House of Representatives

February 14, 2023 

Rep Ladyman: House will come to order. I invite the members, staff, press, and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by Dr. Jody Smotherman, elder, and pastor of Disciple at Compass South Church in Batesville, Arkansas. He is a guest of Representative Pearce, and to remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean.

[Prayer]

[Pledge of Allegiance]

Rep Ladyman: Members please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With 99 members present, the Chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Brooks for what reason?

Rep Brooks: Leave for Representative Furman.

Rep Ladyman: Is leave granted for Representative Furman? Representative Jeff Wardlaw moves we dispense with the reading of the previous day’s journal. No objections, so ordered. Are there any reports from select committees? Are there any reports from standing committees? Read the reports, Madam Clerk.

Madam Clerk: Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Education, to whom was referred House Bill 1383, Senate Bill 101 beg leave to report under the same consideration here to terms, same recommendation that it do pass. Respectfully submitted, Brian Evans, Chair.

Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred to House Bill 1026 beg leave to report that we have under same consideration here to terms, same recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment 1.

Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Revenue and Tax, to whom was referred House Bill 1027 beg leave to report we’re having the same consideration here concerning the same recommendation that it do pass. Respectfully submitted, Les Eaves, Chair.

Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor, to whom was referred House Bill 1128, beg leave to report that we have the same consideration here in return for the same recommendation that it do pass as Amendment number 1.

Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Public Health Welfare and Labor Committee to whom was referred House 1360, Senate Bill 187, Senate Bill 188 beg leave to report that we have under the same consideration and here return with the same recommendation that it do pass. Respectfully submitted, Lee Johnson, Chair.

Mr. Speaker, we, your Committee on Judiciary Committee to whom was referred House Bill 1355 beg leave to report we have with the same consideration here concerning the same recommendation that it do pass as Amendment number 1.

Mr. Speaker, we, your committee on Judiciary, to whom was referred House Bill 1279, House Bill 1283, House Bill 1284, House Bill 1285, House Bill 1287, House Bill 1289, House Bill 1290, House Bill 1291, House Bill 1294, House Bill 1295, House Bill 1327, and Senate Bill 118 beg leave to report that we have under the same consideration and here is returned with the same recommendation that do it pass. Respectfully submitted, Carol Dalby, Chair.

Rep Ladyman: Is there any unfinished business? Are there any Executive Communications? Members we have with us today Dr. Naveen Patel from Little Rock, and he is the guest of Representative Brooks, and our nurse of the day is Brenda Hewitt. 

Our Arkansas State Troopers today is Corporal Kevin Grounds, Corporal Lindy Cartwright. [applause]

We have guests with us today, in the East Gallery, the Leadership Hot Springs, guests of Representative Warren. [applause] They’re not here yet. They will be here later.

Also in the East Gallery, we have John Newman, and he is the sponsor of the Active Citizens Organization of the Academies at Jonesboro High School. He’s my guest today. Members of the Active Citizens Group are paging for both the House and the Senate today. So would you recognize them? [applause]

Also in the East Gallery, the Foundation for Social Impact, who are guests of Representative Scott. [applause]

We also have Stephanie Garner, the CEO of ARVAC in the East Gallery. I need to finish that sentence. So we also have Rashad Woods, the publicity director of ARVAC, and they are guests of Representatives Richmond, Bentley, and Duffield. [applause]

In the South Gallery, we have Sandra Dunn, Sevier County Judge. Guest of Representative Vaught. [applause]

We also have in the North Gallery, Dale James, Van Buren County Judge. Guest of Representative Beck and Representative Stan Berry. [applause]

Also in the North Gallery, we have Jeff Gilkey, Yell County Judge, guest of Representative Bentley, and Representative Richmond. [applause]

Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1018.

Madam Clerk: House Resolution 1018 by Representative Lundstrum. To remember Mr. Marion Edward Johnson and to recognize his contributions to the State of Arkansas.

Rep Ladyman: Representative Lundstrum, you’re recognized to present HR1018.

Rep Lundstrum: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And with your indulgence would you also join me and would Representative Berry also join me? I have a feeling there may be other members that may want to join me and that is quite all right.

 

Rep Lundstrum: Today is a special day. Mr. Marion Johnson touched many people in Arkansas and actually there’s a piece of him actually in the capitol. And you can see it every day on the fourth floor and that’s the Arkansas fiddle, the violin that’s on the fourth floor. He was instrumental in getting the Arkansas as a state instrument–the violin as the state instrument in 1985. Mr. Johnson and the Arkansas Old Time Fiddlers Association are still having an impact today. They inspire young artists like Jenee Fleener, who is now the fourth-time Country Music Award winner Musician of the Year. And she is from Springdale, and she got her start with the Old Time Fiddlers and Mr. Johnson, running around while they were playing. They encouraged her to play the violin and put that energy to good use, and she has.

The Old Time Fiddlers are actually meeting this weekend for their 50th anniversary of being an organization. They’re meeting in Springdale Arkansas, and they will be watching this video. And if I could get everybody to turn and face the camera, they’re going to watch the video and all of us waving and looking at them and they will get a chance to see us. So this camera right here, if everybody could just turn around and let them see your faces for just a second, wave. Thank you.

This will be a special weekend for them. They will be honoring Mr. Johnson as he has passed. And they will also be meeting to fiddle with lots of banjos and strings, and a lot of good times, and a few tears I’m sure. Turns out we also have a relative of Mr. Johnson here and that is Mr. Ladyman.  .

Rep Ladyman: Thank you, Representative Lunsford. Yeah, I could talk a long time about Marion. Marion is my wife’s uncle. And he and his brothers and his dad had a band, they played up at Branson every year for a long time. And he made fiddles in his garage, and he was quite the artist, he really was. And he is definitely an asset to be remembered in the State of Arkansas. So I just wanted to let you all know a little bit about the family, so thank you.

Rep Lundstrum: Again, one of his fiddles is on display upstairs in the fourth floor. You’ve walked by it probably 100 times but now you know who that Arkansan is and why it’s important. With that, Madam Clerk, if you would read the resolution in its entirety, thank you.

Rep C Fite: Madam Clerk, read the resolution in its entirety.

Madam Clerk: To remember Mr. Marion Edward Johnson and to recognize his contribution to the State of Arkansas. Whereas, Mr. Marion Edward Johnson was born on December 3rd, 1930, and died on December 18th, 2022. And whereas Mr. Johnson will be remembered for his love of God, family, and music. He was remembered also as a woodworking craftsman who has made a lasting impact in Arkansas.

And whereas Mr. Johnson’s love of the fiddle led to his serving as the president of the Arkansas Old Time Fiddlers Association, Mr. Johnson was instrumental in getting the fiddle named the official musical instrument for the State of Arkansas in 1985. And whereas Mr. Johnson’s love of the fiddle and his craftsmanship in woodworking resulted in Mr. Johnson creating the case for his fiddle that is on display at the State Capitol. And whereas Mr. Johnson’s deft at hand in the woodworking was known among so many Arkansans that in 2022 he was selected to craft the mockingbird ornament out of wood for White House State Christmas tree.

And whereas Mr. Johnson proudly served in the Korean War and received the Purple Heart award among many other awards. And whereas Mr. Johnson was a man of God and was a long-standing member, deacon, and board member of the Harmony Baptist Church in Huntsville. And whereas Mr. Johnson leaves behind his wife of 69 years Betty Carlene, children Cindy Gillespie, Cheryl Porter, Randall Johnson, and Rebecca Sisemore. And numerous loved ones, family, and friends who laughed with and benefited from the joy of knowing Mr. Johnson.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 94th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas.

Rep C Fite: Representative Lundstrum has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? Representative Lundstrum are you closed for your resolution? All in favor say aye. Opposed say no. The resolution passes. [applause]

Members, we earlier recognized Leadership Hot Springs but they had not arrived yet. They are in the East Gallery, guests of Representative Warren. Would you please stand? [applause]

Rep Ladyman: The morning hour has ended. Members, we’re going to pass over Bill HB 1349. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill HB 1115.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1115 by Representative Maddox. To amend the definition and requirements of a master massage therapist within the Massage Therapy Act.

Rep Ladyman: Representative Maddox, you’re recognized to present the bill.

Rep Maddox: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is a very simple bill. This bill just provides another pathway for a person to become a master massage therapist. So right now you can only become a master massage therapist if you’re a registered massage therapist and then you take 125 continuing education hours. So this will provide an alternate pathway where you can – if you are a registered massage therapist – you can take 300 hours and pass 300 hours at an accredited institution of higher learning. And if you do that you can become a master massage therapist. So we’re not closing any pathway to become a master massage therapist, we’re just providing another. The Department of Education is on board with this bill, the Department of Health, and there’s no known opposition but I’d be glad to take any questions. Seeing none, I’d appreciate a good vote.

Rep Ladyman: Representative Maddox has presented the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Maddox, do you close for your bill? Representative Maddox has closed for his bill. The question before the House is passage of HB 1115. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 97 yeas, 1 nay, and zero present, the bill has passed. Madam Clerk, please read bill HB1334.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1334 by Representative Shephard. To create the Restroom Access Act and to allow restroom access to customers with certain eligible medical conditions.

Rep Ladyman: Representative Tara Shephard, you’re recognized to present your bill.

Rep T Shephard: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, colleagues. I come to you this morning as a champion. I come to you as a champion for my son that deals with a chronic illness, my son has Crohn’s. I come to you as a champion for the mother that reached out to me or expecting mother that was nine months pregnant and has Crohn’s and was denied access to a restroom unless she paid. And how she paid was that she had to purchase something.

I come to you as a champion for the father that reached out to me that was on a hunting trip with his adult son and he had an embarrassing accident. And they had to take that long ride home with his son with some overalls that they pulled out the back of the truck. I also come to you as a champion for all Arkansans that are dealing with chronic illnesses.

Crohn’s is something that has had a major impact on my life, my family’s life, and it has a major impact on others’ lives. According to the data, at least 1 in 100 Americans suffer from Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or any other type of IBD issue. With that being the case, in those numbers there could possibly be one of our colleagues in here today that is suffering from exactly what I’m at the podium talking about.

Crohn’s puts individuals in a position where they cannot control their urges to go to the restroom. Many have had conversations with me that I have valued and I have appreciated in regards to this should not be something that we should have to legislate, and individuals would do the right thing, but it is simply not happening. And I ask of you, colleagues, let’s do the right thing by Arkansans with chronic illnesses and give them the right to be able to use the bathroom. And with that, I would appreciate a good vote.

Rep Ladyman: Representative Shephard has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Shephard, do you wish to close for your bill? Representative Shephard has closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of HB1334. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? With 63 yeas, 14 nays, and 6 present, the bill has passed.

The Hot Springs Leadership group that is here is also the guest of Representative McGrew and Representative Cozart. [applause] Madam Clerk, please read HB 1193.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1180.

Rep Ladyman: Representative Warren, you’re recognized to present HB 1193.

Madam Clerk: I didn’t read it.

Rep Warren: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is an Arkansas State Highway Employee Retirement System bill. We’re seeking to make two changes with this bill. There are now two chief engineers at the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The code calls for the chief engineer to be on the Board of Trustees. This legislation clarifies that it will be the chief engineer of operations since this person has more people under his or her supervision.

This bill does not change the practice or amount of the death benefits paid but it reorganizes the information into one section of the code. For a non-vested member, the beneficiary gets a refund of the member’s contributions. The survivor of a married vested member has three options for the benefits. And an unmarried vested member’s beneficiary has two options for their benefits. There’s no fiscal impact with this. I would appreciate a good vote.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Warren has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Warren is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1193. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. A vote of 96 yea, zero nay, and zero present, the bill is passed. Representative Vaught, for what purpose?

Rep Vaught: Mr. Speaker, having given notice on House Bill 1332, I move for reconsideration.

Rep Shepherd: That’s a proper motion. It is debatable. Representative Vaught you’re recognized to explain your motion.

Rep Vaught: So my good friend, Representative Cozart wants a second chance to get his bill across the finish line. And I got a little bit more information about it yesterday so I thought maybe I’d give him another chance to be able to get the votes that he needs to get it off the floor. With that, I’d appreciate a good vote.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Vaught has explained the motion. Would anyone like to speak against the motion? Would anyone like to speak for the motion? Representative Cozart, you’re recognized to speak for the motion.

Rep Cozart: I know I can’t say a whole lot about the bill but I know there was a lot of things people didn’t understand yesterday and hopefully, you’ve got it cleared up a little bit. If you hadn’t, I can’t help you on this because I can only speak about the motion. So I’d appreciate a good vote.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Cozart’s spoken for the motion. Would anyone like to speak against the motion? Would anyone like to speak for the motion? Representative Vaught has closed for the motion. The question before the House is the reconsideration of House Bill 1332. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1332. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 67 yeas, 23 nays and 3 presents, the bill is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1201.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1201 by Representative Warren. To enact the Arkansas Teacher Retirement Systems General Omnibus Act and to declare an emergency.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Warren, you’re recognized to explain the bill.

Rep Warren: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, several of you may remember Jennifer Liwo. Jennifer used to work in BLR. She used to draft all the retirement bills. After this last year, she was hired by Arkansas Teacher Retirement System to come over and be their legal counsel. The bill that I’m presenting to you today is basically their Omnibus Bill. She went through all of the code that pertains to Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.

And what she’s done is basically a cleanup bill. I’ll give you the three high points. The bill has over 60 sections with mostly wording changes for consistency and clarity purposes. For example, retirant is now referred to as retiree. There were changes made on reference to deadlines to allow for full calendar months as opposed to a middle of a month to the middle of the next month. They also addressed alternate retirement systems.

The second item is that the federal law changed with respect to required minimum retirement or distribution age. In 2023, that will go to age 73, and by 2033, it will increase to age 75. Lastly, no benefit enhancement is allowed if it results in causing the accrued actuarial liability to exceed an 18-year amortization. The bill includes the definition of benefit enhancement that does not allow it to increase the amortization period by more than a one-year period, which gives them time to work on getting it back down to the 18-year amortization. There’s no fiscal impact and I would appreciate a good vote.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Warren has explained the bill, would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Warren is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1201. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause, has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 98 yeas, zero nay and zero present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1188.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1188 by Representative Collins. To amend and update the law concerning the final average salary under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and to declare an emergency.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Collins, you’re recognized to explain the bill.

Rep Collins: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is another teacher retirement bill for the Teacher Retirement System. It just makes clarifying amendments with no substantive change to law. It does three things. First, it changes some words to use the term anti-spiking, which is just a more descriptive term that they use within the system. Does not change any substance anything, it’s just what the section does already.

Second, it allows rulemaking around partial years being recorded as service credit as they have that authority in other sections, other places within the section. And finally, it sets forth that what a member made in a partial year or year immediately following is excluded from the anti-spiking cap which is their current practice already. So again with no substantive change here, there’s no fiscal impact to this. And I’d appreciate a good vote. Thank you.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Collins explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Collins is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1188. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. You’re voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 95 yay, zero nay, and zero present, the bill and emergency clause are passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1328.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1328 by Representative Meeks. To repeal the annual reporting requirement by the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board concerning the Arkansas spatial data infrastructure.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Meeks, you’re recognized to explain the bill.

Rep Meeks: All right, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this bill is pretty simple. Back in 2003, a law was passed in Arkansas that the geographic information system would set up the Arkansas spatial data infrastructure. As part of that, a report was required to be sent to the Technology Committee once a year to give an update on the progress that was made on getting that database implemented.

That database was finished over 10 years ago, it’s matured. And so because of that, this law and report are no longer needed. And so we’re just making things a little bit simpler for the folks over at the Geographic Information office. I’ll answer any questions if anybody has any. Okay seeing none on this Valentine’s Day, I would ask that you show the GIS folks a little love and vote yes.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Meeks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Meeks has closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1328. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 95 yeas, zero nay, and zero present, the bill is passed. Members, we’re going to pass over House Bill 1181, we’re going to move to the yellow budget calendar. Representative Jean moves that we place House Bill 1077 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection read amendment number 1, Madam Clerk.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1077 amendment number 1.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.

Rep Jean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this is amendment 1 on House Bill 1077, Department of Labor and Licenses. All this does is it’s an amendment sponsored by Representative Wardlaw. The Department of Labor has many accounts that it pays different boards and commissions, it just cuts it down to one paying account. And this was kind of the part of transformation that didn’t get caught up in it but it just makes one paying account, doesn’t increase any funds, the same money will go for it but they’ll just have one paying account. Any questions on the amendment? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.

Rep 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 1077. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The amendment’s adopted. So Jean moves we place House Bill 1168 on second reading for the purpose of amendment. Without objection, read amendment number 1, Madam Clerk.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1168, amendment number 1.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Jean, you’re recognized to explain the amendment.

Rep Jean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This comes from Representative Cavenaugh, this is amendment 1 on House Bill 1168, Labor and Licensing. What this does is takes– there’s about a $2.3 million balance in the motor vehicle. What it does, it just increases the grant line to $250,000, and this money can be used by our technical schools, our trade schools to buy equipment to help train automotive mechanics. Any questions? Appreciate a good vote on the amendment.

Rep 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 1168. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The amendment’s adopted. Representative Jean, you’re recognized to present the budget calendar.

Rep Jean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we’re going to pass over House Bill 1139, the Arkansas Employment Retirement, put it on another calendar. Also Senate Bill 65, the teacher retirement, we’ll put it on another calendar, we’ll pass over it today.

Our first two bills are House bills, House Bill 1050, the Arkansas Court of Appeals. This has no general revenue. No increase other than salaries adjustment and retirement benefits. Also House Bill 1064, Leg Audit, no increases on it. These are 2 appropriations for next year. Do I need to pull any of these two out of the batch? Do I have any questions on these two bills? Your one vote is for the bill, and the bills and the emergency clause, Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill a third time.

Rep Shepherd: Madam Clerk, please read the bills for a third time.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1050, House Bill 1064.

Rep Shepherd: Prepare the machine. Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. With 98 yeas, zero nay, and zero present, the bills and emergency clauses are passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.

Rep Jean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, we have two supplemental budgets. That’s budgets that are going to finish out this year, the current year that we’re in right now. One of them is House Bill 1362, Department of Corrections. And then House Bill 1363 DFA. The first one is a $5 million appropriation. The money is already in the account. This pays for the overtime for all our correctional officers in all our 19 correction facilities, helps pay for the overtime for them for the rest of the year. Any questions?

And also the other one on the batch is also DFA, this is an increase in appropriation. We already have the federal money of $750 million. All this federal money coming down we’ve got to increase the appropriation to spend it. It’s not State money, it’s the federal money and that’s what that supplemental does. Any question on these two? And do I need to pull any of these out of the two? Seeing none, your 1 vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill the third time.

Rep Shepherd: Madam Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1050, House Bill 1064.

Rep Shepherd: Prepare the machine.

[silence]

Madam Clerk: House Bill 1362, House Bill 1363.

Rep Shepherd: To clarify, we’re voting on House Bill 1362 and House Bill 1363. Has everyone voted? And you’re voting on the bills and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 96 yay, zero nay, and zero present, the bills and emergency clauses are passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.

Rep Jean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re getting to the Senate Bills. We’re going to vote Senate Bill 34, Legislative Council. Senate Bill 37 the Supreme Court. Senate Bill 69 of the Office of Administrative Courts, this is the personnel budget, and also Senate Bill 70, which is the ops budget for the administrative office of the courts. None of these are general revenue impacts or from state central services. They’re all flat in expenditures. Do I need to pull any of these four out of the batch? Do I have a question on any of these four? Your one vote is for the bills and emergency clause, Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill for the third time.

Rep Shepherd: Madam Clerk, please read the bills for the third time.

Madam Clerk: Senate Bill 34, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 69, Senate Bill 70.

Rep Shepherd: Prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Voting on the bills and the emergency clauses. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 95 yeas, zero nay, and zero present, the bills and emergency clauses are passed. Representative Jean, you’re recognized.

Rep Jean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last bill is Senate Bill 214. It is another supplemental appropriation. And now it does increase the appropriation by $450 million. This is the Medicaid budget. I think this came from the governor’s letter, the governor supports this. I think there was additional 217,000 people on Medicaid, about a 17% increase. The federal funds are there. All this does is give the appropriation to spend the money. Any questions on this? Seeing none. Your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Mr. Speaker, have the clerk read the bill for the third time.

Rep Shepherd: Madam Clerk, please read the bill for the third time.

Madam Clerk: Senate Bill 214.

Rep Shepherd: Prepare the machine. Voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. By a vote of 90 yeas, 3 nays, and 4 present, the bill is passed, and the emergency clause. 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 the bills, placement of the calendars on the desk, members amending their own bills, to their own amendments, members withdrawing their own bills, finalizing resolutions, reading communications, and any remaining committee reports, I move we adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Rep Shepherd: That’s a proper motion. It’s not debatable. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Any announcements? Representative Laney Fite, for what purpose?

Rep L Fite: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep L Fite: City, County, Local will meet at 10 AM tomorrow morning in Mac B.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Barker, for what purpose? You’re recognized.

Rep Barker: Aging, Children, and Youth will meet tomorrow at 10 AM in room 130.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Fortner, for what purpose?

Rep Fortner: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Fortner: Ag will meet tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock in 138.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Mayberry, what purpose? You’re recognized.

Rep Mayberry: Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. And even if you don’t have your own valentine, if you go to your mailbox you likely will have a Valentine’s card from Arkansas Kids Count and a lot of preschoolers around the state. So make sure you get that. And may I have a second announcement?

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15th at 11:30 in the second-floor rotunda, the Alzheimer’s Association invites you to join us for a special ceremony honoring the thousands of Arkansas families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. So again tomorrow wear purple, thank you.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Richmond, for what purpose?

Rep Richmond: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Richmond: DBH management is hosting a legislative reception for Valentine’s Day. It will begin at 5 PM and end at 7 PM at the Next Level Events. It’s just another opportunity for us to go hold hands and sing We Are the World.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Beck, for what purpose?

Rep Beck: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Beck: I don’t know how to follow that up but the Joint Energy Committee will be meeting in Mac A at 3 PM tomorrow.

Rep Shepherd: Represent Vaught, for what purpose?

Rep Vaught: Two announcements.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Vaught: First announcement is prayer caucus in the morning, 7 AM, Old Supreme Courtroom. And the other announcement is Rules tomorrow at noon.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Tosh, for what purpose?

Rep Tosh: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Tosh: Two announcements, Mr. Speaker. State Agencies will meet in the morning at 10 AM, room 151. Reminder we’ll be taking the Committee picture in the morning. Second announcement is that immediately upon adjournment, ASU, the chancellor will be in room 151 giving a briefing on the new vet school there in Jonesboro.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Maddox, for what purpose?

Rep Maddox: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Maddox: Insurance and Commerce will meet tomorrow, they’ll be there at 9:45 for a picture.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Vaught, for what purpose?

Rep Vaught: Sorry, Mr. Speaker, announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Vaught: Also Rules will have pictures tomorrow at 11:45.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Crawford, for what purpose? You’re recognized.

Rep Crawford: Tomorrow again there’s a lot going on but we have the Pregnancy Resource Centers coming to the Capitol. For those who have signed up with me, we have lunch at the RPA beginning at 11:30. If you want to come and didn’t call me, just text and we’ll make it happen, thanks.

Rep Shepherd: Representative Rye, for what purpose?

Rep Rye: A prayer, sir.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Rye: Sir, I wish we could give a prayer tonight to Representative Tony Furman. He fell out on us today and we need to remember him, sir. Thank you.

Rep Shepherd: Thank you. Representative Jean, for what purpose?

Rep Jean: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Jean: Claim Subcommittee meets tomorrow morning at 7:30 in Big Mac A.

Rep Shepherd: Members, one other announcement. I know there’s been some– I’ve been asked the question about will we meet on Monday? We do plan on meeting on Monday as has been past practice in years past, so just wanted to give everybody a heads up on that. Representative Hawk, for what purpose?

Rep Hawk: Announcement.

Rep Shepherd: You’re recognized.

Rep Hawk: Tomorrow at Capitol Hill at 11:30 the Boys and Girls Club of Arkansas will be having a luncheon for everybody. And it’ll be at 11:30 at Capitol Hill.

Rep Shepherd: Any other announcements? If not, the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills, and upon completion, the items named in the adjourn resolution, the House will be adjourned until 1:30 PM tomorrow.