Feb. 17: House floor transcript

House of Representatives

Feb. 17, 2022

 

Shepherd [00:11:09] I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by the House chaplain, Dr. Rex Horne, retired Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance be led by Representative Lane Jean. 

 

Horne [00:11:23] Let’s pray together. Father, we’re thankful that you speak in so many different ways to us as a people, as a group, but as individuals. We know you speak through your scripture and through your son. We know you speak through circumstances and friends and family. We also know that you speak through creation and we’re thankful for where we live and for the blessings of our state and our country. We’re thankful for the seasons of the year and the days that are beautiful and the skies that are clear. And yet it’s sometimes when the storms come, whether in life or across our land, that we realize again how dependent we are upon you and how helpless we are, and really the big things of life and eternity. Because of that, we just stopped today to say thank you for your goodness. Thank you for your power. Thank you for your mercies that are new every day, and thank you for your great faithfulness. In Jesus name, amen. 

 

[00:12:28] [Pledge of Allegiance] 

 

Shepherd [00:12:49] Members, please indicate your presence by pushing the yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. With 99 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Bragg, for what purpose? 

 

Bragg [00:13:23] Leave. 

 

Shepherd [00:13:24] You’re recognized. 

 

Bragg [00:13:25] Leave for Rep. Holcomb. 

 

Shepherd [00:13:26] Is leave granted for Representative Holcomb? So noted. Representative Frederick Love moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day’s journal. Without objection, so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Are there reports from standing committees? Read the reports. Mr. Clerk. 

 

Clerk [00:13:46] Mr. Speaker, we your Committee on Education to whom was referred House bill 1097 beg leave to report we’ve had the same under consideration and herewith return the same with the recommendation of do pass. Respectfully submitted, Bruce Cozart, chair. 

 

Shepherd [00:14:01] Is there any unfinished business? Are there any executive communications? All right, members, before we move into our calendar, we have a number of guests with us today. In the North Gallery, we have the Hot Spring County Leadership Forum, the guests of Representative Rick McClure and Representative Ken Bragg. Sorry, East Gallery. We also have with us the Arkansas Optometric Association lead team. All right. We also have with this the Leadership Crawford County, guests of Representative Charlene Fite and Representative Coleman, Representative Deffenbaugh, Representative Berry, Representative Johnson. I feel like this is like the Price is Right when they scan the audience looking for who’s– come on down. All right. We also have with us Leadership Fort Smith, the guests of– did we just do that? No, no, we didn’t. Leadership Fort Smith is here. Representative Charlene Fite, Representative Boyd, Representative Crawford, Representative Richardson and Representative Johnson. In the gallery, we also have with us the Mansfield Middle School alternative students and teachers. The teachers are Laurie Lamb, Rhonda Bullard and nurse Megan Elmore. They’re the guests of Representative Eubanks and Representative Richmond. I’m going to– I’m going to guess this group is in the East Gallery. We’ll see if I’m right. Saline County Leadership. And they’re here as the guest of Representative Lanny Fite, Representative Furman, Representative Brooks, Representative McGrew and Representative Mayberry. And then we also have the Garland County Leadership, the guests of Representative Warren, Representative McGrew, Representative Cozart, Representative Richmond, Representative McClure, and Representative Lanny Fite. Sorry, they were here yesterday. And then finally, we have one guest in the gallery today we want to recognize on I believe her next to last day in the governor’s office. We have Mrs. Karen Whatley, who will soon be Judge Karen Whatley. And so. Mr Clerk, please read House resolution 1019. 

 

Clerk [00:18:20] House Resolution 1019 by Representative Love celebrating Black History Month during the month of February 2022. 

 

Shepherd [00:18:28] Representative Love, you’re recognized to present the resolution. 

 

Love [00:18:35] Good morning. I bring to you House Resolution 1019, which is to celebrate and commemorate black history. I would– in commemoration of John Walker, I’m bringing this resolution to you, as he would say, not pro tun, which is retroactively saying, as it was. And so when I think about John Walker, I just, I can see him kind of sitting where Representative Hodges was saying, and that’s what he said to me last time. He’s like, Representative Love, not pro tun. Like, what does that mean, John? What does that mean? He says, you’re presenting it retroactively. And so that’s where I bring this resolution to you all. A good catch from Representative Fielding was when I proposed this resolution, he says, you need to add John to it because he’s someone we need to celebrate in black history. And so I want to thank you, Representative Fielding, for, for bringing that to me. And Mr. Chair or Speaker, if you would, have the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety. 

 

Shepherd [00:20:02] Mr. Clerk, please read the resolution in its entirety. 

 

Clerk [00:20:05] Whereas throughout the history of the United States, truly significant African American contributions to social growth, the economy, the military, the sciences and the arts of this great nation have all too been ignored. And whereas in recognition of this oversight, Americans began recognizing Negro History Week in 1926. The predecessor to Black History Month, which has been celebrated annually since 1976, was inspired by the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. And whereas the celebration of Black History Month and the study of African American history is part of the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. And whereas the progress of African Americans in the nation and in the state of Arkansas has been marked by both the tragedy of social inequalities and the triumph of group achievements. And whereas although African Americans have participated in every United States war, the battle for integration, and for the recognition of their accomplishments of African American soldiers hasn’t been a slow process. And whereas not until World War II did the United States armed forces become integrated under a 1948 executive order by President Harry S. Truman. And whereas Black History Month recognizes commonly celebrated individuals such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington Carver, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, the Little Rock Nine, Arkansas State Representative John Walker and Maya Angelou, just to name a few, there are lesser known but equally impactful individuals who should– who we should educate ourselves on, such as Crispus Attucks, William Harvey Carney, the Jonesboro Four, Constance Baker Motley, and a plethora of historical giants. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93 third General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives celebrate Black History Month during the month of February 2022 and recognize and applaud the sacrifices and myriad of contributions made by AfricanbAmerican individuals throughout the history of this great state and nation. 

 

Love [00:22:03] Members, I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you. 

 

Shepherd [00:22:07] Representative Love has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Springer, you’re recognized to speak for the resolution. 

 

Springer [00:22:25] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, good afternoon. I come before you in support of this resolution, and I think that Representative Walker would say that this is not necessary. However, I’m disagreeing with you. This is necessary to make sure that he’s a part of our African American history for the month. So with that being said, I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you. 

 

Shepherd [00:22:50] Rep. Springer has spoken for the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Bentley, you’re recognized to speak for the resolution. 

 

Bentley [00:23:08] I just wanted to take a moment to thank Representative Love for bringing forth this resolution, I like, like many of you, my heart grieves when I see racism continue in our state. And I look and I see, if we would just teach the history of these great men and women that have fought for our nation. I mean, the very first blood that was shed in this country to bring freedom was from Crispus Attucks, and as I stood in Boston this summer, this September where the Boston massacre occurred, I thought this is where we need to start, right here. Let’s teach our children that from the very beginning of this great nation, our black brothers and sisters are right there beside us fighting with us for freedom. And we continue can do it together. So it takes education. So I would encourage all of you, as we all go to our schools, encourage our teachers to do this not just in February, all year when they’re teaching history to include the history. Because that is what’s going to break down the barriers. That’s going to bring down the racial barriers we have here. So I just wanted to take a minute and stop and say– we have a lot on our agenda, but we can stop and say, let’s teach our nation’s history and end the racism that we have here. Thank you. 

 

Shepherd [00:24:07] Representative Bentley has spoken for the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Rep. Love is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the adoption of House resolution 1019. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. The morning hour has ended. Mr Clerk, please read House Bill 1098. 

 

Clerk [00:24:55] House Bill 1098 by Representative Dotson to require a fiscal impact statement for any proposed legislation imposing a new or increased cost obligation for health benefit plans, including pharmacy benefits on an entity of the state and to declare an emergency. 

 

Shepherd [00:25:11] Rep. Dotson, you’re recognized to explain the bill. 

 

Dotson [00:25:13] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is the first bill of the employee benefits division package that we’re considering here today. And they were broken up between the House and the Senate, and then several of us that worked on the committee kind of got assigned these bills by Representative Wardlaw, before he gets down here and roast me in the next minute or two when he gets to present next. This is a fairly simple one of the bills out of the entire group that it does two simple, basic things. One, it requires a fiscal impact statement similar to the actuarial studies that are done with retirement programs. It requires those before a bill can– with the state and public school life and health insurance program– can be considered. So and then secondarily, the other thing it does, it governs the introduction of such bills. So those types of bills similar to the retirement system, they would have to be filed within the first 15 days of a regular session. If it’s outside of that 15 days during that regular session, it would take a three fourths votes in both the House and the Senate to allow another one to be introduced. And if it’s during a special or a fiscal session, it’s a two thirds vote before– of both chambers before anything can be introduced. I think I’ve covered all the basics. More than happy to try to answer any questions. Seeing none, appreciate a good vote. 

 

Shepherd [00:26:44] Reps. Dotson’s explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Rep. Dotson is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1098. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. With 96 yea, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. Mr. Clerk, please read House bill 1099. 

 

Clerk [00:27:27] House Bill 1099 by Representative Wardlaw to provide for legislative oversight of the state and public school life and health insurance program, to establish the Employee Benefits Division Oversight Subcommittee and to declare an emergency. 

 

Shepherd [00:27:39] Rep. Wardlaw, you’re recognized.

 

Wardlaw [00:27:42] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, members, this is the bill that creates a subcommittee in council and also sets up the diabetic study for diabetes management plans. I’d be glad to take any questions. Thank you, guys. Appreciate a good vote. 

 

Shepherd [00:27:56] Rep. Wardlaw has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Wardlaw is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1099. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. Mr Clerk, please read House Bill 1100. 

 

Clerk [00:28:33] House Bill 1100 by Representative Wardlaw to establish a governing body for the state and public school life and health insurance program, to create an advisory commission for health benefits for state employees and public school employees, and to declare an emergency. 

 

Shepherd [00:28:45] Rep. Wardlaw, you’re recognized to explain the bill. 

 

Wardlaw [00:28:48] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This one sets up the governor body. As I explained the other today, we kept all the promises we made here in the well that we would make sure representation from each working group was there on those boards. With that, I’d be happy to take any questions. Thank you. Appreciate a good vote. 

 

Shepherd [00:29:04] Representative Wardlaw has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Rep. Wardlaw is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1100. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 99 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. Mr Clerk, please read House Bill 1097 

 

Clerk [00:29:41] House Bill 1097 by Representative Evans to amend the Public School Employees Health Insurance Program funding and to declare an emergency. 

 

Shepherd [00:29:50] Rep. Evans, you’re recognized to explain the bill. 

 

Evans [00:29:54] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this is the fourth of the employee benefit division bills that we are going to originate here in the House. This is an exact replica of the resolution that we passed two days ago with no dissenting votes. What this bill does is quite simply it just establishes the new base contribution to the school districts will make into the EBD that will be refunded back to the schools through the department. And then it establishes the oversight of that with the Joint Education Committee that will be studied through the adequacy study each term to determine if any adjustments need to be made to that. Be happy to answer any questions. Seeing none, I would appreciate a good vote. 

 

Shepherd [00:30:35] Representative Evans has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Evans is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1097. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 96 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. We’re going to, we’re going to go to the yellow budget calendar. Give Rep. Jean fair warning to make his way down here. Rep. Jean moves that we place House Bill 1033 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment number 1, Mr. Clerk. 

 

Clerk [00:31:24] Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1033. 

 

Shepherd [00:31:27] Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment. 

 

Jean [00:31:31] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you all know, the sales tax has been going up. This, all this does is increase for next year, puts the amendment on the bill that will increase the sales tax turn back to your cities and county government. Any question? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment. 

 

Shepherd [00:31:50] Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Rep. Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is to place House bill 1033– pass amendment number 1 to House Bill 1033. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:32:19] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we have– of course, we’re passing over House Bill 1031 for the day. Let some more lobbying go on for that. House bill 1035, Department of Education. This is the Martin Luther King Commission, just passed over yesterday for a member to have time to talk to somebody in that division. I think that has been satisfied, so we need a good vote on this. Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:32:57] Clerk, please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:32:59] House bill 1035. 

 

Shepherd [00:33:01] Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 96 yea, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bill is passed. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:33:29] OK, members, we’re going to take up 1036. This is the Department of Transportation. This is the highway. Of course, it’s very little general revenue. It’s mainly gasoline tax, federal funds, fees, stuff like that. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:33:54] Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:33:55] House bill 1036. 

 

Shepherd [00:33:57] Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 98 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:34:24] Thank you, Mr Speaker. The next bill we’re going to take up is House Bill 1050. This is the Arkansas Public Employment Retirement System. This is fund out of retirement fees, people’s matching, stuff like that. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:34:47] Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:34:49] House Bill 1050. 

 

Shepherd [00:34:51] Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 98 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:35:16] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is another one that went down yesterday, but it was close and it’s the Tobacco Cessation Program. It’s mainly from the Tobacco Cessation funds. No GR. Any questions or concerns? Nobody came up and told me what the real problem was.  But anyway, I kind of understand AETN. But once again, very little general revenue. Here we go. 

 

Shepherd [00:35:40] Rep. Bryant, for what purpose? 

 

Bryant [00:35:42] Yeah, thank– question. 

 

Shepherd [00:35:44] You’re recognized. 

 

Bryant [00:35:46] It’s my understanding that some of this general revenue does come from other programs the state that we enacted maybe several, several sessions ago. Do you know if any of that is the revenue coming into this fund is state money? 

 

Jean [00:36:02] Talking about general revenue?

 

Bryant [00:36:04] Well, I, I’m probably too big of novice. So there was a, a bill several sessions ago that took away some of our, our tax incentives up there for border cities. And they, they pulled the border city tax off, and, and this last legislative session and tried to, to address that and– 

 

Jean [00:36:20]You’re talking about border city tobacco stores and stuff like that? 

 

Bryant [00:36:25] Yes. 

 

Jean [00:36:26] This is from the settlement with all the big tobacco companies over in North Carolina. This money comes from that settlement. The other is just general sales tax that does– it does several different things. It could go to health care. But the main money for this was brought before that settlement with the tobacco settlement 20, 27 years ago. [

 

Bryant [00:36:49] OK, so, so the money coming in to that off the tobacco sales for, for border cities did not go into this fund? 

 

Jean [00:36:56] No. 

 

Bryant [00:36:57] Thank you. 

 

Jean [00:36:59] Any other questions? Your one vote is for the bill, the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:37:07] Mr Clerk, please read the bill for the third time 

 

Clerk [00:37:09] House Bill 1077. 

 

Shepherd [00:37:11] Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 78 yeas, 9 nays and 10 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:37:36] All right. Thank you, Mr Speaker,. Colleagues, we’re going to try to batch all but two of these re-appropriations. I wanted to give time to look at them. We’re going to pull– we’re going to start at 81. These are all reappropriations. No more new money. It’s money that we have budgeted for this year, and they can continue to finish projects beginning July 1st. They just roll the money over. No new money. We’re going to start at House Bill 1081 and vote on them all the way on the second page to 1094. These are all re-appropriations. We are pulling two out because members have conflicts, may have relatives or something working for these boards, so we’re going to pull out House Bill 1082 for a separate vote and House Bill 1084, and there may be others. 

 

Shepherd [00:38:31] Rep. Wardlaw, for what purpose? 

 

Wardlaw [00:38:33] Request.

 

Shepherd [00:38:34] You’re recognized. 

 

Wardlaw [00:38:35] I have a request that we pull out House Bill 1085 for a separate vote. 

 

Jean [00:38:39] 1085? 

 

Wardlaw [00:38:40] 85. 

 

Shepherd [00:38:47] Rep. Beatty, for what purpose? 

 

Beatty [00:38:48] Request. Pull House Bill 1086. 

 

Jean [00:38:52] For a separate vote? 

 

Beatty [00:38:53] Yes, sir. 

 

Jean [00:38:56] 1086 out for a separate vote. 

 

Shepherd [00:38:59] Rep. Eaves, for what purpose? 

 

Eaves [00:39:00] Question. 

 

Shepherd [00:39:02] You’re recognized. 

 

Eaves [00:39:02] Rep. Jean, could you just refresh my memory about the difference between House Bill 1090 and 1031? 

 

Jean [00:39:08] Say that again. 

 

Eaves [00:39:09] 1090 and 1031. 

 

Jean [00:39:11] This is a capital project going on. It’s not– it’s not their ops budget. This is– I don’t know if they’re putting up a tower or doing something, but this is this is a capital outlay. Any other, any other want to pull out of the batch? Seeing none, so we’re going to, we’re going to take up House Bill 1081. We’re pulling out 1082, 1084, 1085, 1086 out of the batch. Well pick up at 1087 and go all the way to 1094. Your one vote on the batch is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:39:57] Mr Clerk, please read the bills for a third time. 

 

Clerk [00:39:59] House Bill 1081. House Bill 1083. House Bill 1087, House Bill 1088, House Bill 1089, House Bill 1090, House Bill 1091, House 1092, House Bill 1093 and House Bill 1094. 

 

Shepherd [00:40:16] Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 96 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bills are passed. 

 

Jean [00:40:39] All right, we’re going to take up these four one at a time. The first one is the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities. This is a re-appropriation. Any questions? Well, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:41:00] Clerk, please read the bill for a third time. 

 

Clerk [00:41:02] House Bill 1082.

 

Shepherd [00:41:04] Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 97 nay, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bill is passed. Representative Hean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:41:30] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The other one for the separate vote is House Bill 1094, the institution of higher education re-appropriation. Any question? What’d I say? Thank you. 1094. I’m glad I got Barrett behind me. 1084, Institution of higher education re-appropriation. No questions? Your one vote for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:42:03] Please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:42:05] House Bill 1084. 

 

Shepherd [00:42:08] Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 92 yea, 0 nay, and 3 present, the bill is passed. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:42:34] Mr. Speaker, this is House bill 1085, Secretary of State’s re-appropriation. Any question? One vote for the bill and emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:42:46] Mr Clerk, please read the bill for a third time. 

 

Clerk [00:42:48] House Bill 1085 

 

Shepherd [00:42:50] Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 89 yeas, 6 nays and 0 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:43:16] And the last of the re-appropriation bills, there’s House Bill 1086, Department of Parks Tourism Reappropriation. Any questions? One vote for the bill and emergency clause. Mr. Speaker please have the clerk read the bill for the third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:43:32] Mr Clerk, Please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:43:35] House Bill 1036. 

 

Shepherd [00:43:45] Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 93 yeas, 3 nays and 1 present, the bill is passed. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:44:07] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, if you remember yesterday we did the House bills. Today we’ve got the Senate bills. These are boards and commissions and agencies that did not have any major changes except small salary and the matching increases on retirement and insurance. And we’ll give you a chance to look at it. I’m sure there’s going to be some want to pull some out of the batch. 

 

Shepherd [00:44:39] Rep. Ray, for what purpose? 

 

Ray [00:44:41] Request to pull a bill. 

 

Shepherd [00:44:42] You’re recognized. 

 

Ray [00:44:43] Representative Jean, would you please pull SB 4 out of the stack? 

 

Jean [00:44:47] For a separate vote? 

 

Ray [00:44:48] Yes, sir. 

 

Jean [00:44:49] Okay. 

 

Ray [00:44:53] Rep. Wardlaw, for what purpose? Rep. Dotson, for what purpose? 

 

Dotson [00:44:58] Request. 

 

Shepherd [00:45:00] You’re recognized. 

 

Dotson [00:45:00] Would you please pull SB 21 out of the batch.

 

Jean [00:45:04] For a separate vote? 

 

Dotson [00:45:05] For a separate vote. 

 

Jean [00:45:08] 21. 

 

Shepherd [00:45:09] Representative Wardlaw, for what purpose? 

 

Wardlaw [00:45:10] Request. 

 

Shepherd [00:45:12] You’re recognized. 

 

Wardlaw [00:45:13] I request Senate Bill 42 for a separate vote. 

 

Jean [00:45:18] Senate Bill 42 for a separate vote. Any others? 

 

Shepherd [00:45:29] Rep. Wardlaw, for what purpose? 

 

Wardlaw [00:45:31] Request. 

 

Shepherd [00:45:32] You’re recognized. 

 

Wardlaw [00:45:33] Senate Bill 44 as well. 

 

Jean [00:45:35] For a separate vote? 

 

Wardlaw [00:45:36] Yes. Sorry for that. 

 

Jean [00:45:40] Any others? All right, members, we’re going to take up at Senate Bill 2. We’re going to pull out Senate Bill 4, Senate Bill 21. Senate Bill 42, and Senate Bill 44. And we’re going all the way down to Senate Bill 68.  Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill for the third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:46:14] Mr Clerk, please read the bills for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:46:16] Senate Bill 2, Senate Bill 3, Senate Bill 5, Senate Bill 6, Senate Bill 8, Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 10, Senate Bill 11, Senate Bill 14, Senate Bill 19, Senate Bill 22, Senate Bill 25, Senate Bill 27, Senate Bill 28, Senate Bill 29, Senate Bill 30, Senate Bill 31, Senate Bill 32, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 39, Senate Bill 52, Senate Bill 55, Senate Bill 56, Senate Bill 65, Senate Bill 68. 

 

Shepherd [00:46:42] Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 93 yea, 0 nay, and 1 present, the bills are passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:47:06] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ll take them up one at a time. Senate Bill 4, the Arkansas Ethics Commission. Any questions? Remember, your one vote is for the bill and emergency clause. Mr. Speaker have the clerk read the bill a third time.

 

Shepherd [00:47:22] Mr Clerk, please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:47:25] Senate Bill 4. 

 

Shepherd [00:47:27] Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 89 yeas, 4 nays and 3 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:48:01] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 21 is the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board. This is a tax out of the industry that the people have agreed to. It doesn’t cost you any more because they’re taken out of the pockets of the producers. I like to eat catfish. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote. Your one vote for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:48:30] Mr Clerk, please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:48:32] Senate Bill 21. 

 

Shepherd [00:48:34] Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 86 yeas, 4 nays, and 8 present, the bill is passed. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:49:09] Colleagues, our next to last one is Senate bill 42, Department of Transformation and Shared Services. Any questions? Seeing none, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time. 

 

Shepherd [00:49:26] Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for a third time. 

 

Clerk [00:49:27] Senate Bill 42. 

 

Shepherd [00:49:29] Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 94 yea, 0 nay and 1 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:49:51] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last bill of the day is Senate Bill 44, Department Transformation Shared Service Building Authority. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time.

 

Shepherd [00:50:07] Mr Clerk, please read the bill for the third time. 

 

Clerk [00:50:09] Senate bill 44. 

 

Shepherd [00:50:11] Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 92 yeas, 3 nays and 0 present, the bill is passed. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? 

 

Meeks [00:50:46] Motion, please. 

 

Shepherd [00:50:48] Let’s hear your motion. 

 

Meeks [00:50:49] After the announcements, reading of the bills, transferring to 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 Tuesday at 1 o’clock. 

 

Shepherd [00:51:10] Proper motion, not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Any announcements? Representative Jean, for what purpose? 

 

Jean [00:51:22] Announcement. 

 

Shepherd [00:51:22] You’re recognized. 

 

Jean [00:51:24] There will be a Joint Budget Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. 

 

Shepherd [00:51:44] Rep. Wing, for what purpose? 

 

Wing [00:51:45] Announcement. House Management will meet upon adjournment on Tuesday. Testing, one, two. OK, we’re back. We’re just giving you a heads up that we’ll meet immediately upon adjournment on Tuesday in Mac B. House management. 

 

Shepherd [00:52:24] OK. I think we’re going to– Representative Johnson, for what purpose? 

 

Johnson [00:52:28] Announcement. 

 

Shepherd [00:52:29] You’re recognized. 

 

Johnson [00:52:29] So Administrative Rules Review subcommittee will meet on Tuesday. The time is still being determined. I’ll make sure I reach out to all the members just to let them know what time we’re meeting. We’ll have two items on the agenda. Yes, you can ask questions, Representative. Very good question. Thank you. 

 

Shepherd [00:52:50] Rep. Tosh, for what purpose? 

 

Tosh [00:52:52] Announcement. 

 

Shepherd [00:52:53] You’re recognized. 

 

Tosh [00:52:53] State Agencies will meet next Tuesday at 2:30, room 151. Watch for it on the calendar. Next Tuesday at 2:30 Room 151. State Agencies. 

 

Shepherd [00:53:03] All right, any other announcements? Members, continue to monitor the Bureau website, the Arkleg website. I think we’ve announced pretty much all the committees that should, that are likely to meet on Tuesday. But continue to monitor that website and obviously will send out– if you’re on the committee, you’ll get email notices as well. But I believe that we’ve covered everything because we–  looks like we received a few bills from the Senate. I believe all those are going to State Agencies and we’ve already heard the announcement for that meeting on Tuesday afternoon. All right. Any other announcements? The desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourn resolution, the House will be adjourned until 1 p.m. on Tuesday.