Wintry weather fails to halt Arkansas legislative agenda
Arkansas lawmakers continued their work Tuesday despite approaching winter weather, passing several bills.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas lawmakers met ahead of Tuesday’s winter weather to handle pressing matters.
Senate Majority Leader Bart Hester opened the morning session, stating, “We have a lot of work to do. The plan is for us to be here tomorrow and to be here Thursday under normal schedule.”
Senators tackled pressing business ahead of Tuesday’s wintry mix, starting with Senate Bill 142, the Bell to Bell No Cell Phone Act.
Republican Sen. Tyler Dees amended the bill to clarify that devices provided by school districts are not considered personal devices.
The bill passed and now heads to the governor’s desk.
“By a vote of 27 yeas, 1 nay, 1 not voting and 4 present, the bill passes,” Hester said.
Two canvassing reform bills by Republican Sen. Kim Hammer remain on hold until next week. However, a similar proposal arrived from the House, dozens dealing with the petition process are progressing through the legislature.
A day after the filing of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ higher education reform bill, a proposal about high school history class content drew criticism from Democrats who opposed the governor’s LEARNS Act.
Democratic State Senator Clark Tucker asked Senator Jim Dotson, “Are you concerned with the governor vetoing this bill? She made it very clear that she doesn’t want to indoctrinate children,” Sen. Tucker asked.
Sen. Dotson responded, “No, but this is more educating kids.”
The House had a lighter schedule Tuesday and had nothing on its calendar for Wednesday.
The cell phone ban in schools went to the governor shortly before noon Tuesday.
It remains uncertain if she plans a signing ceremony or if weather will affect it.