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Senate
February 14, 2023
Sen Hester: The Senate will be called to order. Are there any requests for leave at this time? Senator Leding you’re recognized.
Sen Leding: Leave for Senator Flowers.
Sen Hester: Leave for Senator Flowers. Senator Hill?
Sen Hill: Senator Stubblefield.
Sen Hester: Request leave for Senator Stubblefield. Leave.
Sen Hill: And for Senator Sullivan.
Sen Hester: And Senator Sullivan. Any other members have someone they need to request leave for? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
Madam Secretary: Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark. Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson. English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin. Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson. King, Leding, Love, McKee. Murdock, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Sen Hester: Would everyone in the chamber and in the galleries please rise and remain standing, the Senate will be led in prayer by Senator Davis.
Sen Hester: Okay. By Senator Hickey [laughter].
[Prayer]
[Pledge of Allegiance]
Sen Hester: Ladies and Gentleman in the galleries, welcome to the Arkansas Senate. It is our expectation each of you will exercise proper decorum and govern yourselves accordingly during today’s proceedings. Without objection, the rules will be suspended and the Senate will dispense with the reading of the Journal. The morning hour has now began. Are there any announcements or introductions at this time? Senator Wallace, you are recognized for announcement.
Sen Wallace: Mr. President this is a introductions. Okay.
Sen Hester: You’re welcome for introduction. Recognized.
Sen Wallace: Members Dan Sullivan, who is in a meeting has four pages with him today, I’d like to introduce them. The first is Audrey White. Audrey, if you’ll stand up. There she is, from Jonesboro, Arkansas. She’s been a member of the Future Business Lenders, American Women in Business and Beta Club. And she plans on attending the University of Arkansas.
Sen Hester: All right.
Sen Wallace: And Anna Carter, There she is, hi, Anna. Anna has been Class President, Founders of Women in Business, and is interested in going to — I’m not sure where, Anna, I missed that part, but welcome to the Senate. [applause] And two more real quick.
Sen Hester: You have two more.
Sen Wallace: Bennet Young. Bennet has been the Varsity Cheer Captain, she’s been in National Debate, and participates in the Big Question Debate. And the President of the Young Democrats. Bennet, welcome here. And the last one, Jasmina Clairborne. She’s been on debate, [inaudible] and Active Citizens Club. Welcome to all of y’all. [applause]
Sen Hester: Are there any other announcements or recognitions? Senator Hill, you’re recognized.
Sen Hill: Thank you, Mr. President. Was that not an impressive group of young ladies he just introduced?
Sen Hester: Very impressive group of young ladies.
Sen Hill: Very impressive. I just want to announce that tomorrow at 11:30 Am, second floor on the rotunda, the Alzheimer’s Association invites you to join them for a special ceremony, honoring the thousands of Arkansans families impacted by dementia and other Alzheimer’s. I’d really encourage you if you haven’t ever attended this little get-together they have, please try to attend, because there’s every family. If you haven’t been impacted yet, you will be. And this is such a degrading disease for the family. If you get an opportunity, please go there to show your support. And Wednesday is also Purple Day, so I would encourage y’all to do that. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Senator Clarke Tucker, you’re recognized.
Sen Tucker: Thank you, Mr. President. I have two announcements today. It’s not his first time to join us, but I still want to make sure we give a warm welcome to Dr. Navin Patel and also, it’s not her first time to join us either, but I also want to welcome Nurse Brenda Hewett to make sure we both welcome our doctor and nurse of the day today. [applause] Secondly, I just want to recognize a group of folks up here in the west gallery from the Foundation for Social Impact. They had over $1 million dollars in pledges for funds that are going to be used and reinvested back into Arkansas. Specifically, they’re focused on communities that are historically underrepresented and disenfranchised to make sure they’re fully enfranchised and can move to economic prosperity. So, those who have not been as successful from an economic standpoint, they’re trying to lift them up to make sure everyone has that opportunity. So, they’re doing good work and I want to welcome them today to the Arkansas State Senate. [applause]
Sen Hester: Senator Alan Clark, you’re recognized.
Sen Clark: Thank you, Mr. President. I want to recognize today my first page of the session. Emma, if you’ll stand, Emma Eubanks, who homeschools, lives in the western part of Hot Spring County, is very successful in that. I also have her parents here — proud parents here today, Terry and Jennifer. And we had something unique happen. Some of you may have seen that I got to give Glen Campbell’s daughter one of his albums this week, but the Eubanks have a gospel singing group, very good gospel singing group, talented, called the Eubanks. And Emma got, like a lot of young people and a lot of older people, got a turntable for Christmas. And we’ve been visiting about music, and Jennifer told me how that they had come out shopping vintage records they had come across an album by a group that her dad was in.
And it just so happened, when she told me about that, that I had bought some records the night before. And out of the whole group of records the one I had put on was by that same group, who I had never previously heard of. So, I got to give daughter and granddaughter “Hey Mr. Train,” by the Tennessee Gentleman. Jennifer’s dad is Ronnie Catron, I hope I’m saying that right? Ronnie Catron. And we’re glad to have all of them here and their talent, and especially we like people that like records, but make them welcome. [applause]
Sen Hester: Are there any other announcements or introductions at this time? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk?
Madam Secretary: Yes, Mr. President. This is to inform you that on February 9, 2023, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the legislative session from the 94th General Assembly. Senate Bill 58 Act 45. Senate Bill 93 Act 42. Senate Bill 48 Act 47. Senate Bill 68 Act 47. Senate Bill 74 Act 49. Senate Bill 47 Act 50. SCR 1, SCR 2, SCR 5, Sincerely Sarah Sanders, Governor of Arkansas.
Dear Madam President, we your committee on Enrolled Bills to whom was referred the following: Senate Bill 42 by Senator Sullivan, Senate Bill 57 by Senator Irving, Senate Bill 87 by Senator Dotson, Senate Bill 98 by Senator Wallace, Senator 99 by Senator Wallace, Senate Bill 100 by Senator Boyd, Senator 111 by Senator Irvin, Senate Bill 113 by Senator Tucker, Senate Bill 132 by Senator Flippo, Senate Bill 141 by Senator Irvin, Senate Bill 180 by Senator Dotson
beg leave report that we have carefully compared the enrolled copies with the original and find the same correctly enrolled, and have at 10:30 a.m. delivered them to the Governor for approval. Respectively submitted, Senator Mark Johnson.
Sen Hester: File it.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was referred Senate Bill 112 by Senator Boyd, report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Sen Hester: Public Health.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was referred Senate Bill 217 by Senator Boyd, report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Sen Hester: Insurance.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was referred Senate Bill 143 by Senator English, report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the same, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was referred Senate Bill 248 by Senator English, report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Sen Hester: Education.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was referred Senate Bill 150 by Senator Johnson, report that we carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Sen Hester: Joint Public Retirement.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Engrossed Bills, to whom was referred House Bill 1196 by Representative Underwood, report that we have carefully compared the engrossed copy with the original, and find the same correctly engrossed.
Sen Hester: City County Local.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Agri, to whom was referred Senate Bill 246 by Senator Stone recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on Agri to whom was referred House Bill 1182 by Representative Vaught, recommend do pass as amended number one.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local to whom was referred House Bill 1005 by Representative Pilkington, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar:
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local, to whom was referred House Bill 1018 by Representative Meeks, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local, to whom was referred House Bill 117 by Representative Underwood, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar:
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local, to whom was referred House Bill 1258 by Representative Lundstrum, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local, to whom was referred House Bill 1318 by Representative Cavenaugh, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local, to whom was referred House Bill 1335 by Representative Hawk, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar:
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on City County Local, to whom was referred House Bill 1344 by Representative McKenzie, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on State Agencies, to whom was referred Senate Bill 247 by Senator Dotson, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on State Agencies, to w hom was referred House Bill 1317 by Representative M. Berry, recommend do pass.
Sen Heaster: That was 1319.
Madam Secretary: House Bill 1319 by Representative M. Berry, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on State Agencies, to whom was referred House Bill 1322 by Representative Cavenaugh, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar.
Madam Secretary: We your Committee on State Agencies, to whom was referred House Bill 1333 by Representative Pilkington, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: That was Thirty-one.
Madam Secretary: 1331 by Representative Pilkington, recommend do pass.
Sen Hester: Calendar:
Madam Secretary: Okay. Senate Bill 260 by Senator Dotson. To create the Ensuring Access for all Arkansans and Voter Protection Act of 2023. To amend the procedure for the filing of the ballot, initiative petition, and referendum petition, and to amend the law concerning statewide petition. Senate Bill 260.
Sen Hester: State Agencies.
Madam Secretary: Senate Bill 261 by Senator Payton. To provide for an income tax credit for an unborn child. And to provide that the dependent includes an unborn child for purposes of the personal income tax credit. Senate Bill 261.
Sen Hester: Revenue and Tax.
Madam Secretary: Senate Bill 262 by Senators Payton et al. To amend the Public Education and Reorganization Act, and to remove the authority of the State Board of Education to require an administrative consolidation for certain school districts. Senate Bill 262.
Sen Hester: Education.
Madam Secretary: Senate Bill 263 by Senator Hester. To amend the law concerning the procedure for the sale of property possessed by certain lien holders. Senate Bill 263.
Sen Hester: Judiciary. Is there further business to come before the body in the morning hour? If not, the morning hour has expired. We will now start with the business agenda.
Madam Secretary: Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 by Senator Rice. To recognize 100 years of Arkansas State Parks and proclaim 2023 as Arkansas State Parks Centennial Year.
Sen Hester: Senator Rice, you’re recognized.
Sen Rice: Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, this is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that sometimes I might not read all of, but I think it would be good for history and those live streaming to hear it. And we don’t have a long agenda today, so if you’ll bear with me I’ll leave out some whereas, but it’s got some good history in it. This is to recognize 100 years of Arkansas State Parks and proclaim 2023 as Arkansas Centennial Year. Whereas, one hundred 100 years ago, Governor Thomas Chipman McRae signed into law an act authorizing the acceptance of land for parks and state reservations in Arkansas and through the founding vision of Dr. T.W. Hardison, House Bill 873 passed without a dissenting vote and was signed into law as Act 276 of 1923. Act 276 of 1923 designated land for the establishment of Petit Jean State Park and included Arkansas as a party to the state park movement in America.
And later legislation would provide for creation of the initial State Park Commission, now known as the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission and charged the commission with the duties to select, acquire, and oversee lands entrusted to its care. Through the passion and pursuit of Dr. T.W. Hardison, the state park idea, originating in the 1920s, is a legacy that Arkansans appreciate and enjoy today. And in the words of Dr. Hardison State parks are first and primarily conservation areas. That concept is not in conflict with their use for recreation, and properly administered state parks can provide the best type of recreation for the population without impairing their natural beauty. Whereas, President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the work of the CCC began in 1933 in Arkansas with the goal of providing access for all to nature.
And the investment by the CCC created the following state parks in Arkansas: Petit Jean State Park; Mount Nebo State Park; Crowley’s Ridge State Park; Devil’s Den State Park; Lake Catherine State Park; and the Buffalo River State Park. And the enduring works of the CCC, built with dedicated labor and detailed craftsmanship using timber and stone that blend perfectly with their surrounding landscapes are still a part of the Arkansas State Parks essential experience. And these legacies can be seen in our parks, roads, trails, lakes, beaches, and facilities. Governor Dale Bumpers invested more in Arkansas State Parks and the number of state parks doubled. The importance of Arkansas State Parks and its citizens was displayed in 1996, when voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution for the collection of a 1/8 cent tax to support State Parks, Arkansas Game & Fish, Arkansas Heritage, and Keep Arkansas Beautiful.
And this measure was strongly supported by Governor Mike Huckabee and First Lady Janet Huckabee. And 52 state parks and 55,000 acres, the various landscapes found in parks in 49 counties are the perfect setting for trails, campsites, cabins, lodges, recreation areas where citizens and guests connect with our state’s beauty and history. Each state park is a significant part of the fabric of Arkansas. And the State Parks, Heritage and Tourism is charged with an important role in interpreting, maintaining, and protecting some of the most cherished national, historical, and cultural resources found in Arkansas. The state parks of Arkansas have impacted and enhanced the quality of life of Arkansans and served guests from around the world.
And collectively the Arkansas State Park system is one of the state’s largest tourism and economic drivers, adding over $ 1 billion each year to the state’s economy. Last year over 8 million guests visited Arkansas state parks and museums and support for Arkansas State Parks is at an 15 all-time high. Now therefore, be it resolved by the State of, the 94th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, The Senate and the House of Representatives concurring to recognize and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Arkansas State Parks and proclaim 2023 as Arkansas State Parks Centennial Year. And it is my privilege from the new district that I was drawn, that I have Petit Jean State Park, and with that I would appreciate a good vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
Sen Hester: Would any members like to speak against this resolution? Any members like to speak for this resolution? Senator Mark Johnson, you’re recognized.
Sen M Johnson: Thank you, Mr. President. And as Senator Rice said, he was thrilled to in redistricting to gain Petit Jean State Park. Of course, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. I was sad to lose Petit Jean State Park, but I was honored to get to speak at the dedication of the new Visitors Center named after Dr. T.W. Hardison that Senator Rice mentioned. This is a man that should be given even more recognition in our history. Can you imagine where Arkansas tourism, our second biggest industry, and some people say maybe even about to be our first biggest, would be if it weren’t for the vision of Dr. Hardison to save Petit Jean and create our first state park?
He was someone that died in 1958, but he is still beloved in his home Conway County. And I learned that when there was a move to name the visitors center after someone else, and the people in Conway County literally rose up and called their senator and representative, and fortunately good sense prevailed. But I ask all of you to learn about this wonderful individual. If you have never had the opportunity to visit Petit Jean State Park, and all of our parks are wonderful, but this is the crown jewel. So, God bless our state. God bless the fit people that take care of our beautiful parks, and thank you for letting me say that about my friend. I never met Dr. Hardison, Mr. President. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Any other members like to speak for or against? Seeing none, all those in favor of Senate Concurrent Resolution 16 — or 6 by Senator Rice, signify by saying aye.
Opposed say no. Congratulations Senator Rice, Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 has passed. Transmit to the House. Senate bills for the third reading and passage.
Madam Secretary: Senate Bill 116 by Senator Hammer. To allow the purchase of permissive service credit under the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and to declare an emergency.
Sen Hester: Senator Kim Hammer, you’re recognized.
Sen Hammer: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senate Bill 116 is a gap service purchase. This bill does not reduce any benefits for the ATRS member or beneficiary. This bill creates a new type of service that can be purchased at actuarial value. If a member leaves active employment for a period of time, and then returns back to employment, the gap years are available for purchase at actuarial value. This type of purchase is limited to five years. The system’s actuary found that this bill would have no material financial impact on the ATR system. From time to time I run into people that were in the teaching profession that have gotten out, and one of the comments they make is, Man, I wish could go back and buy those one or two years that I could add back into my retirement system. And that’s exactly what this bill does. It creates the mechanism for them to be able to purchase back those years that maybe they laid out at actuarial value. Not sure how many will use it, but it’s a tool that would be available for those to hopefully get back in the profession if they realize that they could get two or three years, or up to five years purchased back. I’ll be glad to answer any questions.
Sen Hester: Are there any questions for Senator Stubblefield? Seeing none, would any members like to speak for or against this bill? Seeing none, or sorry, Senator Hammer. Any questions for Senator Hammer? Anybody would like to speak for or against? Seeing none, Senator Hammer, you’re recognized to close for your bill.
Sen Hammer: Thank you, Madam Governor. [laughter] Closed for bill, appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Was there any objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Madam Secretary: Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark. Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson. English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Leding, Love, McKee, Murdock, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Sen Hester: Would any member like to vote that has not, or change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 yeas, 0 nays, 3 on leave, the bill has passed. Please transmit to the House. Emergency clause adopted.
Madam Secretary: Senate Bill 196 by Senator Tucker. To amend the law concerning a vacancy on a County Board of Election Commissioners.
Sen Hester: Senator Tucker, you’re recognized.
Sen Tucker: Thank you, Mr. President. This bill has to do with filling a vacancy on a County Board of Election Commissioners. It was brought to my attention by a constituent who had to resign from the Election Commission shortly before the primary election last year because of a health issue. And the way that vacancies are filled currently under the law is that they have to filled by an election by the county party. The concern is that, if a person has to resign for unexpected reasons, whether they move, or have a health issue, or God forbid somebody passes away, there may not be enough time until the election before the vacancy can be filled, and that was the concern here. So, what this bill is doing is ensuring that we have a full County Board of Election Commissioners for every election that takes place in Arkansas. What it does is, the vacancy is still filled by an election by the county party, but a temporary replacement can be appointed by the County Party Chair.
If there’s no County Party Chair for that county, there can be an appointment by the State Party Chair, that’s what it is. In case you’re unaware, every county has three Election Commissioners, two from the majority party, one from the minority party. So, there’s 150 Republican Election Commissioners in Arkansas and this benefits them just as much as it benefits the 75 Democratic County Commissioners in the state. So, that’s what the bill does and I’d be happy to answer any questions.
Sen Hester: Any questions for Senator Tucker? Senator Ben Gilmore, you’re recognized.
Sen Gilmore: Senator Tucker, wouldn’t you agree that my name on this bill makes it a good bill?
Sen Tucker: It was an okay bill until the amendment we introduced in committee, when we added your name and those of Representatives Beaty and Ray, it went to an A bill, and I thank you for that, Senator.
Sen Hester: Senator Wallace, you’re recognized for a question.
Senator Wallace: Senator Clarke, when we say temporary, does it mean it’s temporary until the next committee meeting?
Sen Tucker: Yes, sir. That’s exactly what it is.
Sen Wallace: Thank you.
Sen Tucker: As soon as the county committee can meet and elect a replacement, then that’s what will take place.
Sen Hester: Any further questions? Seeing none, would any member like to speak against or for this bill? Seeing none, Senator Tucker, you’re recognized to close for the bill.
Sen Tucker: Thank you, Mr. President. I’m closed for the bill and I’d appreciate a good vote.
Sen Hester: Are there any objections to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Madam Secretary: Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark. Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Leding, Love, McKee, Murdock, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Sen Hester: Would any member like to vote that has not or change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 yea, 0 nay, 3 on leave the bill has passed. Transmit to the House. House Bills for the third reading and passage.
Madam Secretary: House Bill 1171 by Represent Haak and Senator Bryant. To amend the law concerning the requirements for religious denominations to qualify as self-insurers.
Sen Hester: Senator Bryant, you’re recognized.
Sen Bryant: Thank you, Mr. President. Members, this bill is to allow self-insured religious denominations that choose to self-insure, to break out of that self-insurance if the liability of the plan does not want to be accommodated. So, most self-insurance plans they pool their liabilities, they go to a third-party to kind of administer the plan. And currently in the state we allow religious denominations to participate in that to self-insure, but if there’s a member inside that set that wants to insure a different portion, the language currently in law says that they’re prohibited from doing that. What this language does is it moves that word from prohibits to discourages it, them to do that, but it allows that member to get other insurance outside the plan. With that, I’ll take any questions.
Sen Hester: Do any members have any questions? Senator Blake Johnson, you’re recognized.
Sen B Johnson: I don’t know how old the original bill was, but 25 seems pretty low to be a self-insured pool of money. I don’t, I mean, I don’t know when that was passed, but?
Sen Bryant: I don’t know the history. From my understanding, it was actually fairly recently. Mennonite community brought this up with Representative Haak, it’s within her district, to make sure that the state will honor their self-insured plan. So, I think once the assets are met and the third-party will administer that plan, that’s the risk they’ll take within the plan.
Sen B Johnson: All right. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Any other questions? Seeing none, would any members like to speak against the bill or for the bill? Seeing none, is there an objection to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Madam Secretary: Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson. King, Leding, Love, McKee, Murdock, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Sen Hester: Would any member like to vote that has not or change their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By vote of 32 yeas, zero nays and 3 on leave the bill has passed. Return to the House.
Madam Secretary: House Bill 1198 by Representative Gramlich and Senator Boyd. To amend the law concerning early voting on county holidays.
Sen Hester: Senator Boyd, you’re recognized.
Sen Boyd: Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1198 ensures consistent application of holidays across the state as the holidays would affect statewide and district elections. That said, be happy to try to answer any questions.
Sen Hester: Are there any questions for Senator Boyd? Seeing none, would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Senator Boyd, you’re recognized to close for the bill.
Sen Boyd: I’d appreciate a good vote.
Sen Hester: Are there any objections to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Madam Secretary: Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Leding, Love, McKee, Murdock, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Sen Hester: Would any member like to vote that has not or changed their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 yeas, zero nays and 3 on leave the bill has passed. Return to the House.
Madam Secretary: House Bill 1321 by Representative Holcomb and Senator Boyd. To amend the law concerning truck platooning systems.
Sen Hester: Senator Boyd, you’re recognized.
Sen Boyd: Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1321, this is an Arkansas Trucking Association supported bill, which updates 2017 platooning legislation to match the 2021 Autonomous Vehicle legislation. It’s permissive language which leaves final approval of specific routes, times, etcetera to ARDOT. Texas and Oklahoma have already adopted this language, which makes approximately 30 states with this language. Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi have this language introduced. That said, I’d be happy to attempt to answer any questions.
Sen Hester: Are there any questions for Senator Boyd? Seeing none, Senator Boyd you’re recognized to — wait, would any member like to speak for or against the bill? Seeing none, Senator Boyd, you’re recognized to close for your bill.
Sen Boyd: I’d really appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Are there any objections to rolling the vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote.
Madam Secretary: Boyd, Bryant, Caldwell, Chesterfield, Clark, Crowell, Davis, Dees, Dismang, Dotson, English, Flippo, Flowers, Gilmore, Hammer, Hester, Hickey, Hill, Irvin, Blake Johnson, Mark Johnson, King, Leding, Love, McKee, Murdock, Payton, Penzo, Petty, Rice, Stone, Stubblefield, Sullivan, Tucker, Wallace.
Sen Hester: Would any member like to vote that has not or changed their vote? Seeing none, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 yeas, zero nays, and 3 on leave, the bill has passed. Return to the House. Members, I want to clarify that we will be in session on Monday, President’s Day. So, Monday, just so we’re all clear, we will be here in session on Monday. Senator Clint Penzo, from Tontitown, you are recognized.
Sen Penzo: Thank you, Mr. President. The Senate Rules Committee met yesterday afternoon to discuss gubernatorial appointments. You will find the list for today, February 14, 2023, on your desk. The Rules Committee approved this list in one batch. Does any senator wish to pull any of the appointments to be voted on separate from the batch?
Sen Hester: Does any member have anyone they want to remove from the batch? Seeing none, Senator Penzo.
Sen Penzo: Okay. Mr. President, I move the Senate confirm the February 14, 2023, list of appointments that were approved the Senate Rules Committee.
Sen Hester: All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed say no. Motion carries.
Sen Penzo: Thank you, members.
Sen Hester: Are there any announcements at this time? Senator Dismang, you are recognized.
Sen Dismang: Just an announcement on Claims. Claims is going to meet tomorrow morning at 7:30. And there will be no Budget tomorrow morning.
Sen Hester: So, Jim Petty, you’re recognized.
Sen Petty: Members, I know we have a lot of these, but these are two that are near and dear to my heart. Tomorrow morning for breakfast at Capitol Hill, the Arkansas Society of CPAs. Obviously, we get a lot of asks, but they are very much supportive of your constituents and really don’t ask for a lot. And so, I would encourage you to participate in that one. And then, tomorrow at lunch, the Arkansas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs will be there. And we as members and as volunteers, we get a chance to save lives by participating and helping the youth through the Boys & Girls Club. A few years ago, the Boys & Girls Club did a survey of their past members, their alumni and said, 57% of the members of the Members of the Boys & Girls Club said that the clubs literally saved their lives. So, you can take your cape off and be a super hero by supporting them. So, thank you.
Sen Hester: Thank you, Senator Petty. Senator Ricky Hill, you’re recognized.
Sen Hill: For those of you who were not listening earlier and who were not in here, tomorrow at 11:30 Alzheimer’s Association’s having a get-together on the Dementia for Arkansas. So, please try to attend.
Sen Hester: Senator Jimmy Hickey, you’re recognized.
Sen Hickey: Thank you, Sir. Members, we’re going to have a JBC Employee Benefit Division tomorrow. So, if you’re on that committee I would appreciate if you would attend, because we have a contract that we need to look at within there. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Senator Ben Gilmore, you’re recognized.
Sen Gilmore: Members, we have a Joint Energy meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 3. So, if you’re on Joint Energy, please attend that meeting if you can. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Senator Kim Hammer, you’re recognized.
Sen Hammer: Members, just wanted to remind you tomorrow morning at seven o’ clock in the old Supreme Court Room, Prayer Breakfast — I mean, not breakfast, sorry, bring your own. Prayer time and it lasts about 20 minutes. We do a little devotion, take prayer requests. Staff is there and we’d love for you to be there if you can make time for it. Seven o’ clock in the morning. Thank you.
Sen Hester: Are there any other announcements at this time? Seeing none, the Senate will stand in adjournment subject to clearing the desk until one o’ clock tomorrow. We are adjourned.