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House of Representatives
March 8, 2022
Shepherd I invite the members, staff, press and guests in the gallery to stand and be led in prayer by Pastor Derek Easter of New Saint Hurricane Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, a guest of Representative Flowers and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean.
Easter Let us pray. Almighty God, we come today to pray for these, our state officials. Would you grant them grace to face the unique challenges of our state with empathy? We pray humbly that by your miraculous power, you will continue to remove personal agendas, that they will give way to the good of everyone in our state. Grant them the wisdom to continue to legislate wisely. In these traumatic days when nations rage and the world and our communities seem to be in a fragile state, we call on you today with humble hearts that you would speak into our conflicts and bring order to our chaos. We pray that each and every member will give careful and thoughtful stewardship of their influence. Would you bless, would you keep, and would you cover each of them with your grace? We humbly pray this in your sovereign name, amen.
[Pledge of Allegiance]
Shepherd Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. With 99 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Jean, for what purpose?
Jean Leave.
Shepherd You’re recognized.
Jean Representative Deffenbaugh.
Shepherd Is leave granted for Representative Deffenbaugh? So noted. Representative Frederick Love moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day’s journal. Without objection so ordered. Are there reports from select committees? Are there reports from standing committees? Is there any unfinished business? Are there any executive communications? Read the letter from the governor, Mr. Clerk.
Clerk March 7, 2022, to the Speaker of the House. Dear Mr. Speaker, this is to inform you that on March 7, 2022, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the fiscal session of the 93rd General Assembly: House Bill 1001 is Act 136. House Bill 1031 is Act 137. House Bill 1043 is Act 138. House Bill 1045 is Act 139. House Bill 1054 is Act 140. House Bill 10 61 is Act 141. House Bill 1062 is Act 142. House Bill 1063 is Act 143. House Bill 1065 is Act 144. House Bill 1066 is Act 145. House Bill 1069 is Act 146. House Bill 1071 is Act 147. House Bill 1072 is Act 148. House Bill 1075 is Act 149. House Bill 1076 is Act 150. House Bill 1096 is Act 151. And 38 Senate bills. Sincerely, Asa Hutchinson.
Shepherd Members, before we move to the red calendar, the Doctor of the day is Dr. Shannon Swift of Heber Springs and the nurse of the day is Miss Brenda Hewitt. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1038.
Clerk House Resolution 1038 by Representative Fortner to congratulate the Yellville Summit High School Girls Track team for winning the 2021 Class 2A overall state championship and Class 2A State Championship in the 4×400 meter relay.
Shepherd Representative Fortner, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Fortner Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had this resolution on for a couple of weeks hoping that the girls could join me here. But when you have a small school such as Yellville Summit, the same girls that were on this track team are on the basketball team that was eligible and participated in the state finals. So I am going to go ahead and honor those girls because Yellville Summit doesn’t get a state championship every day. Their coach, April Martin, and our superintendent, Wes Henderson, could not be more supportive of those girls. And what I want you to know about this team, not only are they excellent athletes, they are a vital part of our community. They do volunteer work. They belong to organizations. And they’re excellent students. Two of the four girls on the relay team, the 4×400 relay team, I have a special relationship with them. As a matter of fact, their stuff is still in a little clubhouse they built in the attic of my tool shed. It would embarrass them to know that. But since this is being recorded and I’m going to take it back to them, they’ll know now. They can’t get their long legs up in there any longer, but they are still part of my family. They won the state championship because of the 4×400 relay team. They went into that event trailing by one point. It was dependent on them winning that relay team. And the four girls on that relay team, K.J. Moore, Kaylee Martin, Jacey Davenport and Abby Methvin drew down inside themselves and won that relay, won the state championship for the relay and caused their team to be the state champions. And I’m just extremely proud of them. Mr. Speaker, would you have the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety?
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the resolution.
Clerk Whereas in May 2021, the Yellville Summit High School Girls Track Team won the Class 2A overall state championship. And whereas during the state tournament, the Yellville Summit High School Girls Track Team was trailing the Bigelow High School Girls Track team by one point going into the final event, which was the 4×400 meter relay. And whereas the Yellville Summit High School Girls 4×400 meter relay team consisted of Jacey Davenport, Abby Methvin, K.J. Moore, and Kaylee Martin. And whereas the Yellville Summit High School Girls 4x 400 meter relay team won the 4x 400 meter race, giving the 4x 400 meter race team the state championship in that event, and giving the entire Yellville Summit high school girls track team the overall state championship. And whereas the Yellville Summit High School Girls Track Team has been supported by in these many successes by an excellent team of 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 that the House of Representatives congratulate the Yellville Summit High School Girls Track Team for winning the 2021 Class 2A overall state championship and the 2021 Class 2A State Championship in the 4x 400 meter relay.
Shepherd Representative Fortner has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Fortner, you’re recognized to close for the resolution?
Fortner I would so appreciate it if you would acknowledge that team as if they were here with us today. And I thank you for your good vote.
Shepherd Representative Fortner is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 10 38. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1044.
Clerk House Resolution 1044 by Representative Bentley to congratulate the Bigalow Junior Boys Basketball team on its many accomplishments
Shepherd Representative Bentley, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Bentley Speaker, with your permission, I’d like to have Representative Hawks and Representative Beck join me up here, please. Colleagues, we are blessed today to have a team that not only is the 2AE district champions, but they are an undefeated team. So I wanted these 2 guys to recognize them with me. Representative Hawks and Representative Beck both representPerry County with me, and we all have some of our constituents that get to go to school in Bigelow, a great school that’s doing amazing things with basketball. So today we want to recognize the boys team and the great job they’ve done. Coach Wilson and Coach Nemer and all that they’ve done for the boys there in Bigelow. I can tell you this ninth grade team is going to be a force to be reckoned with next year, because not only have they been undefeated this year, but in the past 3 seasons they’ve only lost 2 games. So I can tell you that the rest of this district better be in fear of these boys as they take up to the high school age. So if you guys will recognize this team with me, I would greatly appreciate it. And if you’d read the resolution for us.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the resolution.
Clerk Whereas on February 12, 2022 the Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team capped off a perfect season by winning the Class 2A 5 district tournament at Marshall High School. And whereas for the first time in more than 30 years, the Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team finished the season with an undefeated record. And whereas the 2022 Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team won the Bigelow Invitational tournament. And whereas the Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team has only lost 2 games over the course of the last 3 seasons. And whereas the 2022 Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team was well led by head coach Chad Wilson and supported by coach Craig Neumeier and Anna Akridge. And whereas in 2022, the Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team has also been supported by additional staff and other members of the Bigelow School District and their community. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives congratulate the Bigelow Junior Boys Basketball team on their many accomplishments.
Shepherd Representative Bentley has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Bentley, you’re recognized to close for the resolution.
Bentley As if this team is not distinguished enough, they also in their membership have Banks Johnson, whose dad, Bob Johnson, was Speaker of the House in 1999. So they’re a very distinguished team. With that, I would appreciate a good vote from all of you. Thank you.
Shepherd Representative Bentley is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1044. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1045.
Clerk House Resolution 1045 by Representative Ray to congratulate Julia Gaffney for earning 2 bronze medals in swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Shepherd Representative Ray, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Ray Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I’m excited to bring this resolution to you today. I think you’ll all agree with me when I say that our state is blessed with many, many natural resources, but our greatest asset is our people and the spirit of our people. There’s a lot of incredible individuals in our state. But the one that I’m honoring today just so happens to be from House District 40. Julia Gaffney is a swimmer from Mayflower. She also happens to be a double amputee shortly after birth. She had one amputation above the knee and another amputation below the knee. She was adopted as a young child and only began swimming competitively in 2015, less than 7 years ago. But to say that she made a big splash when she jumped into the pool would be quite an understatement. At the 2020 Paralympic Games, which were delayed because of COVID and held last August in Tokyo, Julia won not one, but two medals. She won a bronze medal in the 400 meter freestyle and a bronze medal in the 100 meter backstroke. Julia Gaffney has overcome tremendous odds in order to achieve this feat. In order to do what she’s done, it takes grit, courage, determination and perseverance, the courage to do something that most people thinks– thought she probably couldn’t do. The, the hard work and determination to put in, countless hours of training to become one of the best at what she does. I find Julia’s story to be inspiring and a reminder that we’re surrounded by all sorts of people who overcome incredible challenges to achieve success. And I hope that by bringing this resolution to you today, you will find the same inspiration in her achievements that I do. Julia isn’t able to be here with us today, but I hope that you will join me in passing this resolution to recognize her outstanding achievements. Mr. Speaker, if you could please have the Clerk read the resolution.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the resolution.
Clerk Whereas Julia Gaffney is an American Paralympic swimmer who was born in Russia but raised in Mayflower, Arkansas, and began competing in pairs swimming in 2015. And whereas when Gaffney was born, she had her right leg amputated above the knee and her left leg amputated below the knee. And whereas during the pair swimming career, Gaffney has won 5 silver medals and a bronze medal at the 2017 World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City and a gold medal at the women’s 200 meter individual medley at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London. And whereas Gaffney swam in the 5 events at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the women’s 100 meter backstroke and women’s 400 meter freestyle. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives recognized Julia Gaffney for earning 2 bronze medals in swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Shepherd Representative Ray has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Ray is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1045. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1049.
Clerk House Resolution 1049 by Representative Vaught to congratulate the Ashdown High School boys and girls track teams on their many achievements.
Shepherd Representative Vaught, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Vaught Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sad to say that our Ashdown Panthers and Pantherettes couldn’t be here today due to a track meet that they had today. But I wanted to recognize them for their great accomplishments. They are the 2022 state champions for indoor track. The Panthers or Panterettes are the runner up. So I think that’s a great achievement for, for our area. They, they’ve worked hard throughout the last several years to achieve this great achievement. And so I wanted to make sure that we took time to recognize them for that. And there were several that actually won their individual competitions or events at the same time. And it’s in the resolution. So, Mr. Speaker, would you please have the Clerk read the resolution in its entirety?
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the resolution.
Clerk Whereas the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers Boys Track Team won the Class 3A Indoor Track Championship. And whereas the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers Girls Track Team were the runners up for the Class 3A indoor track state championship. And whereas several members of the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers Boys Track Team won their individual events, including Ford Young, who won the 200 meter and 400 meter dashes; Javon Hart, who won the 1600 meter race; and Ben Atkinson, who won the pole vault. And whereas the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers Boys Track Team also won the 4×400 and 4×800 meter relay races. And whereas several members of the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers Girls Track Team won their individual events, including Lakenya Williams, who won the 60 meter dash, Jeana Paredes, who won the triple jump and pole vault, and Raven Pounds who won the shot put. And whereas the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers boys and track’s team boys and girls track teams were led by head coach Joseph Baker, Matt Richardson, Mat McLeland and Chris Scarborough. And whereas the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers track team have been supported by their successes by an excellent team of teachers, coaches and other staff members and their communities. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives congratulate the 2022 Ashdown High School Panthers boys and girls track teams on their many recent accomplishments.
Shepherd Representative Vaught has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Vaught, you’re recognized to close for the resolution.
Vaught Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With that, I would like to wish both teams great luck today as they are competing today. And with that, I’d appreciate a good vote.
Shepherd Representative Vaught is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1049. All in favor say aye. Any opposed. The resolution is adopted. We’re going to move to the red supplemental calendar. Mr. Clerk, please read House Resolution 1050.
Clerk House Resolution 1050 by Representative Flowers to recognize the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for educating and training servant leaders in local, state and federal leadership, public administration, law and political science.
Shepherd Representative Flowers, you’re recognized to explain the resolution.
Flowers Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start, can I ask Representative Ferguson and Representative Holcomb to join me? So since we’re meeting early today, just like most of you, my students are not scheduled to be here until 11:00. They still will have a full day, but we’re going to act like they’re here. Like many of you, I, as well as my colleagues, engage students not only here at the Capitol during session, but also through internships. Representative Ferguson, as many of you know, is a graduate of UAPB. I count myself an alumnus since I took four classes, four classes one summer at UAPB. And as county judge, Representative Holcomb was an extreme supporter and advocate for UAPB. So we all are very, very passionate, very, very supportive. And this connection comes through students who are very focused and interested in training and exposure to the very thing that we do in not only policymaking, but advocacy of our districts. And so we have learned more about what the political science department does to prepare students. And historically, we’ve learned that that history is long and outpaces even the formal program itself. And as you’ll hear, you know, leadership and passion for service as servant leaders doesn’t just happen. It happens in a very special place at UAPB and before then in college to grow these servant leaders and these students who love their communities and love their alma mater. So with that, I would ask if either of my colleagues have anything to say. I knew they were going to say that. There we go.
Holcomb Well, I’ll just say just my son was a graduate of UAPB, played there on a baseball scholarship. So I just wanted to have that.
Flowers And I think that as long as I’m here, however long that is, we’ll just go ahead and make this a tradition for every last day of the session. And I’m just going to say this twice, ask you and you can chant back, who are you rooting for you? UAPB. Oh, no. I’m give you 2 more chances. UAPB. UAPB. Oh, I am so glad those students are not here to see that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the resolution.
Clerk Whereas the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, which was formerly known as Arkansas Agricultural Mechanical Normal College, has been educating and training servant leaders in local, state and federal leadership, public administration, law and political science for over 100 years. And whereas notable alumni of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff include civil rights activist and social worker Martha Lewis, the United States Representative from Illinois Danny Davis and the late civil rights attorney and Arkansas State Representative John Walker. And whereas the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff School of Arts and Sciences continues the legacy of stalwart and change making leadership in its Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences under the leadership of its department chair, Dr. Jerry G. Ingram, and its political science program coordinator Henry Brooks IV. And whereas the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Social Science Program boasts a pre-law, graduate studies, and international relations track, as well as robust internship and study abroad partnerships, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C., the Walton Family Foundation, the United States Army Reserves Officers Training Corps and the Project Go Arab Language Intensive Study Program and the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps Internship. And whereas the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduates have gone on to graduate from Yale Law School, Washington University, and St. Louis School of Law and numerous other law schools across the nation. And whereas the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has a pre-law undergraduate scholars program that participates in the admission partnership with the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, as well as semester long Law School Admission Test Preparation Course with the University of Arkansas in Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law Professor Andre Cummings. And whereas the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program graduates are currently enrolled in law schools at Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Chicago, the University of Arkansas in Little Rock and Howard University. And whereas the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Political Science students will attend graduate programs at American University, the University of Southern California and Boston University in the fall of 2022. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 93rd General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the House of Representatives recognize the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for educating and training servant leaders and local, state and federal leadership, public administration, law and political science.
Shepherd Representative Flowers has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Rep. Flowers is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1050. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? Resolution is adopted. Morning hour is ened. Representative Wooten, for what purpose?
Wooten Point of personal privilege. Point of personal privilege.
Shepherd You’re recognized for your point of personal privilege.
Wooten Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I regret to report to this body this morning the passing of Mr. Lee Hayes of Beebe. Lee was a remarkable individual and an outstanding citizen of the state of Arkansas and the city of Beebe. General Berry, what makes him most notable is he’s one of the few remaining combat veterans from World War II in the state of Arkansas. And I ask for your prayers for the Hayes family and for the nation of Ukraine, since he spent a better part of his younger life in battle in Europe. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Shepherd Members, we’ll observe a moment of silence in memory of Mr. Hayes. Thank you. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we’ve got the Senate Bill 101. This is the companion bill that we passed out of the House. This is the Senate version. It is identical from what we passed yesterday. Any questions? Your one vote is for the bill, the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the Clerk read the bill for the third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 101.
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 to the bill. The question before the House is a passage of Senate Bill 101. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 97 yeas, 1 nay and 0 present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. Rep. Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we’re going to take up Senate Bill 107 and Senate Bill 110. This provides– this is for this current fiscal year that we’re in. This provides 45– up to 45 additional positions for on Senate Bill 107 of deputy prosecutors. And Senate Bill 110 provides public defenders additional 45 positions to help with the backlog in the cases that we have in our courts. This has been negotiated on both leadership in the House and the Senate, so it’s about as fair as you can. It’s 45 for public defenders and 45 for prosecutors. This will get the funding to the end of the year. Then we have two other bills that will pick it up for the next fiscal year beginning July 1 coming right after this. Any question on this? Do I need to remove any of these out of the batch for any reason? OK, we’re going to take up Senate Bill 107 and 110. Your one vote will be 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 Senate Bill 107 and Senate Bill 110.
Shepherd Prepare the machine. 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 yeas, 0 nay and 0 present, the bills and emergency clauses are passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.
Jean Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is Senate Bill 108, Senate Bill 109. This is for the prosecutors and the public defenders. As I explained earlier, this picks up the extra help beginning July 1 and to the next fiscal year. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote. Your one vote is for both bills. Mr. Clerk, have the Speaker read the bill for the third time.
Shepherd Mr. Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.
Clerk Senate Bill 108, Senate Bill 109.
Shepherd Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 97 yea, 0 nay, and 0 present, the bills have passed. Mr. Parliamentarian, you’re recognized.
Parliamentarian Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members of the House. In a few moments, Representative Meeks will make the adjourn motion for today. The motion will be standard procedure for wrapping up the fiscal session. It will allow the Speaker and the president pro tem by proclamation to reconvene the session if needed to consider vetoes and correct errors or oversights, or it would allow them again by proclamation to adjourn the fiscal session sine die. And again, this is standard procedure for wrapping up the fiscal session. As of now, the plan is for the session to adjourn sine die at noon on Tuesday, March 15. That is based– that is as long as there are no errors or omissions that need to be addressed through a reconvening of the Legislature. As such, according to House Rule 10, the election for Speaker designate would follow 15 minutes after sine die adjournment on noon March 15, Tuesday. Along those lines, if any members are not going to be able to be here for the Speaker designate election and you wish to vote, there is a process again in Rule, House Rule 10 allowing for absentee ballots. And we encourage you to see Amber Pool by the Speaker’s office. She has absentee ballots that she will process for you. And other than that, that’s the the plan, and I’ll be happy to entertain any questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members of the House.
Shepherd Representative Meeks, for what purpose?
Meeks Motion, please.
Shepherd Let’s hear your motion.
Meeks Mr. Speaker, I move that in accordance with House Resolution 1027 and Senate Resolution 21, that the House stand adjourned until such time as we by proclamation of the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate are reconvene to consider vetoes or correct errors and oversight, or the fiscal session of the 93rd General Assembly of Arkansas is adjourned sine die.
Shepherd That’s a proper motion. It’s not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. The House is adjourned.