House Resolution 1005: Year of the Arkansas Physician
House Concurrent Resolution 1002: Extension of Tax Cuts
House Resolution 1002: Confirmation of Legislative Auditor
House Bill 1080: Repeal of Certain Fiscal Impact Requirements
House Bill 1056: Creation of the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs
House of Representatives
January 16, 2025
Speaker Brian Evans I invite the members, staff, press and guests in the galleries to stand and be led in prayer by House Chaplain Brother Richard Hamlin, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Cabot, and to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to be led by Representative Lane Jean. [Prayer and Pledge] Members, please indicate your presence by pushing your yellow present button. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone recorded their presence? Cast up the ballot, madam clerk. With 98 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Are there any requests for leave? Representative Carr, for what purpose?
Representative Joey Carr Leave.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized for leave.
Representative Joey Carr Leave for Representative McAlindon.
Speaker Brian Evans Is leave granted? Representative Lundstrum, for what purpose?
Representative Robin Lundstrum Leave for Representative Ladyman.
Speaker Brian Evans Is leave granted for Representative Ladyman? So moved. Representative Matthew Shepherd moves that we dispense with the reading of the previous day's journal. No objection, so ordered. Madam Clerk, are there reports from Select committees? Standing committees? Any unfinished business? Any executive communications? Thank you. Members, I'd like to recognize our troopers of the day. We appreciate very much greatly their service to us. We have with us today Trooper Lay, Trooper Harrington. If you'd please give them a welcome. And while you're standing, I want to recognize our nurses of the day, Leigh Fazio and Ebony Crutchfield. Thank you. Members, we will go to the red calendar now. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1005.
Clerk House Resolution 1005 by Representative Johnson to congratulate the Arkansas Medical Society and to celebrate 2025 as the Year of the Arkansas Physician.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Lee Johnson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I tell you what, what a first week already, right? It's very disorienting to me sometimes to come down here and get started. It's not my first session but the disorientation feels the same. And I remember when I first got elected coming down here like many of you today who are new, not really knowing what this process was like, and you're looking for guidance from your colleagues and other places. And for me, a lot of that guidance came from the Arkansas Medical Society.
You know, I think all of us have associations and groups from our own individual experiences as professionals that we work with. And for me, this group of individuals that work with the medical society and the physicians that largely participate, they're just great examples of what we like to call advocacy. And the job that we try to do here in this chamber, trying to make this state that we love a better place, it only works if we have advocacy. We can't solve all the problems individually. We can't know whether the solutions we think of are the right solutions or not. What we depend on are people and citizens in our community to come back and give us feedback. And that requires organization and effort and time. And the Arkansas Medical Society is a great example of advocacy.
And so I'm glad that we're celebrating 150 years today of the Arkansas Medical Society. I'm glad that it's happening in the first week in session when it's all crazy and chaotic. And we do these resolutions and oftentimes we just have the clerk read the title and I'm usually a big fan of that. And I know everybody sitting here is, but it's early in the session, and the resolution itself was interesting to me. And I think it's worthwhile to take the time to listen to the resolution and hear some of the things that the Arkansas Medical Society has done. So if it's okay with the members, I'll have the clerk read the resolution in its entirety. Please read the resolution, Madam Clerk.
Clerk Whereas 150 years ago, on October 1875, 225 Arkansas Physicians formed what is now the Arkansas Medical Society. Whereas from the inception of the Arkansas Medical Society, the physicians members of the Arkansas Medical Society have made it their mission to advance the art and science of medicine and improve the health and well-being of citizens of the state of Arkansas. And whereas, over the past 150 years, the physicians of the Arkansas Medical Society have been instrumental in addressing the health needs of our state in the monumental efforts of the physicians, while often obscured by the passage of time, deserve our lasting appreciation.
And whereas, the efforts of the physicians of the Arkansas Medical Society include, one, the creation of the state's first State Board of Health in 1879, two, the development of the first medical licensing law in 1893 and 1903, three, the establishment of the Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanatorium in 1909, four educational efforts to alleviate thyroid fever and malaria in 1917, five, the creation of Medical Practice Act in 1929, six, the creation of Arkansas Blue Cross in 1948, seven, sponsorship of the statewide polio vaccination program in 1958, eight, supporting the establishment of what is the College of Medicine of the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences.
And whereas, throughout the years the physicians of the Arkansas Medical Society have supported the General Assembly in its efforts to enact legislation designated to improve public health and access to appropriate medical care, including, one, Patient Protection Act of 1995, two, the Arkansas Clean Indoor and Air Act of 2006, three, the development of the statewide trauma system in 2019, four, common sense reforms designed to reduce burning some insurance carrier practices that delay delivery of medical care.
And whereas during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, the Arkansas Medical Society, in cooperation with the governor's office, organized a statewide distribution effort to provide personal protective equipment to medical clinics struggling to safely care for patients. And whereas, over 50 years, the Arkansas Medical Society provided voluntary medical care to members of the House of Representatives and the Senate state Capitol staff and visitors to the State Capitol during the sessions of the General Assembly through what is now known as the Doctor of the Day program and whereas the Dr. H. Elvin Sheffield Capitol Infirmary, sponsored by the Arkansas Medical Society and located on the third floor of the state Capitol, was officially dedicated by the 72nd General Assembly on April 16th, 1980.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, that the House of Representatives congratulate the Arkansas Medical Society for its 150 years of service to the people of Arkansas and celebrate 2025 as the Year of the Arkansas Physician.
Representative Lee Johnson I might have had some buyer's remorse on that. There was a lot there, a lot that we did. One of the things I wanted to make sure to point out that I think is interesting is the foundation of Blue Cross Blue Shield. So interestingly, the Arkansas Medical Society was the founder of that entity. And so anyway it's a great society, a great example of how we can be advocates. And so with that, I'm closed for the resolution. Appreciate a good vote. Thank you.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Johnson is closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1005. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Congratulations. Your resolution is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Concurrent Resolution 1002.
Clerk Current Resolution 1002 by Representative Ray to urge The United States Congress to permanently extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Ray, you're recognized to explain the resolution.
Representative David Ray Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, this resolution would call on the United States Congress to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, commonly known as the Trump tax cuts. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was a landmark piece of legislation delivering massive and historic tax relief all across the country, but also right here in Arkansas. Hundreds of thousands of Arkansas workers and businesses benefited from the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They benefited from a doubling of the standard deduction, a doubling of the child tax credit, lower taxes on American small businesses and lower personal and corporate income tax rates as well.
Unfortunately, many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will expire at the end of this year unless they are extended by Congress. And what that would result in if Congress does nothing is a massive tax increase on the people of Arkansas. That's on top of the staggering inflation that Americans are dealing with today on everything from housing and insurance to gas and groceries. My constituents, and I suspect yours as well, can't afford $1,500 a year on average in additional taxes next year, which is what the average family in the state would pay. But that is what would happen if Congress fails to act.
Thankfully, our congressional delegation in this state supports this policy, but it is important that Washington hears from the states. Why? Because this is not a foregone conclusion. The majorities in both the House and the Senate are very slim. And every day that passes that Congress fails to take up this measure jeopardizes its eventual extension. If there was any message sent in the last election, it is that Americans want an economy that works for them, that is affordable again. And the last thing that they need or wanted when they voted is a higher tax bill next year. And with that, I would appreciate a good vote.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Ray has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? Representative Ray, are you closed for the resolution? The question before the House is the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 1002. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Congratulations. The resolution is passed. Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1002.
Clerk House Resolution 1002 by Speaker Evans to confirm the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee selection of Kevin White as the legislative auditor.
Representative Carlton Wing Mr. Speaker, you're recognized.
Speaker Brian Evans Thank you, members. We all know, if you've been here at any time, you know that for many years the state of Arkansas was blessed by the service of legislative auditor Roger Norman. And during the last session we were notified of his retirement. The appointment to that position was his deputy assistant, which was Kevin White. He assumed that role back earlier in the year, has been performing those duties very well. We have met with him and his staff. The only matter of business left is just the confirmation of his appointment. The Senate has already taken care of this with a unanimous vote. And I would appreciate the same courtesy of the vote of this chamber to appoint him as the legislative auditor. And I'll be happy to try to answer any questions. Appreciate a good vote.
Representative Carlton Wing Speaker Evans has explained the resolution. Would anyone like to speak against the resolution? For the resolution? The speaker is closed for the resolution. Madam Clerk, would you please read the resolution in its entirety?
Clerk Whereas Arkansas Code 10-4-405 states in part that the legislative auditor shall be employed by a majority vote of the membership of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and the name of the person selected shall be presented to each house of the General Assembly for confirmation. And whereas, the Legislative Joint Audit Committee selected Kevin White as the Legislative Auditor on September 9th, 2022. And whereas, Roger Norman, Mr. White's predecessor, continued to serve in the role of legislative auditor until his retirement on June 30th, 2024. And whereas, Kevin White officially assumed the role of legislative auditor on July 1st, 2024. Now therefore, be it resolved by the House representing the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, the Legislative Joint Committee selection of Kevin White as the Legislative Auditor is hereby confirmed by the House of Representatives.
Representative Carlton Wing Speaker Evans has closed for the resolution. The question before the House is the passage of House Resolution 1002. All in favor say aye. Any opposed say no. Let the record reflect that the resolution has received more than 51 votes. Congratulations, your resolution has been adopted.
Speaker Brian Evans Members, the morning hour has ended. We will now go to regular bills on the red calendar. Madam Clerk, please read House bill-- sorry. Without objection, we are going to pass over House Bill 1001. We will go to House Bill 1080. Representative Eubanks, you are recognized. Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1080.
Clerk House Bill 1080 by Representative Eubanks to repeal the requirement for a fiscal impact statement for bills related to health benefit plans and to repeal the bill filing deadline for the bills affecting health benefit plans of entities of the state.
Representative Jon Eubanks Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, this may seem like an odd request to be repealing this requirement, but this was something that was recommended by Segal, the consultants that the legislature hired when we were working on EBD. And it had some unintended consequences that sort of included the institutions of higher ed and so it was requiring additional fiscal impacts every time a bill or an amendment.
Also, the Bureau identified the fact that this didn't need to be in statute because one legislature cannot bind another legislature. And so this needed to be in our joint rules. The Senate passed it out of committee yesterday with this requirement for the fiscal impact. It's restricted just to the EBD. We're not including the institutions of higher ed now. It's my understanding that was probably going to be voted on their floor and it should be on our end next week. So we will be voting on the joint rules, which will include this particular element for the fiscal impact. So if there are any questions, I'll attempt to answer them.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Lundstrum, for what purpose?
Representative Robin Lundstrum Question.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Robin Lundstrum We need fiscal impact to know how much we're paying for different things. How is that going to impact us going forward? How will we get a fiscal impact for this?
Representative Jon Eubanks We're still going to be getting the fiscal impact, it's my understanding through Segal, if we have any bills that are going to impact EPD, which would affect the premiums for state employees and teachers.
Representative Robin Lundstrum Okay. So we will have all that information when we go into Budget and we'll know what we're paying for and there won't be any surprises?
Representative Jon Eubanks Exactly. Yes, we will know if it's going to impact EBD positively or negatively. So that we can make an informed decision as far as whether we want to pass that particular bill.
Representative Robin Lundstrum Okay. Thank you.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Eubanks has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Eubanks, would you like to close for your bill? He's closed. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1080. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Would any member like to change their vote? Cast up the ballot, madam clerk. With a vote of 97 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present, the bill has passed.
Representative Carlton Wing Madam Clerk, please read House Bill 1056.
Clerk House Bill 1056 by Representative Speaker Evans to create the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and to declare an emergency.
Representative Carlton Wing Speaker Evans, you are now recognized to explain the bill.
Speaker Brian Evans Thank you. Members, as I shared yesterday in the House Rules Committee, for the last three years, this has been something that has just weighed very heavy on my mind and on my heart. My district has a large population of veterans. I believe part of that is because of the close proximity to the Little Rock Air Force Base.
What we've grown to know over the years is that once our military personnel come to Arkansas and serve in one of our bases and maybe they get deployed somewhere else and deployed somewhere else, they travel all over the world. When retirement comes, they like to come back and retire in Arkansas. And with Arkansas becoming even more and more of an attractive state for retirement, I expect that to continue to grow.
Also, we're continuing to see growth at Little Rock Air Force Base, growth at Camp Robinson. And then those of you in northwest Arkansas know the tremendous things that are happening in Fort Smith with the installations there. And then also those in northeast Arkansas with the continual work that's going on with the former base there in Blytheville with the boom of economic development up there and what's going to happen with that base going forward. And we know that there's still a lot of military families around there.
And so it just became even more kind of a passion and idea to me that I felt like that we as a governing body, even though that so much federally comes down to us, what happens with the military, I felt like that we could do more. And so as I began to speak with Senator Hester about this, as we were approaching the session and knowing that the Senate does not actually have a committee or even in the title of a committee, do they have anything referencing veterans or military affairs. We do. We have the Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative Affairs. And in the end, we tacked on Military Affairs. And I kind of just felt like that was shoved on the end there.
And I felt like we needed to do something to make a priority and empowerment, a passionate attempt to show those who serve us in uniform that we are going to take their work more seriously and that we, as a body, will do everything that we can possibly do with intent and with passion to make sure that we are providing those benefits that we can as a state and those opportunities and those protections for their families while they are out serving for us. And so in speaking with BLR, with Jill and with Marty and talking about how this could be done procedurally, this needed to be done as a joint committee.
So we will be creating the Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. Now to get this off the ground, to get it going, it would take appointments. And so we put in there how that committee would be made up of members of membership from the House and the Senate going forward. How we do that, I am completely open to this body on how that committee is made up. But if you think back over the summer, as I met with each one of you one on one, one of the questions that I asked you was, Are you current or former military or a spouse of current or former military?
And that's because I wanted to get a read on who I thought personally would join me on this and be the most personally vested in what we did to get this committee off the ground and get it going. And so that's why that question was asked, because I wanted to make sure that if this was something you were personally vested in, that you were included in. So that would be the purpose of creating this.
What we would have to do next is once we have this committee created as a joint body legislatively through this bill, then this would be put into the House rules and then we would come back, as I said in committee yesterday, if I understand procedure properly, we will come back with a resolution that will take the name of Military Affairs off the Aging Children and Youth Committee so that everything is crisp and clean within our House rulebook. So with that, I'll be happy to try to answer any questions.
But I just hope that you would join me in this journey of trying to just give a little bit more awareness from this body on our military and our veterans who have served us so honorably. Seeing no questions. I would appreciate a good vote.
Representative Carlton Wing Speaker Evans has explained the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Would anyone like to speak for the bill? Representative Whitaker, You are recognized to speak for the bill.
Representative David Whitaker Thank you, Mr. Pro Tem. Good morning, folks. I'll be brief. As a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and as the son of a veteran career man in the United States Navy whose every sibling served in the United States military, I salute the speaker for bringing this forward. It is long overdue. And God bless you, sir.
Representative Carlton Wing Representative Whitaker has spoken in favor of the bill. Would anyone like to speak against the bill? For the bill? Speaker Evans, would you like to close for your bill? Speaker Evans is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of House Bill 1056. You are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Reminder that you are voting on the bill and the emergency clause. Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot, madam clerk. By a vote of 97 yeas, 0 nays and 0 present, the bill has passed.
Speaker Brian Evans Let the record show that the parliamentarian failed to vote my machine. And I would have voted yes. Seeing nothing further, Representative Meeks, for what purpose?
Representative Stephen Meeks My colleagues have encouraged me to do this, but I would like to make a motion to expunge the vote by which that passed so we can go back and revote it to make sure the speaker can get his affirmative vote cast on that bill.
Speaker Brian Evans That is a proper motion. It is debatable. If you would like to come to the well and expand upon your motion.
Representative Stephen Meeks Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, as a veteran myself, I fully support this bill. I know the time and effort that the speaker has put into this. And so I just think he should have the right to be able to make sure his vote is cast on this. So with that, I would appreciate a good vote to expunge that vote. Let's revote it so the speaker can get his vote tallied along with the rest of us. Thank you.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Meeks explained the motion. Would anyone like to speak against motion? For the motion? Representative Meeks, are you closed for your motion? All those in favor of Representative Meeks' motion say aye. Opposed nay. Let the record show that over 67 members voted for the motion. Madam Clerk, prepare the machine for House bill 1056. Has everyone voted? Would any member like to change their vote? Seeing none, cast up the ballot, madam clerk. By a vote of 98 yeas, 0 nays and 0 present, the bill is passed. Members, Thank you. Representative Meeks, for what purpose?
Representative Stephen Meeks Motion.
Speaker Brian Evans You are recognized for a motion.
Representative Stephen Meeks After the announcements, reading of the bills, transferring the bills, placing the calendars on the desk, members amending their own bills with their own amendments, members withdrawing their own bills, finalizing resolutions, reading communications, and any remaining committee report, I move that we adjourn until 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaker Brian Evans That is a proper motion. It's non debatable. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Members, just to make note for the record, House Bill 1056 did pass, the bill and the emergency clause by your vote. Representative Jean, for what purpose?
Representative Lane Jean Announcement.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Lane Jean Tuesday morning, members of Joint Budget will have a meeting in Big Mac A. Tuesday at 9:00.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Underwood, for what purpose? You're recognized for an announcement.
Representative Kendon Underwood House Judiciary will meet Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Room 149.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Cavenaugh, for what purpose?
Representative Fran Cavenaugh Announcement.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized for announcement.
Representative Fran Cavenaugh Rev and tax will meet Tuesday morning 10 a.m. Room 151.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Shepherd, for what purpose?
Representative Matthew Shepherd Announcement.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Matthew Shepherd Joint Energy will meet 15 minutes upon adjournment of the House and the Senate, which I would imagine is probably the House. We will meet in room 171. Thank you.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Wooldridge, what purpose?
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge Announcement.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge Public Health will meet Tuesday 15 minutes upon adjournment for an organizational meeting downstairs First Floor.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Warren, for what purpose?
Representative Les Warren Announcement.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Les Warren Public Retirement will meet upon the adjournment of the House and the Senate. Not on Monday morning at 8:00, thank goodness. It will be our first meeting. We will not have any bills, but it will just be an informational meeting.
Speaker Brian Evans Representative Brooks, for what purpose?
Representative Keith Brooks Announcement.
Speaker Brian Evans You're recognized.
Representative Keith Brooks House Education will meet Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.
Speaker Brian Evans Seeing no other announcements, the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and completion of the items named in the Adjourn resolution. The House will stand in adjournment until 1:30 Tuesday afternoon.
