House of Representatives
January 28, 2025
Speaker Brian Evans [00:00:15] I invite the members, staff, press and guests in the gallery to stand and be led in prayer by House Chaplain Brother Richard Hamlin, senior pastor, Faith Baptist Church in 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. Cast up the ballot, madam clerk. With 100 members present, the chair sees a quorum. Representative Matthew Shepherd moves that we dispense of the reading of the previous day's journal. With no objection, so ordered. Madam Clerk, are there any reports from select committees? Any reports from standing committees? You're recognized.
Clerk [00:03:14] [House Public Transportation, HB 1046, Do Pass; House Revenue and Tax, HB 1074, Do Pass; House Judiciary, HB 1204, Do Pass; Education, HB 1085, Do Pass]
Speaker Brian Evans [00:03:59] Thank you, Madam Clerk. Is there any unfinished business? Madam Clerk, any executive communications? Madam Clerk, please read the corrected letter.
Clerk [00:04:12] To the Speaker of the House. Dear Mr. Speaker, this is to inform you that on January 27th, 2025, I reviewed and approved the following measures from the regular session of the 95th General Assembly. House Bill 1080, Act 2. House Bill 1001, Act 3. House Bill 1108, Act 4. House Bill 1109, Act 5. House Bill 1110, Act 6. House Bill 1111, Act 7. House Bill 1113, Act 8. House Concurrent Resolution 1002. Sincerely, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:04:38] Thank you, Madam Clerk. Members, I'd like to welcome you to the House chamber. Today, our state troopers are Sergeant Austin Lay of the regulatory division, Little Rock, and also Corporal Trey Keller of the Highway Patrol Administration, both of Little Rock. Gentlemen, thank you for your service.
Our doctor of the day is Dr. Steven Davis, ophthalmologist from Little Rock, Representative Ashley Hudson's district. We welcome you, sir. Also, our nurse of the day is Leigh Fazio. Please thank them for their service. Members, if you would direct your attention to the North Gallery. We have with us today Randolph County District Judge Alex Biggar accompanied today by his wife, Grayson Bigger. She is the executive director of the Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority. They are our guests with us today of Representative Trey Steimel. Representative Jean, for what purpose?
Representative Lane Jean [00:05:57] Mr. Speaker, I move that we recall the House Bill 1122 from the governor's office.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:06:06] Representative Jean has proper motion. It is debatable. You're recognized to explain House Bill 1102.
Representative Lane Jean [00:06:20] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, I think last week we passed a couple of the bills out of here. And on them was for the deputy prosecutors. I think there's been an agreement worked out that 25% of their salaries were paid by the county government. The state has agreed to pick them up. But in that language, it was determined that it may be 25% every year reduction. And that was not the intent. It was just the first time, 2025. So we're asking to recall that back. So I would appreciate a good vote.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:06:58] Representative Jean has explained the motion. Would anyone like to speak against the motion? Would anyone like to speak for the motion? Representative Jean, are you closed? Madam clerk, please prepare the machine. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted? Cast up the ballot. By a vote of 98 yeas, 0 nay, and 0 present, the motion has passed. The Chief Clerk has been directed to recall the bill. Representative Jean.
Representative Lane Jean [00:07:57] My indication is that it is back in the House and we simply have a motion to re-refer this back to Joint Budget. Appreciate a good vote.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:08:07] That's a proper motion. It is debatable. Would anyone like to speak for the motion? Against the motion? Representative Jean is closed for the motion. Question before the House is a re referral of House Bill 1102 back to Joint Budget. All those in favor say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Motion is passed. We will let the record reflect that it has received more than 51 votes. Representative Meeks, for what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Stephen Meeks [00:08:51] [Adjourn motion]
Speaker Brian Evans [00:09:06] That's a proper motion. Non debatable. All those in favor say aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it. Do we have any committee announcements? Representative Lynch. For what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Roger Lynch [00:09:23] All right. Ag Committee meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. in room 138. Also, if you're available, we'd like to do the committee picture at 9:40 a.m. on the Capitol steps.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:09:37] Representative Kendra Moore, for what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Kendra Moore [00:09:40] Joint Retirement will meet 15 minutes upon adjournment in Mac A.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:09:45] Representative Pilkington, for what purpose? You're recognized for an announcement.
Representative Aaron Pilkington [00:09:53] Peer will meet tomorrow at 8 a.m..
Speaker Brian Evans [00:09:55] Representative Eubanks, for what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Jon Eubanks [00:09:59] Rules will meet tomorrow 15 minutes upon adjournment.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:10:03] Representative Wooldridge, what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Jeremy Wooldridge [00:10:07] Public Health will meet today, 15 minutes upon adjournment downstairs, room 130.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:10:11] Representative Gazaway, for what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Jimmy Gazaway [00:10:15] State Agencies will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m.. We will do a committee picture at 9:45 a.m. Room 151.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:10:24] Representative Wing, for what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Carlton Wing [00:10:28] Prayer caucus will meet tomorrow at 7 a.m. at the Old Supreme Court Room. We will hear from the great Fred Allen.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:10:35] Representative Maddox, for what purpose? You're recognized for an announcement.
Representative John Maddox [00:10:40] Insurance and Commerce will meet tomorrow at 10 a.m. in room 149.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:10:43] Representative Walker, for what purpose? You're recognized.
Representative Steven Walker [00:10:47] House Management will meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:10:49] Representative Meeks. You're recognized.
Representative Stephen Meeks [00:10:53] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Technology Committee will meet tomorrow at noon over in Big Mac B. We are going to get an update on the status of broadband deployment from across the state. So if you're on that committee or if you're just interested in knowing where we're at with broadband, noon tomorrow.
Speaker Brian Evans [00:11:10] Seeing no other business, the desk will remain open as needed for the reading of the bills and upon completion of the items named in the adjourn resolution, the House will adjourn until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.
