Senate
January 22, 2025
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:05:27] The Senate will be called to order. Are there any requests for leave at this time? Madam Secretary, would you please call the roll? [Roll call] Thank you, Madam Secretary. If everyone in the chamber and in the galleries would please rise for a prayer led by Senator Blake Johnson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And Blake Johnson, you're recognized. [Prayer and Pledge]
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:07:06] Thank you, Senator Johnson, for those words. Ladies and gentlemen in the galleries, welcome to your Arkansas State Senate. It is our expectation that 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 begun. Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk?
Secretary [00:07:35] [Engrossed Bills, SB 24]
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:07:47] Joint Budget.
Secretary [00:07:47] [Engrossed Bills, SB 50]
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:07:56] Public Health.
Secretary [00:07:58] [Judiciary, SB 13, Do pass]
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:08:04] Calendar.
Secretary [00:08:06] Senate Bill 88 by Joint Budget an Act for the Department of Education Division of Higher Education Appropriation for the 2025 2026 Fiscal Year. Senate Bill 88.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:08:19] Joint Budget. Thank you, Madam Secretary. There's no further business to come before the body in the morning hour. The morning hour has now expired. We will begin the business agenda. At this time, we are going to pass over Senate Resolution 1 and we will take up Senate Bill 15. Senator Boyd.
Secretary [00:08:51] Senate Bill 15 by Senator Boyd, to amend the law concerning negligent discharge of firearms while hunting deer and to repeal section 15-43-205.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:09:05] Senator Boyd, you're recognized.
Senator Justin Boyd [00:09:11] Thank you. So during the last legislative session in the Legislative Council, there was the Arkansas Game and Fish Subcommittee. And during that there was the Second Amendment Task Force, and there were a series of bills that were passed out of there as recommendations for this General Assembly. This is the first one.
So what this bill does is, right now, currently in the state of Arkansas, there's a discrimination against deer hunters that if you negligently discharge your firearm while deer hunting, that you are mandated to have a fine up to not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 and up to six months in jail. So what this bill does is it repeals this. So the first question I had was, well, what about elk hunting? What about bear hunting? That's big game.
Well, the answer is this is from 1965 before elk hunting and bear hunting were legalized again in the state of Arkansas. And so I suspect that's why they're not included in there, though I wasn't around in 1965. I wasn't even born yet. So then there's discussion that, well, maybe this was before the requirement to wear hunter orange and it was. So the requirement for hunter orange was introduced in 1976, 11 years after this bill was passed.
So what I would say is this is an extraneous mandate on the books. There are ample other things, both civilly and criminally, if we are talking about negligent discharge of a firearm. And so this is just cleanup legislation, in my humble opinion, that we don't really need.
So some people asked, and while I don't know that it's relevant, but I'm going to go ahead and answer the question, what does negligent mean? Negligent under Arkansas code means, 'should be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk.' Reckless means, 'consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk.' So the other thing that I'll make a point of and then if anybody has any questions, I'll have to try to answer them, is the Game and Fish testified that they've never used this statute.
So then the other question is, what about the prosecutors? Well, yesterday I ran into my prosecutor in the Capitol, I asked him, hey, is this a challenge? So he did not indicate to me it was. The Prosecutor Association is aware of this because they're the ones who sent me the definitions of negligent and reckless. And I've had no negative feedback other than, maybe you could say there was some discussion in committee, but outside of that, I've had no feedback for or against this bill. That said, I'm happy to try to answer any questions.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:12:06] Any questions for Senator Boyd? Yes. Sorry. Senator Stubblefield. Not you. The senator behind you. I'm sorry.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:12:18] Thank you, ma'am. Senator Boyd--
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:12:19] Senator Stubblefield. I'm sorry. The senator behind you had a question.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:12:25] I apologize.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:12:27] I saw a hand behind you. Senator Flowers, did you have a question? Please rise and ask questions of your Senator Boyd.
Senator Stephanie Flowers [00:12:43] To confirm that we already have a statute that deals with negligent homicide where facts that are presented in that statute you're repealing could fall under that, correct?
Senator Justin Boyd [00:12:57] That is my interpretation is there are ample other criminal statutes that could take place of this, and there doesn't seem to be a real reason we need this specific statute.
Senator Stephanie Flowers [00:13:09] Right. Because a person can be charged with a Class B felony.
Senator Justin Boyd [00:13:11] Yes.
Senator Stephanie Flowers [00:13:12] Okay. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:13:15] Thank you, Senator Flowers. Senator Stubblefield, you're recognized.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:13:22] I asked you this question yesterday. Senator Boyd, I have people come out to my farm and say they have a shooting range where they shoot. How would that affect if it was for just negligence.
Senator Justin Boyd [00:13:43] So I'm glad you asked that because maybe I wasn't clear during my testimony. But I think this is a very important point.This current law, as it stands today, says deer hunting. It doesn't have anything to do if I'm shooting coyotes or bears. But just as importantly, if I'm just out on a shooting range where a gun is just as dangerous as if I'm deer hunting, then it doesn't say anything about this.
This is just, for whatever reason, we have been very specific about deer hunting. And I see no reason why we need to change this. Because how are we going to change it? Are we going to just get rid of deer and call it hunting? But then what about somebody who's just out shooting guns? Right.
The more and more I've looked at this, the more and more I'm convinced this is just extraneous and we don't really need it in code. If there's really an issue, a good prosecutor can figure out what to do with this or it can be dealt with in civil court or both.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:14:35] Okay. Thank you.
Senator Justin Boyd [00:14:35] Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:14:38] Any other questions for Senator Boyd? Seeing no other questions, would anyone wish to speak against the bill? Anyone wish to speak for? If not, Senator Boyd you're recognized to close.
Senator Justin Boyd [00:14:57] Thank you and I'd appreciate a good vote.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:15:00] Thank you, Senator Boyd. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Is that an objection? Hearing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Vote] Thank you. Is there any Senator who wishes to change his or her vote or who did not vote? Senator Scott. Is it correct behind me? Senator Love. Present. Any other senators wish to vote who did not vote or change your vote? Seeing no others, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33 yeas, 1 nay and 1 present, Senate Bill 15 passes. Please transmit to the House.
[00:16:29] [Votes on SB 15: No, Senator Jamie Scott; Present, Senator Fredrick Love].
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:16:30] Senate Bill 18.
Secretary [00:16:31] Senate Bill 18 by Senator Wallace to amend Arkansas law concerning reports by the Legislative Auditor of improper or illegal practices.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:16:41] Senator Wallace, you're recognized.
Senator David Wallace [00:16:44] Thank you, Governor. Members, last session, we passed a bill that basically says that when Legislative Audit notifies the county prosecutors of an issue, possible criminal issue, in their county, that we also notify the Attorney General's office. That allows the Attorney General's office and the prosecutors to both have the option of pursuing that crime. If the prosecutor decided they wanted to bring the case, then they'll file it. And that's just a normal criminal matter.
If the AG handles it, they must be deputized by the prosecutors on a case by case basis. But what has happened with this is both the prosecutor and the Attorney General has to send up the same report. So we're doing double work. This bill simply makes a good bill a little bit better. It's requested by the Attorney General's office. It just cuts down on redundancy. And with that, I standby for your questions.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:17:59] Any questions for Senator Wallace? Does anyone wish to speak against or for the bill? Senator, you are free to close. The Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Hearing none, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Vote] Any senator who did not vote, who wishes to vote, or who would like to change his or her vote. See no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yeas, 0 nay, Senate Bill 18 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 56.
Secretary [00:19:12] Senate Bill 56 by Senator Dotson concerning the evaluation, extension and repeal of legislative rules.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:19:22] Senator Dotson you're recognized.
Senator Jim Dotson [00:19:26] Thank you, Madam Governor. Senate Bill 56, members, is very a simple bill that if you read through one page, basically we have all the rules in the state administrative rules that are divided into six roughly equal sized groups with one of those groups coming up for rule review every two years, every cycle. So over the course of 12 years, all the rules in the state get reviewed.
The law allows for the governor to readjust which rules are in which group, so which cycle they come up for review. However, what it didn't do or wasn't anticipated at the time was to ensure that all rules get reviewed at least once every 12 years. So what this does is it ensures that the governor still is able to adjust which grouping the rules are in every every 12 years. However, once a rule is reviewed, it won't go past that 12 years before it gets reviewed again. So ensuring that once every 12 years, all rules have at least been looked at and reviewed. More than happy to answer any questions.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:20:43] Any questions for Senator Dotson?
Senator Jim Dotson [00:20:47] Appreciate a good vote.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:20:48] Does anyone wish to speak against or for the bill? The Senator has closed. Without objection, I would ask Madam Secretary to roll the vote. [Vote] Is there any senator did not vote who wishes to vote or wishes to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yea, 0 nay, Senate Bill 56 passes. Please transmit to the House. And Senate Bill 61.
Secretary [00:21:47] Senate Bill 61 by Senator Hill to authorize veterinary telemedicine in the state and to set certain standards for veterinary telemedicine.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:21:56] Senator Hill, you're recognized.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:22:01] Thank you, Madam Governor. Colleagues, very seldom does it happen in the Senate chamber where we have a bill that's a win win situation for everyone involved. In this case, we have a win, a victory for the veterinarians. We have a win for all of our constituents. But most of all, we have a win for our beloved pets and animals and our livestock. With that being said, this is a telemedicine bill that we're running, which is a win win deal because it allows our constituents who are at work to be able to have their animals and livestock checked on.
This bill allows the veterinarians for the first time to be able to, if they have not established a patient client relationship with someone, and if it's an emergency situation, they can use telemedicine to establish that relationship within seven days for small animals and 21 days for large animals.
As you all know, there is a vet shortage in the state. And so with the shortage, it allows the veterinarians in areas that are underserved in East Arkansas and south Arkansas, where the veterinarian can take care of the emergency and he can go by their farm or facility or they can get the animal to him within 21 days because the veterinarian leaves Little Rock, Arkansas, and has to go to East Arkansas, let's say to West Memphis or somewhere, that's 4 to 6 hours. He loses all of his income for that day.
So this allows them a time frame where they can work it around when they're out making their calls and stuff. And so with that being said, I'd appreciate a good vote from y'all day and I'll take any questions.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:23:49] Any questions for Senator Hill? Senator Stubblefield, you're recognized.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:23:57] Senator Hill, you know that I, too, am a farmer, have been all my life. And also I'm well aware of the fact that a doctor and a patient can do things over telemedicine that they cannot do when they're in an office. And it's the same way with animals. You can't do certain things with animals over telemedicine like you can if you've got the animals there on the premises.
So that's the big issue I have is we're still going to have animals that are going to have to see a vet whether you've got telemedicine or not. Because a lot of these animals will have to be treated by the licensed veterinarian at a clinic or wherever. And telemedicine simply will not work in those situations. I know. I've experienced it, especially with horses. And other than that, I have no problem with the bill.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:25:08] Well, with this bill, the veterinarian has each choice to say in here, you need to bring that animal to me or I need to get by there to you. This is just in extreme cases where it's an emergency situation where something needs to be done and the veterinarian cannot-- if you look in there, it says, the emergency or urgent situation. And so if that's the case, the veterinarian has to establish-- that's with a veterinarian client relationship is not established. So this right here just kind of fills in a gap that we don't have out there.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:25:39] Well, an emergency would be even more tedious because there's a lot of things that can happen to an animal, a horse especially, that can happen quickly that needs a trained, licensed veterinarian to save that an animal where you could not get someone there quick enough.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:26:00] I'm not disagreeing with you at all. Not in all cases. This feels a gap that we don't have out there, Senator Stubblefield So it's a gap.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:26:09] I understand that we're short of veterinarians. I'm fully aware that we need more veterinarians. But that's my main objection to this piece of legislation is, I've been around animals all my life and I've seen situations where you can't treat an animal through telemedicine. Just can't do it.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:26:33] And I agree 100%. In some cases, you can't do it. And you have to go in there. So I'm not saying this is the only way we're gonna do veterinarian work in the state of Arkansas by any means. You do have the same traditional issues that you've always had out there where if you need one, you get them to them or they'll come to you, one of the two.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:26:51] Okay.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:26:54] Senator Hammer, you're recognized. And then Senator Petty.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:26:59] Thank you, Madam President. Senator Hill, my question is that with the incorporation of telemedicine, if the owner of the livestock or pet requests that the veterinarian show up, that doesn't allow the veterinarian the option to decline and say, I want to do it by telemedicine. Does it still leave the authority to the owner of the pet or livestock the ability to require and the vet comply with it?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:27:32] The vet will do whatever needs to be done. As far as if you want the veterinarian at your facility, you can work that out with them. That would be between the client and the vet. This is just another option that lays it out there. If it may be three hours before that vet can get there, maybe the vet can do something that will ease the pain that your animal is under until they can get there.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:27:51] And if the owner is okay with the vet doing it by telemedicine, then this allows the vet to have the ability to do what the owner requests without being limited by what the law currently says they can or cannot do?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:28:09] That is correct.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:28:11] Okay. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:28:13] Senator Petty you're recognized.
Senator Jim Petty [00:28:17] There we go. So first of all, I think I would be more inclined to support this if you could tell us how many more vet bills you're going to run this year.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:28:26] One more today. I'm answering for today.
Senator Jim Petty [00:28:32] I'm just kidding. So I'm assuming-- it doesn't call it out. Or if it did, I've overlooked it-- that licensed veterinarian means licensed by the state of Arkansas?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:28:43] That is correct.
Senator Jim Petty [00:28:43] Okay. Thank you.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:28:44] Must be licensed in the state of Arkansas. And just for the record, I did not mention this earlier, Representative Vaught and myself have worked with the veterinarians. We had five different meetings. When I say meetings, I'm not talking about 15, 20 minutes. I'm talking about two and three hours. And so this has been thoroughly vetted through the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association.
They're all for this. They're on board. Senator Bryant even showed up at one of our meetings one night that lasted about four hours. So this has been thoroughly vetted, no known opposition. This is what I call good legislation. Both of these I'm running today are good legislation. The've been worked out. That's good for the industry as a whole.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:29:24] Senator Dees, you're recognized.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:29:28] Thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Hill, definition of emergency, I don't see a clear definition of emergency.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:29:40] An emergency situation is going to be-- something that is an emergency to you-- could be two different things. An emergency to you could be your dog has ear mites. An emergency to me may be my cow got its leg cut off. And so it could be two separate situations.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:29:56] And then second question is clarity on, does this give the ability for non-licensed veterinarians, so vet techs or anybody on the veteran's team, to engage in the telemedicine relationship and prescribe medicine?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:30:16] Nope.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:30:17] Okay. So there's no prescription of medicine from a non licensed veterinarian?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:30:22] That is correct.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:30:23] Thank you.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:30:27] To go a little farther with that, to write a script in the state of Arkansas, you must be a veterinarian.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:30:32] Senator Love, you're recognized.
Senator Fredrick Love [00:30:34] Thank you, Madam Chair. How many other states have adopted this type of legislation?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:30:39] Well, there's, I can tell you a number of states. Several of them have close to what we're running here. Some of them are actually more extreme than what we're doing here. We're still kind of holding this close together until everything falls under place. But I'd say out of the 50 states, and I don't even want to throw a number out to you, I'd be just making it up. But there are a number of them. I know Texas has, Oklahoma has, Missouri. I mean, you take our surrounding states, they have something similar.
Senator Fredrick Love [00:31:06] Okay. All right. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:31:09] Any other questions? Senator Bryant, you're recognized.
Senator Joshua Bryant [00:31:18] There we go. Appreciate it. Just a quick question for clarity. You said only a licensed veterinarian in the state of Arkansas.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:31:27] A licensed veterinarian that is licensed in the state. You may have someone in Oklahoma that lives on the line that is actually a licensed veterinarian in Arkansas.
Senator Joshua Bryant [00:31:37] One of my concerns is, living up in the Northwest, we've obviously got access to Missouri vets and Oklahoma vets. So if a family member is scrolling and they get an advertisement for a vet that is in Missouri that says, Now offering telemedicine, and I call that vet because I got, obviously, an emergency going on with my pet. What would prevent that relationship from occurring?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:32:04] If they are a licensed veterinarian in the state of Arkansas and they see the small animal or the large animal within the 21 days, they can build that relationship because they are a licensed veterinarian in the state of Arkansas.
Senator Joshua Bryant [00:32:14] So how do you handle the case if the issue is resolved and I just do not take my pet to that vet?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:32:22] That will be promulgated through rules in the Agriculture Department.
Senator Joshua Bryant [00:32:25] Okay. Thank you.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:32:26] We actually have a vet board, so it would probably end up going before them.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:32:31] Any other questions for Senator Hill? Senator Stubblefield, you're recognized for a follow up question.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:32:44] We talked about medicine and some of these animals have to have certain medications and they have to have it within a certain amount of time in order to survive. A horse person, I as a horse person, you're well aware of that. If a technician cannot administer that medication, how is that going to work?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:33:14] This bill has nothing to do with the techs. This is strictly the veterinarians themselves. The next one has to do with techs.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:33:22] True. But we're working with a vet over a monitor, talking to someone else, talking them through this, who are going to be administering licensed medicine.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:33:36] I don't understand the question.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:33:38] Well, the question is, how are they going to administer these medications unless there's a vet on hand?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:33:48] If the medication needs to be administered, the vet will have to be there. He won't use telemed. He or she will actually be on your farm or you'll have your animal at their facility.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:33:59] Okay. So that will just--
Senator Ricky Hill [00:34:02] This has nothing do with your traditional client patient relationship that you already have with your vet. This is not going to affect you whatsoever. Because your veterinarian can actually already have a client patient relationship, can actually work with you on the telephone right now and advise you on what you need to do.
Senator Gary Stubblefield [00:34:22] Well, that's easy to say unless you're doing a C-section.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:34:26] Well, we're not doing a C-section on telemedicine.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:34:35] Seeing no other questions, anyone wish to speak against the bill? Anyone wish to speak for? Senator, you are free to close.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:34:50] Appreciate a good vote.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:34:52] The senator has closed. Is there objection to rolling the vote? Objection noted. Madam Secretary, please call the roll. [Vote] Are there senators who have not voted and wish to vote or who wish to change your vote? I see Senator Alan Clark, yea. Senator Dees, nay. Anyone else on this side before I go to this side? This side. Senator Mark Johnson, yea. Senator Caldwell, yea. Anyone else? Please check the board. Senator Love, yea. Anyone else? Please check the board. Seeing no others, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 33 yeas, 2 nays, Senate Bill 61 passes. Please transmit to the House.
[00:37:11] [SB 61 vote: Nay, Senator Tyler Dees, Senator Gary Stubblefield]
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:37:11] We will take up Senate Bill 68.
Secretary [00:37:21] Senate Bill 68 by Senator Hill, to allow veterinary technicians, veterinary technologists and veterinary technician specialists to go to a location other than the location of the supervising veterinarian to provide services raised on an emergency call.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:37:39] Senator Hill, you're recognized.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:37:42] This will be the last vet bill of the day. Working with the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Association, we came up with this. I worked with seven of their Governmental Affairs Committee for the last year, basically.
Basically all this bill does, it allows a veterinarian who is tied up, whether it be in surgery or something else, to send one of his techs, specialists or technologists out to a field on a call under indirect supervision. Right now, they can do anything they can in an office. Right now, he can send them out on a call, but they are still directly reporting to him. And he or she is responsible for everything that they do and they report back to him before they do anything.
So he is just allowed to send somebody, like if they have a horse that's colicky and they need to get someone out there to check and assist with it. To keep the animal from being in pain or possibly even losing that animal, he can send one of his staff members out there who are qualified to do this and they will be working and going on behalf of him while he's finishing up their surgery or whatever he or she are doing at this time.
This just allows someone to go out to the farm or to someone's house and assist during this time and to get the animal where it's not in pain, it's not hurting, and be able to report back to the veterinarian on what needs to be done. But they are working indirectly but directly for the veterinarian. Just allows them to leave the establishment and go do it. I'll take any questions.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:39:18] Any questions for Senator Hill on SB 68? Senator Dees, you're recognized.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:39:29] Thank you, Madam President. Senator Hill, I think I've got more problems with this one, I think, that I do the last one. But I'm trying to understand. When I spoke to veterinarians this week and members of our Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission, there were concerns about how the foundation of that whole relationship is about supervision. And that this bill would hamper that supervision of non-licensed veterinarians. And so can you help me put to rest my concerns about this unsupervised veterinarian techs or team members being involved in this entire process? Because it makes me a little uneasy.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:40:25] Yes, I believe I can assist you with that. I'm going to give you two real life examples. One is a cow was trying to calf. Veterinarian was in surgery on a major horse surgery. He could not go out there. So he was not able to send someone out who could have actually assisted with that. Six hours later, when he gets out there, the farmer loses the calf and the cow, so he loses both. The cow was in pain the whole time.
This veterinarian called me and said, y'all have got to get this done. There's a shortage of us. He said, I can't be everywhere. I can't be in surgery. I can't be at my office and I can't be at the farm all at the same time. This will allow them to send their qualified staff who we all actually passed the bills in here to allow them to do this. This just allows them to go out, assess the situation, contact the vet back and say, this is what's going on right now.
And a lot of this happens with veterinarians getting called. There are very few veterinarians nowadays that work after hours. So this allows him, if he's not there, he can send someone out, report back to him, and he can get back to them. This just expands the ability for the veterinarian to go on out. Another example is a horse got in a cattle guard. Are you familiar with them, where they go through and they hurt themselves? The horse stayed there in pain with a broken leg for 24 hours before the veterinarian could get out there and assist.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:42:00] How much schooling or requirement to be a veterinary technologist?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:42:07] We'd have to look back through there. We'd have to look that up. I can't tell you how much the schooling is right now.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:42:09] I think it's pretty minimal. And that's what I'm concerned about is this would allow technologists that have not gone through the full degree of a licensed veterinarian degree and career path to have heavy influence. And it scares me about the risk to our farmers and to their--
Senator Ricky Hill [00:42:30] Well I'd rather have a risk of someone coming out than not having anyone whatsoever because they're still working directly with them. I still trust the vet. The vet is the one making the calls, not the person coming out to your farm.
Senator Tyler Dees [00:42:41] I think the bill's in the right place and your heart's definitely in the right place. I'm wondering if the solution is creating more opportunities for more licensed veterinarians and schools and scholarships.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:42:50] We're working on that. But right now, there's a vet shortage. We don't have another option. We just either let the animal suffer and the farmers lose them or we kind of work with what veterinarians we have. I think there's roughly 700 in the state of Arkansas now. I may be off. Let's just say 1,000. I'll give a few more, which would be about-- you got 1.7 head of cattle in the state of Arkansas and you probably got probably 30 large animal vets, maybe, true large animal vets. This is directly mainly for large animal vets.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:43:27] Senator Hammer, you are recognized.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:43:30] Thank you, Madam President. Where is the Veterinary Association on this bill?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:43:34] There are 100% for it.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:43:36] And just as a comparison, the associate who is going to go out there and lay eyes on the situation and report back to the vet, will that person be able to actually do anything other than life saving measures? Or what restrictions are they going to be on them?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:43:56] She's under the restrictions based off the veterinarian. Now, can she go out there and do a surgery-- she or he? No, they can't do that. They're going to be working through the veterinarian, doing what he tells them to do.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:44:08] And the liability rests on the veterinarian?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:44:11] That is correct. These are actually employees of the veterinarians. He's not just calling someone down the road. These people actually work in his office.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:44:19] Okay. So I would liken this unto like a physician who has an assistant or maybe a PA or APRN that is actually maybe going to go out and be the physical presence, but still works under the authority of the physician. Is that fair?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:44:34] That is correct. That's a fair assessment.
Senator Kim Hammer [00:44:39] Alright. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:44:42] Any other questions for Senator Hill? Senator Davis, you're recognized.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:44:55] I think that's a sign you're not supposed to ask a question, Senator Davis.
Senator Breanne Davis [00:44:58] Oh my goodness. I know you've been working on this for about two years now, and I've just really been wondering why you hate animals, if you could answer that for me. [laughter]
Senator Ricky Hill [00:45:07] I'm kind of like Senator Johnson. They are very tasty.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:45:14] Any other questions? Does anyone wish to speak against the bill? I'm sorry. Senator Irvin, you had a question. You are recognized.
Senator Missy Irvin [00:45:31] I'm not sure because I can't pull it up, but if emergency or urgent situation is defined somewhere in that code, I would probably-- I'm not sure if you know that answer or not. But I think that's important in this situation, that these are for emergency and urgent situations.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:45:50] I'm going to say emergency is described somewhere, otherwise they would have defined it.
Senator Missy Irvin [00:45:53] It probably is. I haven't been able to find it. But if it's not, I would probably suggest you add that definition.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:45:59] Well, rules should cover that then. They should define that whenever they do the rules.
Senator Missy Irvin [00:46:05] Well, no. But that might be a good addition, to add it in there just so that we have an emergency or urgent situation clearly defined, if it's not already in the current statute or code.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:46:17] We'll check on that.
Senator Missy Irvin [00:46:20] I would check on that and make sure it's defined because you do want it to be very narrow and specific so they're not actually treating but they're responding to a call. That's my questions, but I'm going to support. But I do think you probably should tighten up a few things.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:46:39] Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:46:40] Any other questions. Senator Payton, you're recognized.
Senator John Payton [00:46:45] Thank you, Madam Chair. Currently, without this law, what happens on the farm when you need a veterinarian and they can't come is you call your neighbor or your friend down the road who has cattle and horses and you do whatever the best you can to treat them.
Senator Ricky Hill [00:47:06] Yes, sir.
Senator John Payton [00:47:07] Is there any regulation currently that stops that?
Senator Ricky Hill [00:47:10] No, sir.
Senator John Payton [00:47:11] Okay. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:47:15] Any other questions for Senator Hill? Seeing no other questions, does anyone wish to speak against? Anyone wish to speak for? Senator Hill, you're free to close. Senator has closed. Is there any objection to rolling the vote? Is there any objection? Seeing none, madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Vote]
Does any senator wish to change his or her vote? I will begin on this side. I see Senator Dees, voting nay. Any others on this side? Seeing no other on this side, any senators on this side wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 34 yeas and one nay, Senate Bill 68 passes. Please transmit to the House.
[00:48:44] [Vote on SB 58: No, Senator Tyler Dees]
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:48:45] We will now go to the top of the agenda under the morning hour and take up Senate Resolution 1. Senator Sullivan.
Secretary [00:48:53] Senate Resolution 1 by Senator Sullivan to honor St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro for being the first medical facility in the state to open a Maternal Life 360 home.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:49:05] Senator Sullivan, you're recognized.
Senator Dan Sullivan [00:49:07] Thank you, Governor. I've asked Senator Wallace to join me. St. Bernard serves both of our areas, and I know there are folks in the gallery right back here from St. Bernard, and we're thankful you are here. St. Bernard, as mentioned, is the first medical facility in the state to open a Maternal Life 360 program. We're really proud of them. As many of you know, the Maternal Life 360 Health Program supports women with high risk pregnancies who are enrolled in the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me program and their traditional Medicaid through home visit services during pregnancy and up for two years postpartum. This is a great program. We're very proud of St. Bernard for starting this and we would appreciate a good vote.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:49:56] Thank you, Senator Sullivan. All those in favor of Senate Resolution 1 to honor St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro for being the first medical facility in the state to open a Maternal Life 360, please signify by saying aye. All right. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Senate Resolution 1 is adopted.
Senator Dan Sullivan [00:50:29] And I will not follow Senator Hill's veterinary medicine bills again.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:50:38] Next, we will take House Bill 1080.
Secretary [00:50:45] House Bill 1080 by Representative Evans and Senator Hester to repeal the requirement for a fiscal impact statement for bills related to health benefit plans and repeal the bill filing deadline for bills affecting health benefit plans of entities of the state.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:51:02] Senator Hester, you're recognized.
Senator Bart Hester [00:51:04] So, Members, this is repealing requiring fiscal impact study for bills that affect our EBD. What we did, because one legislature can't bind the next, we're removing this from statute and putting it in our joint rules. Yesterday we passed our joint rules that included this language. So that has happened. We did that yesterday. So we're removing the law today. I'm happy to answer any questions.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:51:28] Any questions for Senator Hester?
Senator Bart Hester [00:51:33] We passed joint rules yesterday.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:51:36] Any other questions for Senator Hester? Seeing no questions, does anyone wish to speak against or for? The senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Hearing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Vote]
Any senator who has not voted or who does not wish to vote? Senator Flowers, present. Any other senator wish to change his or her vote? Senator Penzo, present. Not voting? Not voting. Senator Penzo, not voting. Any other senators wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no other, Madam Secretary, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 32 yea, 0 nay and 2 not voting, 1 present, House Bill 1080 passes. Please return to the House.
[00:53:07] [Vote on HB 1080: Not voting: Senator Bryan King, Senator Clint Penzo; Present: Senator Stephanie Flowers].
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:53:07] We will now take up the budget calendar.
Secretary [00:53:14] Senate Bill 58 [53] by Joint Budget an act for the Auditor of State Continuing Education of local officials appropriation for the 2025 2026 Fiscal year.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:53:25] Senator Dismang, you're recognized for Senate Bill 53.
Senator Jonathan Dismang [00:53:29] Thank you. This is a continuing education appropriation, as you just stated, and that's for the county clerks, circuit clerks, county treasurers and then the coroners and county collectors.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:53:42] Any questions for Senator Dismang? Anyone wish to speak against or for? The Senator has closed. Any objection to rolling the vote? Without hearing no objection, Madam Secretary, please roll the vote. [Vote] Any senator wish to change his or her vote? Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot. By a vote of 35 yeas, 0 nays, Senate Bill 53 passes and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted. Please transmit to the House. Madam Secretary, are there items at the desk?
Secretary [00:54:56] Yes. Senate Bill 89 by Senator English to amend the information that a school district shall provide electronically with respect to its school district Board of Directors, Senate Bill 89.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:55:08] Education.
Secretary [00:55:09] Senate Bill 90 by Senator English to require members of the public to be afforded the opportunity to present public comment at each meeting of a school district Board of Directors. Senate Bill 90.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:55:21] Education.
Secretary [00:55:22] Senate Joint Resolution 5 by Senator King to amend the Arkansas Constitution to repeal the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Senate Joint Resolution 5.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:55:31] State Agencies. No other items at the desk. Any announcements? Senator Davis, you're recognized.
Senator Breanne Davis [00:55:44] Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to announce the doctor of the day today. He is from Russellville, Dr. David Murphy. He is an opthamologist. He's there in the back. If you guys would go by and say hello to him and thank him for being here today. And our nurse of the day is Leigh Fazio. And I don't see her back there, but she's been back there. And I think we'll be here pretty regularly so we can tell her hello and thank you when we see her. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:56:19] Thank you, Senator Davis. Senator Stone, you're recognized for an announcement.
Senator Matt Stone [00:56:25] Madam President, I think this is the first time this has ever happened. But we have two doctors of the day today. So we also have Dr. Jonathan Lewis from Camden, Arkansas. I believe Dr. Lewis is an orthopedic surgeon. Is that right? He's back there in the back. So we're just thankful to have him here today also. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:56:55] Thank you. Members, we have announcements. If you all don't mind, we have announcements. And so if you can hold on just a few more moments. Senator Alan Clark, you're recognized for an announcement.
Senator Alan Clark [00:57:05] Thank you, Madam Chair. For those of you who will have bills to present to Judiciary, which will be many of you, we meet at Wednesdays at 10 and we will meet on Mondays 15 minutes after session. So keep that in mind. Not only on Wednesdays but Mondays 15 minutes after the session if we have business.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:57:26] Senator Dees is recognized for an announcement.
Senator Tyler [00:57:28] Members, please, do you know how serious it is to make sure we continue to beat the House in the basketball game this year? Please, can we have your attention? Okay, this is serious and we need to raise a lot of money for the CAC and the Boys and Girls Club. I'm sorry, the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Arkansas. So please put on your radar March 4th. Okay. We will be challenging the House again for, I think it's 5 or 6 years in a row, to continue to win and show why we're the upper chamber.
But put it on your radar. March 4th at Central High down the street. And if you need a new jersey, please come get your size and your order in to Miss Sabrina. She is calculating all of that and gathering all that information. We will get the cost to you, but we need to get that information in so we can get it ordered. Put it on your calendar, March 4th. Let's go tell them why we are the upper chamber. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:58:28] Senator Hester is recognized for an announcement.
Senator Bart Hester [00:58:32] Hey, members, we're going to come into session at 11:00 tomorrow, but I'm going to ask if we can meet in the quiet room at 10:40 to go over a little bit of logistical stuff. So 10:40 in the quiet room, session at 11 tomorrow, if you can be there. Thank you.
Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge [00:58:51] Any other announcements? Seeing no other announcements, the Senate will stand in adjournment subject to the clearing of the desk until tomorrow, January 23rd, 2025, at 11 a.m.
