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Parliamentarian: What purpose, Mr. Sergeant at Arms?
Sgt At Arms: Admittance of the Secretary of State, the Honorable John Thurston.
Parliamentarian: Admit Mr. Thurston, Mr. Sergeant at Arms. Mr. Secretary, you’re recognized.
Secretary Thurston: All right, thank you so much. Mr. Speaker, representatives, family members, and honored guests, congratulations to all of you who have successfully won a race to have the privilege– and I want to say this: it is a privilege and an honor to represent your constituents, and always remember that. So in accordance with Arkansas law, it is my honor to present the list of members elected to the State House of Representatives of the 94th General Assembly. I, John Thurston, Secretary of State for the State of Arkansas, hereby certify that each of the following members received the highest number of votes cast in his or her Representative House District in the general election held on November 8, 2022, as certified to the office of the Secretary of State by the various county boards of election commissioners.
Secretary Thurston: Jeremy Wooldridge, State Representative, District 1; Trey Steimel, District 2. Stetson Painter, District 3; Jack Fortner, District 4; Ron McNair, District 5; Harlan Breaux, District 6; Brit McKenzie, District 7; Austin McCollum, District 8; DeAnna Hodges, District 9; Mindy McAlindon, District 10. Rebecca Burkes, District 11; Hope Duke, District 12; Scott Richardson, District 13; Grant Hodges, District 14; John Carr, District 15; Kendon Underwood, District 16; Delia Haak, District 17; Robin Lundstrum, District 18; Steve Unger, District 19; Denise Garner, District 20.
Secretary Thurston: Nicole Clowney, District 22– or 21; David Whitaker, District 22; Kendra Moore, District 23; Charlene Fite, District 24; Chad Pur– forgive me on that one. Puryear, sorry, District 25; Mark Berry, District 26; Steven Walker, District 27; Bart Schulz, District 28; Rick McClure, District 29; Frances Cavenaugh, District 30; Jimmy Gazaway, District 31; Jack Ladyman, District 32; Jon Milligan, District 33; Joey Carr, District 34; Milton Nicks, District 35; Johnny Rye, District 36; Steve Hollowell, District 37; Dwight Tosh, District 38; Wayne Long, District 39; Shad Pearce, District 40.
Secretary Thurston: Josh Miller, District 41; Stephen Meeks, District 42; Rick Beck, District 43; Stan Berry, District 44; Aaron Pilkington, District 45; Jon Eubanks, District 46; Lee Johnson, District 47; Ryan Rose, District 48; Jay Richardson, District 49; Zachary Gramlich, District 50; Cindy Crawford, District 51; Marcus Richmond, District 52; Matt Duffield, District 53; Mary Bentley, District 54; Matthew Brown, District 55; Stephen McGee, District 56; Cameron Cooper, District 57; Les Eaves, District 58; Jim Wooten, District 59; Roger Lynch, District 60.
Secretary Thurston: Jeremiah Moore, District 61; Mark McElroy, District 62; Deborah Ferguson, District 63; Keith Ferguson. I’m sorry, Kenneth Ferguson, District 64; Vivian Flowers, District 65; Mark Perry, District 66; Karilyn Brown, District 67; Brian Evans, District 68; David Ray, District 69; Carlton Wing, District 70; Brandon Achor, District 71; Jamie Scott, District 72; Andrew Collins, District 73; Tippi McCullough, District 74; Ashley Hudson, District 75; Joy Springer, District 76; Fred Allen, District 77; Keith Brooks, District 78; Tara Shephard, District 79; Denise Ennett, District 80.
Secretary Thurston: R.J. Hawk, District 81; Anthony Furman, District 82; Lanny Fite, District 83; Les Warren, District 84; Richard McGrew, District 85; John Maddox, District 86; DeAnn Vaught, District 87; Danny Watson, District 88; Justin Gonzales, District 89; Richard Womack, State– District 90. My eyes are bouncing around at this point. Bruce Cozart, District 91; Julie Mayberry, the District 92; Mike Holcomb, District 93; Jeffrey Wardlaw, District 94; Howard Beaty, District 95; Sonia Barker, District 96; Matthew Shepherd, District 97; Wade Andrews, District 98; Lane Jean, District 99; and Carol Dalby, District 100. Congratulations.
Parliamentarian: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. The Parliamentarian will post the following named committee to notify the Honorable John Dan Kemp, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, that the General Assembly has convened and is ready to take the oath of office and to escort the justice to the podium to administer the oath of office. Representative Carol Dalby, Chairperson, Representative David Whitaker, Representative John Maddox, Representative Jimmy Gazaway, Representative Nicole Clowney, Representative Cameron Cooper, Representative Andrew Collins, Representative Harlan Breaux, Representative Richard McGrew, Representative Ashley Hudson, Representative Jeremiah Moore, Representative Matthew Brown, Representative Zachary Gramlich, Representative Hope Duke.
Sgt At Arms: Mr. Parliamentarian.
Parliamentarian: For what purpose, Mr. Sergeant at Arms?
Sgt At Arms: Admittance of the Chief Justice of the Arkansas State Supreme Court, the Honorable John Dan Kemp.
Parliamentarian: Admit the Chief Justice, Mr. Sergeant at Arms. Representative McNair, for what purpose?
Rep McNair: Mr. Parliamentarian, I move that the members elected and certified to the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly be seated and that the oath of office be administered by the Honorable John Dan Kemp, Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Parliamentarian: That’s a proper motion. The question before the House is that members be seated and that the oath of office be administered by the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Please press your yellow present button. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With 99 members president, the chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Magie.
Rep Magie: Representative Deborah Ferguson to be sworn in at a later time.
Parliamentarian: Is leave granted? Leave is granted. Mr. Chief Justice, you’re recognized.
Representatives sworn in
Justice Kemp: In just a few moments, each of the state representatives who have been duly elected by the people of their district will be taking their oath of office. In that oath, each person swears to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas. I would briefly like to read the preamble to each constitution. The Preamble for the Constitution of the United States reads as follows: We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The Preamble for the Arkansas Constitution reads as follows: We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government, for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution. In each of these preambles of the constitution, it’s established by the people. We the people are the government of the United States. We the people are the government of the State of Arkansas. And we should never forget this fact. More importantly, as elected officials, whether we’re elected representatives or judges, we should never forget this fact. Would each of the representatives now please raise your right hand. Say I– and your name– do solemnly swear– that I will support the Constitution of the United States– –and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas– –and that I will faithfully perform the duties– –of state representative for district number–the official position– –upon which I’m about to enter–so help me God. Congratulations.
Parliamentarian: Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice, justices of the court. Thank you for being here. Representative Eaves, for what purpose?
Rep Eaves: Motion.
Parliamentarian: Let’s hear your motion.
Rep Eaves: I move the rules of the 93rd General Assembly be adopted as the temporary rules of the 94th General Assembly.
Parliamentarian: That’s a proper motion. The question before the House is adoption of the rules of the 93rd General Assembly as the temporary rules of 94th General Assembly. All in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Temporary rules are adopted. Representative Richmond, for what purpose?
Speaker of the House election
Rep Richmond: Mr. Parliamentarian, I wish to place in nomination the name of the Honorable Matthew J. Shepherd as the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly.
Parliamentarian: Thank you, Representative Richmond. Representative Cavenaugh, for what purpose?
Rep Cavenaugh: Mr. Parliamentarian, I move that the nominations close for the Speaker of the House.
Parliamentarian: That’s a proper motion. The question before the House is to close nominations for Speaker of the House. All in favor say aye.
Audience: Aye.
Parliamentarian: All opposed say nay.
Parliamentarian: The ayes have it. Representative Warren, for what purpose?
Rep Warren: Motion.
Parliamentarian: Let’s hear your motion.
Rep Warren: Mr. Parliamentarian, I move that the vote of the entire membership of the House be recorded for the Honorable Matthew J. Shepherd as the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly.
Parliamentarian: That’s a proper motion. The question before the House is that the vote of the entire membership of the House be recorded for the Honorable Matthew J. Shepherd as the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By vote of 97 yea, 1 nay, 0 present, Shepherd is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Parliamentarian appoints the following named committee to escort the speaker to the podium and notify the Honorable Bobby E. Shepherd, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, that the Honorable Matthew J. Shepherd is ready to take the oath of office as Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives: Representative Jon S. Eubanks, Chairperson, Representative Lane Jean, Representative Jeffrey Wardlaw, Representative Bruce Cozart, Representative Mike Holcomb, Representative Charlene Fite, Representative Les Eaves, Representative Dwight Tosh, Representative Kenneth B. Ferguson, Representative Lanny Fite, Representative DeAnn Vaught, Representative Milton Nicks, Jr., Representative Jack Fortner, Representative Fred Allen, Representative Fran Cavenaugh, Representative Steve Hollowell, Representative Danny Watson, Representative Carlton Wing, Representative Les Warren, Representative Stan Berry, Representative Lee Johnson, Representative Brian S. Evans, and Representative Mark H. Berry.
Sgt At Arms: Mr. Parliamentarian.
Parliamentarian: What purpose, Mr. Sergeant at Arms?
Sgt At Arms: Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, the Honorable Matthew J. Shepherd.
Parliamentarian: Please admit the Speaker, Mr. Sergeant at Arms.
Sgt At Arms: Speaker.
Parliamentarian: Judge Shepherd, you’re recognized.
Judge Shepherd: Speaker, are you ready to take your oath?
Rep Shepherd: I am.
Speaker sworn in
Judge Shepherd: Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Matthew Joseph Shepherd, do solemnly swear–that I will support the Constitution of the United States–and the Constitution of the State of Arkansas–and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives–upon which I am now about to enter. So help me God.
Parliamentarian: Mr. Speaker, you’re recognized.
Rep Shepherd: Thank you.
Speaker speech
Rep Shepherd: Members, I thank you once again for your vote of support and humbly accept the Speakership of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly. I think I speak for more than just myself when I say thank you for selecting me, your Speaker, on the 1st and not the 15th ballot. And this body prides itself on not reflecting D.C. politics, and we’re off to a great start once again. First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom which anything that I’ve ever been able to accomplish is only– that’s the only way that that’s ever possible. And that far more important than anything that I will ever do is having a personal relationship with Him. Regardless of any position that I hold– regardless of any position that I may hold now, have held in the past, or may ever hold, all glory, honor, and praise goes to the Lord God Almighty. And I will give him praise in both the good times and the bad times.
Rep Shepherd: I want to thank my wife, Ali, for her love, support, and sacrifice, particularly during my service in the legislature. There’s no question that she has the most difficult job in the Shepherd family in tending to the home and teaching school and providing for our children while I’m here in Little Rock. And I want to say thank you, Ali. I love you, and you mean the world to me. I also want to thank my children, Eli, Mary Kate, and Libby, for their love and sacrifice and support, as well. And though I embarrass them many times, I am so very proud of them and the young men and women that they are becoming. I’d like to thank my parents for all that they have done for me through the years. There’s no doubt that anybody that knows me can see both the traits of my father and my mother in me, and I can’t thank them enough. And to my brother and my sister and their families, thank you for your love and support. As I always say– of course, my brother is also my law partner– I’m always thankful when I go back home and it still says Shepherd and Shepherd, and not just Shepherd. But I also recognize that each of us have family, friends, coworkers and others. Each of you have others who make your service possible just the same as these individuals on the front row make my service possible. And so I’d like for you to join me. And at this time, let’s thank our families, our friends, our supporters, our coworkers, everybody else that is here for us and back home. Unquestionably, it’s always a special honor to have my father administer the oath of office, and he and my mother instilled in me a love and understanding of the importance of public service from an early age. An early memory for me is in elementary school. My grandparents and parents took me to see then president Ronald Reagan speak in person. Of course, Representative Eubanks said he actually got to vote for Ronald Reagan. I was reminded of President Reagan’s outlook on the future of our country. When I thought about the challenges of our state now, we have emerged from one of the most trying periods for both our health and our economy in recent history. But it’s a new day in Arkansas, and we ring in a new year with new hope. On New Year’s Day in 1982, President Reagan spoke to a nation gripped by recession. He said, the road to recovery is never easy, but America is no stranger to challenges. We need only to live up to our convictions to set things right. We need only believe in ourselves and our country and in tomorrow. As an aside, one of the things that strikes me is I had an opportunity this summer to go to the beaches of Normandy. And I would encourage anyone who has ever able to to go to the beaches of Normandy to go to the American cemetery. It will change your life forever as to how you see yourself as an American and as how you see your service to our country. It brings tremendous perspective into the work that we have to do. And we do have a great deal of challenges before us. Businesses need more workers. Hospitals, more nurses. Schools, more teachers. And public safety must be prioritized. But I believe the American spirit that Reagan talked about four decades ago can help to solve the issues of today. A belief in ourselves, in our country, including our state, and in tomorrow. The House is a special place, and there isn’t a day that has passed in 12 years where I’m not immensely grateful that I’m part of this body. With all of us each representing approximately 30,000 Arkansans, our constituents have an accessible advocate to their state government. Here is where people from every corner, mountain, and valley of our state convene for the good of every Arkansan. Here, under the panes of stained glass, and behind the columns of marble that were carved more than a century ago, we meet for the same purpose every two years: To leave Arkansas better than we found it. It’s worth noting this body as a whole is younger than in years past. In fact, 21 members sworn in today are 40 years of age or younger. For pop culture reference, that means that about 20% of the House was born after Ali’s last fight, born after Bear Bryant coached his last game, and after ET phoned home. A new generation is taking on a larger role in leadership. They bring new ideas, shaped by our fast-changing world. Conversely, we have members who have been serving in this body for over a decade. They bring new ideas as well, shaped by wisdom that comes with years, and by their now extensive knowledge of the inner workings of government. The span of generations and experience in this body can serve Arkansas well if we listen to one another without judgment and with a genuine search for one another’s perspective. Whether you’re 27 or 77, the life experiences you bring to this body matters. This does not end with just age. In this House, we have farmers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, real estate agents, pastors. This year we even have a couple of radio show hosts and a former professional wrestler. Our vast diversity and careers also strengthens the legislature. By sharing our individual expertise, we can together craft legislation that benefits all Arkansans. This year, our districts have changed. We have a new district number and a new boundary. Some of you may have larger districts than last year. Others may be more condensed. But whether your constituents include the rice farmers in the Delta or the company executives in Bentonville, whether your district borders the Mississippi or the Ouachita, whether you live on the hill of the Razorbacks, or the den of the Red Wolves, in this chamber, we are first and foremost Arkansans. And under this dome, our principles should be our guide. Here, every Arkansan, you and the people you represent deserve to be heard, respected and valued. May we all strive to respect our differences and find our consensus to build upon. Recently, I had a reporter in my office asking me what I expected in this session. After answering his questions about what I thought might be contentious this session, he said, “You’re optimistic, aren’t you?” As far as accusations from the press go, I’d be glad to accept that one. He said this because I had replied that although I expected vigorous debate on some issues, I wouldn’t characterize any potential issue as absolutely destined to be contentious. I think in the end, we will come together to do the best for the people of Arkansas. And more times than not, in a way that is not contentious, but respectful and vigorous, I think that we will solve those problems laid before us. I do try to be an optimist. I think you have to be an optimist to serve here. If I’m not optimistic, then I probably shouldn’t be your Speaker. If I didn’t believe we can make tomorrow better than today, if I didn’t believe every life has a God-given purpose, if I didn’t believe in the goodness of humanity and a God who loves us unconditionally, I probably should not be here. But I do believe those things. And I believe that you do too. Our job now is to take this journey one day at a time and wake up every morning, believing in the bright future of our state. I hope you will do that. As I’ve said now many, many, many times from this well, I remain willing to work with all who are willing. And together, I know we can accomplish much for the people who matter most, the people of Arkansas. May God bless you, may God bless this House and may God continue to bless the great state of Arkansas. Thank you.
Rep Shepherd: Ladies and gentlemen of the House, it is my honor and privilege to present to you the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 94th– I’m reading the wrong thing. Let’s try that again. It is my pleasure to announce the Parliamentarian of the House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly, Finos Buddy Johnson. Are you ready to take your oath?
Parliamentarian: Yes, sir.
Judge Shepherd: Please raise your right hand. Repeat after me. I, Finos Buddy Johnson, do solemnly swear –that I will support the Constitution of the United States–and the Constitution of the state of Arkansas–and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Parliamentarian of the Arkansas House of Representatives–upon which I am now about to enter. So help me God.
Rep Shepherd: Representative Ray, for what purpose?
Rep Ray: Motion.
Rep Shepherd: Let’s hear your motion.
Rep Ray: Mr. Speaker, I move for confirmation of your appointment of Miss Sherry Stacks as the Chief Clerk of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly.
Rep Shepherd: That is a proper motion. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. All in favor of confirmation, vote aye. Those opposed vote nay. Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By vote of 99 yeas and 0 nays, the motion passes.
Judge Shepherd: Are you ready to take your oath?
Chief Clerk Stacks: Yes.
Judge Shepherd: Raise your right hand to be sworn, repeat after me. I, Sherry Stacks, do solemnly swear–That I will support the Constitution of the United States–And the constitution of the state of Arkansas–And that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of chief clerk of the Arkansas House of Representatives–Upon which I am now about to enter–So help me God.
Chief Clerk Stacks: Thank you.
Chief Clerk Stacks: Thank you.
Rep Shepherd: I declare the assignment of seats on the House floor be consistent with seats chosen by the members attested by the records on file with the chief clerk and is hereby the final seating arrangement for the 94th General Assembly. Without objection, so ordered. Madam Clerk, please read House Concurrent Resolution 1003.
House Clerk: House Concurrent Resolution 1003 for a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 10, 2023, to declare election results, to administer the oath of office and to hear an address by the governor.
Rep Shepherd: Read the resolution a second time.
House Clerk: House Concurrent Resolution 1003.
Rep Shepherd: Representative Wing, you are recognized to explain the resolution.
Rep Wing: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, what this resolution does is it allows us to meet together tomorrow at 10:30 in a joint resolution or a joint session where we will discuss and hear the results of the elections, and we will hear from the Honorable Governor-elect Sarah Sanders.
Rep Shepherd: Representative Wing has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? Would anyone like to speak for the resolution? Representative Wing is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 1003. All in favor say aye. Opposed? The resolution is adopted. Speaker pro tem of the House of Representatives from the 94th General Assembly is Representative John Eubanks. The four assistant speaker pro tems of the House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly: Representative Jack Ladyman, Representative Fred Allen, Representative Charlene Fite, Representative DeAnn Vaught.
Committee Chair and Vice Chair assignment
Rep Shepherd: Standing committees. Chairs and vice chairs: Education Chair, Representative Bryan Evans, Vice Chair, Representative Keith Brooks. Judiciary, Representative Carol Dalby, Chair, Vice Chair, Representative Stan Berry. Public Health, Welfare and Labor Chair, Representative Lee Johnson, Vice Chair, Representative Josh Miller. Public Transportation, Chair, Representative Mike Holcomb, Vice Chair, Representative Rick McClure. Revenue and Taxation Chair, Representative Les Eaves, Vice Chair, Representative Howard Beaty. Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs, Chair, Representative Sonya Eubanks Barker, Vice Chair, Representative Julie Mayberry. Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development, Chair, Representative Jack Fortner, Vice Chair, Representative Roger Lynch. City, County and Local Affairs Chair, Representative Lanny Fite, Vice Chair, Representative Milton Nicks Jr. Insurance and Commerce, Chair, Representative John Maddox, Vice Chair, Representative Karilyn Brown.
Rep Shepherd: I will announce the chairs and vice chair of the select committees. The membership of those committees, along with the ex-officio members of the joint committees, will be posted after adjournment today. House select committees: Rules Committee, Chair, Representative DeAnn Vaught, Vice Chair, Representative Shad Pierce. House Management Committee, Chair, Representative Carlton Wing, Vice Chair, Representative Bart Schultz. Sorry, missed one. State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, the Standing Committee, Chair, Representative Dwight Tosh, Vice Chair, Representative Mark D. McElroy. Joint Committee on Energy, Chair, Representative Rick Beck, Vice-Chair, Representative Justin Gonzales. Joint Performance Review, Chair, Representative Mark H. Berry, Vice-Chair, Representative David Ray. Joint Committee on Public Retirement and Social Security Programs, Chair, Representative Les Warren, Vice-Chair, Representative Mark Perry. Joint Committee on Advanced Communication and Information Technology, Chair, Representative Stephen Meeks, Vice-Chair, Representative Jeremy Wooldridge.
Rep Shepherd: Members, I’m going to move to the Joint Committees. The subcommittee chairs and vice-chairs of the joint committees will be announced in the near future. So I’m just announcing the chairs and vice-chairs of the joint committees. Joint Auditing Committee, Chair, Representative Jimmy Gazaway, Vice-Chair, Representative Richard Womack. Legislative Council, Chair, Representative Jeff Wardlaw, Vice-Chair, Representative– or Co-Vice-Chair, Representative Bruce Cozart. Joint Budget Committee, Chair, Representative Lane Jean, Vice-Chair, Representative Fran Cavenaugh.
Rep Shepherd: I hereby appoint the following named committee to notify the Honorable Sarah Huckabee Sanders, governor-elect of the State of Arkansas, that the House is duly organized and ready for business. Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker, Chairperson. Representative Stephen Meeks. Representative Richard Womack. Representative Robin Lundstrum. Representative Mary Bentley. Representative Justin Gonzales. Representative Vivian Flowers. Representative Karilyn Brown. Representative Marcus Richmond. Representative Johnny Rye. Representative Roger D. Lynch. Representative Jim Wooten. Representative Cindy Crawford. Representative Jay Richardson. Representative Tippi McCullough. Representative Howard Beaty. Representative Jon Milligan. Representative Keith Brooks. Representative Rebecca Burkes. Representative Tara Shephard.
Rep Shepherd: I hereby appoint the following named committee to notify the Senate that the House is duly organized and ready for business. Representative Jack Ladyman, Chairperson. Representative Rick Beck. Representative Austin McCollum. Representative Aaron Pilkington. Representative Mark Perry. Representative Jamie Scott. Representative Denise Garner. Representative Denise Ennett. Representative Joy C. Springer. Representative Delia Haak. Representative John P. Carr. Representative Steven Walker. Representative Wayne Long. Representative Kendra Moore. Representative Joey Carr. Representative Chad Puryear. Representative Matt Duffield. Representative Steve Unger. Representative Brit McKenzie. Representative Jeremy Wooldridge. Representative Trey Steimel. Representative Wade Andrews. Representative Ladyman, you’re recognized.
Rep Ladyman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize the committee from the Senate to make an announcement.
Sen Murdock: On behalf of the Senate, we’re here to announce that the Senate of the 94th General Assembly is ready to do business.
Rep Shepherd: At this time, members, I’m going to ask staff to distribute the legislative lapel pins for the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 94th General Assembly. Additionally, members, the staff will pick up the packets from the Secretary of State. Just leave them on your desk, and they will pick them up upon adjournment. So the information from the Secretary of State that you need to fill out and complete, fill it out and leave it on your desk, and it’ll be picked up upon adjournment. Members, while the pins are being distributed, I know we have at least one former member here, former member Representative Jonathan Barnett. Please give him a hand. I also believe that we have former Representative Kim Hendren. I believe he’s in the north gallery. He was here but was leaving. And former Representative Tim Wooldridge is in the west gallery. Former Representative Aaron Burkes is in the east gallery. Anyone else? Did I miss anyone? All right. So the pins are being distributed. The packet from the Secretary of State, you need to complete that and leave it on your desk. As a reminder, shortly, the appointments to the select committees will be online, so you can check that out shortly. Representative Meeks. For what purpose?
Rep Meeks: Motion, please.
Rep Shepherd: Let’s hear your motion.
Rep Meeks: After the announcements, reading of the bills, transferring of the bills, placing the calendars on the desk, members amending their own bills with their own amendments, members withdrawing their own bills, finalizing resolutions, rating communications, and any remaining committee reports. I move that we adjourn until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.
Rep Shepherd: That’s a proper motion. It’s not debatable. Members, the motion is to convene at 10 a.m. in the morning. The joint session that was voted on earlier will be at 10:30 a.m. So the House convenes at 10 a.m. in the morning, depending on this motion. That’s a proper motion. It’s not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The motion passes. Are there any announcements? Representative Jean, for what purpose? Let’s hear your announcement.
Rep Jean: Joint Budget will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. We will adopt our rules, get our seat selections, and we’ll pass the budget bill that we have to– the general budget appropriation that we have to do the first thing before every session starts. So 9 a.m., Big Mac A, Joint Budget.
Rep Shepherd: Representative Wing, for what purpose?
Rep Wing: Announcement.
Rep Shepherd: Let’s hear your announcement.
Rep Wing: Members, a little housekeeping item. I assume the fact that everybody is here, you found your parking space. And for everyone who’s over the age of 40, you had to blow up the map. All the younger guys were able to see it as is. But offices will be assigned today. We hope to have that fully complete today and then tomorrow you can get into the offices, which I should say is a record for the House of Representatives in terms of speed, but it does take some time for all of the keys to be coded. So we should be able to get that through today, and then you’ll get an email with your office, and then you can occupy it beginning tomorrow. Thank you.
Rep Shepherd: Any other announcements? If not, 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 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.