House Convenes

I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by House Chaplain Brother Richard Hamlin, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church at Cabot, and remained standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. Let us pray. Father in heaven as we. Ball at this moment we're mindful of the weekend that is ahead. And uh we come to this end of a very busy week schedule. Um, and so much to do, no doubt today. But God, we're thankful for a break as we always are. It were also mindful of these legislatures have, they have so much so today, God, I wanna pray that they'll have time to rest, to recharge. Uh, to reflect, to regroup. To get ready for another week. And I pray to be a restful weekend. And I want to pray for him and his family. Is that the God of all comfort. So today I'm going to pray over this be 11. Where you said, Come unto me all ye that weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly at heart, and you shall find rest for your soul. God, there Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button, prepare the machine, madam clerk. Has everyone recorded their presence. As at the ballot, Madam Clerk. 98 members present. Char sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Carr, for what purpose? Leave. You're recognized for leave, leave for Representative McAlinden is leave. Representative Lundstrom, for what purpose? Lee for Representative Ladyman. Is leave granted for Representative Ladyman. So moved Uh more, that's it. Representative Matthew Shepherd moves that we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal. No objections, so ordered. Madam Clerk of the reports from select committees, select from standing committees, any unfinished business, and the executive communications. I thank you. Members, I'd like to recognize. Our troopers of the day, we appreciate very much, greatly their service to us. We have with us today Trooper Ley, Trooper Harington, if you'd please give them a welcome. And while you're standing, I want to recognize our nurse of the day, Lee Fazio and Ebony Crutchfield. Thank you. Members We'll go to the red calendar now. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1005. House resolution 1005 by Representative Johnson to congratulate the Arkansas Medical Society and to celebrate 2025 as the year of the Arkansas physician. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, colleagues, I tell you what, what a first week already, right? Uh, it's, uh, it's very disorienting to me sometimes to come down here and get started. It's not my first session, but the disorientation feels the same and, uh, I remember when I first got elected coming down here, um, like many of you today who are new, not really knowing what this process was like and you're looking for. guidance from your colleagues and, uh, other places. And for me, a lot of that guidance came from the Arkansas Medical Society, you know, um, I think all of us have associations and groups from our own individual, uh, experiences as professionals that we work with and, you know, for me, uh, this group of individuals that work with the medical society and the physicians at large that participate. They're just great examples of what we like to call advocacy, right? And the job that we try to do here in this chamber, trying to make this state that we love a better place. It only works. If we have advocacy. We can't solve all the problems individually. We can't know whether the solutions we think of are the right solutions or not. What we depend on our people and citizens in our community come back and give us feedback, and that requires organization and effort and time and the Arkansas Medical Society is a great example of advocacy. And so I'm glad that we're celebrating 150 years today of the Arkansas Medical Society. I'm glad that it's happened in the first week of session when it's all crazy and chaotic and, um, you know, I, we Do these resolutions and oftentimes, we just have the clerk read the title and, and I'm usually a big fan of that, and I know everybody sitting here is, but it's early in the session, and the resolution itself was interesting to me, and I think it's worthwhile to take the time to listen to the resolution. And here's some of the things that the Arkansas Medical Society has done. So if, if it's OK with the members, I'll have the clerk read the resolution, uh, in its entirety. Please read the resolution, Madam Clerk. Whereas 150 years ago in October 1875, 225 Arkansas physicians formed what is now the Arkansas Medical Society, whereas from the inception of the Arkansas Medical Society, the physicians, members of the Arkansas Medical Society have made it their mission to advance the art and science of medicine and improve the health and well-being of citizens of the state of Arkansas. And whereas over the past 150 years, the physicians of the Arkansas Medical Society have been instrumental in addressing the health needs of our state and the monumental efforts of the physicians, while often obscured by the passage of time. deserve our lasting appreciation and whereas the efforts of the physicians of the Arkansas Medical Society include one, the creation of the state's first state Board of Health in 1879 to the development of the first medical licensing law in 1893 and 19033, the establishment of the Arkansas Tuberculosis. Sanitarium in 2009 for educational efforts to alleviate. thyroid, fever and malaria in 1917. 5, the creation of Medical Practice Act in 19296 the creation of Arkansas Blue Cross in 19487 sponsorship of the statewide polio vaccination program in 1958 and 8, supporting the establishment of what is the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences. And whereas throughout the years as a physician of the Arkansas Medical Society have supported the General Assembly in its efforts to enact legislation designated to improve public health and access the Appropriate medical care, including one patient Protection Act of 1995 to the Arkansas Clean Indoor X A X of 2006, 3, the development of the statewide trauma system in 2009 and for common sense reforms designed to reduce burn some insurance carrier practices that delay delivery of medical care, and whereas during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, the Arkansas Medical Society incorporation with the governor's office organized the statewide distribution effort to provide personal protective equipment to medical clinics struggling to safely care for patients, and whereas over 50 years, the Arkansas Medical Society provided volunteer medical care to members of the House of Representatives and the Senate State Capitol staff and visitors to the Capitol State Capitol during the sessions of the General Assembly through what is now known as the Doctor of the day program, and whereas the Doctor H. Elvin Sheffield Capital Infirmary sponsored by the Arkansas Medical Society and located on the 3rd floor of the state Capitol was officially dedicated by the seventy-second General Assembly on April 16, 1980. Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the ninety-fifth General Assembly. of the state of Arkansas that the House of Representatives congratulate the Arkansas Medical Society for its 150 years of service to the people of Arkansas and celebrate 2025 as the year of the Arkansas remorse on that. Uh, there was a lot there, uh, a lot that we did. One of the things I wanted to make sure and point out, I think it's interesting is we, the foundation of Blue Cross Blue Shield. So, interestingly enough, the Arkansas Medical Society was, was the founder of that entity. And so anyway, I, it's a great society, a great example of how we can be advocates and so with that, I'm closer to resolution. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you. Representative Johnson is closed for the resolution. question before the House is the passage of House resolution 1005. All those in favor say aye. Posy You guys have it. Congratulations, your resolution is passed. Madam clerk, please read House concurrent resolution 1002 resolution 1002 by Representative Wright to urge the United States Congress to permanently extend the tax cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Representative Ray, you're recognized to explain the resolution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, uh, this resolution would call on the United States Congress to extend the tax cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, commonly known as the Trump tax cuts. The tax cuts and Jobs Act was a landmark piece of legislation delivering massive and historic tax relief all across the country, but also right here in Arkansas. Hundreds of thousands of Arkansas workers and businesses benefited from the passage of the tax cuts and Jobs Act. They benefited from a doubling of the standard deduction, a doubling of the child tax credit, lower taxes on American small businesses and lower personal and corporate income tax rates as well. Unfortunately, many of the provisions of the tax cuts and Jobs Act will expire at the end of this year, unless they are extended by Congress. And what that would result in if Congress does nothing is a massive tax increase on the people of Arkansas. That's on top of the staggering inflation that Americans are dealing with today on everything from housing and insurance to gas and groceries. My constituents, and I suspect yours as well, can't afford $1500 a year on average in additional taxes next year, which is what the average family in the state would pay. But that is what would happen if Congress fails to act. Thankfully, our congressional delegation in this state supports this policy, but it is important that Washington hears from the states. Why Because this is not a foregone conclusion. The majorities in both the House and the Senate are very slim, and every day that passes that Congress fails to take up this measure, jeopardizes its eventual extension. If there was any message sent in the last election, it is that Americans want an economy that works for them, that is affordable again, and the last thing that they need or wanted when they voted is a higher tax bill next year. And with that, I would appreciate a good vote. Representative Ray has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution, Representative Ray, you're closed for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House concurrent resolution 1002. All those in favor say aye. nay. The eyes have it. Congratulations, your resolution is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House resolution 1002. House resolution 1002 by Speaker Evans, the to confirm the legislative joint auditing Committee selection of Kevin White as the legislative auditor. Mr. Speaker, you're recognized. Thank you, uh, members, uh, We all know if you've been here at any time, you know that for, for many years, the state of Arkansas was blessed by the service of legislative auditor, auditor Roger Norman and during the last session, uh, we were notified of his retirement, uh, the appointment to that position, uh, was his deputy assistant, which was, uh, Kevin White, um, he has been, he assumed that role back earlier in the year, uh, has been performing those duties very well. Uh, we have met with him and his staff. Uh, the only matter of business left is just the confirmation of his appointment. Uh, the Senate is already taking care of this with a unanimous, a unanimous vote, uh, and I would appreciate the, the same courtesy of the vote of this chamber to appoint him as the legislative auditor, and I'll be happy to try to answer any questions. Appreciate a good vote. Speaker Evans has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution. Speaker is closed for. closed for the resolution. Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution in its entirety. Arkansas code 104-405 states in part that the legislative auditors shall be employed by a majority vote of the membership of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee in the name of the person selected shall be presented to each house of the General Assembly for confirmation. And whereas the legislative Joint Auditing Committee selected Kevin White as the legislative auditor on September 9, 2022, and whereas Roger Norman, Mr. White's predecessor, continued to serve in the role of legislative auditor until his retirement on June 30th, 2024, and we As Kevin White officially assumed the role of legislative auditor on July 1st, 2024. Now therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the ninety-fifth General Assembly in the state of Arkansas, that the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee selection of Kevin White and the Legislative auditor is hereby Speaker Evans has clothes for the resolution. Question before the house is the passage of House resolution 1002. Prepare the machine, or actually, uh, all in favor say aye. How do you suppose say no? Let the record reflect that the resolution has received more than 51 votes. Congratulations, your resolution has adopted. remembers the morning hour has ended. We now go to regular bills on the red calendar. Madam Clark, please read House Bill. Oh, sorry. Without objection, we're going to pass over House Bill 1001. We will go to House Bill 1080. Representative Eubanks, you're recognized. Adam Clark, please read House Bill 1080. House Bill 1080 by representative Eubanks to repeal the requirement for a fiscal impact statement for bills related to health benefit plans and to repeal the bill filing deadline for the bills affecting health benefit plans of entities of the state. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, members, uh, This may seem like an odd request to be repealing this requirement, but this was something that was recommended by Siegel, the consultants that, uh, uh, The bureau, we hired that legislature hired when we were working on EBD and it had some unintended consequences. It, it, it sort of included the Institutions of higher ed. And so it was requiring additional fiscal impacts every time a bill or an amendment. Also, the bureau identified the fact that this didn't need to be in statue, uh, because one legislature cannot bind another legislature and so this needed to be in our joint rules. The Senate passed it out of committee yesterday with this requirement for the fiscal impact, but it's, it's, uh, restricted just to the EBD. We're not including the institutions of higher ed now, uh, It's my understanding that was probably going to be voted on their floor and it should be on our end next week. So, uh, we will be voting on the joint rules which will include this, this particular Element for the fiscal impact. So if there are any questions, I'll be, I'll attempt to answer them. Representative Lindstrom, for what purpose? Question you recognized. We owe you are mess. Um, We need physical impact to know how much we're paying for different things. How is that gonna impact us going forward? How will we get a physical We're still gonna be, uh, getting the fiscal impact. It's my understanding through Siegel. If there's anything, if, if we have any, uh, bills that are going to impact. EBD which would affect the premiums for state employees and teachers. OK, so I mean that when we go into budget and we'll know what we're paying for and there won't be any surprises. Yes, we will know if it's going to impact EBD. Positively or negatively so that we can make, you know, an informed decision as far as whether we want to pass that, that particular bill. OK, thank you. Representative Eubanks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Eubanks you like to, would you like to close for your bill. It's closed. Question before the house is the passage of House Bill 1080. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. So everyone voted. When voted Any member like to change their vote. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With about a 97, 0 nays, 0 present. The bill has passed. Madam clerk, please read House Bill 1056 representative by Speaker Evans to create the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and to declare an emergency. Speaker Evans, you are now recognized to explain the bill. Thank you. Uh, members, as I shared yesterday, uh, in, in the House Rules Committee for the last 3 years. This has been something that has, has just weighed very heavy on my mind and on my heart. Um, I come, my district, uh, has a large population, uh, of veterans. Uh, I believe part of that is because of the close proximity to the Little Rock Air Force Base. Uh, what we've grown to, to know over the years is that once, uh, our military personnel come to Arkansas and and serve on one of our bases and maybe they get deployed somewhere else, deployed somewhere else. They travel all over the world. When retirement comes, they like to come back and retire in Arkansas. And With Arkansas becoming even more and more of an attractive state for retirement. I expect that to, to, to continue to grow. Uh, also, uh, we're continuing to see growth at the Little Rock Air Force Base, growth at Camp Robinson, and then those of you in Northwest Arkansas know the tremendous things that are happening in Fort Smith with the installations there. And then also those in Northeast Arkansas with the continual work that's, that's going on with the former base there in Blytheville, uh, with the boom of economic development up there and what's going to happen with that base going forward, and we know that there's still a lot of military families around there. And so it just became even more, uh, kind of a passionate idea to me that I felt like that we as a governing body, Uh, even though that's so much federally comes down to us, what happens with the military. I felt like that, that we could do more. And so as I began to speak with Senator Hester, uh, about this, uh, as we were approaching the session and, and, and knowing that the Senate does not actually have a committee, uh, or even in the title of the committee. Do they have anything referencing, uh, veterans or military affairs. We do. We have the aging Children and Youth legislative affairs, and on the end, we tacked on military affairs, and I kind of just felt like that was shoved on the end there. And I felt like we needed to do something to make a priority, um, And empowerment passionate attempt To show those who serve us in uniform that we are going to take their work more seriously and that we are as a body, will do everything that we can possibly do with intent. And with passion to make sure that we are providing those benefits that we can as a state and those opportunities and those protections for their families while they are out serving for us. And so when speaking with BLR, uh, with, with, with Jill and with Marty and talking about how this could be done. Um, procedurally, this needed to be done as a joint committee. Uh, so we will be creating the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. Now To get this off the ground, to get it going, uh, it would take appointments and so we put in there, uh, how that committee could be, would be made up of, of numbers of membership from the House and the Senate. Going forward, how we do that, uh, I am completely open to this body on how that committee is made up. But if you think back as, uh, over the summer, uh, as I met with each one of you one on 11 of the questions that I ask you was, are you current or former military or a spouse of current or former military, and that's because I wanted to get a read on who I thought personally would join me on this and be the most, uh, personally vested in what we did to get this committee off the ground and get it going. And so that's why that question was asked because I wanted to make sure that If this was something you were personally vested in that you were included. And so that would be the purpose of creating this, what we would have to do next is once we have this committee created as a joint body legislatively through this bill. Uh, and then we would, uh, then this would be put into our, into the House rules, and then we would come back, as I said in committee yesterday, if I understand the procedure properly, we will come back with a resolution. That will take the name of military affairs of the aging children and youth Committee, so that everything is crisp and clean within our house rulebook. So that'd be happy to try to answer any questions, but I just hope that you would join me, uh, in this journey of trying to just give a little bit more awareness from this body on our military and our veterans who have served us so honorably. No questions, I would appreciate a good vote. Speaker Evans has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to Speak for the bill. Representative Whittaker, you are recognized to speak for the bill. Thank you, Mr. Purin. Good morning, folks. I'll be brief. As a proud veteran in the United States Air Force. And as a son of a veteran career man in the United States Navy, whose every sibling served in the United States military. I salute the speaker for bringing this forward. It is long overdue and God bless you, sir. Representative Whittaker has spoken in favor of the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill Speaker Evans, would you like to close for your bill? Speaker Evans is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1056. You are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Prepare the machine, madam clerk. Reminder that you are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam clerk. By a vote of 97, 0 nays, and 0 present the bill has passed. Let the record show that the parliamentarian failed to vote my machine. And I would have voted yes. Seeing nothing further, Representative Meeks, for what purpose? My colleagues have encouraged me to do this, but I would like to make a motion to expunge the vote by which that passed, so we can go back and revote it to make sure the speaker can get his affirmative vote cast on that, uh, bill. That is a proper motion. It is debatable if you would like to come to the well and Expand upon your motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues is a veteran myself, um, I fully support this bill. I know the time and effort that the Speaker has put into this, and so I just think he should have the right to be able to make sure his vote is cast on this. So with that, I would appreciate a good vote to expunge that vote. Let's revote it so the speaker can get his vote tallied along with the rest of us. Thank you. Representative Meeks explained the motion when he would like to speak against the motion. For the motion Representative Mes clothes for your motion. All those in favor of Representative Meek's motion, say aye. Po nay, Let the record show that over 67 Members voted for the motion. Madam Clerk. Repair the machine. Or House Bill 1056. So everyone voted. Would any member like to change their vote, seeing none, cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. a 98, 0 nays, and 0 present. Bill is passed. Members, thank you. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? Motion, you're recognized for motion. After the announcements reading of the bills, transferring the bills, placing the calendars on the desk, members amending their own bills with their own amendments, members withdrawing their own bills, finalizing resolutions, reading communications, and any remaining committee reports. I move that we adjourn until 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon. That's proper motion. It's non-debatable. All those in favor say aye. Pose nay You have it members just to make note for the record, House Bill 1056 did pass the bill and the emergency clause by your vote. Representative Jean, for what purpose? Announcement, you're recognized. Uh, Tuesday morning, members of the Joint Budget will have a meeting in Big Macca Tuesday at 9 o'clock. Representative Underwood, for what purpose? You're recognized for an announcement. House Judiciary will meet Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in room 149. Representative Kavanaugh, what purpose? Announcement recognize for announcement. Reverend Tax will meet Tuesday morning 10 a.m., room 151. Presentative Shepherd, for what purpose? You Presentative Shepherd, for what purpose will meet 15 minutes upon adjournment of the House and the Senate, which I would imagine is probably the house. Thank you. Representative Wateridge, what purpose you're recognized Tuesday 15 minutes upon adjournment for organizational meeting downstairs, first floor. Presented a warrant for what purpose? Announcement, you're recognized. Public retirement will meet upon the adjournment of the House and the Senate, not on Monday morning at 8 o'clock. Thank goodness, uh, And be our first meeting. It will not, will not have any bills, but it will just be an informational meeting. Representative Brooks, for what purpose? Announcement, recognized. He will meet Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. Seeing no other announcements, the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and completion of the items named in the adjourned resolution, the House will stand in adjournment until 1:30 Tuesday afternoon.