House Convenes

I invite the members, staff and press and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer. My pastor Ed Stevenson, Spring Hill Baptist Church in Greenbrier guest today of Representative Steven Meeks. And to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. Thank you. For allowing Come to praise you blessings. Again, we thank you. For the gift We pray And again Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone indicated their presence. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. There are 99 members present. The chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Richardson, for what purpose? Leave recognized. Leave for representative Fred Allen. His leave granted for Representative Fred Allen. So ordered Representative Matthew Shepherd moves that we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal, no objection, so ordered. Madam Clerk, are there any reports from select committees, you're recognized. Mr. Speaker, your committee on joint Budget Committee, to whom was referred House Bill 1087, House Bill 1099, House Bill 1100, House Bill 1104, House Bill 1114, House Bill 1151, House Bill 1235. Vaguely report the same consideration here but the time with the same recommendation that it do pass, respectfully submitted Representative Lane Jean, chair. Thank you, Madam Clark, are the reports and standing committees, you're recognized. Mr. Speaker, will your committee on Education to whom was referred Senate Bill 89 beg leave report with the same consideration here re time with the same recommendation that it do pass, respectfully submitted. Representative Brent McKenzie, vice chair. Mr. Speaker, will your committee on Judiciary, to whom was referred House Bill 1437 vaguely reporting the same consideration and here for time with the same recommendation that it do pass. Respectfully submitted. Representative Carol Doby, chair. Mr. Speaker, we areittee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor to whom was referred House Bill 1131, House Bill 1182, Senate Bill 50. Maguely reporting the same consideration here return with the same recommendation that it do pass respectfully submitted Representative Jeff Wardlaw, chair. Thank you, Madam Clark. Do you have any unfinished business? You have any, uh, executive communications. Members, I draw your attention to the back of the chamber, please join me in welcoming today our Arkansas state troopers, Sergeant Zach Owens of the Administrative Services Division from Little Rock and Corporal Trey Keller of the Highway Patrol Administration, also of Little Rock. Gentlemen, thank you very much for your service. Remember why you're standing also please make welcome our nurse, Ms. Lee Fazio in the back of the chamber. Up in the north gallery today, we have Miss Tiffany Gramlich also along with Bonnie and Cynthia. They are the wife and children of Representative Zach Gramlich, please make them welcome. Over in the East gallery, we have Miss Casey Lamoya. She's a freshman at the University of Central Arkansas and guest today of Representative Bentley, would you please give her a welcome? Also in the East gallery with us today, guest of Representative Justin Gonzalez and Representative Wade Andrews is members of the Nevada County Leadership Group. Madam Clerk, please read House Memorial resolution 1001. House Memorial resolution 1001 by Representative Shepherd in respectful memory of former United States Representative Beryl Anthony Junior. Representative Shepherd, you are recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I come before you today with House Memorial resolution 1001 in memory of the late Congressman Beryl Anthony Junior. Congressman Anthony, who was originally from El Dorado, passed away on Saturday, January 11th. He was 86 years old. Now, Beryl Anthony Junior had quite a career. And you can read in the resolution how he received his, uh, degrees from the University of Arkansas and then he returned to El Dorado, where he practiced law in El Dorado and became prosecuting attorney, and he was prosecuted from 1971 until 1976, and then he was elected to Congress in 1978 and was, and served there until 1993. And, uh, the Anthony family is certainly one of the Well-known families of our state. Particularly in South Arkansas, and I can say growing up in the 1980s, the name Beryl Anthony, that carried, uh, that was just, uh, carried a lot of weight and certainly with somebody that, that in South Arkansas we looked up to. And you could see that he rose through the ranks that I was talking with his cousin a few days ago, and one of the things he mentioned about Beryl was that he rose through the ranks and whatever organization he was in. Whether it was becoming prosecutor at a, a relatively early age. Or Making its way through the ranks in Congress to To end up on a seat on the coveted ways and Means Committee. And even though he and I were not of the same political persuasion. Many will remember that he also was chairman of the DCCC, which was a very significant, uh, party position, uh, in that day. But Beryl Anthony is someone that across party lines, we can celebrate and we can memorialize. He was a champion for rural healthcare. He was a champion for Arkansas farmers. He leaves a legacy. Of establishing What we know today is our public bonding system. He is someone that with Senator Pryor and Senator bumpers worked diligently for the redevelopment of downtown Hot Springs. He was a man of great intelligence. He had a great personality. I've had the great fortune to Get to know him in his later years, professionally. As he was chairman of Anthony Forrest Products Company. And I can say that he was someone that was always would offer great advice. He was someone of great intelligence, of great compassion, and he is someone that will be deeply missed in Arkansas and across our country. Of course, his wife Sheila was A constant companion to him. She was a former Federal Trade commissioner and Assistant Attorney General. And he leaves behind two daughters, Alice and Anthony Bethune and Lauren Anthony Cargill. And the Bethune name will certainly stick out because His daughter married the son of Congressman Bethune. And so, I hope that you will join me today in honoring his life. In passing this memorial resolution and Mr. Speaker, I would ask at the appropriate time that the clerk Read the resolution by title only. Madam Clark, read the resolution by title owning. In respectful memory of former United States Representative Beryl Anthony Junior. Representative Shepard has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution. Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Shepherd, you're recognized close. Representative Shepherd is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House memorial resolution 1001. All those in favor say aye. Oppose nay, Let the record show by unanimous vote, the resolution is adopted. Madam Clerk, please read House, uh, concurrent house, uh. Madam Clerk, please read House. Resolution. 1,034. House Resolution 1034 by Speaker Evans to amend the rules of the House of Representatives of the ninety-fifth General Assembly. Representative Evans, you are recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, members, this has seemed like quite a long journey to get to this point, but thankfully today we are finally at the last stages, uh, of the creation of the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. Uh, this is a very simple resolution. What it does is it goes into the House rules and amends the name of the Committee of Aging Children, Youth, Military and Legislative affairs. It takes the military out of that, establishes this name, the Joint Committee on Military. Veterans Affairs and, uh, with a good vote and the passage of this, then we can get this committee established and start doing the work that so many of you, uh, have enjoined with me in doing and that is continuing to provide some focus, uh, and some, uh, importance on the work that we do to support our military and the state and the veterans that have sacrificed so much on our behalf in days prior, so I would appreciate a good vote. Adam Clerk, please read the resolution. By name only. To amend the rules of the House of Representatives of the ninety-fifth General Assembly. Represerve Evans has explained the resolution. Uh, does anybody want to speak for or against the resolution? Representative Evans is closed for the resolution, question before the House is the passage of joint or House resolution 1034. Please pair the machine, Madam clerk. As everyone voted. Gassed up the belt, madam clerk. By a vote of 99 years. No nays, 0 present. Resolution has passed. Congratulations. Members, thank you for that affirmative vote, and we'll get this process rolling this afternoon. Um At the request of Representative Duffield, we're going to pass over House Resolution 10:30 today. We'll have to get that rescheduled for sometime, hopefully next week. Members of the morning hour has ended. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1209. 10 by Representative Warren for the proper administration of benefits by the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System regarding the subjection of annuity rights to process of law and correction of errors. Representative Warren, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I'm back with 3 more from retirement. House Bill 1209 has three key provisions. Number one, employers may set off claims against a member retiree or beneficiary arising from embezzlement or fraud. Number 2, courts may order retirees monthly benefit to be paid into the court. If the retiree is willfully noncompliant with child support obligations. And number 3 The executive director of the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System is authorized to correct errors and adjust payments as needed. There is no fiscal impact. I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Warren. closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1209, prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Everyone voted, everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. vote of 99, 0 nay, and 0 present to Bill and the emergency clause has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1210. High 1210 by Representative Warren to amend the laws concerning transfer of funds for the cost of administering the Arkansas Judicial retirement System and the state police retirement system, you're to present the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues, this, uh, bill is House Bill 1210. Uh, it affects the reimbursement of administrative expenses for the Arkansas State Police retirement system and the Arkansas judicial retirement system. Right now, AEs takes care of the administrative duties for both those systems, but there's nothing in statute. To determine what that, uh, reimbursement is supposed to be. So this will put in statute of formula that says, Representative Warren has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Warren is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1210. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted, so everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With a vote of 98, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1211. Hospital 1211. My representative Warren to make technical corrections and clarify language for the proper administration of benefits under the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System. Representative Warren, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 12/11 is basically APRs technical correction Bill. And basically what they do over the last 2 years since we've been in session. They look at anything that came up that they had issues with, uh, there are two issues here. The first section deals with the definition of compensation. There are two terms that are not defined in the code that is lump sums and bonuses that will be included from here forward. Uh, the second item, uh, The other section, uh, ensures that requirement that are consistent and in one section of the code, it's been split up into in order to begin your retirement. Uh, collecting. So I appreciate a good vote. Representative Warren has explained the bill, what he would like to speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Warren is closed for the bill. The question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1211. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. vote of 98, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill has passed. Madam clerk Please read House Bill 1315. I spell 1315 by Representative Torres to authorize a blood type designation to be placed on a driver's license or identification card. Representative Torres, you're recognized to explain the bill. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House colleagues, uh, this bill's pretty exciting actually. Uh, House Bill 1315 is being introduced to allow Arkansans the options, option to display their blood type on state government issued IDs to help first responders and emergencies, this law could potentially save the lives by providing critical information quickly during emergency situations. How it works is if it's approved, uh, it'll be effective January 1st of 26 to give them time to get everything together and communicate it out. But Arkansans can choose to indicate their blood type when they renew or replace their driver's license or ID online or in person at any, uh, Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles Customer Service Center. First time applicants for a license or ID visit a customer service center in person. When renewing or replacing a license, individuals are prompted to decide if they want to include their blood type on their ID. Uh, the inclusion of blood type is optional. There is no requirement to provide proof of blood type. It's based on self-certification. And individuals are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information that they provide. And the DMV is not liable for the accuracy of the blood type information being listed. Uh, this idea actually came to me from a veteran in my community who, uh, conducted some blood drives and learned that a lot of people don't know their blood type. And being a veteran, he understood the importance of having it on his military dog tag so that in case there was an emergency emergency situation, he could get an infusion and, and save lives. So a very good idea, uh, and with that, I'll take any questions, if any. Representative Torres has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Torres, would you like to close for your bill? Representative Torres is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1315. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Everyone voted Everyone voted Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With a vote of 98 yeah, 0 nay, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1382. Has 1382 by Representative Lady and to require certain reporting by the Designated Protection and Advocacy Agency for the state and to end the designated client assistance program for the state. Representative Ladyman, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, uh, recently, uh, Legislative council passed a rule, changing the name of the hospital and Medicare study subcommittee to include developmental disabilities. This was done to allow legislators to understand and be informed of how individuals with disabilities are being served in Arkansas. One corporation that provides those services to individuals with disabilities in Arkansas is disabilities, rights, Arkansas. Disabilities rights Arkansas is the designated protection and adequacy agency for Arkansas. They are an independent nonprofit corporation appointed by Governor David Pryor back in 1980 to comply with the Olmstead law that was passed around that time. They are funded by federal funds. Private funds And other nonprofit organizations. They received no state funds directly. They have oversight. By their funders, they submit reports to the, to a federal organization and other organizations that fund them. These reports could easily be reported to us in the legislature and discussed twice a year. That they have no oversight from the state of Arkansas. While providing services to our most vulnerable citizens. In, uh, human development centers, senior centers, uh, waiver programs. They do good work in a lot of areas, but some people who have received calls from, maybe some of you all have, uh, who they serve. I think they exhibit government overreach in some areas. So what does this bill do? The bill simply requires them To attend our subcommittee meetings when requested. And To communicate to the legislature, Their successes, And their challenges. I'd be happy to take any questions. Representative Ray, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized for a question. Uh, Representative Ladyman, I was noticing on page 2, line 12 to 15. This bill, um, says that this, this group that you're describing as a nonprofit or as a corporation is going to be subject to the freedom of Information Act. Can you explain why you're subjecting them to that. And, and I guess my The, the, the follow up to that is, are there any other private entities that we subject to freedom of information. I didn't look to see if there were any other, uh, organizations, uh, that were, uh, but since they receive Government funds. And, uh, do services with Arkansans. Uh, I got a couple of, um, uh, I went to BLR and asked for an opinion on that, and they sent me a couple of uh AG. Uh, opinions. That seems to me shows that we could do this. By those two opinions that I received. Representative Clowney, for what purpose? You for Representative Ladyman, um, it's my understanding that there is no other private legal organization that is, uh, subject to Arkansas's FOIA laws. So um my question has to do with your statement that people considered DRAs advocacy government overreach. They're not a government entity of the state of Arkansas in any way. How is it not our overreach if we pass this bill and require of them what we require of literally no other. private legal organization. Well, maybe that's not the most accurate term. But they are, they do receive government funds. And indirectly those are Arkansas funds because the federal government has no money unless we are Kansans in other states pay taxes. So this is really our money. Uh, so they received those funds. They are given certain responsibilities by the federal regulations. And, uh, Some people feel like that they're going beyond. What's the, what they are chartered to do by the federal regulator. You're recognized for a follow-up. Isn't it, isn't it the job of the federal government to oversee? If, if there are problems with the federal funding. I'm sorry, would you repeat that? Yes, if this is a federal funded organization and you're saying that people have problems that they're not following federal regulations. Why is that not an issue for federal oversight rather than Arkansas. You'll have to ask the feds that. I don't know. Representative Rose, for what purpose? Question, you're recognized for a question? Representative Ladyman, wouldn't you agree, uh, disability rights, Arkansas is a federally mandated protection and advocacy authority for the state of Arkansas. Would you agree? I agree. Would you agree that's unique in that they're the only protection authority agency in our state that is federally mandated. Yes, I would agree. OK, thank you. Representative Ladyman has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Lederman, do you wish to close for your bill? Representative Ladyman is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1382. Prepare the machine, madam clerks. Everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cas up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With a vote of 53, 18 nays, and 18 present, the bill has. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1186. House Bill 1186 by Representative Vau to create the pain relief parity Act and to require pain relief parity in the Arkansas Medicaid program. Representative Vaut, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think, uh, members we all know, uh, the impact and the devastation that opioid epidemic has had on our state and on our country. But what you may not know is Arkansas now has the highest rate of opioid prescriptions in the entire nation. And in Arkansas in 2023. That's the most recent data that we have. There was, there were 71.5 opioids prescribed for every 100 people. That's nearly double the national average of 37.5 per 100 people. Despite all of the awareness. And the potential risk associated with opioids, with the potential of addiction, opioid use disorder, and so on. We now have the highest rate of opioid prescribing in the nation. So let that settle in just a little bit. We're a small state, and we are beating big large states with opioids right now. The reality and the problem that states face is that opioids are cheap. And they're easy to obtain. This bill will level the playing ground, where it'll be just as easy to get a non-opioid as it is to get an opioid itself. Nowhere in the bill does it say that a doctor still can't prescribe an opioid because he can. It just makes it just as easy to give that non-opioid as it does an opioid. I want to finish with um. Something that she read. I won't read all of the names, uh, but the witness that was there the other day, she read off a few names. Each of these individuals were prescribed opioids. For legitimate pain. None of them were given any kind of alternative. All of them are dead now. Michelle's son Jeremy was given OxyContin at the age of 15 years old. After oral surgery. Tanya's son Garrett was prescribed opioids after a high school football injury. Diane's daughter, Jillian was given opioids at the age of 14 years old for a root canal. Sharon, a grandmother, was given opioids for migraines. She had a much larger list. But what we should do and what we should be responsible for is making it just as easy. To get a non-opioid as it is to get an opioid. And with that, I'll take any questions. Seeing no questions, I appreciate a good vote. Representative Vard has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Vaugh is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1186, Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With a vote of 95 yeah, 0, nay, and 2 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1412 by Representative Shepherd to clarify regulation of pipeline safety, authorization for transportation of hazardous liquids or carbon dioxide. Representative Shepherd, you are recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill has been brought to us by the Department of Energy and environment, and as you can see, it's just authorizing the oil and gas commission to take certain actions related to the transportation of carbon dioxide, uh, essentially, uh, the oil and gas commission has authority right now for natural gas pipelines, but this would expand that to, uh, include certain other li liquids, hazardous liquids and including carbon dioxide. And, uh, this is necessary for, um, Programs related to carbon capture in which carbon dioxide is disposed of, uh, in the subsurface. This would also allow for our oil and gas commission or the state to take primacy over the regulation of these pipelines, they would still have to be within the parameters set by the federal government, uh, but obviously, it's much more preferable if our state agencies take the lead because they're able to deal with these issues much quicker and, uh, obviously are able to interact better. with those here on the ground in Arkansas. I'd appreciate a good vote. Representative Shepherd has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Shepard is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1412. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted So everyone voted, cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. The vote of 99 yeah, 0, nay, and 0 present. The bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1411. Is 11011 by Representative Shepherd to clarify the regulation of carbon capture and sequestration and to establish the carbon dioxide storage fund. Representative Shepherd, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So this bill again is from the Department of Energy and Environment. This goes hand in hand with the bill that we just passed, and this relates to the actual underground storage program. This allows the oil and gas commission to stand up this program. They're currently is, I guess what you consider kind of a pilot project in Union County where carbon dioxide is going to be deposited into, uh, the subsurface, uh, for those that don't know, in the oil and gas industry, there are a number of disposal. wells that already are depositing, uh, saltwater and other things back into the subsurface, the oil and gas commission regulates those things. And so we're essentially expanding that to also provide for, uh, carbon dioxide as well. The, the, uh, Secretary Corey testified in AG that currently, uh, this is all regulated at the federal level. This bill again would allow us to take over primacy to be the primary regulating agency again within the framework of what the federal government. Uh, will allow, but, uh, I think the secretary testified in agriculture that the project in Union County, the regulatory application process has been pending, I believe, for several years at the federal level. Obviously, we believe we can do a better job at the state level and, uh, so we want to go ahead and try to move this forward, uh, to allow us to stand up that program. Representative Shepherd has explained the Bill, would anyone like to speak against the bill. For the bill Representative Shepherd is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1411, repair the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. 98, 0 nay, and 1 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1194. House Bill 1194 by Representative Kavanaugh to amend Arkansas law concerning the placement of a monument on the state Capitol grounds and recognition and appreciation of the integration of Hoxsey Public Schools. Representative Kavanaugh, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, normally I'm pretty quick when I come down to the well, but this bill is rather important to me because it's really a passion of mine for people to understand the importance of Hoxy, the first stand. Probably I could talk to 100 of y'all in here, and less than 50% of you would really understand what Hoxy, the first stand stands for. Hoxsey was the first challenged integration in the United States when a school got integrated back in 1955. So, if in Hoxy had not integrated and had not been challenged and not stood their ground. There could not have been a Little Rock 9. So Hockys set in place for all the other integrations in the nation. And that's a small town in northeast Arkansas. Most people don't understand that story. Like, it doesn't get a lot of publicity. The reason? No government came down and made them do it. Nobody was forced to do it. The town took it upon themselves to do it. It shows good people can prevail. And as in the words of the school board. There were 3 reasons they did this integration. Number one, It was right in the sight of God. Number 2, it was the law of the land, and number 3, it saved them money. And that's what they were supposed to be doing as a school board. All this bill does is allow us to fundraise to actually have a monument here on the Capitol grounds for Hawsey, the first stand, so that we can show what real civil rights history we have here in Arkansas. And with that, I'd appreciate a good boat. Representative Kavanaugh has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Kavanaugh is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1194. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. As everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. vote of 94 ya, 1 nay, and 3 present. The bill is passed. Representative Beatty, for what purpose? Motion I hear your motion. Uh, motion to uh refer. Uh house Bill 1379. That's a proper motion. It is a debatable motion, Representative Beatty, please come to the well and explain your motion. Members steering committee, there were some questions raised, um, and tried to address one of those questions with an amendment to the bill. Um, if we can send it back to committee, we can send a good bill down the Senate. Representative Beatty's explained the motion, but he would like to speak against the motion. For the motion Question before the house is the adoption. Those motion is re-refer back to committee. All those in favor say aye. nay, I have it, Madam Clerk, please send. House Bill 1379 back to committee. Madam Clark, please read House Bill 1399.99 by Representative Richmond to amend the law concerning the issuance of donation deeds and homestead donation deeds by the commissioner of State lands. Representative Richmond, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, colleagues. House Bill 1399 is a land commissioner bill that was brought to me to make some changes, specifically addressing the issue of donation deeds. Now donation deeds, this is when there's taxes owed on a piece of property. And for whoever Is making the, the, the deal at that time decides that, you know, this is a good piece of property. It would, it would go well with the university. It would go well with the local town, and they take and they actually donate that parcel of property to that town, to that county, to that university. Sounds like a, you know, kind of a a neat thing to do. It's a nice thing to do. And this was established back in 1993 with the Urban Homestead Act. And since 1998, there's been 215, I'm sorry, 18 of these pieces of property actually donated here in the state of Arkansas. So it's not a real common thing to be done. So what's the problem? Well, the problem is this is 2023, the US Supreme Court in a case of Tyler versus Hit a pen, County in Minnesota. ruled that actions such as this take private property, donating for public use, violated the Fifth Amendment, specifically the, the amendment to taking clause or the just compensation clause of that and what that clause says it's at the end of the, of the amendment says, nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. Well, the issue is that when you donate property, there's no money at all. There's no money exchanged, no money. There's nothing sold. It's just donated. So if there's an owner or somebody involved in that. He doesn't get anything. There's no, you know, right now, the rest of our law basically says that if we auction off that piece of property because you refused to pay taxes on it. If we auction that off, anything that is above and beyond the, the, the fees, the tax, delinquent taxes and the fines and stuff like that, that goes back to the previous owner. There's none of that here. And so in the opinion in 2024, our AG issued 001 AG opinion on this, where he says, donation deeds may very well be unconstitutional. So what we've, we've done here and possibly would continue to do if we did that is, is expose the state of Arkansas to future lawsuits. We don't want to do that. We've created this, this Supreme Court ruling created what is referred to by our legal people is locust standi. Locust standee, if you want to use the Latin pronunciation of it. Again, I'm not a lawyer, but I did play one for two different terms on the judicial committee. So, you know, got a little, a little standing here, just a little on this, but that's the issue. We've given standing, potentially standing to individuals if we continue to do this, to sue the state of Arkansas, and we don't want to do that. It is a potential problem, constitutional problem and so what are they doing to fix this? Is that In the statute in sections 124, and 5. They removed all the references to donation deeds, and then in section 3, they've deleted that. So it has gone away. That's my explanation of it. That's the extent of my knowledge of it. It's actually more knowledge than I ever wanted to know about this. But if you have any questions, I will try to answer those questions if I can't answer them, I'll simply try to ignore them, so. Again, I appreciate a good representative. Representative Richmond has left the well. Representative Richmond has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Richmond is closed for the bill. The question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1399. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. The vote of 98 ya, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1417. 117 by Representative Lady to designate the official duck of the state of Arkansas. Representative Ladyman, you're recognized to explain the bill. Oh my gosh. Why did I pick these two bills today? Um, So, the reason I thought about this, let me just give you a little background. Uh, I was up on the 4th floor with my grandson and those pages that we had down here and we were looking at the Arkansas tree and the Arkansas nut and the Arkansas whatever. And my grandson said, well, do we, is there anything we need? And I said, well, I don't know. We talked about it. He said, what about a duck? And I said, we probably already got a, a state duck. So he looks at, he Googled it and looked it up, and we don't have a state duck. As a matter of fact, what he found out was, there's only one state in the union that has the state duck. And That's Mississippi. So don't, don't ask me why I didn't choose the wood duck because Mississippi already had taken it, right? So, I thought, well, we need a duck, you know, we don't want to be second to Mississippi for anything, right? So, anyway, that's why I got to looking into this. So, Let me give you some statistics why I think we do need a state duck. In the state of Arkansas, according to a study, The, uh, estimated expenditures for migratory bird hunters in 2022 totaled $306 million. Which breaks down to about $4.2 million per day. Over the, the waterfowl season. In fact, Stuttgart, Arkansas is known as the duck capital of the world. The state's positioning in the Mississippi flyaway and abundant waterfowl habit make it an ideal place for wintering ducks. Hunters from all over flocked to the natural state to enjoy this world-renowned duck hunting. Season, though why the mallard. The Mallard is the most common duck species found in Arkansas and across the country. According to the game and fish, and most of our, uh, duck hunting is around the mallard duck. So I want to make a proposal that we make the Arkansas, the Mallard, the Arkansas duck, I'd be happy to take two questions. Representative Andrews, for what purpose? Question, comment. You're recognized for a question. I, uh Appreciate the bill, um. Just want to let you know, do, do you know that, uh, Gadwall is a better eating duck than Mallard. Do I know what? I'm sorry. Gadwal's a better eating duck than Mallard. No, I didn't know that. Representative Ladyman has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Ladyman is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1417. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Gas up the ballot, Madam Clerk. The vote of 77, 10 nays, and 7 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 14181418 by Representative Joey Car to prohibit local government regulation of knives or knife making components. Representative Carr, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1418. This is a criminal justice reform effort. It prevents local ordinances that are more restrictive than federal and state. Uh, what it does is it adds to the current existing 14-16-504, which is already existing and it just adds knife and knife making components. carpets of this was with our knife makers that travel around the state with knife shows also your electricians, your plumbers, your carpenters, HVAC, your skilled tradesmen. We don't want them to have to worry about different ordinances as they're conducting their business when they, uh, bid on jobs in, uh, different cities. Uh, just like to say that I spoke with municipal League yesterday. They, uh, have no opposition. And with that, I'll take any questions. Without any any questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Carr has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Carr is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1418. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. Everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. The vote of 89 e, 5 nays, and 4 present. The bill is passed. Members, we will pass over at the request of Representative McKenzie, House Bill 1445 today. We will now go to Senate bills, Madam Clark, please read Senate Bill 142. 142 by Representative Eubanks to create the bell to bell Noal Act and to amend the requirements for public school discipline policies with regard to student use of personal electronic devices. Representative Eubanks, you're recognized to explain the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, members, this is the, the bill that I sent back to committee on Monday for an amendment. Uh, this is the bill that restricts the use of cell phones in schools from bell to bell, uh, Senator Dees and I worked on the, on this bill for several months and, uh, consulted with various individuals, including the, the Department of Education, and what we wanted to do was try to give the, uh, local school boards and school districts. as much flexibility as we could to allow them to structure how they wish to implement this in their schools. Uh, uh, the reason for the bill is, uh, Twofold for, uh, both, uh, Senator Des and myself. We wanted to eliminate distractions that students have, so they can have good educational outcomes, plus, we wanted to do things to help them with, uh, I guess the best way to term that is socialization skills so that they, instead of spending so much time on their phones, they learned actually how to, uh, communicate with one another, uh, There was over 76% of the schools, I believe that participated in the uh pilot program that the governor, uh, started, and the results that we've heard from that, the feedback we've gotten back has all been positive. So, uh, as you remember on, on Monday, I referred it back to committee representative, uh, Shepherd had, uh, Called me and, uh, He, uh, pointed out that there was, uh, there were some issues with the definition and he also had, he wasn't here or wasn't in committee, but he had heard testimony and Representative Mayberry had brought up the point about, you know, a, a possible exemption for a special events and that sort of thing. And then again, while we were going to go back to committee for amendment, Senator Dees called and he had been asked, uh, about an issue that Representative Volt had also raised about I two-tier authentication for students that are taking concurrent credit. So We, we incorporated all three of those things and the amendment and it came back out of committee and so here we are today. I won't, I won't address the phone call that I had with Representative Shepherd. And the fact that I had to hang up on, because he was yelling at me, but anyway, uh, I think, I think this is something that I, uh, most people, Support. I think it is a very beneficial, uh, issue that we can, you know, help our students, uh, do better in school. And I'd appreciate a good boat. Representative Eubanks has explained the bill, what anyone likes to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Grammat, you're recognized to to speak for the bill. As one of the few individuals in this room, well, there's probably a handful of individuals in this room who has uh had their phone taken by a teacher in the last two decades. But as one of the individuals in this room who'll be directly affected and is directly affected daily by kids having phones in classes. I just want to give you a little glimpse of what every day looks like. Every day I'm getting kids to pay attention, stop looking at the glowing thing in their lap to uh stop playing on their smart watches to, every time a girl walks in with long hair, she'll screw up and turn her head. I can see that little earphone picking out. It's constant. It's every day. Kids will, kids will, will talk to other kids via Snapchat or text or whatever to organize fights in the bathroom, go to the bathroom, fight for clout, post it on YouTube, all in the middle of the school day. Kids will try to, uh, to organize the cell of various items throughout the day. It is the amount of behavior issues we have because of cell phones and to and and I I can't put state are excited. for a bill like this. We want the phones out of our classrooms. We Represented Gonzalez. Representative Gramma has left the well. Representative Gramage has spoke for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Representative Eubanks is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 142. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. As everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. The vote of 97 ya, 1 nay, and one present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 59. Senate Bill 59 by Representative Grahamli to provide each student with one breakfast at no cost each school day upon request without consideration of the student's eligibility for a federally funded free or reduced price meal and to declare an emergency to explain your bill. Good afternoon. 1 in 4 Arkansas children struggle with hunger. Arkansas is number one in food insecurity. There are a handful of individuals in this room who see poverty like we see every day. I work at a school for a long time that was over 95%. If kids came to school late, I don't know how many teachers in the school had fruit or, or crackers or snacks to make sure these kids had something to eat, because the kid who's hungry, And their stomach hurts cause they didn't eat all weekend, they just lay their head down. Not not learning. This bill aims to ensure that every Arkansas student gets a free breakfast, gets a meal to start. $14.7 million is going to be allocated to feed these kids to ensure that they get the food that they need. We're still gonna get every free and reduced lunch application that we can get to make sure that the state doesn't have the full burden of that, uh, of that bill. Um, this is a great thing for our kids. It's also a great thing for our districts. If there are plenty of families who are on the edge and can't really, they don't qualify for free and reduced lunch, but they can't afford to feed their kid. And so they have to come to school, that kid gets a free meal, and I have handed out bills in excess of $1100. And that family can't afford that. And so the school district to, uh, to have a little pun has to eat that cost. I would appreciate a good vote to ensure all kids get at least one meal a day. Representative Gramwich has explained the bill would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Graham was closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 59. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. vote of 88 ya, 4 nays, and 6 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 146. Senate Bill 59 did passed with the emergency clause. Madam Clark, please read Senate Bill 146. about 146 by Representative Justin Morris to amend the definition of recreational purpose as used in relation to the liability of a property owner who makes land available to the public for recreational purposes. Representative Moore, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My fellow members, this is a pretty, uh, straightforward bill. This was an agency bill brought to me by Parks Heritage and Tourism and the offers of outdoor recreation, um, this takes language from a 1965 act that is currently existing, and it pretty much, uh, is a liability waiver for those private landowners that let the public use their property for, yeah, they do not, they are not charged the ads, rock climbing, cycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddling, skateboarding, and. overboarding to a long list that was previous questions. Representative Gonzalez, for what purpose? Question. Recognized for a question. Representative Justin Moore, could you sing a Small Town USA for us. Representative Moore has explained the bill. I'm too tall to sing that. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Moore is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 146. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. The vote of 98 ya, zero nay, and 0 present. Bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 14. Senate Bill 14 by Representative Milligan to allow for the direct payment of delivery of property to an apparent owner under the unclaimed Property Act in certain circumstances. Representative Milligan, you're recognized to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, SB SB 14. Um, is a, is a good government bill. It improves the government efficiency is talking about the, the money and the treasure hunt, uh, that lets the author give it back to the, to the people without the people having to go through the process of trying to get it back and, and through that process. Um, we have 24 other states that's doing it now, uh, this process will only be $50 to $5000 and never go over the $5000 mark. Um, but it's secured, they have 4 different ways. The Lexus, Nexus, Social Security death database and the national change of address database and a, and a personal identification information. So, this just helps us to give the money back to the people of Arkansas that belongs to them anyway, it's an easier route, so. Opened any questions. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Milligan has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill. Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Milligan is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 14. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. So everyone voted. Everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With a vote of 98, 0 nay, and 0 present. The bill is passed. Madam Clark, please read Senate Bill 102. Senate Bill 102 by Representative Volt to amend the law concerning canvasses for local option elections and to amend the law concerning compensation of paid canvassers for local option elections to explain your bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To give you a little short background in 2021, Senator Davis and Representative Michelle Gray passed Act 951, and it essentially sets statewide standards for paid canvassers. But there were no standards for local canvassers, just the paid canvassers. So, uh, for continuity, this bill will simply take everything that we did for the statewide paid canvasser and do the same thing for the local level. We want to set the same standards so it will be, uh, clear and easy for everyone to understand, and it's important to note that volunteer canvassers are not included in this bill. So it's just paid canvassers. With that, I appreciate a good vote. Representative has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill. Representative Vaugh is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 102. Prepare the machine, Madam clerk. So everyone voted. So everyone voted. Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. With a vote of 87 y, 7 nay, and 3 present. The bill has passed. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Motion, please. You're recognized promotion in accordance with House Rule 33M. I move we adjourn until 1:30 on Monday afternoon. That's a proper motion. It's not debatable. All those in favor say aye. Osene You have it. Members, um, want to remind you that the deadline to file lottery funded scholarship legislation is Monday, February 17th. So this coming Monday is the deadline to file any bills that has an impact on the lottery funded scholarship. Have any announcements from committees. Any committee announcements. Representative Gazaway, for what purpose? Announcement, you're recognized. State agencies will meet 15 minutes after adjournment of the house on Monday afternoon. The other committee announcements. Seeing none, the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourned resolution, the House will be adjourned until