March 3: Senate floor transcript

Senate Floor

March 3, 2022

 

Sturch The Senate will come to order. The Senate will come to order. I have requests for leave for Senator Clark and Senator Elliott. Is leave granted? Leave is granted for Senator Clark and Senator Elliott. Madam Secretary, please call– excuse me, senator. Senator Ingram requests for leave. Leave is granted for Senator Ingram. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. 

 

[Roll call]

 

Sturch Would everyone please rise, including our guests in the gallery to be led in prayer today by Senator Bill Sample? 

 

Sample Members and guests, would you pray with me? Dear Lord, thank you for this beautiful day you’ve given us. Thank you for giving us the knowledge and wisdom to take and do the work, and thank you for giving us your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

 

[Pledge of Allegiance]

 

Sturch The morning hour will now begin. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to the Senate. As you will be aware there are policies posted in the galleries that govern yourselves accordingly. Announcements. I’m going to recognize Senator Sullivan for one quick announcement at this time. 

 

Sullivan Thank you. On your desk. You have a flier about the Arkansas Medal of Honor Commission. I was at the African American coalition of Arkansas’ Veterans Celebration last week, and the gentleman who is in charge of our Medal of Honor monument out here talked to me about trying to upgrade or add two names first. They’re listed on this sheet. And Sergeant Major John McCanty is African American, and the other one is a gentleman back from the Civil War. They want to add those two names to the plaque. They want to do some upgrades that are all listed. It is $50,000. I tried to do an appropriation, but they said I was a little bit late. But we are going to try to do donations for this. So we will– I will send you a link to this. It has a link on there. There are 135 of us in the Legislature. If each one of us donated $350, we would cover that 50,000. You know, just donate what you can, if you would. I’m going to put this on my campaign web page and Facebook page and ask our citizens to donate, too. This is a great opportunity, a great thing to do, and just would encourage you to be a part of this. I think the Secretary of State may have some funds, too, but I’d love to see our Legislature get behind this and push this for all of us. Anyone have any questions? Thank you. Thank you. 

 

Sturch You’re welcome, senator. Senator Dismang, I believe you have some introductions to make. Madam Secretary, are there items to be read? 

 

Secretary Yes, sir. We your Committee on Joint Budget to whom was referred Senate Bill 45 by Joint Budget ,Senate Bill 64 by Joint Budget, Senate Bill 67 by Joint Budget recommend do pass. 

 

Sturch Calendar. 

 

Secretary We your committee on Joint Budget to whom was referred Senate Bill 107 by Joint Budget do pass as amended Number 1. Senate Bill 108 by Joint Budget do pass as amended Number 1. Senate Bill 109 by Joint Budget do pass as amended Number 1. And Senate Bill 110 by Joint Budget do pass as amended Number 1. 

 

Sturch Calendar.  

 

Secretary Senate Bill 41 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it.

 

Secretary Senate Bill 89 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 90 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate bill 91 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 92 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 93 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 94 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 95 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 96 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 97 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate bill 98 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 99 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. 

 

Secretary Senate bill 100 returned from the House Bill as passed. 

 

Sturch Enroll it. Senators, any other announcements before I move to the business agenda? Seeing none, Senator Dismang, you’re recognized to present Senate Resolution 35. 

 

Secretary Senate Resolution 35 by Senator Dismang to congratulate the Harding Academy Wildcats football team on winning the 2021 Class 3A State Championship. 

 

Sturch Senator, you’re recognized. 

 

Dismang Before we do that, I’d like to request leave and allow the members of the team to come out on the floor before we read the resolution. 

 

Sturch Is leave granted? Leave is granted. [pause while players arrive] Senator Dismang, is this all your guests? 

 

Dismang I think this is all my guests. Their shoulders are broad, you see? Hey, real quick before we read the resolution, I just want to say how proud I am of these guys, the work ethic and their commitment. I saw a quote from Coach Musselman the other day that I think it was an incredible one, and it was that winning just doesn’t sneak up on you. Winning didn’t sneak up on these kids. They prepared, they worked hard, and they’ve been very diligent. And again, very proud of the coaching staff and what they’ve done and proud of these kids. And with that, I’ll read the resolution. Whereas the 2021 Harding Academy Wildcats football team claimed the Class 3A State Championship trophy after defeating the Prescott High School Curly Wolves with a 47 to 25 victory at War Memorial Stadium Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. And whereas the 2021 Harding Academy Wildcats football team’s victory gave the school its third consecutive Class 3A state championship. And whereas the 2021 Harding Academy Wildcats football team’s victory was particularly special for the school and community as over half of the team has played together since they were in elementary school. And where as the Harding Academy Wildcats football team was well led by head coach Neal Evans. And whereas the 2021 Harding Academy Wildcat football team were also supported by additional coaches, staff, other members of Harding Academy and their community. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Senate of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, that the Senate congratulate the Harding Academy Wildcats team on winning the 2021 Class 3A State Championship. Be it further resolved that upon this adoption, a copy of the resolution will be presented to head coach football– football head coach of the Harding Academy Neil Evans by the secretary of the Senate. With that, I’d appreciate a good– a do pass. 

 

Sturch All in favor of Senate resolution 35 say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. 

 

Dismang Members, if we could just recess for just a couple of minutes. I mean, it’s going to take a while to get them all out of here. But if we can just take a few pictures and with that again, thank you all. 

 

Sturch Senate stands in recess. 

 

[Recess] 

 

Sturch The Senate will come to order. The Senate will come to order. We;ll now move on to House Bills for third reading and passage. Senator Hester. 

 

Secretary House Bill 1001 by House Bill Management an act for the Arkansas House Bill of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly appropriation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. 

 

Sturch Senator Hester, you’re recognized to present House Bill 1001. 

 

Hester Members, this is the House Bill appropriation. As always, I don’t care if you vote for it. 

 

Sturch You’ve heard an explanation of the bill. Are there any questions for Senator Hester? Seeing no questions, is there anyone to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none, Senator Hester has indicated he’s closed for the bill. Is there any objection to rolling the vote on the bill? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Roll Call] Are there any senators who wish to change their vote on this bill? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. With a vote of 32 yeas, 0 nays, the bill and– the bill has passed. Please return to the House. The bill and its emergency clause have passed. Senator Senator Dismang, you’re recognized to present the budget calendar for today. 

 

Dismang All right, thank you, members. I’m going to read through these real quick. If there’s any you’d like to pull out, just let me know. And then also do note that we just passed out a supplemental calendar that we’ll suspend the rules on here in a minute. So be flipping through that. Okay, pull out your, your schedule here. Senate Bill 12, 23, 34, 40, 50, 51, 53, 54, 57, 58, or 63.

 

Sturch Senator Dismang, I think  Senator Beckham wanted to pull Senate Bill 40. 

 

Dismang I’m sorry, I knew that. Yeah, we’re going to pull out Senate Bill 40 for a separate vote. Any others? 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 40 an act for the Department of Energy and Environment Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. 

 

Dismang Appreciate a good vote. 

 

Sturch Senator Dismang has presented Senate Bill 40. Is there any discussion? Any questions? Anyone to speak for or against the bill? Senator Beckham would like to speak on the bill. 

 

Beckham I’d like to be marked present. I own a propane company. We’re regulated by the LP gas board. 

 

Sturch So noted. Is there any objection to rolling the vote on this bill counting Senator Beckham as present? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Roll call]  Are there any senators who wish to change their vote on this bill? Seeing none, madam secretary, please cast up the ballot. With a vote of 31 yeas, 0 nays and 1 present, the bill and its emergency have– emergency clause have passed. Please transmit to the House. Senator Dismang, you’re recognized to present the rest of the batch. 

 

Dismang She’s good to read them. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 12 an act for the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 23 an act for the Administrative Office of the Courts Court Personnel Appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 34 an act for the Department of Human Services Division of Aging Adult and Behavioral Health Services appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 50 an act for the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Services appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 51  an act for the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 53 an act for the Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education appropriation appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 54 an act for the Department of Human Services Division of Medical Services appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 57 an act for the Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 57 an act for the Department of Education Division of Higher Education  appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. And Senate Bill 63 an act for the Department of Education appropriation for 2022-2023 fiscal year. 

 

Sturch Senators, you’ve heard Senator Dismang present the batch. Is there any further discussion? Seeing no further discussion, is there anyone who wishes to not roll the vote on these bills? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Roll call] Are there any senators who wish to change their vote on these bills? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. A vote of 32 yeas, 0 nays, the bills have passed. Please transmit to the House. Senator Dismang, you’re recognized to present the second batch. 

 

Dismang All right. And this batch will be all the remainder of the bills, which will be House Bills. I’m going to read through those. If you would like to pull one out, just let me know. House Bill 1031, House Bill 1043, House Bill 1045, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1065, 1066, 1069, 1071, 1072, 1075 and 1076. 

 

Pitsch Go ahead and roll 1076, but I’d like to be present on 1076, if that’s okay. 

 

Sturch We’ll have to vote on it separate. We have a request to pull House Bill 1076 out of the batch and vote it separately. Are there any others? Seeing none, senators, you’ve heard Senator Dismang explain the batch. Is there any objection to rolling the vote on this batch? 

 

Dismang We’re going to do== 

 

Sturch Oh, excuse me. 1076, we’ll do first. Any objection to rolling the vote and counting Senator Pitsch as present? 

 

Secretary House Bill 1076 by Joint Budget  an act for the appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. 

 

Sturch Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Roll call] Are there any senators who wish to change their vote on this bill? Any senators wish to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 31 yeas, 0 nays and 1 present, the bill as passed. Please return to the House. We’ll now take up the second batch. 

 

Secretary House Bill 1031 an act for the Department of Education Educational Television Division appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1043 an act for the Secretary of State appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1045 an act for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1054 an act for the UAMS Reynolds Center on Aging, Boozman College of Public Health, Arkansas Biosciences Institute and the Area Health Education Center in Helena appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1061 an act for the University of Arkansas in the Division of Agriculture. Arkansas Biosciences Institute appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1062 an act for the Arkansas State University Arkansas Biosciences Institute appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1063 an act for the Arkansas State University Mountain Home appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill for 1065 an act for the Arkansas State University Mid-South appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1066 an act for the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope Texarkana appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House bill 1069 an act for the Cossatot Community College at the University of Arkansas appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1071 an act for the University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. House Bill 1072 an act for the Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. And House Bill 1075 an act for the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. 

 

Sturch Senators, you’ve heard all the bills in the batch. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote on the second batch. [Roll call] Any senator who wishes to change her vote on these bills? Seeing none, madam secretary, please cast up the ballot. A vote of 32 yeas, 0 nays, the bills have passed. Please return to the House. Senators will now take up the supplemental budget calendar, the orange supplemental budget calendar. Senator Dismang. 

 

Dismang All right, thank you. Let’s just work through the– pulling things right now on both of them. So I’m going to read through the bills we’re going to amend. These are just amendments that we need to adopt. We’ll do those one at a time. We’ll do those first and again just be looking at the next three. The plan is to vote those as a batch. 

 

Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate bill 107. 

 

Dismang I move we adopt Amendment 1 to Senate bill 107. 

 

Sturch You’ve heard the motion to adopt. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The amendment is adopted. Please send to Engrossing.

 

Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 108. 

 

Dismang I move we adopt Amendment 1 to Senate bill 108.

 

Sturch You’ve heard the motion to adopt. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. Amendment is adopted. Please send to Engrossing.

 

Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 109.

 

Dismang I move adoption of Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 109.

 

Sturch You’ve heard the motion to adopt. All in favor say Aye. Any opposed. Amendment is adopted. Please send to Engrossing.

 

Secretary Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 110. 

 

Dismang I move adoption of Senate Amendment 1 to Senate bill 110. 

 

Sturch You’ve heard the motion to adopt .all in favor say aye. Any opposed. Seeing none, the amendment is adopted. Please send to Engrossing.

 

Dismang Members, just real quick, on those amendments we just adopted, I want you to understand how much we appreciate Senator Tucker for getting those appropriations. What we found out at the end, he had the vehicle and he’s been diligently working and kind of shepherding this issue. And I just want to say thank you for your work on that. And I think the legal community is going to appreciate your help on that. And hopefully at this point, you can stop worrying about it so much that you can get a haircut and shave. I mean, it looks good on you, don’t get me wrong. Thank you. 

 

Sturch Senator Dismang, you’re recognized. 

 

Dismang Senate Bill 45. Senate Bill 64. Senate Bill 67. All right. Seeing none. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 45 an act for the Department of Transformation and Shared Services appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 64 an act for the Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Public School Fund appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Senate Bill 67 an act for the Department of Commerce appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. 

 

Sturch Senator Davis, you’re recognized. 

 

Davis Thank you, I’d like to pull Senate Bill 67 from the batch, please.

 

Dismang That’s Senate Bill 67. 

 

Sturch Senate Bill 67 will be pulled from this batch. We will vote on it separately. 

 

Dismang Thank you, Senator Garner. 

 

Secretary Senate Bill 67 by Joint Budget an act for the Department of Commerce appropriation for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. 

 

Sturch Is there any objection to rolling the vote on Senate Bill 67 counting Senator Garner as a no? Seeing no objection, madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Roll call] Are there any senators who wish to change their vote on this bill? Any senators who wish to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. With a vote of 31 yeas and 1 nay, the bill has passed. Please transmit to the House. Senators, you’ve heard a discussion on the other batch. Senate Bill 45 and Senate bill 64 we’ll vote together. Is there any objection to rolling the vote on these bills? Seeing no objection, Madam Secretary, please read– okay, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Roll call] Are there any senators who wish to change their vote on these bills? Any senator wishes to change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. A vote of 32 yeas, 0 nays, the bills have passed. Please transmit to the House. Senators, that will conclude our supplemental budget calendar for today. Are there any announcements to be made at this time? Any announcements to be made this time? Senator Dismang, you’re recognized. 

 

Dismang Members, Joint Budget is going to come in at 10 o’clock on Monday. Yeah. All right. So Joint Budget is going to go in at 10 o’clock on Monday. And now my understanding, we’re going to come in at noon, noon here in this chamber. So we’ll have some business to conclude over in Joint Budget in relation to RSA. Those schedules should be going out soon. I’ll touch base with staff to kind of try to get that done and make sure we get it done. But with that– 

 

Sturch Joint Budget 10 o’clock Monday morning, session at noon. Senator Chesterfield, for a question. 

 

Chesterfield Thank you. Excuse my tardiness. I had to do something else. So we have laid RSA on the table or is it not? 

 

Dismang This morning we did. 

 

Chesterfield This morning we laid it on the table? 

 

Dismang Yes, ma’am. Yeah, that was in your package. 

 

Chesterfield That will allow us to vote on Monday? 

 

Dismang Yes. 

 

Chesterfield On RSA. 

 

Dismang We’ll have to go through some– we’re going to have to adopt the amendment in committee, and then we’re going to come in and we’re going to adopt the amendment in the chamber, send it to Engrossing, suspend, and we’ll consider again, I think– my understanding we’ll pass it then and then flip it the following day. 

 

Chesterfield Okay. Thank you so much. 

 

Dismang Yes, ma’am. Hey, and the only reason we’re getting to do that is because of these folks that stayed late last night, stuck it through. And so thank y’all very, very, very much. Like I told you about BLR staff, these folks need our prayers, so make sure you do that tonight. Thank you again for all the work. 

 

Sturch Thank you all. Senator Hill, you’re recognized for an announcement. 

 

Hill Rules Committee will meet Monday after session. Get with Anne. She’s got a list of the governor’s board appointments for us to, to approve or disapprove. So please get with her and she’s got a list of them for you. 

 

Sturch Rules Committee will meet upon adjournment on Monday, Room 309. Senator Ballinger, you’re recognized for an announcement. 

 

Ballinger Thank you. I hate to do this to committee members. We thought we were meeting Friday when we scheduled this. But Joint Energy will meet 30 minutes upon adjournment of either the House or the Senate. So if the House is still going, then it may be 30 minutes from when they get out or 30 minutes from now. But Joint Energy is going to meet. There are a couple of things. We do have some Senate business to take care of within the committee, so it would be good if you guys will be there. But then we also are going to take some– have some testimony on what the potential impacts of the conflict the war in Ukraine could have on energy prices and what we could see. And then there’s also issues with– there’s also issues with the connectivity of the solar with the net metering. And that’s going to be dealt with too. But anyway, I’d appreciate if you guys can be there, be there. We are meeting in Big Mac A. Yeah, thank you. 

 

Sturch Joint Energy will meet upon– 30 minutes upon adjournment of both chambers, Big Mac A. Senator Irvin, you’re recognized for an announcement.

 

Irvin Members, due to the fiscal session extending, we will reschedule the Education Committee meeting that was scheduled for March 7. 

 

Sturch Education Committee will be rescheduled for next week– or next week’s meetings will be rescheduled. Senator Bledsoe, you’re recognized for an announcement. 

 

Bledsoe Public Health Committee will also be rescheduled. 

 

Sturch Any further announcements to come before the Senate? Any further announcements to come before the Senate? Seeing none, the Senate stands adjourned until noon on Monday subject to clearing of the desk.