Department of Transportation after 41 years of service. I want y'all to let that soak in for a minute if you would, a real honor to have her stand here along with the commissioners, her husband Jeff and Jeff has been very faithful to her in supporting her in all of her roles throughout her life. It has not been an easy challenge for her, but She has risen to every challenge to where she is an icon in the state of Arkansas, but she's also an icon in the nation, and we have been privileged to have her as our director of the Arkansas Transportation Department. So we'd like to present the Senate resolution, Mr. Chair, if that's OK. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead and read it. You ready? OK. I'll read it. I didn't know if you had introduced the title. Sorry. OK. All right, this is to honor, retired director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Laurie Tutor for her 41 years of service to the department and to the people of the state of Arkansas and to congratulate her on her retirement, whereas the director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Laurie Tudor, retired effective January 10th, 2025 after 41 years of service to the department, and whereas Laurie Tudor began work with the department in 1981 as a clerk typist, and after 14 years of service, left to pursue a degree in engineering. Which she obtained in 1997 from the University of Memphis, and whereas Laurie Tudor returned to the department in 1998 as a civil engineer, then was promoted to in 2014 the deputy director and chief operating officer of the department and whereas Laurie Tudor became the department's first female director in March 2020 during two year or during 2 unusually severe challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus pandemic and the emergency closure of the Rondo De Soto Bridge on the Interstate 40 traversing the Mississippi River due to the discovery of the damage of the structural. Whereas during Laurie Tudor's leadership of the department, the citizen state of Arkansas voted for a temporary half cent sales tax to provide a stable and reliable source of revenue for the department and whereas Laurie Tudor helped guide to successful completion of the connecting Arkansas program, which encompasses 31 state highway construction projects helping to modernize the Arkansas transportation system, and whereas under Laurie Tudor's leadership, the department secured funding for and took steps to begin the construction of the Art fallen Worker Memorial, which to tutor emphasizes how thankful we are for the department workers and Arkansas Highway Police Division officers who paid the ultimate price. And whereas highlights and accomplish of Laurie Tudor's career at department included overseeing the implementation of the guideho efficiency review recommendations, helping to improve the department's operational effectiveness and transparency initiating and champion safety programs to enhance the well-being of the department employee and contractors leading a reorganization of the department designed to increase efficiency. and responsiveness to the transportation needs of the state of Arkansas, helping to launch a new departmental strategy plan to provide a clear roadmap for the department's future, guiding the department's successful launch of the construction Manager general contracting project delivery method that allowed the designers and contractors work together from initiation to completion of projects. Partizing partnerships and contractors and communities in order to increase efficiency, cohesion, and innovation and inspiring and empowering women to pursue careers and transportation engineering, whereas Laurie Tudor served as president of the Southeast Association of the State Highway and Transportation Officials, chair of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials Committee on Funding and finance and board president of State Board for Liener for the professional engineers and professional surveyors, and whereas Laurie Tutor was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineers and the University of Arkansas 2018 and was a recipient of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Alfred E. Johnson Achievement Award in 2019, and whereas Laurie Tudor received the association Associated General Contractors of Arkansas Scale and integrity responsibility Award, which is the highest honor given to a person outside the associated general contractors of Arkansas, and whereas former state highway commission chair, Alec Farmer said. of Laurie Tudor. She's been tireless and highly effective leader for the department. He hard work and all out dedication will pay off for many years to come. And whereas Laurie, uh tutor said of her time at the Arkansas Department of Transportation. I've had a great career. I've been very fortunate to have worked with a wonderful group of hardworking individuals who all understand the value and importance of serving the people of Arkansas. Now, therefore be it resolved by the Senate, the 95th General Assembly of the state of Arkansas that the Senate honor re director of Arkansas Department of Transportation Laureate tutor for 41 years of service to the department and to the people of the state of Arkansas and recognize her on that retirement, be it therefore resolved that upon adoption a copy of this resolution be presented to Laurie Tudor for the secretary of the Senate. It almost took 41 years to read that, Laurie And with that, I move for the adoption of the resolution, Mr. Chair. Members, you've heard the resolution, all in favor say aye, all opposed. The resolution is adopted. I like to ask Senator Clark to join me in the well if you would please, and also Mr. Chair, with permission, I'd like to ask that Ms. Tudor be given an opportunity to make a few comments with the chair's permission. Thank you, Senator Clark. Senator Hammer, Brother Kim. Thank you for sponsoring this resolution. I'm deeply honored and humbled by it. My 41 year career with R dot has been so fulfilling, but my time as director has absolutely been the highlight of my career. As director, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you all. Together we have accomplished so much. You all have continued to provide the funding needed to improve and maintain our transportation system, and to protect that investment with laws to regulate weights on our roads through legislation, you have made our roads safer for the traveling public as well as for our employees and contractor employees. You have helped our become more aware of your constituents' needs so that our do become has become more effective in meeting those needs. And that's just a few of the things that we've worked on together, there are so many more. I believe there is power in partnership and working together, and we're all striving for the same goal, to be the best possible public servants to the citizens of Arkansas, and together we can accomplish that goal and be successful. Today I have my husband Jeff with me. Uh, thank you, Jeff for standing by me and helping me every step of this journey. The Highway Commission is here today, Philipaldo, Keith Gibson, Marie Holder and Jerry Halsey. Uh, thank you for being here with me today. I'm so proud of our commission. I thank them and all the past commissioners that I did I served with for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as director, and thank you for your strong and unwavering guidance, support, and encouragement you've always shown me as well as our staff. Thanks to the Amazing R Dot family, where are you? I see you there. Hey. You are, you are my family and you are the most hardworking individuals I know and I can't imagine serving in the trenches with anybody but you. And I would finally like to thank the good Lord in His word, he promised to guide me and give me wisdom and strength, and he never once failed me. So without my family, the highway commission, uh, my R dot family and the good Lord. I would not be standing here today with the director's mantle being passed on to Jared. Where is he? Jared Wiley. I am so optimistic about the future of our diet. Jared's integrity, his intelligence, and his servant leader's heart will take the department far and I expect excellence out of everything that comes from this point forward. So I'm so grateful for the friendship and the support and encouragement, this great. body, the Arkansas State Senate has shown me today it is a wonderful ending to my wonderful career and I will never forget this day. Thank you so much. On a personal note, the reason she called me Brother Kim is because I have the privilege of being her pastor, and she is a great member of the church as well as Jeff, and I appreciate him on that level. And could we have just a few minutes break for those that might want to get photos if you don't mind, Mr. Chair. All right, thank you. That Senate will come back to order. We are passing over Senate Resolution 26, Madam Secretary, please read Senate Bill 87. I remember to the Senate Bill 87. Senator Johnson, you recognized? Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of Amendment 2, the Senate Bill 87, my bill, my amendment. He heard an explanation of the amendment. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Send the amendment to a grossing. Amendment adopted and the amendment to engrossing. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1286. Has 1286, Amendment 1. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. The this bill or this amendment just adds my name to House Bill 1286. Thank you. Remember you've heard an explanation of the amendment. All in favor say aye. I'll opposed. The amendment is adopted, sent to engrossing Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1387. Remember, the House Bill 1387. Senator Ervin, you're recognized. Members this amendment was the work by the committee, um, so it's the committee's amendment and it was approved by the House member as he was sitting there working with us. Appreciate to get that. I remember you've heard an explanation of the amendment, all in favor say aye. All opposed. The amendment is adopted, sent to engrossing, Madam Secretary, please read Senate Bill 181. December 181 by Centra Sullivan. To amend the library law to amend the requirements for the state librarian and to amend the requirements for regional library system directors. Senator Sullivan, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Folks, this is a pretty simple bill. Um, we offer waivers all the time to teachers. I think there are like 8000 waivers that we do in the Department of Education for various education things. This just, and we do have rural libraries who have a hard time finding someone who has a master's degree in a course approved by the American Library Association. No institution. state of Arkansas offers that degree. Now think about that. No, no institution offers a master's degree in library of Sciences, so our folks have to go out of state to get that most of the time online. But again, we offer waivers for lots of things. This just gives the the the authority to appoint a library director to the board that oversees them, and I trust them to do the right thing. I'll be glad to answer any questions. Are there any questions? Senator, are you closed? Would anybody like to speak for the bill against the bill. Senator, are you closed closed, OK. It Any objection to rolling the vote, seeing none, Madam Secretary, please call the roll, roll the vote. But. Bright leave Caldwell leave Clark Crowe, Davis, Des leave Demain Dotson English leave Flippo, flowers leave, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King Luting love, McKee, Murdoch Le Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, scot stone, Stuberfield. Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Is there any member who would like to change their vote? Oh Senator Love present. I Any other member that would like to vote or change their vote at this time. Oh, Senator Tucker. Castle. Check the board. OK. Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. 26 days passes, Madam Secretary transmit to the house. Madam Secretary, please read Senate Bill 220. 229 by Senator Boyd to create the Department of Financial Services within the Department of Commerce. Senator Boyd 220. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Sorry, it'll be Senate Bill 220. They were out of order. symbol 220 by en Boyd to amend the Arkansas Securities Act and to clarify exempt transactions under the Arkansas Securities Act. Yeah, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Senate Bill 220 is an agency bill which seeks to expand exemptions for securities offerings for Arkansas-based startups. This bill invest Arkansas Exemption Act will provide expanded opportunities for Arkansans to invest in Arkansas startup businesses. The exemptions increased from $1 million to $10 million dollar limits in 12 months rather than 6 months, and no more than $100,000 per investor rather than $5000. OK. Are there any questions? So anybody who would like to speak against the bill. For the bill Senator Boyd, are you closed? Would you like to close your bill? Just say this is a good Arkansas or good opportunity to increase investment in Arkansas, and I'd appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote, leaf, Caldwell Le, Clark K Crowe, Davis, Deasley, Dismay Dotson, English Le Flippo flowers leave Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill Ivin Mike Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee Murdoch Le Peyton, Pennzo, Petty, rice, Scott, stone, Steerfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Is there any senator that would like to change their vote at this time. Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 29 years, zero nays, the bill passes police into the house, transmit to the house. Madam Secretary, please read Senate Bill 224. Senate Bill 224 by Senator Stone to repeal the law concerning natural organic fertilizers. Senator Stone of Camden, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this is an act and an agency um uh bill is and in 1988 Act 224 was passed, excuse me, Act 24 was passed to make a recognize and make a natural organic fertilizer since 1988, there has not been one fertilizer registered under this act. The current fertilizer laws that encompass natural fertilizer ingredients. And the term organic has evolved to take on different meetings since 1988 and this law continues to cause concerns and confusion about the potential for potential residents registrants with that, I will take any questions. Remember you wrote an explanation of the bill. Are there any questions? Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized. Senator, would you consider this one of your most, the crappiest bill you've ever ran. I I'd say that there's a good chance that that would be the truth. Thank you, Senator. Thank you. Are there any other questions? Senator Stubblefield of branch. Uh. Senator, is it, was there any physical impact to any of this since it's original since it originated. I didn't, I didn't even know this bill was on the books. There's, there's no known physical impact that I've been made aware of, Senator. No, no, sir, not that I'm aware of at all. They're just repealing something that's never been used, not one time since it was passed. Since since 1988. Is it, that's all I got. Any other questions? Would any senator like to speak against the bill, for the bill, Senator Stone, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote, seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Brantley Caldwell Le, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Deas Lee, Dimay dots in the English leaf flippo flowers leaf, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch Le, Payton, Penzo Petty, Rice scotstone Stuber Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Would any senator like to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 29 yeah, zero nays. The bill passes, please transmit to the House. Senator Boyd of Fort Smith, Madam Secretary, please read Senate Bill 229. Senate Bill 229 by Senator Boy to create the Department of Financial Services within the Department of Commerce. Senator Boyd, do you recognize? Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 229 is also an agency sponsored bill. This is the next step in consolidation from 2023. This bill creates the name and the name only, that's all this bill does. The Department of Financial Services, the state bank department and state securities department will both fall under the name Department of Financial Services. We already moved them. They're already reporting to Susannah Marshall, the bank director. Uh, so with this bill does is it will just create public clarity and functionally describe the two agencies under the bank commissioner. They're absolutely no new authorities. That's right, no new authorities, no new appropriations, no new operations or staffing only a name that unifies the two departments functioning functioning under the bank commissioner. Members you've heard an explanation of the bill. Are there any questions? Oh, Senator Hill. What is the actual purpose of this? To name, to create a name I mean is there something else behind this? No, it's just when in when we uh did consolidation, we moved both the banking department and the securities under the banking director and so rather than it just being too random departments, it'll be a department then underneath there it will have her her two departments. Does anyone else have a question? Would any senator like to speak against the bill? For the bill, Senator Boyd, would you like to close for your bill? I'd appreciate a good vote. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Bo Brightly, Caldwell Lee, Clark Kroll Davis Deli, Dimay Dotson, English Le Flippo Flowers leaf, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch Lee, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott Stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Would any senator like to change their vote. Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 29 e, zero nays, the bill passes, please transmit to the House, Madam Secretary, please read Senate Bill 230. Senate Bill 230 by Senator Boyd to repeal the Arkansas Trust Institutions Act and to create the Arkansas Trust Institution Act of 2025. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. This is another agency sponsored bill, the last agency sponsored bill I have today, which impacts only one business currently located in our state. The business is aware and has expressed no concerns. The current law was passed in 1997 based on model law at the time. There's only been one change in in 2005 since the original passage, the current law is internally challenging to function as intended 90% of this bill is are nonsubstantive and just edit. or ial changes and just for the record, there are no reductions or restrictions on operations, there are no increases in fees. There are no new permits or license for existing businesses. Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill. Are there any questions, Senator Kroll? Senator Boyd, have you read this whole bill? Yes, sir. OK, I just wanted to check. Thank you. Even the struck through portions. Are there any other questions? Oh, Senator King. So is this another agency bill, if I missed that? You heard me correctly, yes sir, it's another agency bill. Any other questions? Is there any senator that would like to speak against the bill, for the bill, if not, Senator Boyd, would you like to close for your bill? I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Is there any objection to rolling the vote, saying none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd Brightley Caldwell Le, Clark Kroll, Davis, De Le, Dima dots and English leave flippo flowers leaf, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee Murdoch. leave Hayton, Pennzo Petty, Rice Scott stone step of Phil Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Would any senator like to change their vote, Senator Love present. Senator King not voting. Anybody else like to change their vote. Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 27 e, zero nays, 1 present the bill passes, please transmit to the house. We are going to pass over House Bill 1049. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1196. House Bill 1196 by representative Maddox to separate the offices of sheriff and tax collector in Montgomery County. Senator Rice of Waldron, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, members have to be 1196 representing Maddox and I both uh represent Montgomery County. This is the same as the all the bills we've run, that's where the county decides they want to split the sheriff and the tax collector, representing Maddox said that the uh uh court voted unanimously to do that, so that's all there is. We have to answer any questions. OK of the bill. Are there any questions? Appreciate it. Good. Thank you, Senator is closed for his bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? See, anybody like to speak against the bill, for the bill. Saying none the senator is closed for his bill. There's no objection to rolling the vote, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd Brantley Colwell Lee, Clark K Crowe, Davis Dealey, Dima Dotson, English Le Flippo flowers leaf, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Bike Johnson, Mark Johnson King, letting the Love, McKee, Murdoch Le Peyton, Penzo Petty, Rice Scottstone, Stubber Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator like to change their vote. Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 29 ye, zero nays, the bill passes. Returned to the house. We're going to pass over House Bill 1279, Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1287. House Bill 1287 by Representative Johnson and Senator Irving. To amend the healthcaretracting simplification Act to define down code under the Healthcare contract and Simplification Act and to require a notification of contracting entities of down coding, Senator Ervin of Mountain View, you're recognized to present your bill. Thank you, members, what this does is just um allows for if something is down coded, that it's um made aware to uh those providers, just like you would if there was a denial of a prior authorization. members you've heard an explanation. There's no opposition to the bill and Everything is good with it. Are there any questions? Would any member like to speak against the bill for the bill, Senator Ervin, would you like to close for your bill? Yes, appreciate a good vote. Any objection to rolling the vote, saying none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Vo Brantley, Caldwell Lef, Clark Kroll, Davis, De Lee Dima dots and English Le Flippo flowers leave, Gilmore hammer Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson King, letting love McKee, Murdoch Le Peyton Penzo Petty, Rice scots. Steer Phil Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Would any senator like to change their vote, Senator King not voting. Anyone else Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. by a vote of 28 ye, zero nays. The bill passes, please return to the House. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1353. House Bill 1353 by Representative Eubanks Central Wallace to regulate a vision benefit manager to amend the Vision Care Plan Act of 2015 to amend the healthcare contracting simplification Act. Senator Wallace of Leachville, you are recognized. Thank you, sir. Members House Bill 1353 will address some of the unfair and anti-competitive practices that are currently being used by the VPM's vision and benefit managers against all of Arkansas eye care providers and their patients. This bill basically provides a measure to ensure that patient choice and fair access to eye care, uh, we'll level the playing field between a large vertebra integrated vision but VBMs and small business owners. Two large companies On 80% of the Vision plans throughout the country. And what they have learned just like a big pharmacy, big pharma. is that they're vertically integrating. They have the insurance plan. They make the lens, they make the frames. In some cases, they even have eye doctors working for them. And just like with a grocery store, we'll have items that they'll sell at near loss or even a loss to draw people into the store to buy the material or other items. That's what these big companies are doing. And that's really hurting our ophthalmologist, optometrist, and our ophthalmologists as well. The House voted on this. It was 96 to 1. Yesterday in our insurance and commerce Committee. I didn't even get to close. The expert witness that they brought in was just destroyed by the committee and the committee called for a immediate consideration, and I had a great clothes ready to go. Over 500 optometrist or ophthalmologists in our state, probably closer to 600. Not a one has stood up and said anything against this bill. We've got outsiders. Trying to take business away from the eye doctor. I go to the eye doctor you go to. Uh, and this bill will go a long ways towards stopping that. And with that, I will stand by for your questions, members. You've heard an explanation of the bill. Are there any questions? Senator Mark Johnson. Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Wallace, are these entities analogous to the pharmacy benefit managers that we've seen a problem with vertical integration and therefore monopoly monopolistic practices, I should say, Sir Johnson, their model is similar, but I'm not aware that they have a commonality between each other, but they do, as you stated, and I was a little shocked, they do control an extremely high percentage of the market. Yes sir, 80%, 80%, I think would count as a high percentage of the market. Thank you for bringing this bill, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Are there any other questions? Sing none with any senator like to speak against the bill, for the bill. Senator Wallace, would you like to close for your bill? Is there any objection to rolling the vote, seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Des, Dismay, Dotson, English, Flippo, flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Keen Letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Would any senator like to change their vote? Oh Senator Hickey not voting. I mean, sorry, no. Any other senator I'd like to change the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 28 y and 1 nay, the bill passes, please return to the House. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1383. House 1383 by Representative Ladyman, Senator Boyd. To amend the petroleum storage tank Trust Fund Act and to modify the amount of the payment for corrective action. Senator Boyd, you recognized. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1383, last session we approved a change to Arkansas Code 8-7-907B to increase the maximum payment for a storage tank cleanup from 1.5 million to 2 million. However, when we passed that, we failed to update 8-7-907E uh this bill makes the update to 907E so they match. Members, you've heard a thrilling explanation of the bill. Are there any questions. Would any senator like to speak against the bill, for the bill. Seeing no boy are you closed for your bill? I'd appreciate a good vote. Are there any objections to rolling the vote, saying none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Brantley Caldwell Le, Clark row, Davis Deasley, Dima dots in Englishlea flippo flowers leaf, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill. Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Lee Peyton, Penzo Petty, Rice Scott stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Is there any senator that would like to change their vote? Senator Ervin, no. Anybody else Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please kiss up the ballot by a vote of 28 y, 1 nay. The bill passes. Please return to the House, Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1411. House Bill 1411 by Representative Shepherd in Central Stone to clarify the regulation of carbon capture and uh question and to establish the carbon dioxide storage fund. Senator Stone, you recognized. Thank you, members. This is an agency bill with no known opposition uh in Union County right now. They're the the operators down there are able to inject saltwater into the ground. This will give them the ability to have primacy from the from the EPA to inject carbon dioxide into the ground and capture it at the point of manufacture, which is, which is an unwanted byproduct instead of letting it be released into the atmosphere. They'll have the ability to capture. Then put it about 10,000 ft in the ground where we keep it out of the atmosphere. Uh, any questions? Members, you've heard an explanation of the bill. Are there any questions? Senator Stubblefield, I have one question. Sensor Stone, do we, do we already have a carbon dioxide storage fund because I was, I was where we set up one, maybe 3 or 4 years ago, uh there's not a carbon dioxide storage fund existing, but this bill will also help establish that 10 cents for every ton of CO2 that's put into the ground, 3 cents of it will go to the oil and gas commission to to fund their operations. The other 7 cents will be set up in a trust fund. if there's ever a problem, there's money available to remediate the problem. So there's no physical impact to the state on this? No, none that I'm aware of at all, and there's no opposition to the bill. All right. Any other questions? Senator King. So trying to understand this since I'm, this is not something in my area. I mean this is a fee to help fund this, right? That is correct. OK. And the fee will go to the agency to regulate it or monitor it or go through this process. That is correct. OK. And what agencies is for the agency, it'd be the oil and gas commission. OK, so if, uh, if these, these facilities are more down there in oil and gas areas, not where we, like in my area, we don't have drilling of natural gas or anything of that kind of nature, but is this in anticipation for this lithium is having anything to do with that I don't know, just in the chemical plants down there they have uh CO2 is an unwanted byproduct instead of being able to just release it into the air and contribute to global warming, they can capture it and inject it into the ground and help like that is what 4. OK. Thank you. Just we just start. OK, thank you. Senator Peyton of Wilbur. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I guess I'm just going back to 8th grade or something here trying to remember all the pros and cons of carbon dioxide, but isn't that with the plants? Breathe. I mean, we, we breathe oxygen and emit carbon dioxide and they breathe carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, if I remember that right. Uh, I believe you have a good memory from what you learned in school, I mean, If if we Hoard the carbon dioxide underground, what are the plants going to breathe? Well, I think the argument of global warming is that we're putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that the plants can use, thereby contributing to global warming. If you believe in global warming, that would be the argument. Well, I mean, I understand that. That reasoning, except for I don't know how we could ever store all the carbon dioxide that comes out of a volcano. Is that, is that what happens when, when this is stored underground and concentrated that erupts at some point. Well, this, um this CO2 will be injected into the ground at about a depth of 10,000 ft. It should be uh in a in a geological area that will contain it in perpetuity, so we should be good. OK, well, I like to circle of life. I hate to break it and, and pin it underground 10,000 ft. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Saying none would any senator like to speak against the bill. For the bill, Senator Stone, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed. I'd appreciate a good vote. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Lloyd Brightly Colwell Le, Clark Kroll, Davis, Deasley, Dima dots in English leave. Flippo flowers leave, Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love, McKee, Murdoch, leave, Peyton Pino, Petty, rice, Scot, stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan Tucker Wallace. Any senator like to change their vote, Senator Dodson, nay. Senator Hill, President, Senator Penzo Ney. Yeah. Senator Irvin present. Senator Tucker present, Senator Clark present. Senator Stubblefield present. Anybody else? 00, Senator Tucker, yes. Senator Hester's nay. Yeah Senator Hammer, President, please check the board. One last call. Oh, Senator Payton, no. OK. Anybody else? Alright, seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast at the ballot by a vote of 20, 4 nays, and 5 presents the bill passes, please return to the House. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1412. House for 1412 by Shepherd and Sin for Stone to clarify regulation of pipeline safety authorization for transportation of hazardous liquids of or carbon dioxide. Senator Stone, you're recognized. This would be a companion bill that would go with the one that we just passed. It's also an agency bill and there was no no opposition to it. After the carbon dioxide is captured at a plant. It needs to be transported via pipeline to the injection well and this bill would allow the oil and gas commission to have primacy from the EPA to be able to regulate that. They already regulate Brian lines, oil and gas. This would just give the the oil and gas commission have the ability to have primacy over those over those uh carbon gas lines. All right, Senators, you've now had your science lesson for the day. Are there any questions? Senator Stubblefield. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Stone, don't we already have Do we not already have a series of infrastructure in place and in South Arkansas down around Texarkana in that area for carbon capture to the facilities to pop this back down into the earth, not, not presently the way I understand it knowing that I'm aware of, this is establishing for that to take place, you know, we have a presence for bromine, saltwater, oil, gas, but there's nothing for carbon dioxide CO2. to be transported into the pipeline. This is what this does. OK. All right. Any other questions, Senator Sullivan. We're hearing that some of these rules and regs may be done away with with the Trump association. So is there a trigger in this bill that if the feds allow us to allow carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Is there a trigger in this bill that does away with that. Uh, no, no, sir, it is not. OK, thank you. Any other questions, Senator Love. Thank you, Mr. Chair. um, Senator Stone, I'm just as as we look at this, I'm wondering, is there any safety issues in regards to what what is the the biggest safety issue, say one of these pipes burst with the liquid CO2. What what do we have a protocol for that? What, what is the, I would assume that it would be similar to the protocol that's on gas lines, bromine lines that are already in place, you know, they're in a, they're in a pipeline right away. There's clearly more designated people can see they have a toll-free number where you can call in case of emergency, so they're established and at the line were to rupture, you would just be releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. Now they would be under high pressure, but at the end of the day you'd just be releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. OK, all right, thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Seeing none would any senator like to speak against the bill. For the bill, Senator Stone, would you like to close for your bill? I'm closed. I'd appreciate a good vote. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Brantley, Colly, Clark, Crowe, Davis Deasley, Dima dots in the English leaf flippo flowers leave, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting Love McKee Murdoch, Lee, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice stone, uh, Scottstown, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Is there any senator that would like to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 29 e, zero nays. The bill passes, please return to the House. Madam Secretary, please read House Bill 1418. House Bill 1418 by Representative Corn, Senator Rice to prohibit local government regulation of knives or knife making components. Senator Rice, you recognized? Thank you, members. Uh, This is Representative Joey Carr. We've got 2 representative cars. This is Joey Carr, Blythville. I asked me about this a few months ago and he brought this, what this is. Model alone, of course, is the, uh Bill as it shows, uh, firearms components on uh Uh Code 14, 16504. This adds knife makers and uh for the need of those in Arkansas that uh manufacture and show at knife shows. Something I didn't think about when he first talked to me about this that can cause a problem, uh, and this gives exemptions again from local government, uh, restricting things that are not state or federally regulated already. But people such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC people that bid on projects and go to different municipalities could actually be affected by local ordinances if we didn't have this in place, uh, what this will do is allow them to travel to jobs and have one uniform. Exemption across the state for knives again for the, the knife makers, those make and sell uh would give them protection too. Representative Carr did mention that he checked with the municipal league for any of the cities uh that if they had any opposition, there was no known opposition, they said from them. I'd be glad to take any questions. Thank you. Remember it's just a polite reminder to please keep conversations to a minimum so members can hear the presentation. Are there any questions? Seeing none. Would any senator like to speak against the bill, for the bill, Senator Rece, would you like to close for your bill I appreciate a good vote. I'm closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote, seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Des, Dismay, Dotson, English, Flippo, flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, Keen, letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubold, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Would any senator like to change their vote? Senator Tucker, no. Anyone else? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 28 ye and one nay, the bill passes. Please return to the House. We will now move to the white budget calendar. Looking for Senator Dima of BB. Yeah, he was here. P. Senator Dodson. You're recognized. Uh Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to Suspend the rule to withdraw Senate Bill 94 for the purposes of amendment. Now All in favor of the motion, say aye, all opposed. Motion carries. I like to move, we adopt Senate Amendment 2 to House or Senate Bill 9494. Be recognized to present the bill. This amendment is My bill, my amendment, appreciate a good vote move we send it to engrossing and then send it back to committee. Hey, you've heard an explanation of the motion all in favor say aye, all opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. I didn't I just do that? All in favor of the amendment, say aye. I opposed. The amendment is adopted. Send to engrossing Senator Dima of BB. OK. Members, we're gonna batch these. I'm gonna read through the calendar on your desk, if you got like one that you would like to pull out for question or separate vote, let me know. House Bill 1087. 1099. 1100, 1104 11:14. 1151. 12:35. Signa. OK, so Xingan would any member like to pull a bill from the batch. everyone Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please read the bills. House for 1087 by joint budget and act for the Department of Energy and Environment, Oil and Gas Commission appropriation for 2025, 2026 fiscal year. House Book 1099, a Trump budget and act for the State Board of Election commissioners appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. House 1100 by joint budget and act for the Arkansas State Claims Commission appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1104 by joined for the Department of Labor and Licensing Division of Labor Appropriation for the 20205, 2026 fiscal year. House 1114 by joint budget, and I for the commissioner of State lands Appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. Has 1151 by joint budget and act for the Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education Appropriation for 2025, 2026 this year. I 12:35 by Joint Budget Act for the University of uh for the University of Arkansas, East Arkansas Community College Appropriation for 2025, 2026. OK. Is there any objection to rolling the vote, seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Braley cola leaf, Clark, row, Davis, Deasley just my dots and Englishly flippo flowers leave, Gilmore Hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Letting Love McKee, Murdochli, Peyton Penzo Petty rice, Scott Stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace, any senator that would like to change their vote. Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 29 e, zero nays, the bill's pass. Emergency clause is adopted. Return to the house. OK. Madam Secretary, are the items at the desk? We're your committee on grossed bills to his first sent Bill 87 by Center Mark Johnson compared the gross copy with Rachel andantely engrossed. calendar. Committee on bills for House Bill 1387 by Representative Cooper and Senator Peytonared the ress copy of the riel and Van Perly engrossed calendar on gross bills who was for household 1286 by Representative Johnson and Senator Bowen, the gross copy of the original and I correctly engrossed. calendar. Are there any announcements at this time? Senator Davis. OK. Yeah. You recognized. Thank you. I just wanted to let everyone know that the state police reception that was scheduled for this evening has been postponed to Monday the 24th. Senator Ervin Yeah. Joint budget will meet tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. OK. Senator Hester, do you have an announcement? Members, we're gonna come into session at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. We have budget at 9, upon budget or at 10 o'clock, we can have committees, but we'll come into session at 11, and if you've got long committees, you can go in after session. Thanks. Thank you, Senator Flippo will be please escorted from the chamber. Are there any other announcements at this time Senator Johnson? We will have insurance and commerce at 10 and get done what we can get done. Do you have a? Any other announcements? Seeing none, go ahead and adjourn. Yeah. But The Senate will stand an adjournment subject to the clearing of the desk. Until 11 a.m. tomorrow.