Video & Transcript Research : 'polygraph examination'
Page 15 of 232
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- Examiners, please introduce Representative Lawrence.
- Comm... examiners, members of the board and their employees under the LA...
- Chairman, shed your recognize to present your bill on the Board of Dental Examiners.
- I come to you today with HB114, and the examiners of Public Accounts did a tremendous job of examination
- , as they always do, and... ...examination, as they always do.
Keywords:
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, HB110, sunset bill, Alabama Sunset Law, State Board of Medical Examiners, Medical Licensure Commission, medical licensing, physician regulation, healthcare regulation, professional licensing, ethics law, state ethics code, public servants, board members
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- employment of classroom teachers in public schools and the waiver of employment in certain education, examination
- HB 5131 by Anchia, relating to the establishment of the Office of Medical Examiner in certain counties
- AB 5233 by Ward Johnson, relating to the examination required for licensing as a social worker, is referred
- HB5384 by Allender addresses the requirements for the appointment of a medical examiner and the employment
- of a deputy medical examiner and is referred to the Subcommittee on County and Regional Government.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- , like myself, the DOT medical examiners, helped write some of those rules and regulations.
- And that formed the DOT Department medical examiners. And that took effect in May of 2014.
- Medical examiners, and that took effect in May of 2014, that you had to be a certified medical examiner
- And that formed the DOT Department medical examiners. And that took effect in May of 2014.
- Medical examiners, and that took effect in May of 2014, that you had to be a certified medical examiner
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses.
The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications.
Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- , which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and establish an independent medical examiner
- During that same period, 10% of all... and establish an independent medical examiner.
- County to permanently separate the sheriff-coroner offices, establishing an independent medical examiner
- County to permanently separate the sheriff-coroner offices, establishing an independent medical examiner
- An independent medical examiner and to separate this structure here, An independent medical examiner.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and establish an independent medical examiner
- , which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff Coroner and establish an independent medical examiner
- I would like to note that I will be taken a and establish an independent medical examiner.
- 1, 2027, which essentially mandates us to use an independent forensic pathologist slash medical examiner
- An independent medical examiner and to separate this structure here, An independent medical examiner.
Summary:
The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of local government, housing, transportation, and public safety bills. Early items included SB 762, which would give certain local governments a voter-approved path to seek additional local sales tax authority to address fiscal pressures; SB 1400, which would modernize Alameda Health System governance and give Alameda County more flexibility and oversight; and SB 1408, which would authorize Contra Costa County to place a renewal of its transportation sales tax on the ballot. Supporters for those bills included local officials, county representatives, labor groups, fire and police organizations, and transit advocates, while no organized opposition was presented on those measures in committee.
The committee also heard SB 1272, which would give homeowners more time to correct certain inherited code violations and allow an affidavit process for buyers who did not know about the violation at purchase. The bill drew support from the California Apartment Association and opposition from code enforcement and county groups, who argued it would reduce local enforcement discretion and create health and safety risks. After questions about disclosure and enforcement, the committee approved SB 1272 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1055, dealing with procurement flexibility for Pajaro flood control and levee repairs, also passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations.
Later, the committee approved SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner system. The author and supporters argued the change was needed for transparency and independence in in-custody death investigations, while opponents raised labor, cost, and governance concerns; some opposition was softened after the author agreed to employee-protection amendments. The committee also passed SB 1172, limiting consultant compensation and adding transparency rules for local tax-sharing agreements, and several housing bills from Senator Grayson: SB 1003 on pro-housing infrastructure financing districts, SB 1014 on early disclosure of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, and SB 1169 on extending tentative vesting map validity. The committee took votes on consent items and later add-ons, with most measures passing on bipartisan or unanimous votes and several being re-referred to Appropriations or Housing and Community Development as appropriate.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 9:00 AM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Anyway, glad to have the Board of Dental Examiners here this morning to discuss their budget.
- As you know, the Board of Dental Examiners is legislatively mandated to license and enforce the regulations
- Any questions for Board of Dental Examiners? You good? Okay.
- Any questions for Board of Dental Examiners? You good? Okay.
- for board of dental examiners? You good? for board of dental examiners? You good?
Summary:
The committee first heard from the Board of Dental Examiners on its FY27 budget request. Board staff said the agency licenses and regulates dentistry and dental hygiene in Mississippi, with nearly 7,500 licenses and permits. They described recent accomplishments, including implementation of a new database and completion of sedation-permit inspection requirements, and said those changes created about $80,000 in savings. The board’s main remaining request was a 3% staff progression costing $20,539; members also discussed a possible $29,000 ITS charge tied to House Bill 1491, though staff said that cost might no longer be needed if the funding shifts back to ITS. The board also explained its revenue sources, including dental, hygienist, and dental assistant x-ray permits, and clarified that the “radiology” permits are for dental assistants authorized to take x-rays. Members asked about fees, renewal cycles, sedation permit classes, and continuing education requirements, and the board said it was fully staffed and did not need vacancy funding.
The committee then heard from the Board of Nursing, which said it regulates about 80,000 LPN, RN, and APRN licenses and oversees workforce programs and disciplinary matters. The board emphasized its Office of Nursing Workforce, noting more than $4 million in grants to nursing programs from 2019 to 2024 and thousands of scholarships awarded to nursing students, with recipients required to work in Mississippi for a period after graduation. It said staffing remains a major problem because salaries are not competitive, leading to difficulty filling positions; between October and December, 10 positions were posted and only two were filled. The board said the legislative budget recommendation would eliminate five positions, and it requested $112,466 in salary funding to restore and support staff pay, including a maximum 7% progression for nursing positions, a 4% increase for nonexecutive staff, and a 2% increase for executive staff.
The nursing board also requested additional contractual and technology funding. It said House Bill 1491 would increase annual fees by $49,486 plus a one-time $3,000 data migration charge, and it requested $13,800 for an ongoing subscription tied to the military medics program assigned to the board in the prior session. It also said a proposed human trafficking bill would require another $10,000 if enacted. Members asked about the board’s cash balance, renewal cycles, and staffing structure, including investigatory and compliance functions, and the board said it had about 39 current employees and was monitoring roughly 130 people in compliance, including about 30 in a confidential monitoring program for substance use or severe psychiatric conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with members thanking both boards and inviting follow-up questions before appropriations decisions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/18/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- With the current workload in Securities, our team of two examiners and two registration analysts cannot
- <00:03:49.000>
and <00:03:49.159>two our team of two examiners and two our team of - we're proposing only to many examiners we're proposing only to increase<00:04:14.480>
transfer <00:05:07.680>fees <00:05:07.880>for will also increase examination fees for will - also increase examination fees for the<00:05:08.160>
financial <00:05:08.600>institution's<
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Medical examiners and death investigators frequently respond to the same scenes as law enforcement and
- He's been a law enforcement officer in addition to being a medical examiner for almost 50 years.
- We show you registered as Carl Rogers. registered as Carl Rogers, Ector County Medical Examiner, and
- Working as a medical examiner or death investigator is a job that relatively few people have any interest
- These people, death investigators and medical examiners, have served under all kinds of conditions and
Keywords:
healthcare, Medicare, insurance, financial assistance, families, wage theft, employers, penalties, Texas Workforce Commission, employee rights, employer database, worker rights, death investigation, emergency services, medical benefits, exposure claims, public safety, workforce development, TWC, youth workforce
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Board of Chiropractic Examiners. LBB's David Pettit, you can get going. In the meantime, Dr.
- These are the budget recommendations for the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
- I'm the vice president of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
- We were the only examining board to have a... We've created that.
- David, you start with Board of Dental Examiners. Dr. Yu and Casey Nichols, come on up.
Bills:
SB1
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings.
The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors.
The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-04-14
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- examine in person, does that mean examine a photo?
- examine in person, does that mean examine a photo?
- examine in person, does that mean examine a photo?
- examine in person, does that mean examine a photo?
- 25.600>
in unclear like does that mean examine in unclear like does that mean examine in person
Keywords:
foster care, ombudsperson, investigative powers, children's rights, complaint process, HF4428, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, community engagement, work requirement, work mandate, employment requirement, community service, 80 hours, half-time student, income threshold, federal minimum wage, eligibility verification, benefit suspension, benefit termination
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, there was no attempt to cross-examine or discredit any of the voter testimony.
- Uh, there was no attempt to cross-examine or discredit any of the voter testimony.
- Uh, there was no attempt to cross-examine or discredit any of the voter testimony.
- Uh there was no attempt to cross-examine<00:35:48.880>
or <00:35:49.280>discredit <00:35 - the cross-examine or discredit any of the voter<00:35:50.839>
testimony.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 48 (3-17-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It came from a court examining evidence and applying the law.
- It came from a court examining evidence and applying the law.
- <02:20:18.080>
evidence It came from a court examining evidence It came from a court examining - <02:20:54.880>
and happens, the facts can be examined and happens, the facts can be examined - Speaker, legislators examine them. Mr.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of the Medical Examiner Department of the Medical Examiner offering<01:13:10.480>
- medical examiner until we get authorization or until the medical examiner has finished their procedures
- medical examiner until we get authorization or until the medical examiner has finished their procedures
- medical examiner as soon as possible. medical examiner as soon as possible.
- <02:02:34.560>
but for sure for the medical examiner but for sure for the medical examiner
Keywords:
natural hair braiding, registration, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, public health, sanitation, cumulative voting, associations, unit owners, board of directors, elections, Hawaii Revised Statutes, condominium, association meetings, electronic voting, proxy voting, mail voting, insurance, premium increase, policy cancellation, licensing
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition.
The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the committee took up uh this resolution and examined it in detail and uh... actions in Ukraine and
- >
in <00:11:20.800>detail <00:11:21.279>and <00:11:22.560>uh Uh, and examined - We examined the substantial basis for violations of the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1977 additional
- We<00:15:14.480>
examined <00:15:15.040>the <00:15:15.920>substantial <00:15 - :16.480>
basis <00:15:16.800>for We examined the substantial basis for We examined the
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26 - Part 2
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- That team would be able to actually examine those items on scene, be able to identify them and triage
- So, we're examining the triage them.
- <00:45:57.839>
As examinations once they are back. As examinations once they are back. - <00:52:14.160>
And <00:52:14.319>I should be examined uh by Congress. - And I should be examined uh by Congress.
Bills:
HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990
Keywords:
medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- On page six, Senate Bill 127 by Senator Coleman-Madison regarding the Board of Examiners in Counseling
- <00:09:31.040>
and regarding the board of examiners and regarding the board of examiners and - examiners in counseling. BR pending. examiners in counseling. BR pending.
- I'd like to move the bill for the continuance of the Board of Examiners in Counseling for the next four
- examiners and counseling. examiners and counseling.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved excusing absent members, dispensed with the previous day’s journal, and allowed bill introductions and committee reports throughout the day. Members also recognized guests in the gallery, including Judge Smitherman and later Karen Butler, wife of Senator Tom Butler. The chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 11, honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated on its Founders Day and 118 years of service, after reading the resolution at length and hearing brief remarks from Senator Figures.
The Senate then adopted the Rules Committee’s special order calendar and took up several bills. Senate Bill 12 by Senator Gudger, repealing a prior community development districts law tied to a Coleman County project, passed. Senate Bill 19 by Senator Livingston, dealing with health insurance/prostate cancer screening, also passed. Senate Bill 89 by Senator Sessions, repealing the 1931 State Pilotage Commission statute, passed; Senate Bill 134 by Senator Beasley, concerning taxation and interstate warehousing of tobacco products, passed after a committee amendment was adopted; Senate Bill 100 by Senator Kelly, extending the State Board of Pharmacy sunset for one year with appointment changes, passed; Senate Bill 114 by Senator Bell, expanding Alabama’s handling of out-of-state warrants to additional felonies, passed; Senate Bill 122 by Senator Stewart, regarding the State Board of Registration for Foresters, passed; Senate Bill 35 by Senator Kitchens, updating vessel registration language for Coast Guard compliance, passed; and Senate Bill 127 by Senators Coleman-Madison and Stewart, continuing the Board of Examiners in Counseling for four years, passed.
Senate Bill 28 by Senator Elliott, which would raise the earnings cap for retired law enforcement officers and district attorneys returning to work and address school bus driver staffing, was discussed at length but carried over at the sponsor’s request. Senators raised concerns about the bill’s impact on RSA/retirement system funding and the possibility of broader pressure for similar retiree reemployment arrangements, while supporters emphasized staffing shortages, training savings, and benefits for schools and public safety. The session concluded with the calendar completed and a new resolution introduced by Senator Orr recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, which was taken up for immediate consideration and adopted.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 13th, 2026 at 09:00 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- We are on track to add 40 more examiners to do those examinations, and the larger the supervised banks
- All right, the next board: Board of Medical Examiners 446.
- They start pre-race examinations because we went from pre-race examining 20 to 30 percent of our horses
- Our regulatory vets will go and do the pre-race examinations and then do follow-ups.
- We have three vets pre-race examining the horses in the morning...
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- And then they become, they sit an examination, and if they pass the examination, then they become certified
- And then they become, they sit an examination, and if they pass the examination, then they become certified
- And then they become, they sit an examination, and if they pass the examination, then they become certified
- and if they pass they sit an examination and if they pass the<00:21:07.440>
examination <00:21 - they use breeding soundness examinations they use breeding soundness examinations as<00:48:25.920
Summary:
Mississippi State University officials testified in support of the university’s separately funded agricultural, forestry, and veterinary units, emphasizing their economic impact, research output, and need for continued state support. Keith Cobalt, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said the division generates a $1.7 billion impact on Mississippi, but warned that state and local funding has not kept pace with federal dollars or inflation. He argued that global competition, especially from China and Brazil, is hurting row crop and forestry producers, and highlighted a Vision 2030 study finding about $10 billion in agricultural and forestry value leaves the state through value-added processing. He also raised concerns about rural depopulation and proposed rural innovation hubs to help retain population and jobs.
Nick Frank, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said state appropriations make up about 25% of the college’s operating budget and are needed to support salaries, staffing, and service capacity. He described the college’s education, diagnostic, and clinical missions, including disease surveillance and responses to threats such as avian influenza, screwworm, and equine herpes virus. Frank said the college is expanding facilities with $18 million in 2024 state funding for a new farm animal hospital and cattle handling facility, but still needs additional support for equine and small animal renovations. He also requested support for rural veterinary scholarships and said inflation and salary competition from other schools and private practice are making retention difficult.
In response to committee questions, Frank said the college enrolls about 118 to 119 students per class, with roughly 54 to 55 in-state students and tuition of about $29,900 for in-state and $53,000 for out-of-state students. He clarified that the “vet assistants” program is a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, not a certificate. He also explained that staffing growth has largely been in the hospitals to address clinical shortages and improve care.
Dr. Westberger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said Mississippi’s forests support a $19 billion economic impact, 84,000 jobs, and a $4.5 billion payroll, while also providing environmental benefits. He said the college and research center are nationally recognized, including an NSF ranking placing Mississippi State 10th in natural resource conservation research expenditures for a small university. Westberger highlighted research on forest management, pest detection, mass timber, wildlife disease surveillance, and value-added bioproducts, including efforts to attract mills and manufacturing. He said Mississippi has added 10 mills or mill expansions in five years with more than $1.5 billion in investment and over 1,000 high-paying jobs, and noted the college is planning a new mass-timber annex to address capacity and showcase the material. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- In the past year, year and a half, we've been able to bring in a new deputy chief medical examiner.
- We have also, we have two new medical examiners that will be starting in August.
- Brown, our current director and chief medical examiner, is, that people want to come work with him as
- So, emergency rooms or whatever it may be that may be providing the medical legal examination.
- And then on the unidentified set, our medical examiners receive, they will upload information regarding
Summary:
The committee met with representatives from the Arkansas State Crime Lab for what members said was likely the first appearance by the lab before this committee. Lab officials gave an overview of the new crime lab facility now under construction, saying it is on schedule, under budget, and expected to be completed by the end of July next year, with phased move-in beginning around August 1. They explained that the current building is over 40 years old and overcrowded, with caseloads having doubled over the past 20 years, and said the new facility will improve workflow, add morgue capacity, and allow new technologies and equipment to be brought online.
Members asked about staffing and recruitment, and the lab said recent pay changes and legislative support have made Arkansas more competitive for forensic specialists and medical examiners. Officials said vacancies have been reduced, a new deputy chief medical examiner has been hired, two more medical examiners are starting in August, and a new fellowship program has already attracted applicants. They also said the lab is prepared for the staffing needs of the new facility and that training periods remain long for many analyst positions.
The discussion also covered rapid DNA, CODIS, sexual assault kit processing, genetic genealogy, and overdose-related data sharing. The lab said rapid DNA is in final testing with pilot agencies in Faulkner and Saline counties and could go live by the end of July, which would make Arkansas among the first states to do so. Officials described CODIS as a key investigative tool, said DNA profiles are entered automatically when they qualify, and reported that the sexual assault kit backlog has been cleared with the lab now maintaining a 60-day turnaround. They also confirmed Arkansas uses a kit-tracking system, works with private labs such as Othram and Bode for genetic genealogy, and is developing an overdose dashboard to share toxicology and overdose data with public health and law enforcement partners. Members praised the lab’s progress and the committee adjourned after announcing an August site visit to Lake Conway and the dam project.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Jun 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- you maybe know the number, like there's only like 800—what is it, forensic specialists, medical examiners
- In the past year, year and a half, we've been able to bring in a new deputy chief medical examiner.
- We have also, we have two new medical examiners that will be starting in August.
- Brown, our current director and chief medical examiner, is, that people want to come work with him as
- So, emergency rooms or whatever it may be that may be providing the medical legal examination.