Legislative session adjourns, Gillam to seek second term as House Speaker

The last full day of the 90th General Assembly regular session felt like a relay race at times as lawmakers hurriedly sped a compromise religious freedom solution through committee, to the governor, and back to the House again.

Also, Speaker of the House Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, confirmed he would seek a second term as speaker in the next session. The Arkansas News Bureau first reported Gillam’s announcement. Talk Business & Politics confirmed with Gillam that he would seek to serve as Speaker beyond his current term.

“I will ask for my colleagues’ support for one more term as Speaker,” Gillam told TB&P.

TESTIMONY
The House Judiciary Committee met Thursday to hear the Senate-approved SB 975, a measure that mirrored language from the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The bill was a compromise that took into account Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s request to modify a bill, HB 1228, that had reached his desk, but was the subject of backlash from the LGBT community and the state’s biggest business leaders. The controversy had also thrust Arkansas in the national spotlight like Indiana, which was grappling with a similar bill.

When the House Judiciary Committee met Thursday morning to hear SB 975, Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, said his earlier bill, House Bill 1228, faced a perception problem with people opposed to the bill as well as media coverage on the issue. Ballinger also told the committee SB 975 was virtually the same bill that “Bill Clinton signed into law and Barack Obama voted for in the Illinois state Senate.”

Rita Sklar, executive director for the Arkansas chapter of the ACLU, spoke against the bill. Sklar said HB 1228 gave the state a “black eye” while Senate Bill 975 “puts ice on it.” Sklar also said she believed individuals already have religious freedoms protected in the U.S. Constitution, Arkansas Constitution and state law.

However, a pianist told the committee she believed the overall issue put her talents in jeopardy. Jackie Martin, who said she is a director of music at a church, said she was afraid of being accused of discrimination if she turned down a gay couple’s request to play music at a wedding.

“I am frightened to participate in music,” Martin, who said she has played the piano since she was four years old, told the committee. Martin said she does not judge anyone but said a remedy to protect her religious beliefs was taken of the bill.

The committee approved the measure and it was considered by the full House later in the day. After its passage, it was quickly rushed to Gov. Hutchinson, who signed the bill into law amidst a bipartisan group of legislators. The House reconvened and voted by voice to recall HB 1228 from the Governor’s desk, effectively ending its run.

Rep. Donnie Copeland, R-Little Rock, spoke against recalling the bill. Copeland said he felt the process was trampled on during the debate.

“It is a very difficult thing, but Mr. Speaker said at the beginning that we should respect the process,” Copeland said.

Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, who spoke in favor of the request, said Ballinger had worked hard on getting the bill approved.

“He has poured his blood, heart and soul into it …. We are the darn House. I say, ‘give it back to him,” Hammer said.

LAST MINUTE BUSINESS
The House Judiciary Committee also voted against a revised bill that will give property rights to a person for their name, voice, signature and likeness. The committee turned back Senate Bill 965, sponsored by Sen. Jon Woods, R-Springdale. Under the bill, the rights would be protected and would have set commercial and non-commercial uses of the images. The bill passed the Senate Wednesday night.

A similar bill, Senate Bill 79, was vetoed earlier this week by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. In his veto message, the governor cited constitutional concerns for the veto.

The legislature also approved three proposed constitutional amendments, sending the measures to the Nov. 2016 general election.

The House voted 80-0 in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by Sen. Eddie Joe Williams, R-Cabot. The proposed amendment would allow the governor to retain certain powers and duties if they leave the state. Currently, if the governor leaves the state, the lieutenant governor immediately takes over the duties of the office.

The House also voted 70-22, with one present, in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 16. The proposed amendment would get rid of a five-percent cap on the state’s budget for general obligation bonds that are part of so-called super projects; allow the legislature to set the size of incentives given to businesses, according to an impact study done by a third party; and give cities and counties the ability to provide infrastructure and service needs for economic development projects.

The Senate also voted 33-0 to approve House Joint Resolution 1027. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, would expand the terms of countywide elected officials from two to four years, define infamous crime in state law and allow for unopposed candidates to be elected without printing their names on the November general election ballot.

With the passage of budget bills on Wednesday and the final business involving RFRA resolved, the House and Senate both adjourned until May 8 when they will return for any clean-up business and to sine die, or formally end the 90th General Assembly regular session.