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House floor
March 2, 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 Representative Jean.
Horne Let’s pray together. Father, we thank you for the beauty of the day. On the outside, a beautiful, beautiful day. We thank you Lord, for the work that goes on here in this chamber today, and I thank you that you’re ever present with us. You’re everywhere. You’re with us in our highs and lows, our joys, our sorrows, when we feel that we’ve failed, when we feel like maybe we’ve accomplished something. So wherever the women and men of this chamber are in their own personal lives or family life, I pray you’ll bless them. And in their work together, sometimes it fits and starts and different things, so I just pray that you’ll guide them through the process. We thank you for the leadership of the House. We thank you, Lord, for every person and from the districts that they come from. Bless our state. We pray in Jesus name, amen.
Unidentified [Pledge of Allegiance]
Shepherd Members, please indicate your presence by pushing the yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. With 100 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Representative Frederick Love moves we dispense the reading of the previous day’s journal. Without objection so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Are there reports from standing committees? Is there any unfinished business? Are there any executive communications? Read the letter from the governor, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk March 1, 2022, to the Speaker of the House. Dear Mr. Speaker, this is to inform you that on March 1, 2022, I reviewed and approved the following measures for the fiscal session of the 93rd General Assembly: Senate Bill 85 is Act 107, Senate Bill 86 is Act 108, Senate Bill 87 is Act 109, Senate Bill 88 is Act 110, House Bill 1097 as Act 111, House Bill 1098 is Act 112, House Bill 1099 as Act 113, House Bill 1100 is Act 114. Sincerely, Asa Hutchinson.
Shepherd Representative Eubanks moves we place House Resolution 1034 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Resolution 1034.
Shepherd Rep. Eubanks, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Eubanks Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It came to our attention that we needed to add some language to this resolution. I’d appreciate a good vote.
Shepherd Rep. Eubanks has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Rep. Eubanks is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1030– House Resolution 1034. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. We’re going to pass over House Resolution 1027, along with House Resolution 1036. Mr. Clerk, please read House concurrent resolution 1002.
Clerk House Concurrent resolution 1002 by Representative Dotson to amend the joint rules of the House of Representatives in the Senate of the 93rd General Assembly.
Shepherd Rep. Dotson, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Dotson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, House Concurrent Resolution 1002 is the final piece of the EBD package that we’ve been working on. This sets up the joint rules for the House and the Senate now that all the bills have gone through. This basically puts it into rule for the House and the Senate the, the requirement for the three-fourths majority vote if we are to try to take up a, a bill concerning the health insurance policies outside of the first 15 days of a regular session and then a two thirds majority to bring up such a change if it’s in the fiscal or a special session. More than happy to try to answer any questions. Thank you.
Shepherd Representative Dotson explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Rep. Dotson, you’re recognized to close for the resolution.
Dotson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And if I might take just a moment, my wife and son are in the gallery here and just wanted to– it’s the smaller son in front of Blake over there. But just wanted to acknowledge they were here and just take a moment and say, I have really appreciated serving with you all in this chamber. [00:13:06]And this is more than likely the last time my name will appear on this calendar in this chamber– so at least as a House concurrent resolution. I appreciate a good vote. [11.3s]
Shepherd Representative Dotson has closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House concurrent resolution 1002. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. With 93 yeas, 2 nays and 0 present, the resolution is passed. Representative Lowery, for what purpose?
Lowery Point of personal privilege.
Shepherd You’re recognized for your point of personal privilege.
Lowery [00:14:29]Members, I’m certainly not going to say this may be the last time on the podium because you’ll cheer. [3.6s] Yay. OK, I did say it, didn’t I? [00:14:43]I just wanted to take this point of personal privilege to apologize to the body for my remarks yesterday. I have already spoken to the Speaker, spoke to him yesterday, did not realize until I spoke to him that there there was a misinterpretation of my comments. They were not directed towards the Speaker. The Speaker was extremely fair in the way he handled the ruling. As a matter of fact, his ruling, I knew his ruling was correct. I only appealed it so that there could be some debate. [34.6s] The point that I was trying to make– so I want to apologize first publicly to the Speaker because he’s been nothing but fair, especially in light of how difficult this issue has been about whether to take up the pro-life bill or not. He’s been very fair. So but I felt like I should apologize publicly and I do. So please forgive me. [00:15:44]I also want to apologize to General Berry and those of you who have served in armed conflict. My dad was a veteran of the Air Force for 26 years, and he did serve. And I know that there is no equivalency between what the people of Ukraine and what many of you who have served have experienced and the things that we experience here. [22.8s] It’s frustrating. And what I was pointing to and talking about was how sometimes the rules and procedures and parliamentary procedure are used to try and make sure that both sides are heard and that we do it in proper order. And the tyranny that I was talking about is the net effect of sometimes using those rules to shut down debate. We should not do that. The people of Arkansas, you know, they’re paying for us to be here. And we had the time. We’ve had the time. But that’s no excuse for being incorrect, of making a comment where there is no equivalency. And I apologize to you as well. Thank you. So members, thank you for this opportunity to come forward. If I’m going to say something public that hurts people’s feelings or offends them, it’s not enough for me to apologize to them privately. I need to do it publicly. And I ask that you, the body, would accept my apology as well. Thank you.
Shepherd Go back up to House Resolution 1034. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1034 for the third time.
Clerk House Resolution 1034. House Resolution 1034 congratulating the Paris High School volleyball team for an outstanding record by Representative Eubanks.
Shepherd Representative Eubanks, you’re recognized.
Eubanks Members, this resolution is to recognize the achievement of the Paris volleyball team last year. They won the state championship. One of their members, Alyssa Comp, was named the 3A state tournament Most Valuable Player. But this is not just to recognize one season because they’ve had a, they’ve had a remarkable decade. They have been to the state playoffs nine of the last 10 years, and they’ve won five state playoffs. So they have to get back to Paris, so I’m not going to have the Clerk read the resolution. But I was hoping that you can join me in recognizing the Paris volleyball team and their coaches.
Dalby Members, Representative Eubanks has explained the resolution. Is there anyone who would like to speak against the resolution? Anyone who’d like to speak for the resolution? Rep. Eubanks is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is passage of House Resolution 1034. All in favor please say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. The resolution has passed. Members, our doctor of the day is Dr. Bala Simon and Beth Milligan of Little Rock. And members, our nurse of the day is Brenda Hewitt. Members, the morning hour is ended. Members, we’ll move to the yellow budget calendar. Representative Jean, you’re recognized. Representative Jean moves to place House Bill 1034 on a second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read amendment number 2, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 2 to House Bill 1034.
Dalby Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Madam Speaker, colleagues. The second Amendment on the Department of Corrections, there’s 2 things that it does. It’s the, Rep. Rye, the ammunition, ammo, audit doing at the Department of Corrections. And also this creates the $75 million appropriation for the Calico Rock prison. Any questions on these 2 issues on this amendment? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Dalby Members, Representative Jean’s explained the amendment. Are there any members who wish to speak against the amendment? Representative Clowney, you’re recognized to speak against the amendment.
Clowney Thank you, Madam Speaker. I love saying that. Colleagues, I am not in the well today to argue that we do not have a prison overcrowding problem. We do. We’ve all heard it from our county and our state officials. I’m here to argue that this proposed expansion that we’re voting on right now is not the only solution to that very real problem. In fact, it’s an imprudent one. First, it’s expensive. So this appropriation allows for anywhere between 26 and $75 million to go toward just the building of that expansion. But that has nothing– that does not include any of the ongoing costs of housing an additional 500 prisoners. Those ongoing costs will be immense. It costs something on the order of $71 a day to House an inmate in this state. That equals $13 million additional expenditures every year after this expansion. So keep that in mind as you’re voting today. Second, I really worry about staffing. We know that staffing these facilities is already a huge problem. There is a crisis. We can’t fill the positions we have right now, yet today we’re voting to add 500 beds without any assurance or plan for how we’re going to staff those beds. That poses a safety risk, not only to those who are incarcerated in these facilities, but the correctional officers who are already working in them. Finally, I would argue that this proposed expansion does nothing to address the underlying problems that have led to Arkansas having the fourth highest incarceration rate in the country. How many Arkansans will sleep in a prison bed tonight because of a failure to pay fines or fees and nothing more? We need to ask that question. We need to ask how many Arkansans would be impacted by increased funding for things like drug treatment facilities or mental health care, or job training or housing. Any one of those things would be a much smarter investment of Arkansans’ dollars. I was trying really hard to think of a metaphor for this, and the best I could come up with was that this proposed expansion feels like putting a very expensive ice pack on a broken limb. It may feel good in the short term. It may ease some pain temporarily. But unless we work to really address that break underlying it, the pain is going to continue to come back year after year after year. So I’m going to vote no on this amendment today. I would encourage you to join me. Let’s not add more prison beds, but let’s work together to remove the need for those beds in the first place. Thank you.
Shepherd Rep. Clowney has spoken against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Would anyone– Representative Vaught, you’re recognized to speak for the amendment.
Vaught Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t usually do this for and against stuff, but I’ve had several kind of– several counties that have reached out to me about prisoners that are sleeping on floors. I mean, they don’t have a bed for them to sleep in. This is not adding new people to our prison system. It’s getting them out of our counties and off the floors that they’re laying on in our counties. And I mean, I get calls all the time asking for a bed to be found for their husband that’s lying on the floor. So I would encourage us to please vote yes for this so we can get people in beds and quit treating them like they’re not humans and give them a bed. So I’d appreciate a good vote.
Shepherd Rep. Vaught has spoken for the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Berry, you’re recognized to speak for the amendment.
Berry First of all, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to agree with Representative Vaught on her comment because my wife is one that’s looking for a bed for me quite often in the county jail and we just don’t have them. And I respect my colleague, Nicole Clowney’s comments on the need to mitigate some of the challenges that we have with people that may not necessarily need to be incarcerated. But I also recognize the challenge that our sheriff’s departments have an immediate need, much like what Representative Vaught said, to have a space. We have a brand new county jail in one of my counties and it’s already popping at the seams because they have felons in that facility and they need a place to provide some relief for our county jails. And I would love to be able to be a part of the conversation with Representative Clowney and anybody else that wants to have a discussion on how we can mitigate some of the challenges in our community to keep people out of jail. And I believe Representative Lundstrum, her bill with the reboot– there’s so many different factors that I believe that we can take in consideration that can help solve a lot of the challenges that we have in the criminal justice system in the state of Arkansas today. So today I will be voting for this bill because I think we need the immediate relief. But I will say that I am committed to Representative Clowney and anybody else that wants to have that discussion about finding other avenues to prevent incarceration within our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Shepherd Representative Berry has spoken for the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Representative Flowers, you’re recognized to speak against the amendment.
Flowers Good afternoon, colleagues. I wasn’t going to come down here because I imagine everyone probably knows exactly how they’re going to vote on this, but I felt compelled because we have been talking about this. As a matter of fact, before I was sworn in, someone called me and told me that one of the things that we would need is a new prison. Now, when I think about taking almost $100 million and then thereafter, at least $13 to $15 million a year for just 500 beds, but then I also think about the fact that we have a 50 percent recidivism rate in a state where we have the highest incarceration rate in the country. Of those who come back, a third of those people are back for technical violations. Folks, this is really about money. It’s about jobs on the backs of families. The incarceration rate that has exponentially grown in this country has grown not because of an increase in crime, but just because of an increase in policy. So whether you’re talking about incarcerating people because they’re poor and they don’t pay their Rent a Center bill on time, which is actually a policy measure that has– where there has been an effort to put that in place, or whether you’re talking about changing burglary from a nonviolent crime to a violent crime, those are things that change incarceration without crime actually changing. And if we are actually going to be committed to be policy makers and statesmen and women doing our due diligence to make the right decisions in Arkansas to punish those who need to be punished, but also to extend grace and truly support second chance policy measures, I don’t believe that we need to be spending over the course of the next several years hundreds of millions of dollars when we could take much less and a little intestinal fortitude to change the policy so that we are serving our people so that we can have a positive impact on families and making sure that those folks who need to be punished get punished, but those folks who also need re-entry resources, those folks who also need programing while they’re in prison can get what they need with far fewer dollars lower the growth rate, not only lower the growth rate, reverse that growth rate and lower our incarceration rate and spend those dollars on schools. I’ll say this. I voted against the Success Education Program. How can we vie for dollars for education in this state and say we don’t have money here, we don’t have money there in the amount of $10 million, $3 million, $6 million. But we find $100 million and $13 to $15 million thereafter to build new prisons just for 500 new prison beds. And I would ask you to consider this, if there are some things we can do right now. We can look at our geriatric population for those who are not lifers. We could look at the terminally ill for those who are not lifers. We could look at the number of inmates who have actually been paroled but are still in prison. There’s a lot we could do right now and not have to spend that money, and I beseech you to think about what I’ve said today. Thank you.
Shepherd Representative Flowers has spoken against the amendment. Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Rep. Slape, you’re recognized to speak for the amendment.
Slape Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Chairman Representative Jean, for starting that, sparking the debate. I appreciate it. Colleagues I’ve ran a jail in law enforcement for many years, and the problem is, is basically what you’re saying– there’s recidivism. I respectfully agree with each side of the issue that’s going on. There needs to be a criminal justice reformation done in the state of Arkansas, and it goes through the entire system– the courts, the jails, the laws, and the sentencing grids and get down to the actual truth. But the 500 beds we need right now is mainly for recidivism. The ones who I have had to send back to prison wasn’t for technical violation. They get three to seven days and are crammed in the county jails where they do their time at, and then they’re released from there. And that backs up the County Jail, which backs up the whole entire system. That’s not a good solution, I don’t think. The other one is the ones that I’ve sent back on a 10 years sentence, they may do 24 months. They’re back out committing another crime because that’s easy. And some of them commit a crime so they could go down and have their ill health issues took care of by the state of Arkansas. And that’s not good policy because they know they’re going to get all our health needs fixed. We need to do something different in that way. But recidivism by taking the 500 beds at Calico Rock, which they have no issue hiring at Calico Rock. They’re pretty well blessed to be in a more deprived economic area, so they do have– those jobs will be filled. But we need the 500 beds not for just a temporary fix, but also for the recidivism that’s going on. You pick a number. Have you been in 10 times? OK, then we’re going to– you’re going to go do a hard bed for x amount of time and work your way out that way. Because some of them, believe it or not– and I didn’t believe it until I was sheriff was they don’t mind that lifestyle. Matter of fact, they become so used to that lifestyle that they don’t know how to live out in the free world. So that’s another issue. But right now, this 500 beds would be a much needed thing, and it can be used on for the next session that there is some reformation done in the criminal justice system. I ask you for a good vote. Thank you.
Shepherd Rep. Slape has spoken in favor of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak in favor of the amendment? Rep. Lundstrum, you’re recognized to speak in favor of the amendment.
Lundstrum Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you all were aware, because 93 of us voted for the Reboot bill. Unfortunately, it died by one vote in the Senate Revenue and Tax. I’m taking co-sponsors. I would love to have you co-sponsor the bill and have all 100 of us as co-sponsors. We need to stop the recidivism rate in Arkansas. I think we need both the jail– we don’t need people sleeping on the floors. But I would love to see jails be empty because people had jobs. So I’m taking co-sponsors. See me afterwards.
Shepherd Rep. Flowers, for what purpose? Representative Lundstrum has spoken for the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of amendment number 2 to House Bill 1034. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have eit. Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1055 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1055.
Jean Members, House Bill 1055 is Arkansas Tech. What this does is change its wording on how the board of trustees is picked. And I’m not sure what counties– there was a select number of counties and this makes it where I think they could be picked from statewide. Got any questions?
Shepherd Representative Berry, for what purpose?
S Berry Request to the chairman.
Shepherd Let’s hear your request.
S Berry I just saw today that this had a, an amendment to it, and I request that we pass over this today until I find out a little bit more about it because it directly affects my district.
Jean OK. We’ll honor that request. Pass over House Bill 1055.
Shepherd Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1059 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1059.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Colleagues, the amendment to House Bill 1059, all this does is this is the ones that administrate the medical tobacco settlement program, it increases the line item for salaries and matching $2,100. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1059. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1070 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1070.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean Thank you, members. What this amendment does on House Bill 1070, it adds $3 billion in appropriation for the American Rescue Recovery Plan that funds are getting in. DFA doesn’t really have a good handle on what might come in. This gives them flexibility where we don’t have to come in if they get anything over this. I think it’ll be well under it– federal dollars, not state dollars. Any questions?
Shepherd Representative Payton, for what purpose?
Payton Question.
Shepherd You’re recognized for a question.
Payton Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So is it– what, what categories is it going to be qualified to be spent on? You know, what itemized list is this for? I mean, are we just giving general appropriation, which lowers the threshold in the future to 51 or what?
Jean Of course, we’ve got the– I guess it’s the recovery task force that makes a recommendation and then it’ll come before full council. Every entity that we spend will be overseen by the Legislative Council. It could be a wide variety of things, from workplace to education to hospitals. The gamut is huge.
Payton So by passing this here and now, we basically hand over the oversight to ALC?
Jean ALC. They’ll have the final word.
Payton Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Jean Any other questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Rep. Wardlaw, you’re recognized to speak for the amendment.
Wardlaw Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hear some confusion and whispering, but what we did with this amendment, the infrastructure money that’s coming down from the feds, what we did with the Cares Act, what we did with the ARPA money, we made it to where it comes to council. That way, our voters, us, we get to see where that money is being spent and we can say yes and no on the final expenditure of those monies to make sure they’re disbursed correctly, make sure they’re going to things in our districts just like they should be. It’s a good amendment. I’d appreciate a good vote.
Shepherd Rep. Wardlaw has spoken in favor of the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1070. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed. The ayes have it. Before we, we move on, I’m going to announce a few guests that we have with us today. In the East Gallery, we have Francesca DeFazio, an exchange student from Italy who’s staying with Representative Meeks, along with Rebecca Meeks, Representative Meeks’ daughter. And of course, they’re the guests of Representative Meeks. All right, members also in the East Gallery, we have the chancellor’s leadership cabinet students of the Arkansas Tech University, Ozark Leadership Cabinet. They are in the East Gallery, along with Chancellor Bruce Sykes. They’re the guests of Representative Coleman, Berry, Pilkington and Eubanks. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, House Bill 1031, AETN. I’m going to let– if he feels compelled– Rep. Payton to come down to speak on this. So, what this does is just passes their budget with very little change except matching and some salaries. But I know we’ve had– this is our third go at it. The options are give them a budget or give them no budget or come back in a special session before June 30 and give them a budget. But, any questions? Appreciate a good vote. Remember, your one vote is 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 House Bill 1031.
Shepherd Representative Jean’s explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Rep. Peyton, you’re recognized to speak for the bill.
Payton Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Oh, you all know, I like to be quiet and sit in my little corner and play my piano and make a protest vote every now and then. But I guess I need to tell you what has transpired so you can be comfortable with passing this appropriation. A lot of concerns by this body and from the Senate came to light after we voted it down the first time. And we have met with people at AETN and they have made concessions and assured us that they are willing to work with us on policy issues while we have time during the interim leading into the next session to address things. So it’s my understanding– I guess it’d be ALC will be putting together a group of legislators to, to have some meetings. If you’re interested, if you still have concerns, I would encourage you to contact the Speaker or ALC chairs or staff and find out when those meetings are and participate. [00:45:50]But at this point, as Representative Jean said, you know, it’s either fund it or don’t fund it without any real plan on how to change those things that we’re not satisfied with. So I do encourage a yes vote. We have made our point and we have an opportunity to work on the policy through the interim. [19.3s] Thank you.
Shepherd Representative Payton has spoken for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Wing, you’re recognized to speak for the bill.
Wing Real quick, I wanted everyone to be able to feel very good about their vote. [00:46:29]The wireless emergency system that we have on repeating towers throughout the state is run by AETN and that is a very vital backup to the FCC requirements for us to be able to have weather alerts and Amber alerts throughout the state. And so it is very imperative that we fund this. [16.4s] The FCC will also be adding new requirements in July, and this will put us right there in place for that to take place. Ao I’d appreciate a good vote on this bill.
Shepherd Rep. Wing has spoken for the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Jean is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1031. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 89 yeas, 3 nays and 6 present, the bill is passed. Members, we have– we may have some other guests here. I’m not sure which gallery or if they’ve made it yet or still here, but we have the Ridge View Mennonite School from Jonesboro. They’re the guests of Representative Brant Smith, Representative Dwight Tosh, Rep. Jack Ladyman, and Rep. Johnny Rye. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One Senate Bill appropriation today is Senate bill 41, the assessment coordination division. We held this up and we had some language. This is their ops budget. And Representative Wardlaw may want to come down and explain a little more detail. He’s, he was in negotiations of used cars, of how we froze that for this year and kept it to 2020 prices for the working people of Arkansas. But that has– this is their ops budget. We just need to pass it now that we’ve got that problem worked, worked out, I hope. And if you want to say something about it, Rep. Wardlaw, I’d encourage you. 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 Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 41.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Jean is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 41. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. With 99 yea, 0 nay, 0 present, the bill is passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Speaker. Colleagues, we’re going to batch Senate Bill– these are all supplementals, mainly of federal funds that they’re still, still spending, need extra appropriation. Senate Bill 89 to Senate bill 100. If I need to pull any of these out of the batch for any reason. Have a minute to look at them. We’ll pull them out. Any questions.
Shepherd Representative Clowney, for what purpose?
Clowney Representative Jean, please.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Clowney Could you pull SB 94 and SB 98, please, for a separate vote? Those can be together.
Jean They can be together. OK. 94 and 98.
Shepherd Rep., Wardlaw for what purpose?
Wardlaw Request.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Wardlaw SB 89 be pulled out for a separate vote.
Jean 89.
Wardlaw Yes, sir.
Jean Any others? OK, members, we’re going to pick up the batch. We’re going to pick up Senate Bill 90, Senate Bill 91, 92, 93, 95, 96, 97, 99 and 100. Remember your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 90, Senate Bill 91, Senate Bill 92, Senate Bill 93, Senate Bill 95, Senate Bill 96, Senate Bill 97, Senate Bill 99 ,Senate Bill 100.
Shepherd Prepare the machine. You’re voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 98 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bills and emergency clauses have passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to pick up Senate Bill 89, which is the division of medical services. It’s a supplemental. 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 Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 89.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Jean is closed for the bill. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. You’re voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. With 96 yea, 0 nay and 1 present, the bill and emergency clause passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Speaker, we’re going to take up these last 2 as a batch, which will be Senate Bill 94, University of Arkansas Fayetteville Supplemental Appropriation, and Senate Bill 98, which is the University of Arkansas system supplemental appropriation. Any questions? Seeing none, your one vote is for both the bills and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill a third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 94. Senate Bill 98.
Shepherd Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. You’re voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 91 yeas– sorry, 92 yeas, 4 nays and 2 present, the bills and emergency clauses are passed. Members, we’re going to go back to the red calendar to House Resolution 1029. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1029.
Clerk House Resolution 1029 by Representative Tosh to congratulate the Valley View High School district on its many athletic and academic achievements.
Shepherd Rep. Tosh, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Tosh Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your permission, I’d like to ask Representative Brandt Smith and Representative Ladyman to join me at the well, please. Colleagues, while they make their way down here, let me explain. This is the recognition for the Valley View High School and for their accomplishments both in athletics and in the classroom. And sadly, I have to report to you that they were on our way down here and they got stuck in a traffic jam around Jacksonville and they’ve been there for a while, so, so I was trying to decide whether to go ahead and present this today. And I think this is the proper time to do so. So let me just, even though they’re not with us, hopefully, they can view this again later. Oh, you are here? All right. So, are you, are you by yourself? The students with you or? They’re not coming. Well. Well, I’m glad. I got stuck in that same traffic going home last night for about an hour, so I’m glad you’re here with us, Mr. Russell. Thank you. So if we would, just remain standing as I read this resolution in honor of what y’all have been able to accomplish there at Valley View. And I’m sure that you would want me to share with my colleagues at this time, I know you’ve told me this in the past that this is amazing what this school has accomplished. And I know at one time you told me that there was a graduate of Valley View High School back in 1966 that set the bar and y’all been trying to reach it ever since. And I just happened to be that graduate. Is that correct? Thank you, sir. All right. I’ll present the resolution at this time and I am a– that is my– this is my alma mater, so this is a great honor for me. It’s also my wife’s alma mater, so honored to be able to do this. And what an amazing success story this school truly is. But we’re here today to congratulate the Valley View School District for its many athletic and academic accomplishments. And I’m not going to go into all of those. You’ll hear that when the resolution is read here in a few moments, but I do want to touch on just some of the, some of their accomplishments. And for– this is the Valley View High School, the Blazers, 2021 4A. This is what they were the state champs in from the 4A division. They were the state baseball champs in 2021. They were the state bowling champs in 2021. They were the state soccer champs for the last two years, back-to-back state titles. The Lady Blazers were back to back cross country state champs. The Lady Blazers volleyball team– and I know we had a volleyball team here earlier that was honored for the three state championships. Colleagues, Valley View has been the volleyball state champions for seven consecutive years in the 4A division. That is unbelievable. Seven consecutive years. Probably a record that will probably never be broken unless Valley View breaks it this coming season. We hope so. But anyways, in the men’s golf, three years as the state champions. And the Lady Blazers cheer team, state champions. And I want to just mention a few individuals that are deserving of recognition. Mr. Russell, Cindy Rogers, a student there at Valley View, has won the Tennis State Championship– this is unbelievable– four consecutive years in a row. She won it her freshman year, sophomore year, junior and senior year, the state tennis championship. Wow. And also, I’d like to mention Cole Litell and Jacob Angle. They are the state individual wrestling champs. And also, Will Little was the 100 meter and 500 state swim champ. And academically, a young man by the name of Raymond Moody scored a perfect ACT score of 36. What a great job, Mr. Russell. What an outstanding job. Colleagues, let’s let Valley View– isn’t this an amazing school and an amazing story? I just can’t believe all these accomplishments. I’m so proud of this school and glad that you’re in my district. And Representative Ladyman, he’d like to say a few words. And Representative Smith wants to.
Ladyman Well, I’ll just take a minute. But you know that you getting here through that traffic shows that Valley View always comes through, right? Always. And I know you had a lot of people that wanted to come, but you didn’t have enough room on the bus. So I appreciate you being here. But I just wanted to say, instead of the graduates down there, I believe it’s the coaches since I was the first soccer coach at Valley View High School. But no, seriously. Valley View was the first school in Northeast Arkansas to have a soccer program as a club program. And when it was a club– we were there five years– every year we finished in the top four because of the students at Valley View and the teachers. So appreciate you very much.
Smith I don’t know how to follow this. I had 2 daughters graduate from Valley View and they made me proud as their father. But I’m going to try. OK. But I can tell you that Mr. Brian Russell has become a friend. He’s not only a great superintendent, but a good man. On top of all of that, and he’s well respected in our community. So thank you, Brian. I appreciate you.
Tosh Thank you, Representative Smith. Thank you, Representative Ladyman. Mr. Russell, thank you for being here. We’re glad you were able to make it. And obviously, like I said colleagues, I didn’t read all of the school’s accomplishments. It’d take too long, but I did highlight some of them. But at this time, you’ll hear the rest of those accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, if you’d have the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety.
Shepherd Clerk, please read the resolution in its entirety.
Clerk Whereas Valley View School District had many recent athletic and academic successes. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Blazers baseball team claimed the Class 4A State Championship trophy. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Blazers Mens bowling team claimed the 4A State Championship trophy. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Blazers men’s soccer team claimed the 4A State Championship trophy, which gave them back to back state championship titles. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Lady Blazers cross-country team claimed the 4A State Trophy, which gave them back to back state championship titles. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Lady Blazers volleyball team claimed the Class 4A State Championship Trophy, which was their seventh consecutive state championship title. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Blazers men’s golf team claimed the 4A State Championship trophy, which was their third consecutive state championship title. And whereas the 2021 Valley View High School Lady Blazers cheer team claimed the Class 4A State Championship trophy. And whereas Sidney Rogers of the Valley View High School Lady Blazers tennis team won the Class 4AState Tournament individual title for the 2021-2022 season, which has her fourth consecutive year winning this award. And whereas Cole Litrell and Jacob Engle of the Valley View High School Blazers wrestling team won Class 4A state tournament individual titles for the 2021-2022 season. And whereas Dylan Dobbs of Valley View High School won the overall state rodeo championship for the 2021-2022 season. And whereas Will Little of the Valley View High School Blazer Swim Team won the Class 4A State Championship in the 100 meter breaststroke and 500 meter free stroke. And whereas Raymond Moody of the Valley View High School achieved a perfect ACT score of 36. And whereas the 2020 Valley View High School Blazers men’s cross-country, lady’s golf, volleyball and cheer teams and the 2021 Valley View high school Blazers lady’s cross-country and lady’s basketball teams claimed the four year academic athletic state championships, which is awarded to the team with the highest average GPA in each class. And whereas the Valley View High School, the Valley View School District, was supported in these many successes by the excellent team of teachers, coaches and other staff members. Now, therefore be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas thay the House of Representatives congratulate the Valley View School District on its many recent athletic and academic accomplishments.
Tosh Colleagues, I present to you Mr. Brian Russell, the superintendent of Valley View school. Great job. Let’s give him a big round of applause.
Shepherd Rep. Tosh has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Tosh is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is passage of House Resolution 1029. All in favor say aye. Opposed. The ayes have it. Resolution has passed. All right, members, we now have with us– I know I introduced them earlier– but we now have with us the Ridge View Mennonite School from Jonesboro there in the East Gallery, the guests of Representatives Smith, Tosh, Ladyman and Rye. Mr. Clerk, read the bills.
Clerk House Resolution 1041.
Shepherd Without objection, read the resolution a second time
Clerk House Resolution 1041.
Shepherd House management. Members, we’re waiting on a supplemental budget calendar, so we may recess just briefly. But before we do that, I’d like to recognize– we have Representative Deborah Ferguson’s mother with us in the West Gallery. Members, the House will stand in recess for five minutes.
[Recess]
Shepherd The House will come to order. Members, you should have a yellow supplemental budget calendar. Does everybody have a supplemental calendar? All right, members, I thought we had the supplement on the desk. We’re trying to get those out to the last few. Does everybody– all right, members. Does everybody have a supplemental calendar? Does anybody need one? OK. All right, I think everybody has a supplemental calendar. All right, members, we’re going to try this. We’re going to see if it’s in the machine. All right, members, Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1010 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1010.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, the reason we’re doing this is this is the work we did in Joint Budget this morning. To try to get out of here by next Tuesday, we’re going to do this morning’s work. That’s why we suspended the rules and passed these out. We’ll take up the Senate bills that they did this morning tomorrow. And I think hopefully we’re planning on having the RSA on the committee desk at Joint Budget tomorrow. And everybody will have through electronic means and also on your desk Friday to have the three day period so we can take up the RSA on Monday. So that’s the plan. And another thing is I thought we were going to meet a little opposition. There are certain members in this body that are going to a Arkansas LSU basketball game tonight, so they want me to kind of move this along. So, all right, our first amendment is the House Bill 1010. And this is Community Corrections. This transfers eight positions into the Shared Services. Any questions on this amendment? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1010. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1018 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to 1018.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment number 1to House Bill 1018 Energy and Environment. What this is, this is the amendment by Rep. Wardlaw, the electrical charging stations. I think it lays out a better plan that this is spread out throughout the state. Where they were mainly looking at just the interstates, but some of the more traveled rural roads in Arkansas that’s going to take this up. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1018. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1026 back on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1026.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What this amendment does is the Department of Public Safety. It transfers three positions, two from the state police and one from CLEST, which will go to the Crime Victim Preparation program. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1026 all in favor say Aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1028 on second reading for purpose of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number one to House Bill 1028.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This amendment on House 1028 is for the Department of Finance. This is for the Racing Commission. This adds a new appropriation of $200,000 to help with treatment and education on compulsive gambling. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1028. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1056 on second reading for purposes of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1056.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is DHS secretary’s office, House Bill 1056. What this does is a net decrease of six positions. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Jean Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1056. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1058 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1058.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1058, DFA. This appropriation, what it does is transfer five positions from the Shared Services to DFA. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1058. All in favor, say aye. Any opposed. The motion– the amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1060 on second reading for the purpose of Amendment. Read Amendment number 2, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 2 to House Bill 1060.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean Amendment 2 on House 1060 is Department of Parks and Tourism. What this does is transfer 11 communication positions to Shared Services. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of amendment number 2 to House Bill 1060. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1064 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1064.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, House Bill 1064, Department of Human Services. This is the division of county operations. We passed this out this morning. This adds to the long term service and support of Medicaid eligible units to increase of 239 positions. Most of this is federal funds. Any questions on the amendment? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1064. All in favor say Aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1067 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Read Amendment number 2, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 2 to House Bill 1067.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean House Bill 1067, second Amendment. This is division of career technical education. What this does is remove two positions. Any questions on the amendment? Appreciate a good vote.
Jean Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of amendment number 2 to House Bill 1067. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1074 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1074.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1071. Department of Human Services. It’s the provider services and quality assurance program. What this does is reallocate resources for two positions. It upgrades to a divisional director. This is a net increase of– there’s one transfer. There’s a net increase of one position. Any questions on the amendment? Appreciate a good vote on amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1074. All in favor say Aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean moves we place House Bill 1080 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Read Amendment Number 1, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk Amendment Number 1 to House bill 1080.
Shepherd Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.
Jean All right. Mr. Speaker, this is our last amendment. House Bill 1080, Department of Education, School of the Blind and Deaf. What this does is two Governor’s letters, Governor’s Letter 12 and Governors Letter 20 removes three positions from the School of the Deaf and removed three positions from School the Blind. And there is approximately $15 million in capital improvement in the second one. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.
Shepherd Representative Jean has explained the amendment. Would anyone like to speak against the amendment? Would anyone like to speak for the amendment? Representative Jean is closed for the amendment. The question before the House is the adoption of Amendment Number 1 to House Bill 1080. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean All right, members, we’re going to try to batch these. I’ll give you time to look at them. Probably need to pull one or two out. We’re going to start at where the House Bills by Joint Budget, House Bill 1043. We’ll go all the way down to the second page House Bill 1076. I’ll give you a minute to look– time to look at them. If we need to pull any of these out of the batch, we will. Seeing none that need be pulled out, Mr. Speaker, we’ll start at 1043 and go all the way down to 1076. Members, your one vote is for the bills and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill for the third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.
Clerk House Bill 1043, House Bill 1045, House Bill 1054, House Bill 1061, House Bill 1062, House Bill 1063, House Bill 1065, House Bill 1066, House 1069, House Bill 1071, House Bill 1072, House Bill 1035, House Bill 1076.
Shepherd Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 98 yeas, 0 nay and 0 present, the bills have passed. Representative Meeks, for what purpose?
Meeks Motion, please.
Shepherd Let’s hear your motion.
Meeks 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 we adjourn until 11:30 tomorrow morning.
Shepherd That’s a proper motion. It’s not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Are there any announcements? Representative Jean, for what purpose?
Jean Announcement.
S Berry You’re recognized.
Jean Joint Budget will meet at 9:00 a.m. in the morning in Big Mac A.
Shepherd Representative Wing, for what purpose?
Wing Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Wing House Management meets upon adjournment downstairs in 138. House Management 138.
Shepherd Rep. Hudson, for what purpose?
Hudson Announcement.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Hudson The Serving Up Solutions event, there are save the dates and everybody’s boxes. I know that a few people have been asking. So this year it’s scheduled for June 16, 2022. There’s information in everyone’s box with the web address if anyone wants to sponsor or has any questions, please let me know.
Shepherd Any other announcements? All right, members, you’ve heard the announcements. We have Joint Budget in the morning, House Management upon adjournment right now, and then we’ll go into session tomorrow at 11:30. As we sit here right now, we, we don’t plan on meeting on Friday. Likely we’ll be back for Monday and Tuesday is the plan right now. OK, I’ll keep you posted. Keep watching your email and the legislative website. Any other announcements? Representative Vaught, for what purpose? You’re recognized.
Vaught I just wanted to remind everybody the prayer breakfast is in the morning. If you bought tickets, you know we had to reschedule, so the prayer breakfast will be in the morning.
Shepherd Any other announcements? Seeing none, 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 11:30 tomorrow morning.