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Senate floor
March 1, 2022
Griffin The Senate will come to order. We have a request for leave for Senator Clark. Thank you. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. Everyone please stand, including those in the gallery. Please join me in a word of prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for life and for all the blessings that you’ve given us. Thank you for this beautiful day that we’re able to enjoy. Thank you for allowing us to live in a free country. Lord, we pray for this body that you give us guidance as we try to serve the people of Arkansas. Lord, we ask that you be with those who are in conflict around the world, particularly in the Ukraine. Lord, we ask that your will be done in that part of the world and everywhere. Lord, we thank you for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We ask for forgiveness. We ask for your continued grace. In Jesus name, amen.
[Pledge of Allegiance]
Griffin Senator– we’re going to go to you, Senator Hickey, first. And then we’re going to go to you, Senator Johnson. Senator Hickey.
Hickey Yes, members. I’ve been asked by Senator Johnson to request that we go into committee of the whole for the purpose of hearing from a person whose family is currently in Ukraine. I’ve been told that this will be brief. So I would think we would take about 10 minutes. So if you would allow, I’d move that we would reside, reside ourselves to the committee of the whole at this time.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Motion’s carried. We’re now in the committee of the whole. [Committee of the Whole] Any items at the desk?
Secretary Yes, sir. We your committee on Joint Budget to whom was referred to Senate Bill 7, Senate Bill 15, Senate Bill 24, Senate Bill 49, Senate Bill 66, Senate Bill 104, Senate Bill 105 by Joint Budget recommend do pass.
Griffin Calendar.
Secretary We your committee on Joint Budget to whom was referred to Senate Bill 13, Senate Bill 17, Senate Bill 33, Senate Bill 38, Senate Bill 102, Senate Bill 103 recommend do pass as amended.
Griffin Calendar.
Secretary Senate Resolution 33 by Senator Rice. To condemn the actions of the Russian Federation taken against the sovereign nation of Ukraine and to call for action from the United States to penalize the Russian Federation. Senate Resolution 33.
Griffin Calendar. Did you do– what about 34? OK. Senator Rice.
Rice Mr. President, I move that we suspend the rules and place Senate Resolution 33 on today’s calendar as a first item of business as a show of unity to the Ukraine.
Griffin Any questions? All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Nay. Ayes have it. Motion’s carried.
Secretary Senate Resolution 34 by Senator Ballinger. To encourage the United States government to resume the Keystone XL pipeline project.
Griffin Energy. Energy. By the way, Senator Chesterfield, I have, I have you written down. We’ll get to you. This tomorrow? OK. Well, I had it today, but I’ll move it to tomorrow.
Secretary Notice of return of House– of Senate bills as requested. Senate Bill 89, Senate Bill 90, Senate Bill 91, Senate Bill 92, Senate Bill 93, Senate Bill 94, Senate Bill 95, Senate Bill 96, Senate Bill 97, Senate Bill 98, Senate Bill 99, and Senate Bill 100 today at 1:12 a.m.– p.m.
Griffin File it. Senator Rice.
Rice Thank you, Mr. President. Let me start off by saying I appreciate those that have worked on this. I thank Senator Hendren for his efforts on signing on this, to Minority Leader Ingram, Majority Leader Flippo, each colleague that has done this. This is not the only thing that can be done. This is something that we have 34 colleagues on. Thank you. To condemn the actions of the Russian Federation taken against the sovereign nation of Ukraine and to call for action from the United States to penalize the Russian Federation. Whereas, on February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched an unprovoked invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine. And whereas, the United States has the ability to take economic actions against the Russian Federation and its leaders who are responsible for this unjust invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine. And whereas the United States can expel Russian oligarchs, freeze assets of Russian oligarchs and political leaders who supported the invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine and take other similar actions to deter further unprovoked aggression from the Russian Federation against its neighbors and to penalize the Russian Federation for its unjust invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine. And whereas if the United States fails to adequately respond to actions of the Russian Federation, other countries may be emboldened to take similar actions. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, that the Senate support the people of the sovereign nation of Ukraine and condemn the actions of the Russian Federation taken against the sovereign nation of Ukraine, call for the United States to expel Russian oligarchs, freeze assets of Russian oligarchs and political leaders who support the invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine and to take other similar actions that would deter the Russian Federation further unprovoked aggressions towards its neighbors and to penalize the Russian Federation for its unjust invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine, call for the United States to place sanctions on Russian oil and other natural resources, and call for the United States to take steps to increase the amount of non-Russian oil available to the United States and other countries and take steps to make the United States an energy independent country. Be it further resolved that upon its adoption, a copy of the resolution be presented to President Joseph Biden, United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the United States Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, United States of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, United States Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, United States Representatives French Hill, Rick Crawford, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman by the Secretary of the Senate. Colleagues, I ask for your overwhelming, loud support. Thank you.
Griffin Madam Secretary, will you read the resolution for the third time?
Secretary Senate Resolution 33 by Senator Rice et al. To condemn the actions of the Russian Federation taken against the sovereign nation of Ukraine and to call for action from the United States to penalize the Russian Federation.
Griffin For the– Senator Hendren. Senator Hendren would like to speak for it.
Hendren Thank you, Mr. President. Members, let me– I’m not going to take a long time. I think– I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a resolution with 34 members. But you all that have been here with me a while know that you haven’t seen me down here with any resolutions very often. Probably in 16 years, I’ve done maybe a half a dozen because, you know, I think resolutions should be something that we speak together. And that’s why it may not have been the prettiest process that we got here, but we did get here. And we’re speaking as the Senate about something that is not partisan, about something that our people believe in, and about something that really has worldwide ramifications. I appreciate Senator Hickey reaching out to me over the weekend and saying he wanted to make this truly bipartisan, and Senator Ingram, Senator Elliott, who made the same calls to me. Because if there’s anything that should not get tangled up with partisan politics, it’s when people are fighting and dying for the freedoms that we all care about of both parties. But let me just also say one thing why I think– you know, there’s a lot of talk that, well, resolutions don’t do anything. And the fact is, we all know the practical result of this resolution is we’re going to send a letter to the federal delegation. But I would argue that in this case, there is a more important reason. And that is that we speak for truth. If there is one thing that is important in a time of war, it is that we demand truth. And there’s a lot of crap out there, to be honest with you. And it’s important that we as a legislature tell the truth. And let me just tell you, I’ve had an opportunity to observe the man’s work who has caused this entire debacle. And it wasn’t Barack Obama or Donald Trump or Joe Biden. It’s Vladimir Putin. I have seen him bomb hospitals, schools, simultaneously with having his defense secretary on CNN saying they’re not dropping bombs anywhere. And I’m not talking about Ukraine. I’m talking about Syria four or five years ago. This is nothing new. This guy is not smart. This guy is evil, and he has no concern for human life. And he orders his military to do things that we as a legislature ought to stand up and say, that is crap. Because that’s what it is. He has murdered his political opponents. We get pretty divisive in here, but I hope we never poison each other and send each other to prison. That’s routine with Vladimir Putin. If there is something that is not partisan and we can unify about, it is that the world needs to stand up to somebody that evil. Even today, he’s using cluster munitions, thermobaric weapons, which are some of the most vile, banned weapons in the world to kill women and children. And we still have people out there apologizing for him. So it is important as a– of all the resolutions that we’ve ever passed, that we stand in unity against somebody so vile. Two weeks ago, we had five Ukrainians standing right here in the well of the Senate, and I’ve been checking up on those five. As far as we know, at least four of them are safe. One of them we haven’t heard from in some time because as soon as he got back, he was mobilized and moved to the front lines. So, so think about that, ladies and gentlemen, a young man who was standing right here two weeks ago is now fighting for the freedoms that we take for granted. And we have people wanting to play partisan games with that. I’m glad that we are above that, at least here today. And let me just finish with this. The courage that we’ve seen from the Ukrainian people and from President Zelensky, how inspiring is that for us when we think of the courage that’s required sometimes for political decisions that we have to make. As potentially the last piece of legislation I’ll ever file or ever be involved with, I can’t think of something more worthy than for the state Senate to say we condemn authoritarianism, we condemn Vladimir Putin. And I don’t care what any other politician says. He’s not smart. It’s not genius. It’s not savvy. It’s evil that we have not seen since World War II, and I hope we as a nation do everything we can to defeat it just as we did then. So I would appreciate your support for the resolution.
Griffin Anyone else wish to be recognized? You’ve heard the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Senator Tucker.
Secretary Senate Resolution 24 by Senator Tucker. Commending the Junior League of Little Rock for its 100 year history of training community and civic leaders and its ongoing service to the community of Little Rock.
Tucker Thank you, governor. One more resolution today and I request leave to bring a few officers from the Junior League of Little Rock out onto the floor. And Representative Hudson to come down and join as well. I think that would be, I think that would be very appropriate. You’re stealing a little of my– you’re stealing a little of my thunder, Senator, but I’ll let it go.
Griffin Senator Tucker.
Tucker Thank you. I’ll have a few comments. But first, I just want to say how excited I am and how exciting it is to start off Women’s History Month today by honoring the 100th anniversary of the Junior League of Little Rock, an organization that has done a lot of good here in Little Rock for 100 years and I feel very confident will continue to do a whole lot of good for a long time yet to come. Let me just go through a few of their achievements. Whereas the Junior League of Little Rock is entering its 100 year of service to the city’s community. And whereas the Junior League of Little Rock is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. And whereas the purpose of the Junior League of Little Rock is exclusively educational and charitable, and its membership consists of around 1,000 dynamic women representing a diverse group of races, religions, and professional fields. And whereas the Junior League of Little Rock’s rich history includes participating in the formation of several community institutions, events and services, including the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, River Fest Arts and Music Festival, the Museum of Discovery, Potluck Food Rescue, Gaines House, the parent center at the Centers for Youth and Families, Volunteers in Public Schools, 7 on Your Side with KATV Channel 7, a few things we’ve all heard of and more. And whereas the Junior League of Little Rock is currently focusing its community projects and advocacy efforts on creating meaningful change to improve the school preparedness of Arkansas children by providing supplies and free books to elementary school students in Little Rock School District, allowing children regardless of ability and opportunity to attend summer camp together at Kota Camp, held with Camp Aldersgate and providing meals and activity nights to caregivers of children receiving treatment at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. And whereas a Junior League of Little Rock has also continued its legacy of volunteerism and civic leadership by establishing the Nonprofit Board Institute, which provides a training course designed to bolster effective board management in the nonprofit sector, as well as transforming the third floor of its historic headquarters into the Junior League of Little Rock nonprofit center, a shared workspace for social entrepreneurs, foundations, and nonprofit organizations whose work is making a difference in Arkansas communities, and which also provides resources to foster organizational growth and capacity while enhancing the mission, the missions of resident nonprofit organizations. A few more comments before we vote. First of all, we have a whole host of esteemed and amazing members of the Junior League of Little Rock here with us in the gallery, in the East Gallery today. A point of personal privilege, either one of the founding or very early members of the Junior League of Little Rock was one Mary Ann Clark Williams, my great grandmother. And we also have a few more esteemed members. We have Representative Ashley Hudson here. We have the current president of the Junior League of Little Rock, Meredith McKenzie; the president elect, Tabitha McNulty; Jamie Jones, who’s a sustainer and a member of the Centennial Committee and really helped pull this entire thing together today. Also, before I forget. I’m sure you all have noticed that you have the Junior League of Little Rock cookbook on your chair. Believe me, there’s a whole lot of good stuff in there. And also, we double checked all the legalities and ethics of it, and we’re all good on the cookbook. But of course, you know, there’s there’s one more person in here who’s had a critical role in the Junior League of Little Rock. Miss Sabrina Lewellyn joined in 2005. Give me a second. Give me just a second. Ms. Lewellyn, Ms. Lewellyn has served as Community Vice President, Membership Vice President, and then President in 2017 and 18, trailblazing as only the second African-American president of the Junior League of Little Rock. But her reach went far beyond the city as she was selected to serve nationally as president of a group of national large leagues. She continues to be an active member and was recently recognized as the Elizabeth Mallory member of the year. This is a woman who gets here in the mornings before us, stays late after us. Please join me in honoring Ms. Lewellyn. And with that, Governor, I would appreciate a good vote.
Griffin Sabrina, will you sign my book? You’ve heard the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. The ayes have it. Resolution’s adopted. Senator, are we going to go to– okay. We can pass over it, either way. We’re going to pass over Senator Garner’s. And we’re going to go back to Senator Rice. SR 29.
Secretary Senate Resolution 29 by Senator Rice. To celebrate the Bureau of Legislative Research for assisting the General Assembly for 75 years.
Griffin Senator Rice.
Rice Thank you, Colleagues. As chair of Legislative Council, I’ve been asked to do this. And I was reminded eight years after my grandfather left the Legislature in 1939, this was formed. Thirty years before my father came to the Legislature, this was formed. In celebration of the Bureau– excuse me. I thought somebody was holding me up. In celebration of the Bureau of Legislative Research for assisting the General Assembly for 75 years. Whereas on March 6, 1947, the Bureau of Legislative Research was created as part of the same legislation that created the Legislative Council. And whereas the Bureau of Legislative Research began with only a director, a stenographer and a couple of administrative assistants to assist the Legislature. And whereas the Bureau of Legislative Research was originally created for a 20-year period and its original duties included providing legislative services to the Legislative Council, submitting itemized budgets for each state agency, drafting bills with the assistance of the University of Arkansas School of Law, and assisting the governor in acquiring factual information concerning various matters. And whereas since its creation 75 years ago, the Bureau of Legislative Research has faithfully served the General Assembly in supporting the mission of the General Assembly. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the Senate celebrate the Bureau of Legislative Research for assisting the General Assembly for 75 years. Be it further resolved that upon its adoption, a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the director of the Bureau of Legislative Research, Marty Garrity, by the Secretary of State. Please join me in a unanimous celebration for 75 years for BLR.
Griffin You’ve heard the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. Senator Irvin.
Secretary Senate Resolution 32 by Senator Irvin, Bledsoe, Davis, and English. To remember and commemorate the United States Senator Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway for her many notable contributions to women’s history.
Griffin Senator.
Irvin Thank you. I’m joined by several of my colleagues, Senator Bledsoe and others, if you want to join us. Earlier today, members of the Senate, we were joined by members of the House of Representatives, both Democrat and Republican women, and we are proud to present this resolution in the House and the Senate to honor US Senator Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway. Miss Caraway was an Arkansan who was the first woman ever elected to serve in the United States Congress when she was elected to the United States Senate in 1932. She famously flipped a coin to decide if she was going to run or not. And she surprised her party leaders, who gave her less than a 1 percent chance of winning her race. And she enlisted the help of the famed politician Huey Long from Louisiana as her campaign manager, and they drove around the state of Arkansas with loud megaphones and barnstormed the state of Arkansas. And Huey Long, he remarked, quite famously– and some of these quotes are in the resolution– we’re not going to read the whole resolution– but it was known as the Hatty and Huey Tour. And Huey Long would bellow out, “We’re here to pull a lot of potbelly politicians off a little woman’s neck.” And they, they gave stump speeches all across the state. She won her election with double the vote of her nearest rival, and she continued serving in the United States Senate until 1945. She became the first woman to chair a Senate committee. And she also became the first woman to preside over the Senate in 1943. I want my colleagues to say a little bit about why we’re dressed the way we’re dressed and why we’ve come a long way. So Senator English.
English Thank you. It was it was a good day, and we are thrilled to be able to, to honor such a wonderful person who started off thinking and being one of a kind. But I think if you look at our Legislature today, you can see that we, women, across the– ib both aisles have made and do make quite an impact in the state legislature. I was telling girls earlier something that goes back probably to the 1960s when many of you were little people or weren’t even born yet. But it was a saying and I can’t remember where it came from, but we have come a long way, baby. And I think there were a number of issues out there were for females we’re touting and supporting. But we have come a long way. And women today can do and be anything we want to be, including in the Arkansas Legislature.
Irvin We all– we’re not going to read the whole resolution, but we are dressed this way with black dresses and pearl necklaces on because Hattie Caraway dressed that way quite frequently. So we appreciate our colleagues joining us in that. And, and we’re just, we’re just reminded too that we may not always agree with their positions or their choices that were made during their lifetimes, but we recognize how important these milestones are for women today. And we’re particularly interested in promoting during Women’s History Month the accomplishments of Arkansas women and their contributions that paved the way for us to do what we’re able to do here in this body amongst our colleagues. So thank you. And with that, we’d appreciate a good vote for the resolution. Thank you.
Griffin You’ve heard the resolution. Senator Ingram ?
Ingram Jane, what was it like palling around with Hattie?
Griffin Just when we were starting to all get along. You’ve heard the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Resolution is adopted. We’re going to pass over SCR 2, and we’re going to move on to HCR– excuse me, 1000– 1001.
Secretary House Concurrent Resolution 1001 by Representative Vaught and Senator Wallace. To encourage innovation and development of value chain biosecurity technologies within the state of Arkansas.
Griffin Senator Wallace.
Wallace Thank you, Governor. Members, this resolution deals with agriculture and with our IT. It’s focused on the African Swine Fever, which is a major problem in, major problem in many parts of the world. Fortunately, not here in the USA right now. China lost a projected $385 billion in gross national product due to the African Swine Fever, ASW. Our, our country, the United States has dedicated $500 million for prevention and preparation for this disease, this African Swine Fever. Not only has it hit in China, we’re having some issues within our region, and we’ve actually shut off any products coming from Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands just due to the threat of ASF. It’s obvious that we’ve got to get out in front of this and that it will significantly affect our country and our state’s economy. This resolution supports companies which are trying to gain USDA grant funding for their product development here in Arkansas. So we’re hoping to support our companies either here now or companies that will come to the state of Arkansas and will get part of that $500 million. We have a significant opportunity to be the tip of the spear for the agriculture and food supply biosecurity. Now resolve that the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly and the Senate of the 93rd Assembly concur, support, and request federal grant funding for companies creating innovative technologies that benefit Arkansas’ agricultural value chain through mitigating biosecurity risk. And with that, I would ask for a good vote.
Griffin You’ve heard the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Return to the House. Senator Dismang.
Dismang OK, members, we’ve got a couple of different things we need to take care of today. First, you have this yellow sheet on your desk. And none of these bills were pulled before, but we failed to adopt the emergency clause. And so we are going to in batch revote the emergency clause. If you have any questions, I’m happy to try to answer.
Griffin Any questions? Anyone wish to speak? Madam Secretary, please read them, and before you do, any objection rolling the vote? Okay, Madam Secretary, and please read them.
Secretary Senate Bill 89 An Act for the Department of Human Services Division of Medical Services Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 90 An Act for the Department of Education Public School Fund Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 91 An Act for the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education Vocational Center and Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 92 An Act for the SAU Tech Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 93 An Act for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 94 An Act for the University of Arkansas Fayetteville Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 95 An Act for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 96 An Act for the University of Arkansas at Monticello Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 97 An Act for the University of Central Arkansas Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 98 An Act for the University of Arkansas System and Various Divisions Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 99 An Act for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Supplemental Appropriation. Senate Bill 100 An Act for the Arkansas State University Supplemental Appropriation.
Griffin Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Secretary Ballinger, yes. Beckham, yes. Bledsoe, yes. Caldwell,yes. Chesterfield, yes. Clark, yes. Davis, yes. Dismang,yes. Elliott, yes. English, yes. Flippo, yes. Flowers, yes. Fulfer, yes. Garner, yes. Gilmore, yes. Hammer, yes. Hendren, yes. Hester, yes. Hickey, yes. Hill, yes. Ingram, yes. Irvin, yes. Blake Johnson, yes. Mark Johnson, yes. Leding, yes. Hitch, yes. Rapert, yes. Rice, yes. Sample, yes. Stubblefield, yes. Sturch, yes. Sullivan, yes. Teague, yes. Tucker, yes. Wallace, yes. [ 34 yeas, 0 no, 0 not voting]
Griffin Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. The emergency clauses, the batch of emergency clauses passed. Transmit to the House.
Dismang Okay, members, this is going to take us to our regular budget calendar. Then we’re going to have a supplemental here in a minute that I think we’ll need to suspend the rules to take up. Is that right? Well, yeah, no– I’m just going to walk through. So the first thing we have to do is adopt the amendment that will be on SB 45. That’s by Representative Wardlaw and Senator Hickey. And then if you can, while we’re doing that, we’re going to then batch, unless someone would like to pull out House Bill 1027, 1033, 1037, and 1068. And then we’re going to batch below the line all the bills and then those bills on the second page. So just be getting ready if there’s something you’d like to pull out for a separate vote. And with that, we’ll first take up the Amendment.
Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 45.
Dismang OK and again, members this is an amendment by Representative Wardlaw and Senator Hickey. It provides an appropriation for 2023 for $100,000 for two EBD consultants created by House Bill 1100 and continuing the appropriation first added by House Bill 1096 for the 2022 year.
Griffin Any questions? Anyone wish to speak for the amendment? All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Dismang All right. Again now, members, we’re going to go back and it will be House Bill 1027, 1033, 1037, 1068. Would anybody like to pull one of those bills out for a separate vote? Okay.
Secretary House Bill 1027 An Act for the Office of Treasurer of State Amendment 74 Property Tax Appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1033 An Act for the Office of the Treasurer of State Refund of Local Taxes Appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1037 An Act for the Appropriation for State Turnback for Counties and Municipalities by the Office of the Treasurer of State for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. House Bill 1068 An Act for the Department of Education Arkansas State Library Appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Griffin You’ve heard the House Bills in batch one. Any objection to rolling the vote? The Senator is closed? Senator Dismang, you ready to– on batch one?
Dismang Yes, let’s just not vote Senator Pitsch if we can on– we’ll just leave him out of this batch as non-voting on all.
Griffin Please roll the vote.
Secretary Ballinger, yes. Beckham, yes. Bledsoe, yes. Caldwell, yes. Chesterfield, yes. Clark, leave. Davis, yes. Dismang, yes. Elliott, yes. English, yes. Flippo, yes. Flowers,yes. Fulfor, yes. Garner, yes. Gilmore, yes. Hammer, yes. Hendren, yes. Hester, yes. Hickey, yes. Hill, yes. Ingram, yes. Irvin, yes. Blake Johnson, yes. Mark Johnson, yes. Leding, yes. Pitsch, no vote. Rapert, yes. Rice, yes. Sample, yes. Stubblefield, yes. Sturch, yes. Sullivan, yes. Teague, yes. Tucker, yes. Wallace, yes. [33 yes, 0 no, 1 no vote]
Griffin Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 33 yeas, 0 nays. Batch one is passed. Return to the House.
Dismang And on this one, if we can go ahead and– let’s go ahead and read across House Bill 1102. Read 1002 and we’ll take it on a separate vote. It’s also the Treasurer just in case Senator Pitsch wanted to stay out of that vote. Vote it separate, 1102. 1102. Members, I’ll read back through to make sure there’s not any more. But I know 1102, we’ll vote separate. 1101, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1106, 1107, 1108, 1109, 1110, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, 1115, or 1116. Anyone like to pull out any of those bills for a separate vote? We’re going to go ahead and vote first House Bill 1102.
Secretary House Bill 1102 by Joint Budget an Act For the Office of the Treasurer of State Refund of Local Taxes Supplemental Appropriation.
Griffin Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on it? Any objection to rolling the vote? The Senator is closed? Please roll the vote.
Secretary Ballinger, yes. Beckham, yes. Bledsoe, yes. Caldwell, yes. Chesterfield, yes. Clark, yes. Davis, leave. Dismang, yes. Elliott, yes. English, yes. Flippo, yes. Flowers, yes. Fulfer, yes. Garner, yes. Gilmore, yes. Hammer, yes. Hendren, yes. Hester, yes. Hickey, yes. Hill, yes. Ingram, yes. Irvin, yes. Blake Johnson, yes. Mark Johnson, yes. Leding, yes. Pitsch, no vote. Rapert, yes. Rice, yes. Sample, yes. Stubblefield, yes. Sturch, yes. Sullivan, yes. Teague, yes. Tucker, no vote. Wallace, no vote. [31 yes, 0 no, 3 not voting]
Griffin Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 33 yeas, 0 nays. The bill is passed. Return to the House. Now batch two, which are the remaining bills.
Dismang She’s good to go.
Secretary House Bill 1101 An Act for the Arkansas Tech University Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1103 An Act for the Arkansas State University Mid-South Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1104 An Act for the Black River Technical College supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1105 An Act for the Department of Finance Administration Disbursing Officer Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1106 An Act for the East Arkansas Community College Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1107 An Act for the Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Child Nutrition Program and Medicaid Administration Claiming Program Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1108 An Act for the Henderson State University Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1109 An Act for the Northwest Arkansas Community College Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1110 An Act for the Phillips County– Phillips Community College for the University of Arkansas Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1111 An Act for the Arkansas– for the Southern Arkansas University Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1112 An Act for the University of Arkansas Community College of Hope, Texarkana Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1113 An Act for the University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1114 An Act for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1115 An Act for the University of Arkansas Pulaski– Pulaski Technical College Supplemental Appropriation. House Bill 1116 An Act from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Supplemental Appropriation.
Griffin Any questions? Anyone wish to speak on it? The Senator is closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Please roll the vote.
Secretary Ballinger, yes. Beckham, yes. Bledsoe, yes. Caldwell, yes. Chesterfield, yes. Clark, yes. Davis, yes. Dismang, yes. Elliott, yes. English, yes. Flippo, yes. Flowers, yes. Fulfer, yes. Garner, yes. Gilmore, yes. Hammer, yes. Hendren, yes. Hester, yes. Hickey, yes. Hill, yes. Ingram, yes. Irvin, yes. Blake Jackson, yes. Mark Johnson, yes. Leding, yes. Pitsch, yes. Rapert, yes. Rice, yes. Sample, yes. Stubblefield, yes. Sturch, yes. Sullivan, yes. Teague, yes. Tucker, yes. Wallace, yes. [34 yes, 0 no, 0 not voting]
Griffin Anyone wish to change their vote? Cast up the ballot. 34 yeas, 0 nays. Batch 2 of the House Bills and their emergency clauses are adopted. Return to the House. Now, Senator Dismang is recognized for a motion to suspend the rules so we can go to the supplemental budget calendar.
Dismang Yes. So I make a motion that we suspend the rules to take up the second supplemental budget calendar. These are amendments that were passed out today.
Griffin You’ve heard the motion. All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Motion is carried. We are now on the supplemental budget calendar.
Dismang All right, members, you’ve got that list in front of you. These are the amendments that passed out today in Joint Budget. Again, this is part of the process to kind of speed things up as we draw a conclusion for the session. But if you have any questions on these, I’d be happy to take them or we can pull them out for a separate vote. I’ll read through them. If you’d like to pull one out for a separate vote, just let me know. Senate Bill 13 Amendment 1, Senate Bill 17 Amendment 1, Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 18, Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 20, Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 33, Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 38, Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 60, Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 102, and Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 103. If you’d like– if you have any questions or want to pull those out for a separate vote, just let me know.
Griffin Any questions? Just give us one second to get the computer tracking what we’re doing here. We’re going to– we’ll be adopting the amendments separately. We will not be batching the amendments.
Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 13.
Griffin Senator Dismang, Senate Bill– if no one has– if there are no questions and no real objections, we’ve got to vote these individually and we’re just going to roll through them real fast.
Dismang OK. I make a motion to adopt Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 13.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Dismang I move we adopt Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 17. Do you need to–
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed?
Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 17.
Griffin Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send it to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 2 to Senate bill 18.
Dismang I make a motion we adopt Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 18.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 20.
Dismang I make a motion we adopt Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 20.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 33.
Dismang I make a motion we adopt Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 33.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 38.
Dismang I make a motion we adopt Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 38.
Secretary All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 60.
Dismang I make a motion we adopt Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 60.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Amendment is adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 102.
Dismang I make a motion we adopt Amendment 1 to Senate bill 102.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Opposed. Ayes have it. Amendment’s adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Secretary Amendment 2 to the Senate Bill 103.
Dismang I make a motion that we adopt amendment 2 to Senate Bill 103.
Griffin All those in favor say aye. Amendment’s adopted. Send to Engrossing. Oh, opposed.
Dismang Members–
Griffin Amendment’s adopted. Send to Engrossing.
Dismang So that’s the end of our budget items today. However, Special Language will be meeting upon adjournment of both chambers. I’m not sure if the House has finished up for the day. Does anybody have a–
Griffin I don’t know.
Dismang Anyway, but if you’re on Special Language, please make your way over. And so then we can wrap things up, hopefully, pretty quickly today.
Griffin Any announcements? Senator James Hickey.
Hickey Thank you, Lieutenant Governor. Members, just want to kind of go over with you all the tentative schedule. And of course, a lot of this depends on how you all act. But kind of, kind of where we’re at right now is tomorrow we need to come in at 2 o’clock in here just because of some budget items and the way that we’re trying to get everything on. Our plan right now is, is that we’ll meet Thursday. We’re going to try to come in– althoughI want to wait to say that at our regular 11:30. But that’s kind of the plan. Not come in Friday, then we’ll come back in Monday and try to finish up on Tuesday. Again, that’s probably the best case scenario, but that’s, between leadership and Senate Dismang and Representative Jean, that’s what we’re trying to do. So again, tomorrow, though, we do need to come in at 2 o’clock.
Griffin 2 o’clock tomorrow. Senator Chesterfield has a question.
Chesterfield Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Hickey, is RSA already on the table?
Hickey No, no, ma’am. We hope to have that possibly by Thursday evening. Of course, that will give us the three days, you know, while it’s over the weekend. It possibly could be Friday. But again, we’re trying. Again, my comments were everything has to work right. That’s inclusive of RSA.
Chesterfield All right. Thank you.
Hickey Yes, ma’am.
Griffin Any other questions or announcements? Okay. I know you’ll miss me. I’ll be on army orders Thursday, but I’ll be back after that. Anything else? The Senate’s adjourned until 2:00 tomorrow.