Senate Convenes

Senate will be called to order. Are there any requests for leave at this time? Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Boy, Bright, Caldwell, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Des, dismay, 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, Steber, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise. For a prayer and pledge of allegiance Senator Ben Gilmore is recognized to introduce our pastor of the day, Senator Gilmore. Members, thank you. It's an honor and pleasure of mine to introduce my pastor, Philip Slaughter from First Baptist Crosset. So as he prays, I know you'll be praying right along with him for him having to deal with me. Uh, so with that pastor, please open some prayer. Lord, I thank you for every person in this room. Uh thank you for the fact that you saw fit to place them in the positions that they're in. I thank you that they represent the people of this state, and I thank you for this state. God, I pray that You would give them wisdom that you, Lord, in accordance to your word that you would help them to love one another, to bear with one another that you would help them to um were joined together to do what's best for our state. And Lord, I know that this is an incredibly difficult job, and I thank you that they're willing to do it. I thank you that they're willing to represent us as citizens and that they're willing to do what many others aren't. I pray that you would be with them as they receive criticism as they receive threats that you would keep them safe and that you would keep their hearts soft and and help them to be who you have called them to be and lead and serve. with joy. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. I United States of America and the Republic. a. And. Thank you pastor for those encouraging words. 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 objections, 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, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk? Will your committee on gross bills, who was first Senate Bill 48 by Senator Boyd compared the engrossed copy of the original and find the same correctly engrossed. Insurance and commerce. We a committee on City County Local who was first sent in 97 by Senator Hester, recommend Du pass calendar Committee on City County Local to whom was referred House Bill 1050 by Representative Tosh recommend Du pass calendar Committee on City County Local who was referred House Bill 1075 by Representative Bay recommended pass calendar. Committee on City County Local who was referred house 1137. My representative Walker recommended Du pass calendar. Were your Committee on state agencies, these team was referred Senate Bill 3 by Senator Sullivan, recommend Du pass calendar Committee on State agencies to was the first Senate Bill 63 by Senator Hickey recommended Du pass calendar. Senate Bill 132 by joint budget. An act to make an appropriation for the payment of approved claims 132. Joint budget 133 by Centra Boyd to amend the uniformed commercial Code to define central bank digital currency under the Uniform Commercial Code and to modify the uniform commercial code definitions of money and deposit accounts. Senate Bill 133. Insurance and commerce 134 by Central Irving to amend the law concerning the public school employee health benefit advisory commission and to amend the law concerning State employee health benefits advisory mission, Senate Bill 134. Public health. Senate resolutions 6 by Senator Irving to recognize and celebrate January 29, 2025 as mental health day at the state Capitol. Senate resolution 6 calendar. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Is there 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. Beginning with Senate resolution. 5 However, I do not see Senator. Oh, there you are, Senator Dodson. Senate Resolution 5 by Senator Dotson. To commemorate and recognize national school Choice Week during the week of January 26th through February 1. Senator Dodson, you're recognized. And I apologize since you've moved seats this. session. Thank you, Governor. Members, this resolution as the title says, commemorates national School Choice Week and designates it as this week. Since it's national schools Choice Week. Uh, appreciate a good vote. Thank you, Senator. All those in favor of Senate Resolution 5 to commemorate and recognize national School Choice Week during the week of January 26th through February 1st, please signify by saying I, and he opposed as habits Senate resolution 5 is adopted. We will now take up Senate bill that you're right. Senator Tucker, you're recognized for an introduction. Thank you, Madam President, colleagues, as always, it's our pleasure to welcome our nurse of the day, Lee Fazio, and also today a doctor of the day, Dr. Steven Davis, who works on all of our eyeballs over at BAT he's an ophthalmologist. Thank you very much for being here, Doctor Davis, and welcome to the Senate. 3 times. Thank you, Senator Tucker. We will now take up Senate Bill 16 by Senator Boyd. Senate Bill 16 Miss Sen Boyd to have been the law concerning the discharge of a firearm and a train and to increase, increase the fine that may be imposed for the discharge of a firearm at a train or for throwing other objects at a trunk. Senator Boyd, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. So Senate bill 16. Again, we go back to the Arkansas Legislative Task Force, our game and fish subcommittee, the Second Amendment Task Force, and this is a bill that came out of there. With consensus. So this bill or this statute that we're working to amend was originally done in 1893. So what this does is it it's never been updated. So the fine today would be a minimum of $25 and up to $250 for, you know, discharge of a firearm at a train. Um, so what the consensus and so like if you look At that, that's, if you take 1893 and move it to 2025, that's around 800 and almost $900 to almost $9000. So what this does, the consensus of the group was to make it a class A misdemeanor. So that's the change um updating basically what happened in 1893 and make it something comparable today. So a class A misdemeanor is up to a $2500 fine, so it doesn't might get to the $8700 or or whatever, but uh that's what the game and fish subcommittee felt like it should be, so I'm happy to try to answer any questions. Any questions for Senator Boyd. Senator Flowers, you're recognized for a question. In the bill that says a class A misdemeanor. Not only is that fine, like you said, the 2500 substitute jail time too. Is that correct? Yes, so the, the current law does subject people to jail time as well. Uh, but it just the, the consensus of the group was rather than trying to figure out the exact same comparison. It just class A misdemeanor seemed to be the best fit. Put Yes, but, but currently the statute could include jail too. Well, the statute presently is fairly vague. It says it's an offense or just a misdemeanor and doesn't define what classification of misdemeanor it is. Yours does say. Class A, I believe. Yeah, it does, but my point is, is one of the punishments is not only a fine, but it's jail time in the current statute today, we just, the consensus of the group was a class A misdemeanor seemed to be the most equivalent. To match this, to get it updated from 1893 to 2025 and be as close as possible. Class A misdemeanor just seemed to be the the best fit. Yeah, I, I, I believe it increases the jail time that the current statute has, is my point. Thank you. Any other questions for Senator Boyd. Say no to the questions. Does anyone wish to speak against? Anyone wish to speak for the bill. Senator Boyd, you're recognized clothes. Thank you. I'd appreciate a good vote. Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat. Objection noted, Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Bo Brant Caldwell. Clark Clark Crawl. Davis Days this fine. This mine Dodson, English. English Flippo. flowers. Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey Hill. Irvin, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King. K Letting love. McKee. Murdoch, Peyton and so. Penza. Patty. Rice, Scott. Stone steerfield Sullivan Tucker Wallace. And senator Wish the vote not vote or wish to change his or her vote. Looking at this side, looking at this side, any senator. Seeing no one please cast up the ballot by a vote of 31 yeah, 2 nay, to not voting. Senate Bill 16 passes, please transmit to the house. We'll now take up Senate Bill 45. Senate Bill 45 by Central Wallace to authorize the creation of the women veterans Special license plate and repeal the Pearl Harbor survivor license plate. Senator Wallace, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Members. I've been here 11 years and I've carried a lot of bills. This will end up being one of my all-time favorite bills. Um, this bill will recognize the female veterans, the women veterans in the state of Arkansas with their own distinct license plate. Uh, we're replacing the Pearl Harbor license plate. Now that, that may give you some concern, but let me explain a few things to you. There's only 16 living Pearl Harbor survivors. In America. DFNA has 125 Pearl Harbor survivor plates. Standing by, so we're more than adequate. We can cover anybody that would like a Pearl Harbor survivor plate. And I would ask and Governor maybe some personal privilege. I'd like to ask our veterans in the gallery if they would please stand. For many, many years. Our female veterans have stood with their male counterpart. I committed two battalions, 3 companies. I had women in every command. And they were the best soldiers in my command in every case. They did the unwanted in some cases. They stood in the same code, the same snow, the same ice. As their male counterparts, the same heat. The days on end without being able to bathe. They were soldiers and Marines and sailors and airmen. And I Very proud to have served with him all those years. Remember this license plate. The initial fee will be $15 and that's standard with uh new license plates when you renew, it will be cost of uh I think $1 or $1 and a 5 cents, I forget which one of the $15 it will go back to repay our department of uh Veterans Affairs, they're sponsoring this part. Once it's paid back, The, the money gathered from that $15 that's over and above what the cost was will be used, and will be spent, uh, to help with female veteran issues. I think it was a very good bill. long overdue, and I would ask you all for a good vote. Thank you, Senator. Any questions for Senator Wallace? Anyone wish to speak against or for Senator, you are free to close. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. Boyd Bt Caldwell, Clark, Crowe, Davis, Des, Desmay, Dotson, English Flippo flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, letting, love, McKee, Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, rice, stone. Scott Steberfield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator who did not vote, who wishes to vote or wishes to change his or her vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yeah, zero nay, Senate Bill 45 passes, please transmit to the house. We will now take We will now take up Senate Bill 46. Senate Bill 46 by Senator Caldwell to reflect a merger between the University of Arkansas and the East Arkansas Community College by changing the name of East Arkansas Community College to the University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College. Senator Caldwell, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President. This pretty simple both of the boards of the East Arkansas Community College and the University of Arkansas have agreed to merge, uh, this language, uh, changes its name for the sharks Community College to the University of Arkansas, East Arkansas Community College, uh, uh, and it does transfer a few funds, but it's just a basic cleanup bill. Any questions for Senator Caldwell. Anyone wish to speak against. Or 4, Senator, I would appreciate a good vote. I'm close. Senator has closed any objection to rolling the boat? Hearing no one, Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Boyd, Bryant Caldwell, Clark, Kroll, Davis, Des, dismaying 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, Stubberville, Sullivan, Tucker. was Any senator wished to change his or her vote. Seeing no one please cast up the ballot by a vote of 35 yeah, 0, nay, Senate Bill 46 passes, please transmit to the house. We will now take up House Bill 1133. House Bill 1133 by Representative Unger and Langstrom to authorize Northwest Technical Institute to appoint a president with an industry background and declare an emergency. In English you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Basically, this bill does just what it says. It authorizes the Northwest technical Institute to appoint a president who has industry experience, as well as and or educational background. Any questions for Senator English. Anyone wish to speak against or for? Senator has closed any objection to rolling the vote? Madam Secretary, please roll the boat. Brant Caldwell, Clark, Krull, Davis, Des, Desmay, Dotson, English, Flippo, flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King letting love a key Murdoch, Peyton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Scott, Stone, Stub of Phil Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace. Any senator wished to change his or her vote. Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yeah, 0, nay, House Bill 1133 passes and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please return to the house. Senator Davis, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam President, the Senate Rules Committee met yesterday, January 27, 2025 to discuss gubernatorial appointments. You'll find the list for today, January 28, 2025 on your desk. The rules committee approved this list in one batch. Does any senator wish to pull any of the appointments to be voted on separate from the batch. Fat. I just like a grandma just for the for the. OK. We will vote Grant Hodges separately, he is. On page 2, Board of Corrections, we'll vote that separately. Any others. who wish to pull someone, an appointee to vote on separately. It, OK. All right, Madam President, I move that the Senate confirm the January 2020, or excuse me, January 28th, 2025, the list of gubernatorial appointments that were approved by the Senate Rules Committee, with the exception of Grant Hodges to the Arkansas Board of Corrections. Thank you, Senator Davis. You all have heard the motion. All those in favor, please signify by saying I I any opposed. Is habit Appointments are confirmed. All right, Madam President, I move that the Senate confirm Grant Hodges to the Arkansas Board of Corrections. You all have. I just wish to speak. Your excuse me, Senator King is recognized to speak against the appointment. Thank you, Madam Governor. You know, there's all these boards and commissions and we all have experiences and they're certainly boards and commissions that a lot of us would be qualified for. There are some that quite frankly, no matter what we think of ourselves or not qualified for. I do not think with the board of Corrections that Mr. Hodges is a qualified fat. The other thing is too, uh, you know, years ago we used to talk about the Democrat machine down here and how it works. And now, you know, this still goes on today of how things are happening and done, you know, we've passed a 2 year ban on lobbying. Well, now you just go to work for a lobbying firm and you call yourself a consultant, account manager, errand boy, whatever you want to do, and you have no reporting forms, nothing at all. If we're gonna pass bills to to make the appearance to the public that you should not be a lobbyist. Well then, how do you go to work for a lobbying firm, but you're not a lobbyist. I mean, so You can just to yourself whatever. I mean, as I say, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, well then it's a duck, and whether you vote to give money to these these groups that turn around and hire the lobbyists that hire you, and all of a sudden you, you're absent of reporting on anything just because you title something different. So I'm going to ask for a no vote. One Sender Hickey, you are recognized as a question of Senator King just so my vote would not be influenced. I didn't know. Is he registered as a lobbyist? I want to make he can't register as a lobbyist by law, but now he's an account manager. So it's like this thing of you're not an account manager, you're a consultant or an errand boy or whatever you want to call. I just want to make sure there wasn't an actual registration. If he has, I do not know it. If you register as a lobbyist, you have reporting, you can toddle yourself something else. Thank you, sir. I just think, like I said, you know, if you go to somebody that's in for bank robbery, what are they going to call? They can just reti it theirself and say they're a bank account withdrawal specialists. I mean, we need to have a clear line down here of not appointing people with lobbyists or lobbying firms or whatever you want to call yourself. It's not saying politics, nothing stops till it stops. This would be cried out by Republicans, Donald Trump, the swamp, years ago. This is the same thing. So please asks for a no vote. Anyone wish to speak for? Senator Hamer, did you have a question or you didn't? OK. Anyone wish to speak for? If not, Senator Davis, you are free to close on your motion. Senator has, OK, great. Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the boat? 00, sorry. All those, this is a voice vote. All those in favor of the motion. Grant Hodges on the board of Corrections, please signify to say I. Any opposed as habit, motion is approved. Appointment is approved. With that. Are there items at the desk? Any announcements? OK Sender Ds, you're recognized. one. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members, just an announcement for to put on your radar that the Northwest Arkansas chambers will be um having an event tonight at Next Level events for NWA Night Out with food and a fellowship there, so 4:30 to 6:30. We appreciate you all being there. Thank you. Thanks, Senator Blake Johnson, you're recognized. Members, please remember to file your SFI forms. With the Secretary of State and also the Senate financial disclosure for, for the end of the week. Thank you. Senator Dodson, you're recognized. Thank you, Governor. Uh, members joint retirement will meet upon a adjournment of both chambers in MacA where we will be taking the committee photo today. Senator Hammer, you're recognized. Members tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, Pierre, we'll be meeting, breakfast will not be served, so get it before you come, but at 7 o'clock we're also going to start the prayer caucus, which will be in the old Supreme Courtroom downstairs 7 o'clock. Thank you. Any other announcements? Senator Irvin, you're recognized. Um OK. Members of public health are picture committee picture is going to be downstairs at 9:45 on the steps. So dress accordingly and then ethics committee will meet upon adjournment tomorrow, hopefully in room 309, um, and we'll wrap up, uh, our, our discussion there and get that to the floor, hopefully by Thursday. Right, if no other announcements, no items at the desk, Senate will stand an adjournment subject to the clearing of the desk until January 29th, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. Uh