Video & Transcript : 'residential pools' :
Page 149 of 458
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government (3-10-26)
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, in 2020, there were some regulations passed by the Board of Health on swimming pools.
- In 2020, there were some regulations passed by the Board of Health on swimming pools.
- The result was that many apartment complexes' pools were shut down.
- It was a very difficult time, and the end result was hundreds of pools were shut down.
Committee:
House Local Government
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- This is safety, just like we teach our children wire safety, pool safety, water safety, things like that
- supposed to be taught: it's instruction on the importance of safe firearm storage in homes and... pool
- We keep our kids in elementary school to stay away from pools and water safety, and during the summertime
- We try to do everything we can to keep our kids safe around pools.
Committee:
House Education
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on General Government (2-26-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- person you replace her with doesn't have the same level of credit, that money would go back into the pool
- person you replace her with doesn't have the same level of credit, that money would go back into the pool
- person you replace her with doesn't have the same level of credit, that money would go back into the pool
- person you replace her with doesn't have the same level of credit, that money would go back into the pool
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Commonwealth’s Attorneys, County Attorneys, Prosecutor’s Advisory Council 00:00:18
Approval of Minutes 00:20:09
State Treasurer 00:20:33, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with testimony from representatives of the Prosecutor’s Advisory Council, including county and commonwealth attorneys, on their proposed budget. They described the scope of their work in district and circuit court, juvenile and dependency cases, specialty courts, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and the Rocket Docket program. The witnesses emphasized that their budgets are overwhelmingly personnel costs and warned that proposed cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced retention, and loss of recently added positions. They also said the General Assembly’s recent salary classification plan had improved recruitment and retention, and that underfunding could reverse those gains.
A major topic was the Rocket Docket program, which they said speeds lower-level cases through the system, reduces jail costs, and saves money for both counties and the state. They reported that in one circuit, average jail time for certain cases dropped from about 50 days to about 6 days. They also raised concerns that the Rocket Docket line item may not be clearly included in the committee substitute and asked for clarification on how the budget would treat it. In response, the chair said the intent was to move some of those items into the base budget, though the exact structure was still uncertain.
The presenters also discussed a 2022 subsidy for county attorney employees tied to retirement contributions, saying it totals about $1.3 million and should not be reduced because the obligation remains. They said the budget would need to support the salary classification plan extensions, House Bill 8 subsidies, and a new case management system that they described as essential to modernizing operations and improving communication with victims and law enforcement. The chair thanked them for the testimony and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the budget.
The committee then heard from Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber, who reported that the treasury has now returned more than $90 million in unclaimed property to Kentuckians. He said the office faces ongoing fraud issues and requested funding for a dedicated legal counsel and a fraud investigator, along with outreach money to educate the public about unclaimed property. He also outlined several capital requests, including the final year of a printer-system lease and replacement of HVAC equipment in the treasury building. Members briefly joked with him about a mineral-rights bill and coal, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- public libraries, and recreational facilities like state campgrounds, municipal skating rinks, or city pools
- municipal skating rinks. recreational facilities like state campgrounds or municipal skating rinks or city pools
- 60s, we had rules about colored people where they could go, what fountains they could use, swimming pools
- 60s, we had rules about colored people where they could go, what fountains they could use, swimming pools
Committee:
House State Affairs
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Permanent building fund interest stays with the fund and the idle pool.
- Permanent building fund, interest stays with the fund and the idle pool.
- Idle pool strategic initiatives stays with the fund. I did. Good. All right, Mr.
- So having a larger pool of contributions means that there's more stability.
Summary:
The committee met as JFAC for a statewide budget overview and related process presentations. Keith Bybee of LSO walked members through the general fund outlook, emphasizing that projected revenues for FY 2026 and FY 2027 are below current budgeted spending, creating a structural imbalance that will require either budget reductions or use of one-time cash and reserve balances. He highlighted major statutory cost drivers over the last several years, including public defense, IT services, Medicaid expansion, public schools, and water resources, and reviewed cash reconciliation items, transfers, supplementals, rescissions, and the governor’s proposed use of various fund balances and interest earnings to help balance the budget. Members asked about the deficit, corrections costs, tax conformity timing, fire suppression deficiency funds, and whether stabilization funds should be used; Bybee stressed that the Legislature has options but must decide whether to rely on short-term money or make longer-term structural changes.
Janet Jessup then explained the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, including historical summaries, fund analyses, organizational charts, five-year snapshots, performance measures, and enhancement/outcome reporting. Morgan Poloni followed with an overview of deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, explaining that deficiency warrants cover certain authorized expenses after they occur and are typically used for items like fire suppression or pest control, while supplementals adjust the current year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. She noted that deficiency warrant requests have grown in recent years, largely due to pest control, and that supplemental and rescission bills may require emergency clauses to take effect immediately.
Francis Lippett presented on state health insurance costs, saying FY 2024 spending on health and dental insurance was $646.2 million and that costs are rising faster than in prior years. She explained how the state uses employee premiums, a sweep account, and reserve balances to stabilize the plan, and said the FY 2027 appropriation is expected to rise about 14 percent, with employee premiums projected to increase 7.3 percent to maintain the current 80/20 cost split. Members asked about why premiums are charged for benefit-eligible employees who decline coverage, how reserve targets are set, how school district employees fit into the state plan, and how the state selects its insurance carrier; the Division of Insurance administrator said the plan is administered by Regence under a multi-year contract and that the state will rebid the plan within the contract term.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (4-28-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- have Janice Thomas, who was with the Personnel Office and Budget Director, presenting an agenda for a pool
- It is for a pool project in excess of $1 million that's been approved by the Cabinet of Finance, the
- Project, located in London, Kentucky, in the amount of $1,138,000, funded from the 2426 maintenance pool
- in the amount of $88,000 and also from the 2224 maintenance pool in the amount of $50,000.
Summary:
The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University.
The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity.
Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007.
Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Licensing & Administrative Procedures Mar 11th, 2025
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Transcript Highlights:
- When the jackpot got high enough, they pooled their money together and they made about 100 tickets.
- And it's, I think, a great thing when an office gets together, and they do an office pool, or you together
- the transaction for these hard-working retailers when there's a high jackpot and there's an office pool
- And I think there's the risk, the bad actor. you know, kind of contaminating the pool. by New Jersey
Committee:
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- From providing legal services advice, risk pool insurance, continuing education. legislative tracking
- TAC, TML, and TASB make most of their money off selling risk pool insurance, which is single bid and
- OB. and money is shed off of that risk pool to pay for lobbying and you know the last time I look TASB
- We're not paying for most of that, it is the single bid, no bid risk pool insurance that is then going
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So in fiscal year 2025, we saw a much larger pool of students who had a $0 or less SAI.
- So now we're seeing that increased eligibility pool and students come back.
- of students who had a $0 or larger pool of students who had a $0 or less<00:41:22.319><c> SAI.
- </c> eligibility pool and students come back. eligibility pool and students come back.
- The whole pool of learners is more diverse in the way they learn and what they learn and how prepared
Committee:
Senate Higher Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- These included funds to increase the state's property self-insurance pool.
- These included funds to increase the state's property self-insurance pool.
- These included funds to increase the state's property self-insurance pool.
- These included funds to increase the state's property self-insurance pool.
- </c> not only strengthens your candidate pool not only strengthens your candidate pool but<00:56:51.200
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (01/17/2025)
State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:13:01.120><c> property</c> of 50 to 750 on residential property of 50 to 750 on residential property
- </c><02:41:38.120><c> activities</c><02:41:38.640><c> are</c> life residential activities are life residential
- We limit the talent pool unnecessarily by putting hurdles in our own way.
- We limit the talent pool unnecessarily by putting hurdles in our own way.
- We limit the talent pool unnecessarily by putting hurdles in our own way.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we have transitional residential, kind of an intensive residential treatment, kind of step down from
- Uh, we have transitional residential, kind of an intensive residential treatment, kind of step down from
- Uh, we have transitional residential, kind of an intensive residential treatment, kind of step down from
- Uh, we have transitional residential, kind of an intensive residential treatment, kind of step down from
- Uh we have um transitional<00:41:53.599><c> residential</c> transitional residential transitional residential
Committee:
House Human Services & Homelessness
Keywords:
LGBTQ+ rights, commission membership, representation, youth involvement, Hawaii legislation, child well-being, financial support, expectant mothers, Hawaii Rx kids program, economic stability, youth homelessness, financial assistance, housing instability, emergency services, transitioning youth, Medicaid, pharmaceutical benefits, human services, healthcare access, public funds
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1877, which would expand the membership of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and add a youth seat. The commission’s vice chair supported the bill, saying the commission started with eight members, has growing interest, and would benefit from an odd-numbered board and youth representation. Members asked about quorum, and the commission said it has generally met monthly with only one quorum issue in the past 18–19 months and would work with legislative leaders to have appointments ready if the bill passes. Written testimony included support from Kokopac and one individual in opposition.
The committee then took up HB 2006, which would create a cash assistance program for pregnant women and mothers of babies. The Department of Human Services explained current TANF rules, including eligibility requirements, child support cooperation, and work-program participation, and said the state has recently raised benefit levels to the maximum allowed, with a family of three or four receiving a little over $900 per month. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others argued the bill could reduce child poverty and improve maternal and child health, citing evidence from Michigan’s Rx Kids program and the temporary federal child tax credit expansion. A mother and Oahu Youth Action Board member testified from personal experience about the need for direct support during pregnancy. The committee also noted support from several organizations and about 26 individuals.
The committee next heard HB 2167, which would direct the Office of Youth Services to run a pilot program providing financial assistance to homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and several organizations supported the measure, saying even small amounts of help can prevent homelessness and help youth transition safely to adulthood. The Office of Youth Services said it supports the intent of the bill but requested clarification, and committee members discussed whether the program should be run directly or through contracted community agencies, how to set performance metrics, and how to structure the RFP and contract process. The chair indicated the committee wanted to work with the vice chair and OYS offline to refine the bill before moving forward. The committee then began discussion of HB 2224, relating to Medicaid pharmacy benefit management, with testimony generally supporting giving DHS flexibility to negotiate with PBMs.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, Emily Poole, staff to the committee. Senate Bill 5420 relates to veteran benefits.
- Poole explained the bill very, very well. We worked on it quite a bit.
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses by adding the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to various eligibility provisions, extending some employment preferences to military spouses, and updating related protections. Staff and the prime sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, described it as a long-worked-on measure that passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Pro of the Department of War supported the bill, saying it modernizes state law and better recognizes service members and military families.
The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which would create a Washington State supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal port projects tied to freight mobility and supply chain performance. Sen. Marko Liias and port representatives testified in support, saying ports are critical to Washington’s trade-driven economy and that the bill would help fund needed infrastructure, including rail and terminal improvements, especially for smaller and rural ports. Testifiers said the program would fill a gap because ports lack a dedicated state grant program and could help leverage federal funding.
An amendment to SB 5649 was explained as limiting eligible projects to those not already eligible for funding from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, to avoid duplication. The committee paused and later closed the hearing on SB 5649, then returned to SB 5420 to hear additional testimony. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended after the public hearings were closed.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- It includes salvage pools as an authorized entity that can hold vehicles with damaged VINs, and it maintains
- Does this bill also address the salvage pool issue that the previous bill addresses?
Committee:
House Public Safety
Keywords:
HB4272, vessel title, boat title, outboard motor, marine title, certificate of title, uniform certificate of title for vessels act, Service Oklahoma, boat registration, watercraft, hull identification number, hull damaged, title brand, secured party, lien perfection, electronic title, paper title, dealer licensing, boat dealer, marine enforcement
Summary:
The Public Safety Committee heard several bills related to vehicle titling and VIN inspection procedures. House Bill 4272, by Representative Miller, would create a formal certificate of titling system for boats and vessels in Oklahoma to document ownership and reduce fraud; it passed 6-0. House Bill 3277, a cleanup bill on VIN inspections and salvage vehicles, clarified who may perform inspections and added salvage pools as authorized entities; it passed 7-0. House Bill 3148 made additional changes to the VIN inspection process, including salvage pool language and anti-fraud protections, and also passed 7-0. House Bill 3323 removed notarization requirements for documents submitted electronically to Service Oklahoma and passed 7-0. House Bill 4105 clarified exemptions under the Oklahoma Security Guard Act and passed 6-0. House Bill 3304, renamed the Ray Davis Safe Roads Act, requires Service Oklahoma to check the methamphetamine database before issuing commercial driver licenses and passed 6-0.
The committee also considered House Bill 4287, which would change how incarcerated people are counted for legislative apportionment by using their last residence rather than the prison location. Supporters argued it would create more equal representation and address a historical anomaly, while opponents said it would disconnect incarcerated constituents from the districts that currently represent them and could affect rural representation. After debate, the bill failed 4-5 and remained in committee.
House Bill 3345, a Department of Mental Health bill, would expand pretrial behavioral health and substance use screening services to any charge, felony or misdemeanor, to help identify diversion opportunities earlier and support treatment referrals. Testimony emphasized that the screenings would be done by certified local contractors at no cost to county jails and would help courts, prosecutors, and defense counsel. The bill received a 4-4 vote but was reported out as a due pass. The committee then laid over House Bill 315 until the following week and adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- counties with a population under 1000 to use residents from contiguous counties to backfill their jury pools
- So the, the committee substitute expands from the pettit jury to the right to include grand jury pools
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Apr 8th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Government Operations Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Then we also have the add-back for the 2.325 new and vacant FTE pool items that were deducted.
- back, and then right below those add-backs are the deductions for the 2.5, 2.7 new and vacant FTE pool
Summary:
The House Appropriations Government Operations Division met to consider House amendments to Senate Bill 2001, the budget for the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Representative Meyer and Legislative Council staff reviewed the House changes, which included higher lodging funding tied to a prior bill, an increase for North Dakota legislators’ forum dues, a transfer of $290,000 for public printing from the Secretary of State to Legislative Council, a $650,000 reduction tied to the nuclear energy study because that funding was already provided elsewhere, and a new section allowing legislative space on the 15th floor of the Capitol to be used for additional Legislative Council employees. John Bjornson explained the 15th-floor space proposal and said staff would work with Facility Management and CTE to address relocation needs and timing, with CTE’s move potentially delayed until after its busy school-year period if necessary.
The committee then reviewed the Senate version of the bill in more detail. Staff walked through the Legislative Assembly budget items, including per diem and compensation adjustments, lodging and mileage estimates, IT and audio/video funding, and dues increases for national and state legislative organizations. Members asked about mileage assumptions and the emergency clause, and staff said the emergency language is standard and allows flexibility for transfers, carryovers, and other budget actions. The committee also reviewed the Legislative Council budget, including funding for 25 new FTEs, interim travel, IT costs, professional services, public printing, and one-time items such as equipment and term limits consulting, while the advanced nuclear energy consulting item was removed in the House version.
After discussion, the committee adopted the House amendment to Senate Bill 2001 and then voted to do pass the bill as amended. Both motions passed on roll call, and the amended bill was sent to the full Appropriations Committee. Near the end of the meeting, Representative Paula gave notice that she would bring a separate amendment later on the Industrial Commission budget related to homelessness grant funding, noting it would not use SIF or general fund dollars.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The TML risk pool lawsuits have provided a lot of uncertainty.
- Just to clarify, it's Robert Graves on behalf of the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool
Committee:
House S/C on Workforce
Keywords:
peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate transfers for the new and vacant FTE pools were also included.
- The Senate transfers for the new and vacant FTE pools were also included.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee met to consider three measures, beginning with Senate Bill 2016 for Job Service. Testimony described Job Service’s workforce, unemployment insurance, and labor market functions, its long-term reduction in FTEs and budget, and its reliance on federal funding that does not keep pace with inflation. The bill included funding for an additional FTE for the H-2A housing inspection program, continued support for the JP3 offender placement pilot, and one-time funding for IT and mainframe costs tied to a system modernization effort. The committee approved the bill 20-0, with Representative Swiontek named as carrier.
The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2305, which would allow family members to be paid as caregivers for certain young people with disabilities instead of only licensed outside providers. Members noted the specialized, 24-hour nature of the care, workforce shortages, waiting lists, and the potential to avoid more expensive institutional care. Questions focused on how the program would be structured, including certification requirements and whether it would remain a pilot or become part of the broader human services budget. The committee passed the bill 20-0, with Representative Roar as carrier and Representative Nelson available as backup.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2024 for the Department of Environmental Quality. The House change was limited to increased special-fund support for water and wastewater operator certification testing to expand availability, while the Senate version already included added FTEs for emerging contaminants and fuel inspection work. Members discussed federal funding uncertainty, including IIJA and ARPA-related concerns, but the department said its major projects, including the new laboratory, were not currently in jeopardy. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 22-0, with Representative Berg as carrier.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy - Transportation Committee Meeting Jun 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The goal is simple when we were talking about residential streets, especially where children, families
- This bill gives communities clear tools to respond when a lower residential speed limit is appropriate
- House Bill 363 has amended Delaware law related to residential speed limits.
- So we're not going to 20 miles per hour for every residential community.
- Residential speed limits. As you know, the needs of various communities differ greatly.
Summary:
The committee met in hybrid format on June 18, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so minutes were not approved until later in the meeting after additional members joined. The committee heard a series of bills, with most receiving supportive testimony from sponsors, agency officials, advocacy groups, and frequent public commenter Robert Overmiller. Several measures focused on transportation and public safety, including HB 363 on residential speed limits, HB 384 extending DelDOT open-end contracts from three to five years, HB 413 allowing green flashing lights on road work and emergency vehicles, HB 456 streamlining subaqueous lands permitting, and HB 388 letting drivers with temporary medical suspensions keep their license for ID purposes while being flagged in the system as not allowed to drive. Members asked questions mainly about implementation, enforcement, and scope, and sponsors or agency witnesses explained that the bills were intended to improve safety, efficiency, and administrative clarity.
The committee also took up HB 111, which would require single-use food service items such as utensils, straws, napkins, and condiments to be provided only upon request, with exemptions for schools, nonprofits, health care facilities, correctional facilities, and similar settings. Supporters, including Plastic Free Delaware and the Sierra Club, said the bill would reduce waste and save businesses money, while opponents from the restaurant industry argued it could confuse customers, hurt tourism, and be difficult to enforce. Sponsors emphasized that restaurants could still ask customers if they wanted items and that the bill included a phase-in period and capped penalties. The committee also heard HB 393, a consumer protection bill for third-party electric suppliers that tightens oversight, training, reporting, renewal notices, and rate limits after concerns about misleading sales and unexpectedly high bills; it drew support from environmental advocates and members who had seen constituent complaints.
Finally, the committee heard HB 412 on hunting and trapping education and wildlife drug administration, which was described as a safety and modernization measure and supported by the Division of Fish and Wildlife and sportsmen’s groups, and SB 346, which would speed up Environmental Appeals Board hearings and decisions. SB 346 drew broad support from DNREC, the Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and business groups, though one witness asked to clarify that Superior Court appeal rights would remain intact; DNREC confirmed they would. The committee also approved the June 10, 2026 minutes after quorum was established, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous approval.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
CHILDREN & YOUTH COMMITTEE- SENATE & AGING, CHILDREN & YOUTH, AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- HOUSE Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But the next graph, if you see, that is our Right of Passage secure residential.
- The next slide I have shows the numbers for our community-based residential. We have group home...
- The next slide I have shows the numbers for our community-based residential. We have group home.
- The next slide I have shows the numbers for our community-based residential.
- It's something we're looking at: trying to find two-year colleges that have a residential option.
Summary:
The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth approved the December 10 minutes and confirmed Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee. The committee then heard the annual Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review report, which said the state reviewed 148 of 170 non-natural child deaths in 2023; the reviewed deaths included 69 accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined causes. Members asked about how the report’s recommendations could be used, grant opportunities tied to prevention work, and whether the data could be broken down by age; presenters said the report is intended as a prevention tool for agencies and nonprofits and that some age detail is available in later pages of the report.
The committee next took up HCR 1010 and then a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Senator Missy Irvin, judges, and Administrative Office of the Courts staff described Arkansas’s use of validated risk assessments, including SAVRY, the Ohio Youth Assessment Tool, MAYSI, and substance-abuse screening, as part of a long-running effort to reduce juvenile incarceration and tailor services to individual youth and families. They said the reforms have contributed to fewer delinquency filings, fewer DYS commitments, and more diversions, while also emphasizing that mental health, substance abuse, school issues, and trauma often drive juvenile court involvement. Several members raised concerns about data gaps, school collaboration, and whether community-based services are sufficient, and presenters said more shared data and stronger school use of safety dashboards could help intervene earlier.
Division of Youth Services Director Michael Crump then presented custody, education, recidivism, and cost data. He said DYS commitments rose after the pandemic, secure residential populations remain high, and detention-center use increased when intake beds filled; he also noted that DYS pays about $320 per day for secure custody and that detention beds cost roughly $90 to $100 per day. Crump said most youth in custody are older teens, about 80 percent are male, and many have behavioral-health needs or educational deficits; he reported 222 GEDs and 102 high school diplomas over six years. He also said about 15 to 19 percent of youth return to DYS within three years and that a larger share later enter the Department of Corrections, while members pressed him on how assessments relate to commitments, how low-risk cases are handled, and how to improve mental health and substance-abuse services statewide.