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House of Representatives
Feb. 22, 2022
Shepherd 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 to be led by Representative Lane Jean.
Horne Let’s pray. Father, we still our hearts and minds for this moment to commit the rest of the day to you. I know that it’s been a busy time already for the men and women of this chamber who’ve come from places all across the state. We wake up to news. We’re concerned about news both at home and around the world. And Father, as we think about the situation in the Ukraine, we do pray for those in authority making decisions both in our own country but in other countries. But help us to remember, particularly, the people there who are under oppression for so many years, decades. Moms and dads concerned about their children. People who are hungry. The needs that are all around and help us never to forget to pray for them. But as we pray for them, we’re also mindful of needs here at home, that there are people that are hungry people, without housing. Reminded of James, who said, if a person comes to you and they’re, they’re cold and they’re hungry, and you say to them, go, be warm, be filled, and do nothing to help meet their need, what profit is there? It’s easy to talk. It’s even easy to pray, Lord. But convict us to take action where we can and make a difference at home and around the world. We pray for those in this chamber today, for different needs of our representatives. We pray for our staff today, knowing their needs within the staff and just see to their needs and bless each one. We pray in Jesus name, Amen.
Unidentified [Pledge of Allegiance]
Shepherd Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. With 100 members present, the chair sees a quorum. All right. With 99 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Nicks, for what purpose?
Nicks Leave.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Nicks Representative Flowers.
Shepherd Is leave granted for Rep. Flowers? 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? Read the reports, Mr Clerk.
Clerk Mr Speaker, we your Committee on Joint Budget, to whom was referred House Bill 1027, House Bill 1033, House Bill 1037, House Bill 1068, House Bill 1101, House Bill 1102, House bill 1103, House Bill 1104, House Bill 1105, House Bill 1006, House Bill 1107, House Bill 1108, House Bill 1109, House Bill 1110, House Bill 1111, House Bill 1112, House Bill 1113, House Bill 1114, House Bill 1115, and House Bill 1116 beg leave to report that we have the same under consideration and herewith return the same with a recommendation do pass. Respectfully submitted, Lane Jean, chair.
Shepherd Are there reports from standing committees? Is there any unfinished business? Are there any executive communications? Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1023.
Clerk House Resolution 1023 by Representative Tosh to congratulate Harrisburg High School’s art program for its many successes during the past year..
Shepherd Representative Tosh, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Tosh Thank you, Mr Speaker. Colleagues, what a, what a great honor it is for me to be here today to present this resolution. Today we recognize the Harrisburg, Harrisburg High School, not for their accomplishments in some sporting events, but for their amazing accomplishments in the classroom. The Harrisburg High School art program has been ranked the number one high school art program in the state. What an accomplishment. And today present in the gallery is Harrisburg Superintendent, Mr. Chris Farrell. Mr. Farrell. Thank you, colleagues, Mr. Farrell has provided exceptional leadership and support for the art program. And I can assure you in my conversations with the superintendent, he will be the first to tell you that the success of our program lies with the students and their teacher. And that teacher is Miss Kelly Langston. And I’ve had the opportunity to visit with her. I know her, and I can assure you that her motivational skills and her ability to inspire has equipped her students with skills that will help them into the future long after graduation. And at this time, I would like to ask again Mr. Farrow, for you to stand? Miss Langston, the teacher, would you stand? And also would the art students from Harrisburg High School, would you all please stand at this time? Colleagues, I present to you the Harrisburg number one art school in the state of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, would you have the Clerk to read the resolution in its entirety?
Shepherd Mr Clerk, please read the resolution in its entirety.
Clerk Whereas Harrisburg High School’s art program had many successes over the past year, and whereas Harrisburg High School’s art program has been ranked the number one high school art program in the state of Arkansas by the art competition celebrating art, and whereas students in Harrisburg High Schools Art Program won the poster competition for the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival over other entries from Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, and whereas students in Harrisburg High School’s Art Program won first and second place in the Arkansas State Universities inspired expedition and five other students in Harrisburg High School’s Art Program received merit awards as part of the inspired exhibition, and whereas Harrisburg High School’s art program is well led by its high school arts instructor and fine arts coordinator Miss Kelley Langston. And whereas the Harrisburg High School’s Administration has provided exceptional leadership in support of this art program. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives congratulate the Harrisburg High School’s art program on its many successes over the past year.
Shepherd Rep. Tosh has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Rep. Tosh is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the adoption of House resolution 1023. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. All right, members, we have a few announcements. Our Arkansas state troopers with us this week are Trooper Skyler McElroy of Troop H of Fort Smith and Trooper Marcus Simpson of Troop B of Newport. Our doctor of the day is Dr. James Hunt Jr. of North Little Rock. Our nurse of the day is Miss Brenda Hewitt. In the West Gallery, from Arkansas State University, we have Dr. Jordan Butcher and Dr. Jordan Butcher’s legislative negotiations class. And we may have other guests here today. I know we do have Representative Hudson and Representative Ennett’s families in the North Gallery. And Representative Brooks’ family is in the West Gallery.
Meeks Speaker Shepherd, you’re recognized for a point of personal privilege.
Shepherd Mr. Chair, I’d ask that Representative Cozart, Representative Barker, and Representative McGrew join me in the well. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Members, it’s, it’s my honor today to recognize a couple of sports teams, a couple of basketball teams specifically who have gained quite a bit of notoriety over the past week. With us today we have the Lake Hamilton Wolves basketball team along with the El Dorado Wildcats basketball team. And with each team, we have from Lake Hamilton coach Scottie Pennington, Superintendent Shawn Higginbotham. From El Dorado. And we have coach Jimmy Porter. I also want to mention that we have coach Jonathan Hicks, who is Martha’s nephew, and so I wanted to help you all to make that connection. I don’t want to be in trouble with Martha. And then we have Superintendent Jim Tucker and athletic director Philip Lansdale. And I really– we have these nice boards, I would have loved to have played excerpts from their game on Tuesday night. But I heard Tim Massenelli’s voice: What you do for one, you have to do for all 100. And I’m not sure what video clips some of you would want to play on these big screens. But just to give you kind of a snapshot of what occurred, Lake Hamilton has a longtime manager, Andy Tolleson. Is Andy here? Stand up, Andy. And there’s plenty– Lake Hamilton School District has several videos that kind of tell the whole story. Additionally, this, this story has been featured on the Today show, ABC News, and I think it’s gained a lot of notoriety. But in a nutshell, Andy has been the manager for a long time for Lake Hamilton. And on Senior Night on Tuesday night, coach Pennington wanted to start his seniors. And they only had, I think, four seniors. They needed one more. And so they surprised Andy with a jersey and telling him he was going to be the fifth, the fifth starter on senior night. And so not only did Andy start the game and open the game with a basket. At the end of the game, regrettably, my El Dorado Wildcats were a little behind– Andy– quite a bit. Representative Cozart, come on. Andy came back into the game. He hit three three pointers in a row. But if you watched the video, I mean, everybody in the gallery is to be commended. Coach Pennington, the Lake Hamilton basketball team, coach Porter from El Dorado, the El Dorado basketball team. You know, and everybody here knows that I love El Dorado athletics. I loved recognizing the Wildcats winning a football championship. But I called Coach Porter Wednesday night and told him that I’m not sure if I’ve been more proud of an El Dorado basketball team or any sports team, because if you watch the video, at the end of the game, everybody is celebrating, both Lake Hamilton and El Dorado. And I can tell you, on the basketball court, and I think everybody would agree, like Hamilton and El Dorado have been fierce rivals through the years. But on Tuesday night, they all came together. It was really a remarkable scene. And I think that, you know, sometimes we, we recognize, you know, we recognize athletic achievement in a lot of things. But I felt like it was appropriate that we recognize when people do the right thing and exhibit good sportsmanship. And this is a lesson that– you know, El Dorado and Lake Hamilton played a lot of basketball games. There’s been a lot of victories. But this is the only one I’m aware of that, literally, the message has traveled around the world, has been recognized on the Today Show, on ABC News, and it really speaks to sportsmanship, which we need more of in today’s society. And so I’ll turn it over to Rep. Cozart and others if they want to say a few words. But I wanted to bring both teams here today because I’m proud of both of them.
Cozart Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just, I just want to say, it’s just so nice to see teams with sportsmanship. And that’s what I commend all of these players with the sportsmanship that they showed last week and the things that, that happened on that court. Andy’s a great guy. I’ve talked to some of his former teachers. You won’t find a better person. They all love him. They’ll always love him. You know, I told him a while ago, I said, Are you ready for stardom? His dad said, you know, I don’t know, I think he’s kind of getting used to this. And I said, Well, it’s going to go on and it’ll get farther and farther. But when you have two great teams that come together like this, it’s just hard not to recognize the, the camaraderie that they came together with the sportsmanship. Because you don’t find that hardly when you’re playing against each other. It’s usually– and like you said, El Dorado has always been a fierce opponent for Lake Hamilton. But I’m just so proud of all of these kids and what they’ve done and their coaches and what they’ve accomplished this year. So thank you very much.
Shepherd If you all would join me, let’s recognize both like Hamilton and El Dorado.
Morning hour is ended. Mr Clerk, read Senate Bill 1.
Clerk Senate Bill 1 by Representative Wing an act for the Arkansas Senate appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Shepherd Rep. Wing, you’re recognized to explain the bill.
Wing Thank you, Mr Speaker. Colleagues, this is the traditional bill that we hope that they afford us the same opportunity to pass our appropriation over there. We can take the high ground and pass their appropriation over here. Thank you for a good vote.
Shepherd Representative Wing has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Rep. Wing is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate bill 1. Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. With 96 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bill is passed. Moving to the yellow calendar, Rep. Jean moves we place House Bill 1034 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment number one the House bill 1034.
Shepherd Rep. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is an amendment to the Department of Corrections. What this does is add $4.5 million in overtime pay for the Department of Corrections. As many of you all know, they have an overtime problem. This just helps fund it. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Rep. 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 the passage of amendment number 1 to House bill 1034. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Rep. Jean moves to place House Bill 1060 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 1060.
Shepherd Sen. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is Amendment 1 to House Bill 1060 Parks and Tourism. This increases the property, real property transfer of $9 million. It’s not general revenue. They have additional revenue. This is the appropriation to help cover that increase. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Rep. 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 for the House is the adoption of amendment number 1 to House Bill 1060. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Rep. Jean moves we place House Bill 1067 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment number 1 to House Bill 1067.
Shepherd Rep. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1067, this amendment, this comes from Governor’s Letter 4. This adds a $1.4 million in appropriation for vocational training. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Rep. 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 the adoption of amendment number 1 to House Bill 1067. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we have two appropriation bills, one from the House, one the Senate. And then the other ones are reappropriation bills from the Senate. We did the House in reappropriations last week. The first one is House Bill 1031. This is the AETN. That’s about a $14.8 million budget. 5, I think 5.6 of it’s general revenue. Just didn’t garner much support last time, but we’re going to try it again. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill for a third time.
Shepherd Mr Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.
Clerk House Bill 1031.
Shepherd Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 65 yeas 20 nays and 7 present, the bill has failed. Rep. Jean.
Jean Well, we’re making progress. This is Senate bill 36. This is Arkansas teacher retirement appropriation, no general revenue. Any questions? Your vote is for the bill and emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.
Clerk Senate bill 36.
Shepherd 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. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we’re going to give you a minute. We’re going to batch Senate Bill 69 and go all the way to the end of the second sheet to Senate bill 83. Give you an opportunity to look at them, see if we need to pull any of these out of the batch for a separate batch, separate vote.
Shepherd Rep. Clowney, for what purpose? You’re recognized.
Clowney Representative Jean, could you please pull 69 from the batch for a separate vote?
Jean Separate vote?
Clowney Thank you.
Jean 69. Any others? All right, members, we’re going to pick up at Senate Bill 70 and go all the way through to Senate Bill 83. Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr Speaker, please have the clerk read the bills for the third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 70, Senate Bill 71, Senate Bill 72, Senate Bill 73, Senate Bill 74, Senate Bill 75, Senate Bill 76, Senators 77. Senate Bill 78, Senate Bill 79, Senate Bill 80, Senate Bill 81, Senate Bill 82, Senate Bill 83.
Shepherd Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 97 yea, 0 nay and 0 present, the bills have passed. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we’ll pick up the reappropriation Bill, Senate Bill 69, Institution of Higher Education. Any questions? Your one vote for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time.
Shepherd Mr Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 69.
Shepherd Prepare the machine, Mr Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr Clerk. By a vote of 89 yea, 0 nay, and 3 present, the bill is passed. Rep. Meeks, for what purpose?
Meeks Motion please.
Shepherd Let’s hear your motion.
Meeks After the announcements, reading of the bills, transferring of the bills, placing the calendars on the desk, members amending their own bills with their own amendments, members withdrawing their own bills, finalizing resolutions, writing communications and any remaining committee reports, I move that we adjourn until 1 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
Shepherd That’s a proper motion. It’s not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The motion carries. Are there any announcements? Representative Jean, for what purpose?
Jean Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Jean Joint budget will meet tomorrow morning, 9:00 a.m. Big Mac A.
Shepherd Rep. Wing for what purpose?
Wing Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Wing House Management tomorrow– we have moved it. It was going to be today. It’s now going to be tomorrow upon adjournment in Mac B.
Shepherd Representative Tosh, for what purpose? You’re recognized.
Tosh State Agencies will meet at 2:30 in Room 151.
Shepherd Rep. Johnson, for what purpose?
Johnson Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Johnson Administrative Rules will meet upon adjournment of State Agencies in Big Mac.
Shepherd Rep. Vaught, for what purpose?
Vaught Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Vaught Prayer caucus in the morning, 7 am, Old Supreme Court room.
Shepherd Any, any other announcements? Rep. Hodges, for what purpose? You’re recognized.
Hodges Peer Review subcommittee, 7:30 a.m. in room Big Mac A.
Shepherd Any other announcements? The desk will remain open as needed for the reading– Rep. Wing, for what purpose?
Wing Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Wing Somebody had a birthday yesterday. Our speaker. Happy birthday, Speaker Shepherd.
Shepherd Thank you for. Thank you. 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. tomorrow.