Video & Transcript Research : 'Delaware General Assembly'
Page 152 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , y'all have a long... history of establishing MUDs, establishing neighborhoods that then are... generally
- We assemble a team. engineers, attorneys to help us with land use, and we talk to our local governments
- That generates tax revenue for the county to pay for county services such as roads and emergency services
- The developer assembles... assembles the property, as Ms.
- At the end of the day, if the development is successful enough to generate the property value... ...to
Keywords:
third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, municipal utility district, petition, county clerk, water code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, traffic impact studies, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, extraterritorial jurisdiction, county authority
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 4th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so it is my pleasure on behalf of myself, Senator Richardson, and Assembly Member Rhodesia Ransom
- Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read.
- Cowdry, and Major General Lucius R. Holbrook, who commanded the first American artillery... him.
- Cowdry, Major General Lucius R.
- Holbrook, who commanded the first American artillery, Major General Lucius R.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 30th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read.
- have Susan Ellenberg, the current president, as I alluded to a few moments ago; Luis Alejo, former Assembly
- are Susan Ellenberg, the current president, as I alluded to a few moments ago; Luis Alejo, former Assembly
- Since 2019, the creation of artificially intelligent generated deepfakes has risen by over 500%.
- More than 9,500 websites have been identified with AI-generated content.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of gubernatorial appointments and floor items. The chamber confirmed Dina Eltawasi as Director of Caltrans, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, and Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and later confirmed William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board. Each appointment was presented by Senator Grove and approved on roll call, with final confirmation votes recorded after calls were lifted.
Several measures were taken up on third reading. SCR 143, by Senator Umberg, honored Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans who served with U.S. forces during the secret war in Laos; Senator Archuleta also spoke in support, and the resolution passed unanimously. SR 96, by Senator Cortese, proclaimed April as National County Government Month and highlighted the role of counties and CSAC; it also passed unanimously. SB 1347 clarified that stock albuterol authorization applies to all public schools, including preschools; SB 977 required chain restaurants offering children’s meals to provide at least one healthier option meeting nutrition standards; SB 1234 required fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is already ordered; SCR 161 designated May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; SR 101 updated the Senate Rules Committee membership by replacing Senator Jones with Senator Ochoa Bogh; and SB 1111 addressed liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas. All of these measures were approved, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The Senate also adopted SCR 128, by Senator Perez, declaring April 13–24, 2026, as High School Voter Education Weeks to encourage civic education and youth participation in elections. The consent calendar was then approved after Senator Cervantes removed SB 1381; the remaining consent items passed 35-0. Throughout the session, members introduced visiting groups, including Hmong and Laotian veterans, CSAC representatives, and students in the gallery. The day concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, after which the Senate announced its next floor session and recessed.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- of General Assembly has been pretty unparalleled.
- of General Assembly has been pretty unparalleled.
- of General Assembly has been pretty unparalleled.
- I never dreamed that in my time in the General Assembly we'd be getting to have this conversation.
- Assembly for the General Assembly's consideration.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:05
HB 545Discussion 00:00:40
HB 545 Vote 00:01:35
HJR 54 Discussion 00:02:25
HJR 54 Vote 00:03:10
HB 694 Discussion 00:03:42
HB 694 Vote 00:28:25, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 545, a routine claims bill. Representative Tim Truett explained it as a measure to pay debts the Commonwealth owes. The bill received a motion, a second, and a roll call vote, and passed with favorable expression and no nay votes.
Members then considered House Joint Resolution 54, which related to the Kentucky State Fair Board’s expansion plan. The chair explained that the resolution simply acknowledged receipt and approval of the plan so previously appropriated funds could be released. The resolution passed by roll call with no nay votes and was reported favorably to the floor.
The main discussion centered on House Bill 694, concerning the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System medical insurance fund and the 2010 “shared responsibility” agreement. The bill would redirect employer contributions from local districts from the health side to the pension side once the plan reaches 100% funded. The chair and Senator Givens argued the bill was a continuation of the state’s long-term commitment to TRS and taxpayer responsibility, while Senator Neal raised concerns about fairness, the timing of the change, and whether the original agreement and statutory trigger for TRS board recommendations had been honored. Testimony from KEA President Eddie Campbell and former Jefferson County Teachers Association president Brent McMahan supported the 2010 agreement but urged the committee to pause the bill, saying the parties should return to the table and that the current proposal could conflict with the original understanding, create actuarial and legal issues, and potentially affect school district finances and bond ratings. Despite those concerns, the committee voted 8-1 to pass House Bill 694 with favorable expression, with Senator Neal voting no and explaining his objection as a process and good-faith concern.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The assembly is now in session. Assembly member Solache notices the absence of a quorum.
- Assembly member Sharp Collins will lead us in the pledge.
- Assembly chamber Sacramento, Tuesday, February 11th, 2025. The assembly met at 7 AM.
- The honorable tree toss, assembly member 70th district presiding, Chief Clerk Sue Parker.
- Assembly third reading. Pass and retain on all items. Moving on to consent calendar.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 29th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we have one quick bill hearing on Assembly Bill 552, and we will do a work session.
- One quick bill hearing on Assembly Bill 552, and we will do a work session once Senator Lang arrives.
- Assembly Bill 352 revises provisions relating to businesses.
- It's sponsored by Assembly Member Anderson and was heard in committee on May 27th.
- Assembly Bill 556 revises provisions relating to Medicaid.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee May 12th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- So I know that it's no secret, there's no, not news to people here, but for the general public, after
- And I really think we, as the Senate, as the Assembly, and the governor, need to be...
- This was brought up also in the Assembly Utility Committee.
- Those accounts allow us to track funds that we spend beyond our general rate case.
- And then tomorrow afternoon, I'll be at the Assembly Energy Committee. Yeah.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Jan 20th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- However, there is no statutory provision of arrest authority under the Missouri General Assembly.
- This is a problem. ...under the Missouri General Assembly.
- I mean, we let people have weapons up above us, which is a choice that we made as a General Assembly.
- Please focus on abuse of power generically. I'll make this example brief.
- Is it going to somehow impact the state-owned parking lots in this general vicinity?
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- On line 19, I'm sorry, where it says within 30 days, the Attorney General must issue an order.
- Where it says within 30 days, the Attorney General must issue an order under this section.
- Courtney Titus, a civil litigation division director for the Office of Attorney General.
- So the amendments simply said it was intended that the Attorney General have the hearing.
- The Attorney General is an administrative agency, most of it.
Summary:
The subcommittee met on Senate Bill 2224 and reviewed the latest Legislative Council draft, version 1006, which incorporated prior changes including the Christensen amendment, the executive session language, and a 30-day deadline for the Attorney General to issue an order. The Attorney General’s office then explained its proposed amendment, which would clarify that hearings could be held under existing administrative hearing procedures, apply the same process to all violations, and preserve the current appeal structure. The office also raised concerns about the bill’s requirement that hearings be video recorded and broadcast live, noting possible technology and budget limitations.
Representative Koppelman responded that the purpose of the bill was to ensure a timely, transparent process and avoid long delays before a sanctioned party could get to court, arguing that the Legislative Council draft better addressed due process concerns. Representative Henderson agreed and said the draft version improved transparency and established a clearer timeline. During discussion, a cross-reference in the appeal section was identified as incorrect and was corrected to refer to Section 28-32-49 rather than Chapter 28-27, with clarification that the appeal path should remain tied to the Attorney General’s administrative determination.
The committee then amended the motion to include the corrected cross-reference and approved the Legislative Council version 1006 as amended. The vote was unanimous, and the bill was prepared to be taken back to committee the next morning for further action. The meeting then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I think we generally all aren't troubled by the concept that a bot would not have free speech.
- The Attorney General has jurisdiction.
- For Texas residents, and they, as you correctly stated, would report to the Attorney General.
- I'm the General Counsel to the Texas General Land Office.
- I'm the Chief Financial Officer for the General Land Office. Thank you.
Keywords:
minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing.
The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending.
A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy Two - Thursday, May 28 - Technical Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Opening Ceremonies of the 89th Legislature Jan 14th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Our state faces challenges that transcend both generations and party lines.
- Tom Craddick: Will the Speaker-elect and your family please assemble at the Chief Clerk's office and
- Will the Speaker-elect and your family please assemble at the Chief Clerk's office and take your seats
- Will the Speaker-elect and his family, please all be sure you're assembled at the dais.
- Tom Craddick: Family, please all be sure you're assembled at the dais, and I would now like to administer
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Small Business and Information Technology (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The goal here is to present those to the General Assembly to make sure that we are being mindful of how
- The goal here is to present those to the General Assembly to make sure that we are being mindful of how
- <00:04:36.840>
that <00:04:36.960>we general assembly to make sure that we general - clear disclosures when AI generated clear disclosures when AI generated content<00:04:59.960>
- If you're going to use an AI-generated audio or video, you just say it's AI-generated.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Roll Call 00:36
SB 4 Discussion 01:16
SB 4 Vote 28:30
SB 130 Discussion 31:18
SB 130 Discussion 36:02, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas.
Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments.
After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE-SENATE AND HOUSE Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This again was passed by the General Assembly in 2025, and this implements it.
- This is Act 1025 of the General Assembly. Item I is the dental rate increase.
- This is Act 1025 of the General Assembly, passed again in 2025.
- Any general licensed dentist can perform these services.
- But I understand that it’s not ideal for our general dentists.
Summary:
The committee reviewed a series of Arkansas DHS and Department of Health rules, most tied to 2025 legislation. Early items covered Medicaid changes including presumptive eligibility application timing, adding a fictive kin definition for foster child eligibility, raising the able account disability onset age to 46, allowing continuous glucose monitors to be billed by both pharmacy and DME providers, increasing the RSV vaccine administration fee for children, a telemedicine exemption for ET3 ambulance services, and a physical therapy access rule that also included occupational therapy. Members generally asked limited questions and most rules were reviewed without objection.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the dental rate increase rule under Act 1025. DHS said it implemented rate increases for certain pediatric, special-needs, and oral surgeon services, but not orthodontics, and it interpreted the act as applying only to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, not general dentists. The Arkansas State Dental Association and legislative sponsors testified that the intent was to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures for special-needs patients, estimating the broader interpretation would add about $1.5 million annually. Committee members debated the plain language of the act versus legislative intent, and the rule was reviewed, but with testimony noting the issue should be fixed in future legislation.
Later items included the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies rule adding doula and lactation consultant billing and remote monitoring benefits; an adverse decisions rule extending provider appeal time from 35 to 65 days; CNA training program updates; PASSE network-status disclosure rules; certification rules for community-based doulas and community health workers; cosmetology, massage therapy, lead-based paint, radiation, radiologic technology, and RV park rule updates. Most of these were described as technical, statutory, or federally driven changes and were reviewed without objection. The committee briefly reopened the CGM rule after a motion to expunge the prior vote, and Representative Wardlaw said he would hold the rule for further review because he believed the billing changes did not match the law’s intent. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Health Committee and Senate Health Committee Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, I want to thank our committee members from Assembly Health who are joining with us today and
- Second, provider taxes are generally required to be broad-based and uniform, meaning that they apply
- So that's on the revenue generation side.
- I'll start, I guess, by piggybacking on the Assembly Member's question around eligibility.
- You spoke very generally about observations, but you didn't provide any data.
Summary:
The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education.
Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness.
Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes.
In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee is now called to order.
- Assembly Banking and Finance Committee is now called to order.
- I want to thank the Senator and Assembly Member Blanca for the presentation.
- The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee is adjourned.
- The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee is adjourned. Everyone is here.
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met with a quorum, took up its consent calendar, and passed SB 946 and SB 700 on a do-pass motion to the next committee. The committee then heard SB 546 by Senator Grayson, presented by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio, which would clarify that third-party billing administrators are not debt collectors when they are only performing administrative billing services. Supporters from Conservis Utility Billing Management and the California Apartment Association said the bill reflects the original intent of the Debt Collection Licensing Act, would reduce compliance uncertainty, and still preserves consumer protections by barring coercive collection practices. There was no opposition, and the bill passed on a unanimous roll call to the Committee on Appropriations.
The committee also heard SB 505 by Senator Richardson, presented by Assembly Member Maggie Krell, which would require digital wallet providers and money transmitters operating in California to use two-factor or multi-factor authentication for logins. Support came from the National Consumer Law Center, while TechNet said it was currently opposed but working with the author on amendments. Members discussed balancing security with convenience for trusted devices and users. The bill passed unanimously on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Appropriations, and the committee then adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- To the Chief Clerk, House of Representatives, 69th Legislative Assembly, State of North Dakota, 600 East
- Governor Kelly Armstrong on December 29, 2025, in which he convenes the North Dakota Legislative Assembly
- The Legislative Assembly should complete this item by January 23, 2026.
- Speaker, members of the Assembly, you should all have updated rules on your desk.
- Speaker, members of the Assembly, your Rules Committee met this morning at 7:30 a.m. and I'm going to
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum.
The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends.
The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly.
- <00:18:26.919>
assembly full discretion of the general assembly full discretion of the general - assembly Mr<00:18:29.720>
chairman <00:18:30.159>would <00:18:30.280>you <00:18: - Kentucky actually treats emergency backup generators stricter than the EPA.
- <00:27:10.600>
stricter emergency backup generators stricter emergency backup generators stricter
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:44
Introduction of Guests 01:21
HB 137 Discussion 02:11
HB 137 Roll Call Vote 25:35
HB 346 Discussion 26:15
HB 346 Roll Call Vote 27:24, 958, all
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee met with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior minutes, and recognized visiting guests, including representatives from Nucor Steel and students from Eastern Kentucky University. The main business was House Bill 137, which would require air-pollution enforcement actions by the Energy and Environment Cabinet and Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District to rely on EPA-approved monitoring methods or scientifically defensible, quality-assured data. The sponsor and industry supporters argued the bill would ensure reliable evidence and protect manufacturers from enforcement based on questionable data.
Opponents, including the Kentucky Resources Council, the West Jefferson County Community Task Force, and a former cabinet employee, argued the bill would conflict with the Clean Air Act’s allowance for “any credible evidence,” could exclude community air-monitoring data and citizen complaints, and might weaken enforcement by limiting the use of lower-cost sensors, photos, video, and other nontraditional evidence. Committee members questioned how credible evidence and the Daubert standard would apply, and supporters and opponents debated whether the bill would simply set evidentiary rules or improperly narrow enforcement authority. One member also raised concerns that the bill’s title and scope could be read as affecting the broader air program. House Bill 137 was ultimately approved favorably by roll call vote, with Senator Webb’s aye vote later clarified for the record.
The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a subcommittee. The bill was described as helping about 708 companies and carving out emergency generators used for safety purposes in distilleries, with support from the Kentucky Chamber. The subcommittee amendment was adopted, and the bill passed the committee favorably by roll call vote. The meeting ended with an attempted adjournment and a brief record correction on the vote for House Bill 137.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- the East Gallery, we have three representative-elects that will be joining this body for the 96th General
- Assembly.
- Bill 1001 by Representative Vaught, an act for the Arkansas House of Representatives of the 95th General
- Assembly appropriation for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- the East Gallery, we have three representative-elects that will be joining this body for the 96th General
- Assembly.
- Bill 1001 by Representative Vaught, an act for the Arkansas House of Representatives of the 95th General
- Assembly appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum of 97 members present, and granted leave to Representatives Brad Hall and Brandon Aker. The chamber recognized several guests, including law enforcement officers, the doctor and nurse of the day, former Representative Carlton Wing, leadership groups from Hot Springs and Huntsville, NCSL liaison Susan Haltine, family members of Representative Jeremy Wooldridge, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and several representative-elects who will join the next General Assembly.
The only bill taken up was House Bill 1001, the appropriation for the Arkansas House of Representatives for fiscal year 2025-2026. Representative Vaught presented the measure as the House’s operating appropriation for the fiscal session, no one spoke against it, and the bill passed with the emergency clause by a vote of 96 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 present.
The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1 p.m. the next day. Members announced upcoming meetings for House Management, the Joint Budget Committee and its subcommittees, the Rules Committee, the Energy Caucus, and the House Prayer Caucus.