Senate Convenes

Senate will be called to order. Are there any requests for leave at this time? Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Uh, I'm sorry. Thank you. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark, Lee, Crowell, Davis, Des, this man Dotson English flip Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love Scott Stone Stuberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone And the galleries would please rise. I believe Senator Love, I don't see Senator Love's right over here. OK. Sandra Love will be introducing our pastor for the day and after our pastor's words, we will remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Senator Love, you're recognized. All right. Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon. The people of Arkansas have the distinct pleasure today of bringing Dr. All right. Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon. The people of Arkansas have the distinct pleasure today of bringing Doctor Philip L. Pointer Senior as our visiting pastor, Doctor Pointer is the pastor. He leads the great Saint Mark Baptist Church on 12th Street. So if you all would please give them a round of applause. And this is someone that I do consider dear friend, so I will turn over Dr. Patel, Dr. Pointer. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, we come before you this day. Humbled by the weight of responsibility. And mindful of the sacred trust bestowed upon those who lead. You are the source of wisdom, the foundation of justice, and the defender, the poor and powerless. As this session begins today, we call upon your presence to dwell among us. To illuminate our minds and to guide the deliberations so that those who govern may do so with righteousness, courage, and integrity. Lord remind those who serve in this whole this chamber that their duty is not merely to party or platform but to people. The farmer in the delta. The teacher in Little Rock factory worker in Fort Smith. The single mother in Pine Bluff. The widow in the Ozarks. Let them hear not only the voices that speak the loudest, but also the cries of the forgotten. The marginalized. And those whose struggles are unseen. For what is leadership if it does not lift the weary. What is power if it does not protect the weak. May they remember, oh God, that the measure of their success is not found in the next election cycle, but in the eternal reckoning before your throne, where every motive is laid bare and every action weighed in the scales of divine justice. Let them not be driven by the fear of losing a seat or an office, but by the fear of failing in their sacred charge to govern with fairness, mercy, and truth. Grant them, Lord, the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Esther, the compassion of Christ. They resist the temptation to serve self-interest and instead commit to serving the greater good. Let us lay aside the bitterness and vision that divides us. Help us to seek the common good, the common ground with justice and mercy meet when their time is done. Let them leave behind, not simply policies and laws, but a legacy of righteousness. A testament that they did not shrink from the high calling you placed upon them. Bless this chamber, O Lord. May every word spoken and every decision made in this place be a reflection of your justice and grace and your holy and sovereign name we pray. Oh man. I to the The United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, pastor, for those encouraging words. Glad to have you here with us today. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate, it is our expectation that each of you will govern yourselves. Proper decorum during today's proceedings without objection, the rules will be suspended. The Senate will dispense with the reading of the journal. The morning hour has now begun. Senator Hickey, you're recognized to introduce our Senate pages for today. Senator Hickey. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, if you'll come on down. Members, uh, you can stand right here. Members, I'd like to recognize our page today. This is Mr. Ian Ratliff. He's from Hall High School and Senator Tucker would be his senator. So if you don't mind if uh please uh welcome him with us today. You, Yeah, thank you. Thank you, Senator Hickey, and welcome in. We're glad to have you here today. Any announcements or introductions at this time, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? Yes, they're dear Mr. President Pro Tem, this is to inform you that on February 10, 2025, I reviewed and approved the following measure of the regular session of the 95th General Assembly. 182, now Act 24 sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, governor, it. We a committee on enroll Billston was first Senate Bill 80 by joint budget, Senate Bill 105 by joint budget, Symbol 107 by joint budget, December 108 by joint budget symbol. on 9 by joint budget, Senate Bill 112 by joint budget Senate Bill 113 by joint budgets and Bill 14 by rut budget symbol 15 by joint budgets and 126 by joint budget sent by 129 by joint budget have compared their own copies with the original and have correctly enrolled and delivered to the governor at 9:22 a.m. for her approval. it So it Were your Committee on engrossed bills to whom was refer Senate bill. 135 by Senator Boyd compared the engross copy of the original and find some correctly engrossed. It Education. your committee on gross bills to his 3rd house bill 1071 byresentative Richardson and Senator Bryant compared the engross copy of the original and finds them correctly engrossed. Judiciary. We a Committee on gross on engross bills to his first House Bill 1183 by Representative Bentley and Senator Penzo compared the engrossed copy of the original and find some correctly engrossed. Public health. For your Committee on AGR, to whom it was first sent 203 by Senator Hester. Recommend do pass as amended number one. Calendar for your committee on AGAT, who was for House Bill 1278, a representative, um, external recommend uh. Recommend Du Pass calendarittee on City County Local to whom was first sent 98 by Senator Davis recommended due pass calendar Committee on City County Local who was for House Bill 1075 by Representative. Ray recommend DuP pass as amended number one, calendar. Committee of Sydney County Local who was for house 1076 by Representative Graham, recommend due pass calendar on Sidney County Local who was for House 11:45 by Representative, uh, Walker recommended DuP pass. Calendar's amendment number one. I'm sorry. We're coming down on City County Local who was for House Bill 1311 by Representative Lindstrom recommend due pass. Calendar City County Local who was for House Bill 1318 by representative Collins recommend Du pass calendar, Committee on City County Local who was for House Bill 1324 by Representativefield to recommend new past calendar. Committee on Insurance and Commerce to Ms. Fer Senate Bill 186 by Senator Bryant recommend due passesit number one. Calendar Committee on Insurance of Commerce, to whom was ford House 1205 by Representative Bentley recommend due pass calendar. Committee on State agencies, Governmental Affairs, who was first Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan recommend Du pass to concur in House Amendment number 2, calendarit on and state agencies to muster House bill. Senate Bill 207 by Senator Hammer recommend due pass calendar. Me and state agencies team was first sent 208 by Central Hammer recommended new pass calendar Committee on State agencies to whom was 209 by Senator Amer recommend new pass calendar Committee on state agencies to his first sent Bill 210 by Sentral Hammer recommend to pass calendar, you know, state agencies to his first sent to 11 by camera recommend do pass calendar. Sitting about 2:15 by Central Bryant to amend the permissible uses for real real real estate donation by a public school district and to amend the Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities program at Senate Bill 215. Education 216 by central Dodson to amend the law concerning postsecondary education, financial assistance programs, Senate Bill 216. Education Senate Resolution 20 by central English to commend the Mail Charter High School, Falcons Boys cross country team for winning the 2024 Class 3A state championship Senate Resolution 20. calendar. Senate Resolution 21 by Senator English to commend the Mael arch Charter High School, Falcon Boys golf team for winning the 2024 Class 3A state championship Senate Resolution 21 calendar Senate resolution 22 by Senator Scott. To amend Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Incorporated for its contributions to the community and to designate February 25, 2025 as Alpha Kappa Alpha day at the state Capitol Senate resolution 22 calendar. Any further business to come before the body in the morning hour, if not the morning hour has expired. We will now begin the business agenda. Before we take up Senate. Resolution 16, I would like to note that we have a number of pharmacists from across the state that are here with us in the East gallery, oftentimes our pharmacists are uh front lines of defense and healthcare and certainly have risen in such capacity and visibility since 2020 and I would personally like to say thank you to all of our pharmacists who are here with us today. Let's make them feel welcome to the Arkansas. Senate. We will now take up Senate resolution 16. Senate resolution 16 by Senator Irving to designate the month of February as National Children's Dental Health Month the next one and make it tomorrow. Thank you members. I'm happy to have with me today, some, some folks here just to help us with designating the month of February as National Children's Dental Health Month. Um, obviously, the future of the state of Arkansas's dependent to a large extent on the good health of its families, and so we are here today just to uh promote children's dental health. Our research shows that a balanced diet, proper oral hygiene, and preventive dental care can prevent tooth decay. And dental-related illnesses that cause school-aged children in the United States to miss 34 million school hours annually. Um, so we want to just focus on this month of February on national General at Children's dental health month and we're excited that you guys are here with us today. And uh we have with us Billy Tarpley and Dr. Terry Fiddler as well, and they do amazing work on Mission of mercy, which is coming up in April, I believe. Dr. Fuller. And so, um, one of the, the things from the public health committee, but everybody can join in if you want to volunteer, get some volunteer hours in. We're going to volunteer for Mission of Mercy this year in April as uh hopefully public health members, but I'll open that up to everybody in the Senate. So whereas National Children's Dental Health Month is an opportunity for the citizens of the state of Arkansas to unite and join in its observation in order to raise public awareness about the importance of good oral health for all children. So, to borrow a little um tactic from Senator Love when he challenged us during February being Black History Month as well. So I'm gonna challenge you to brush your teeth and floss your teeth tonight. Amen. And with that, I would ask for a good vote and help us to welcome them to the Senate. Thank you, Senator Ervin. All those in favor of Senate resolution 16 to designate the month of February as National Children's Dental Health Month. Please signify by saying I, and he opposed, habit. Senate resolution 16 is adopted, so thank you. And Senator, I must note that having a daughter who just lost her first tooth, the tooth fairies rate has gone up exponentially since I was a child. Glad to have you all here today. We are going to pass over Senate resolution 19 until tomorrow and for the time being, I'd, we are going to hold up on Senate Memorial resolution 1. We will now go to the House bills with Senate amendments beginning with HB 1199. Amendment 1, the House Bill 1199. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. This amendment just adds me as a Senate sponsor. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? I have it. Amendment is adopted, please send to engrossing. We now take a House Bill 1215. Amendment 1 to House Bill 1215. Senator Bryant, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Again, this just adds me as a Senate sponsor. You all have heard the amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, please signify by saying I. Any opposed as habit, Amendment 1. To house Bill 1215 is adopted, please send to engrossing. We'll now take up Senate Bill 45. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 45. Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 45. Senator Wallace, you're recognized. Members of this bill passed overwhelmingly all amendment does is just add a House sponsor. But that I asked for a good vote. you all have heard the amendment, all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Any opposed? I have it, Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 45 is adopted. Senator Wallace, you are recognized for a motion. We've got to go the bill again. Remembers, I would, uh, ask for a motion to adopt or not to adopt but to pass what Senate Bill 45 And with that, I stand by for your questions. Any questions? Anyone wish to speak against or for. Senator Centinel 45 by Senator Wallace to authorize the creation of the women veterans Special license plate and repeal the Pearl Harbor survivor license plate. Yeah, I'm closed. Sender has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat? Say none, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark Lee, Kroll, Davis, Des, Dima Dotson, English, Flippo, flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King Letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, Scott, Stone, Stubfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Seeing no one. Please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34, 0, nay, Senate Bill 45 passes, please transmit to roll it. Senator Tucker, you're recognized for introduction. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, please join me in welcoming our doctor and nurse of the day, Doctor Richard Brown, an ophthalmologist in Little Rock, he cares so much about us that he comes every session to try to take care of us at least one day, so we appreciate you coming back, Doctor Brown, and then also Lee Fazio, our nurse of the day. Thank you all for being. Thank you, Senator Tucker, sponsor of Senate Bill 12 has asked that we pass over it. We will now move to Senate Bill 89. Cin about 89 by Central English to in the information that a school district shall provide electronically with respect to its school district board of directors. Senator English, you are recognized. Thank you very much. Uh, members, this bill basically adds to the school board, um, they opportunity that they have to put the post the agendas for their meetings, 24 hours in advance, and they have to post agendas for meetings, special meetings within 2 hours of their school board meeting. Any questions for Senator English? Seeing no questions. Does anyone wish to speak against or for the bill. Senator English, you're recognized clothes. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat? Saying none, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bron Caldwell, Clark Lee, Kroll, Davis, Des, Dima Dotson English flippo flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Ry Scott, Stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot, by a vote of 34 0 nay, Senate Bill 89 passes, please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 166166 by Johnson to amend the law concerning emergency procurements and to include a state of disaster emergency and the definition of critical emergency for purposes of an emergency procurement. Senator Dodson, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor. Senators, this bill we looked at yesterday and there was a couple of questions on it, and I may have some additional answers for people. But um this simply adds that a a critical emergency um When the governor declares a state of disaster emergency. This will be defined as a critical emergency. So, um, under a critical emergency, the code basically requires reporting of expenses and things to the legislature when there's a declared state of emergency, those rules are suspended, and so those things are not reported to us, so this would increase the transparency of uh anything that is spent during that declared state of emergency. So for instance if the tornado hits at like Hobbs State Park and there's debris removal. If those things are, are uh expended under a state of declared emergency, those things are not necessarily reported to legislative counsel like um if it's a deemed a critical emergency. And so we're adding that critical emergency into the code so we will have more transparency and Insight into what is actually being spent during a declared state of emergency. Happy to try to answer any questions. for Senator Dodson, Senator Stubblefield, you're Johnson, can you give me an example of a critical emergency again. So Critical emergency, um, See here. Under OSP rules and policy critical emergency procurements must be reported to the Office of State Procurement procurement at the earliest practical date. So for instance, right now, Currently, the definition only includes an emergency in which a human life or health is an immediate endangerment. I mean imminently endangered if it was a tornado. How would you know that? Well, see, I mean, how, how would you know if it was a critical emergency during the middle of a tornado. Well, it's not under the law deemed right now a critical health or imminently endangered life. It's not part of that code. However, this would, this law would add critical emergency underneath the declared state of emergency by the governor. So if the governor declares a state of emergency, it would trigger the critical emergency aspect of things, none of that would have to be recorded. Well, right now it's not necessary for it to be recorded. This would put it underneath, so when the governor declares a state of emergency, uh, it would, it would be deemed a critical emergency and then those expenditure. would have to be reported to us, but if it wasn't those expenditures wouldn't have to be reported. Yeah, right now they're not $50 million if they go out and if it's a state of emergency declared, they can go spend the funds for whatever they need to, and those are not automatically reported back to us on what those expenditures are. I mean, we can go out and ask for it, but we would have to go out and and ask for it. It's not automatically reported to us with the passage of this, it would be reported to us, so we'd have an accounting of that. OK. Appreciate a good vote. Anyone wish to speak against or for the bill. Senator Bryant is recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Madam Governor. I support this bill because when May 26th tornado came through, I live in more of an unincorporated area of the county and we've got two major highways, State Highway 12 and State Highway 303 that had debris laid across it and while the cities were doing the best they could and Adam was doing the best they could to clean up where they, where they could. The constituents were calling me, ask me when Highway 12, Highway 303 was going to get cleared, and the answer was we have to wait for the procurement process to play out before we can contract to get an award to get the crews there and pay them per the law. So what this bill does to me is opens that up to that discretion when that emergency declaration is prepared and sent, that gives them the authority to proceed with the process for procurement, so I would appreciate a good vote on this bill. Thanks. Anyone else wish to speak against or for the bill. Senator Dodson has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat? See, hearing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark Lee, Crowell, Davis, Des, Dima Dotson English flippo flowers, Gilmore, hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tupper, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Senator Flowers present. Any other senator. Seeing no other, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 330 nay, and 1 present, Senate Bill 166 passes. Please transmit to the house. Senate Bill 206. Senate Bill 206 by Senator Crowell to amend the Right to Read Act and to amend the amount of the literacy tutoring grant awarded under the Right to Read Act. Senator Crow, you're recognized. This is a bill where we are simply striking the $500 per pupil and raising it to $500. We believe that that's going to help these students and their literacy goals, and we have money that's set aside for this. Any questions for Senator Crow, saying no questions. Anyone wish to speak against or for the bill. Senator, you're recognized clothes. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat? Hearing saying no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boy, Bryant Caldwell, Clark on Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying Datsun English flippo Flowers, Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubbervi, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wish to change his or her vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by vote of 34 years, 0, nay, Senate Bill 206 passes. Please transmit to the house. We will now go back up toward the top of the today's business agenda and take up Senate memorial resolution 1. Senate Memorial resolution won by Senator Gilmore to remember Bob R. Brooks Jr. and to recognize his contributions to the legal profession to the state of Arkansas, and to the United States. Senator Gilmore, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Governor and members, I'd like to ask leave for Attorney General Griffin, Alex Benton, Ryan Owsley of the AG's office who, um, it's really important that they're here because who we're gonna be, thank you, leave. Who we're going to be recognizing today, um, was very important in all of our lives. Um, I'll be honest with you, may be a little difficult to get through this, um, Bob was a very dear friend, counted him among mentor, confidant, he had an impeccable legal mind that surpassed really anybody I know. So with that, I'm going to ask them to join me on the floor. As I read this. Whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr. born September 18, 1962, and died February 11, 2024. And whereas Bob R. Brooks Junior grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and after graduating from South Side High School, graduated from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, and whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr. attended the University of Tulsa College of Law and served for 2 years on the Tulsa Law Review before graduating with his juris doctorate in 1987. And whereas Bob Rbrook's Junior's career as a lifelong public servant begin in Washington DC working as the chief of staff for former United States Congressman Jay Dickey. And whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr. returned to his beloved state to serve the state of Arkansas under Governor Mike Beebe as the director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission, and whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr. was called back in the National Service in helping to oversee the 22,000 Florida recount on behalf of the Bush-Cheney campaign, and whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr.s institutional knowledge was recognized by many, and he was asked to serve as the chief of staff to former Congressman Jim McCurry, whereas Bob R. Brooks Junior's understanding and experience in the national politics. was invaluable to others, and Bob became a partner at Capitol Council LLC, Washington DC advocacy firm. And whereas Bob R. Brooks Junior worked hard but found time to cheer on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Razorback sports team and to spend time golfing and horse racing. And whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr.s heart never left the state of Arkansas and in in 2020, Bob returned to Arkansas to be closer to his family, and whereas Attorney General Tim Griffin named Bob R. Brooks Jr. as Chief Deputy Attorney General in 2023, and whereas Attorney General Griffin stated, quote, As my chief deputy, he was unrivaled in his intellect, strength of character, work work ethic, and love for Arkansans. Our office and the dozens of staff he led and managed. And whereas United States congressman French Hill stated on the explore the United States House of Representatives. Bob was dedicated public servant who represented all that is good in Arkansas. There is professionalism, his wit, his great sense of humor, and whereas both Attorney General Griffin and Congressman French Hill counted Bob Brooks Jr. as a dear friend and is greatly missed by them both. And whereas the building formerly known as the Boyle Building will now be known as the Bob R. Brooks Junior Justice Building, and once the renovation is complete, we'll house the Attorney general and staff offices as a lasting tribute to his distinguished career and the impact. On the state he deeply loved and whereas Bob R. Brooks Junior. cherished his work and public and was as a public servant and was most proud of serving though as Uncle Bob to his nephew Ryan and dedicated son to his parents, Bob and Cindy. And whereas Bob R. Brooks Jr. survived by his parents, his sister, his great nephew, and many other family members in Fort Smith, and whereas Bob R. Brooks Juniors proceeded in death by his brother Kevin, his grandparents, Princess and Pearl, and Joe and Martha Jones. And whereas the United States and the state of Arkansas we're blessed to have Bob and and been served by Bob in his capacity as a loyal, dedicated public servant. Now therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the ninety-fifth General Assembly of Arkansas that the Senate recognized Bob R. Brooks Jr. for his dedication and his service to the state of Arkansas and the United States. Members, I ask you for a good vote on this. I ask you to, um, show honor to a man who did so much for our state. Um, Bob again was a very dear friend, someone that you could always count on, someone that when you would call, he was there, someone that when you needed counsel was there and would listen, and I can tell you I will never forget our many dinners together. I will never forget the many phone calls, um, that we had and uh Bob is dearly missed, so with that, I asked for a good vote. Thank you, Senator Gilmore. All those in favor of Senate Memorial Resolution 1 to remember Bob R. Brooks Jr. and to recognize his contributions to the legal profession, to the state of Arkansas, and to the United States. Please signify by saying I, and he opposed, eyes habits, Senate Memorial resolution 1 is adopted. And And Senator Gilmore, I'd like to invite Attorney General Tim Griffin to the well to say a few words. Attorney General, please welcome Attorney General Griffin. Thank you. Uh, thank y'all. Thank you for doing this. I would just say that if you knew Bob, if you met Bob, you get to spend time with Bob. The imprint on you is uh was deep and uh you never forget him. He, uh, he really was a force of nature, um, if, if you never got to meet him or be around him, get to know him, um. I'm sorry. Uh, he, he was extraordinary. I'll tell you just real quickly before I became Attorney General, we were sitting with uh one of, we were sitting with one of the employees and just talking, ah, someone that was gonna be there when we got there, so we're just getting to know him. And we, we were just talking, we wanted to keep this person, so we were talking about salary, and I said, so what, what exactly are you making now? And he goes, ah, he started to, I don't know this and Bob said, oh, I can tell you exactly what that is. He cited the exact amount down to the penny, and this guy that we're trying to keep who was a genius, looked at me and said, how does he know that? And Bob said, I memorized all the pay tables. That was Bob, and you could count on what he told you. He was, he was an extraordinary, extraordinary guy, and a lot of people may have that ability, but he used it for service and I had to tell him there at the end, if you don't start going home, I'm gonna ban you from the office because he was just staying in the office. He was so in love with that job and the people in the AG's office and dedicated. So thank you all for doing this. Uh, I appreciate it very much. Thank you, Attorney General. You're always welcome to come back to the Senate and sit here if you like. But. We will now go back to House bills. We are, Senator Clark is not here. We will pass over HB 1048, and we will take up. HB 1220. Has 12:20 by Representative Steele and Central Laing. Senator, letting you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, uh, under transformation in 2019, 6 of the seven voting members of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council were given the ability to appoint a designee. The land commissioner, who is the 7th voting member, was not given that privilege. So all this bill does is give the land commissioner the same ability to appoint a designee as the other voting members. Appreciate a good vote. House Bill 12:20 and, and to amend the membership of the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Anyone wish to speak against or for Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote. Seeing and hearing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Clark Lee, Crowe Davis Des Dima Dotson English flippo Flowers Gilmore hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, Love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Pennzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wished to change his or her vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 34 yeah, 0, nay, House Bill 1220 passes, please return to the house. We will now take up House Bill 1236. Huntsville 1236 by Representative Carr and Senator Davis to allow a public school employee to be released from his or her contract by a certain date upon his or her written request and declare an emergency. Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. Um, this bill current or what this bill will do is create a standard across the state for teachers to be able to get out of their contract. So, um, before Les they had were able to sign their contracts and had a 30 day window to get out, but when we repealed teacher fair dismissal, it repealed all of that and what we're seeing now is school districts all have a different timeline of when they're asking teachers to sign contracts and then some may not be letting the teachers out of their contract, if they're signing in, you know, March or something like that, and maybe they're offered a job that's closer, less of a commute, or maybe offered an administrative position at a different school district, um, you know, in April or May, then they're not allowed out of their contract for the next year. And so this just creates uniformity across the state that whenever you sign your contract for the next school year with your school district, you have until May 15th to um submit a resignation and be let out of your contract. So that way, I don't know when school districts are going through contract renewals, um, they often have teachers start signing those as early as March because it's a lot of paperwork and some school districts have a lot of employees, so it takes a while to get through. Um, so we're just trying to make it streamlined across the state, keep it simple, and give all teachers an opportunity that if they're offered a different or better job that they can get out. of their contract, as long as it's done by May 15th. I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Davis, Senator Payton, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Madam President, Senator Davis, I was worried as you were going through that because what is a contract? I mean, once you sign a contract, but in other words, these contracts are normally signed for the following school year. So May 15th, do you have any idea how do we have a date certain to when the contracts kick in contracts typically start July 1, that's when contracts start 30 days before they would actually start, OK, thank you. Yes, yeah, thank. Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Davis? Anyone wish to speak against or for the bill. Senator, you are recognized to close. Members, I asked for a good vote. I'm closed for my bill. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Davis. Senator Davis has closed any objection to rolling the boat. Seeing and hearing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Lee, Crowe, Davis, Des, dismaying Datsun English flippo flowers, Gilmore hammer, Hester Hickey Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love McKee Murdoch, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stubberfield, Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Any senator wished to change his or her vote. Seeing here no one please cast up the ballot. My vote of 34 yeah zero nay House Bill 1236 passes and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted, please return to the house. We will now take up the budget agenda. Uh, members, I'm gonna go through these 1390 or 92 down through 1406 or re-appropriate preappropriation bills, but if there's one that you'd like to pull out for question or a separate vote, let me know. House Bill 10881093. To 98. 11:20, 11:23, 12:01. 1259, 1262, 1267, 1392, 1393, 1394, 1395. 1396. 1397, 1406. Would you like to pull any of those out for a separate vote. Sing then. House for 1088, a joint budget and act for the Department of Finance Administration, child support enforcement appropriation for 2025, 2026 fiscal year. How about 1093 by joint budget, an act for the Department of Health, Health Services permit agency Appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1098, my joint budget and act for the State Department of Social Security Administration disability determination appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. 11:23 joint budget and act for the Department of Education, Martin Luther King Jr. commission appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. Hasville 1120 by joint budget and tonight for the Arkansas Public Employees retirement System Appropriation for 2025, 2026 fiscal year. House 12001 by Joint Budget, an Act for the Arkansas Department of Transformation, transportation appropriation for the 2025, 2026 thistle gear has for 1259 by joint budget and I for the University of Arkansas and the Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Biosciences Institutes preparation of the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. House Bill 1267 by Joint Budget, an act for the UAMS Reynolds Center on Aging, Bozeman College of Public Health, Arkansas Bioscience Institute and the area healthed Center in Helena Appropriation for the 2025, 2026 fiscal year. Haville 1392 by joint budget, and act for the Department of Corrections Division of Community Correction Reappropriation has for 1393 by joint budget and act for the institutions of higher education re. preparation, as for 1394 by joint budget and act for the Department of Parks, tourist parks, health, and tourism division of Heritage reappropriation, house for 1396 by joint Budget and Act for the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, state parks, tourism divisions reappropriation. House 1396 by Joint Budget and act for the Department of Corrections, Division of Corrections reappropriation, has 1397 joint budget, an act for the Department of Public Safety reappropriation house for 1406 joint budget and Act for the Department of the Military Appropriation reappropriation. Thank you, Madam Secretary. You all have heard the bills. Anyone wish to speak against or for Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat. Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd Bryant Caldwell, Clark on leave, Crowell Davis, D's dismay, Dotson English flippo Flowers Gilmore Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting love McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice Scott Stone, Stubberfield Sullivan, Tucker Wallace. Senator Any senator wished to change his or her vote. Senator Peyton present. Senator King. Not voting any other senator. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 32, 0, nay, 1 not voting, one present batch of budget bills passed and the corresponding emergency clauses are adopted, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? Please return the budget bills rather to the House, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? Were your Committee on Gross bills who was referred House by 1199 by Barker and Senator Bryar the last copy of the ritual and find I'm correctly engrossed. Calendar Committee on gross bills to House Bill 1215 by Representative Bentley and and Senator Bryant compared the engrossed copy of the original Feinstein correctly engrossed calendar, Senate book 217 by Centra Penzo to require the Department of Human Services to request a waiver to exclude candy and. drinks from eligible foods under the supplemental nutrition Assistance Program, Senate Bill 217. Public health announcements. Senator Dodson, you're recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members joint retirement will meet upon adjournment of both chambers. The House has already adjourned, so that is right after we adjourn in Mac A. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Just a reminder of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association receptionist tonight at their building, which is a block east, it's from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thank you. Sender hammer. Thank you, Madam Chair. point of personal privilege, if I may. I want to recognize my county judge up there, I believe I can't really see. Is that your son sitting next to you? All right, there you go, my county judge up there from Slian County, Matt Bromley. The second thing is tomorrow morning is prayer caucus. I appreciate Senator Hester being there last week. He and I enjoyed our time with the House members. I would appreciate it if you can make time to be there at 7 o'clock in the morning, in the old Supreme Courtroom. Senator dismaying you're recognized. This is just a reminder to everyone, if you're looking to file a constitutional amendment, the resolutions are due tomorrow. Senator Davis, you're recognized Thank you. Just a reminder that we have rules committee upon adjournment in 309. Senator D's, you're recognized. Members, if I can have a point of personal privilege. I've got a great friend of mine here. He's right behind me in this gallery that went to high school with this guy. He's traveling through town 4 hours away, uh, he's just means a lot to me and and and my family. And so if we could welcome Mr. Aaron Henderson today. Flippo, your're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Remember, it's just a reminder that tomorrow is the deadline for constitutional amendments. Don't let that be your guide to rush, but tomorrow is the cutoff for those. Thank you. Still, any other announcements? And as a proud university of Arkansas alumni, I would remind members that tomorrow there is a reception for the University of Arkansas system. I believe the mascots will be there. It is my daughter's favorite only reception of a legislative session. So, uh, Please make plans to attend. If no further announcements, Senate will be adjourned until tomorrow, February 12, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.