The Joint Budget Committee considered House Bill 16 35, an appropriation-only request for $5 million to help build a veterinary hospital at the Little Rock Zoo intended to serve as a teaching facility in partnership with two emerging veterinary programs.

Representative presenting the bill said the project would complement new veterinary programs at Arkansas State University and Lyon College and estimated the total project cost at $8 million to $10 million, with a requested $5 million contribution from state appropriations and the remainder to be raised through public-private partnership. The sponsor said the hospital would expand internship and externship opportunities for veterinary students and provide public viewing opportunities at the zoo.

During questions, several members asked about the number of animals available to justify a hospital of that scale. A faculty contact at Arkansas State University reportedly told a senator that there may not be sufficient animal case volume to justify such expenditure. Senator Caldwell said he would vote no on that basis. Senator Hill asked what the state would receive in return for the expenditure; the sponsor cited internship capacity and keeping students in-state.

Committee members voted first in the House chamber division, where the chair announced 'Ayes have it.' Because of requests for a roll-call by division, the committee then proceeded to a Senate roll-call. The Senate roll call recorded several no votes and the chair announced, 'Motion fails.' The transcript records the Senate roll-call outcome as failing the motion; it does not list a final combined numeric tally for both chambers in the record.

The committee clarified that HB 16 35 was appropriation-only (authority only, not an immediate disbursement). The sponsor and members discussed follow-up questions but the bill did not pass the committee after the Senate roll-call division.