Video & Transcript : 'legislative' :

Page 180 of 500
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we hope to see this increase in the new legislation.
  • There’s legislation relative to right to repair amendments.
  • We worked with all parties at that time on the legislation.
  • We do not need interim legislation of paying 1.4... ...We do not need interim legislation of paying 1.5
  • Under this legislation, however, this process would not be considered.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on a wide range of bills involving consumer protection, auto regulation, alcohol licenses, and professional licensure. A major focus was legislation to require a one-hour domestic violence awareness training for salon and cosmetology licensees (H.323/S.200), supported by District Attorney Marion Ryan, law enforcement, and a salon industry witness who described the program’s value in identifying and helping victims. The committee also heard strong support from the Attorney General’s office for auto consumer protection legislation (S.228/H.379) that would expand used-car warranty protections, extend the Lemon Law return period to seven days after receipt of the vehicle, raise the mileage cap to 200,000 miles, and increase dealer surety bonds to $50,000. Independent dealers opposed those changes, arguing they would burden small businesses and that dealer education, not expanded liability, was the better solution. The committee also took testimony on bills related to vehicle financial products and repair information. A trade association supported GAP waiver legislation (H.4188/S.281), saying it would create clear consumer protections and standard disclosures. On right-to-repair and heavy-duty vehicle service information (S.266), engine and truck manufacturers supported an exemption for commercial vehicles, while others argued that releasing service data to the general public could create safety, cybersecurity, and emissions risks. The committee then heard extensive testimony on auto dealer franchise and warranty reimbursement legislation (S.201/H.406), with dealer groups supporting changes to warranty labor reimbursement and manufacturer groups opposing them as costly and unnecessary. Manufacturers from GM, Volvo, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, and others said their current time-study and appeals processes already compensate dealers fairly and that the bill would raise costs for consumers. In addition, the committee heard testimony on H.333, which would move auto damage appraiser licensing from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Occupational Licensure. Collision repair advocates supported the change, saying the current board structure leads to repeated dismissals of complaints and lacks accountability, while emphasizing that the bill is intended to protect consumers and ensure proper repair reimbursement. The hearing also included testimony in support of a local alcohol license petition for Westwood and a separate local alcohol measure for a town grant license. At the end of the hearing, the chairs announced that all docketed bills had been heard, noted that a joint poll would be held on H.4184, and the committee voted to adjourn by voice vote.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jun 18th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President and members, it is my honor on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus to recognize
  • In 2013, while serving as a legislative fellow in the United States Senate, Captain Glover was selected
  • I rise as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of SCR 183.
  • I rise as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of SCR 183.
  • The Senate will be in recess until all legislative business has been received.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 12th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I appreciate the opportunity to bring this piece of legislation before you.
  • This, I don't think, it will probably generate as much... ...of legislation before you.
  • And again, I think that's our legislative responsibility to oversee this.
  • First, this is about legislative oversight.
  • First, this is about legislative oversight.
Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee first heard Senate Bill 1292, which would require prospective foster parents to complete 10 hours of basic training before licensure, replacing the current practice where most training is available but optional. Senator Brandon Shippey said the bill was developed with the Department of Health and Welfare as a middle ground between burdensome in-person training and no training at all, with the goal of improving foster parent retention and child safety. A foster parent testified in support, describing crises among new foster families who had not taken training. The committee moved the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and it passed unanimously. The committee then took up House Bill 862, creating an Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and oversight committee for federal rural health transformation dollars. Rep. Jordan Redmond said the bill was intended to give the legislature oversight of nearly $1 billion in federal funds over five years and to ensure grants include sustainability plans. Members raised concerns about whether the state should accept the funds at all, whether committee members would be paid, and what happens when the money runs out. Supporters argued the bill was about legislative oversight and accountability, while opponents warned it resembled unsustainable federal spending and criticized the underlying federal program. The bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with three no votes recorded. The committee began hearing House Bill 808, an expanded medical freedom bill that would make school and daycare immunizations voluntary, make the immunization registry opt-in rather than opt-out, and limit local governments from imposing medical mandates. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect informed consent, prevent coercion, and clarify that the Medical Freedom Act applies statewide. Opponents, including pediatricians, nurses, and school nurses, argued it would weaken public health protections, reduce immunization rates, and make it harder to track and prevent outbreaks. An insurer and other witnesses also warned that the bill’s language could unintentionally restrict emergency responders and public hospitals from recommending or providing medical care. The committee did not finish testimony and recessed, planning to continue the hearing the next day.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Feb 24th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • For background, there are a number of legislatively directed efforts related to youth behavioral health
  • Skylar Rood, 16th Legislative District.
  • As chair of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, I look at we're doing performance audits
  • auditor's recommendations say, you know, here's how you're Legislative auditor's recommendations say
  • My name is Ava Swessinger, and I live in the 41st Legislative District.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 24th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm sure she'd be happy to share, but she saw no issues with this legislation on her end.
  • If community building is the goal, legislating it seems counterproductive.
  • Once legislation is on the books, regulation is easier to implement.
  • Once legislation is on the books, regulation is easier to implement.
  • Once legislation is on the books, regulation is easier to implement.
Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved unanimous-consent requests to print two RS measures, including RS 33-510, a resolution asking the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop proposed school funding formula legislation, and RS 33-484. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1290, the PROM Act, which would let homeschool students voluntarily obtain a social access pass to attend certain school-sponsored social events such as dances and college fairs without enrolling in public school. Supporters said it would improve community integration and expand opportunities for homeschool families, while opponents from Homeschool Idaho argued it was unnecessary, could create administrative burdens, and might blur lines between homeschool and public-school systems. Committee members raised concerns about fees, liability, discipline, and whether the bill could be used for field trips or other activities; after discussion and proposed amendments, the bill was not advanced immediately but was held at the call of the chair for further work. The committee next considered House Bill 608, which clarifies and revises the school facilities cooperative funding program created to address unsafe school buildings. The sponsors explained that the bill streamlines prior law, adjusts when districts must run bonds before seeking state assistance, clarifies supervision and repayment provisions, and ensures unused funds can still be used for safety-related projects. No one testified against the bill, and it was sent to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 635 also passed with a due-pass recommendation; it requires the Professional Standards Commission to report complaints involving suspected criminal behavior to law enforcement while leaving its existing licensing and disciplinary role unchanged. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 636, which would allow school districts and charter schools to use remaining school district facility funds for lease-purchase agreements after bond and levy obligations are met. The sponsor and West Ada Superintendent Derek Bubb said the change would align the statute with existing facility-funding language, support debt reduction, and give districts more flexibility for future facility needs. The committee approved the bill and sent it to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation before adjourning and announcing the next meeting for Monday at 3 p.m.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm honored to co-sponsor this legislation.
  • I'm honored to co-sponsor this legislation.
  • This legislation is also personal. I grew up working in agriculture in the Yakima Valley.
  • This is agency request legislation from the Student Achievement Council.
  • And thank you, Representative Ybarra, for partnering with me on this legislation as well.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Care & Wellness Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:
  • This aligns with legislation passed in California and introduced in Pennsylvania and New York.
  • There's a reason why we have this proposed legislation in front of us.
  • legislation.
  • This has been applied broadly to lots of legislation over this session...
  • I very much personally like this piece of legislation.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Local Government Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Jessica Bateman, state senator for the 22nd Legislative District, Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater.
  • Jessica Bateman, state senator for the 22nd Legislative District, Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater.
  • The last two legislative sessions kind of changed our state requirements.
  • So our members advise... ...on-the-ground results of state legislation.
  • So we are intimately involved in the details of land use legislation.
Keywords: 904, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to thank Senator Hall for filing this important legislation.
  • council file draft into a legislative document.
  • Legislative Council draft, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Senator Creighton.
  • Council final draft into a Legislative Council draft.
  • The requirements in this particular legislation would still be relevant and necessary.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So thank you for the legislation.
  • So thank you for the legislation.
  • So thank you for the legislation.
  • So thank you for the legislation.
  • So thank you for the legislation.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met with a quorum and approved the minutes from its previous meeting. It then considered several transportation-related bills, beginning with House Bill 157 on special license plates. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would create a commercial Friends of Agriculture plate to support agriculture-related programs, with proceeds going to the same fund used by the existing farm tag. Members also discussed the committee substitute’s fee exemptions for military-related plates, and the bill was reported favorably with the substitute attached. The committee next took up House Bill 682 on utility relocation. Testimony from Charter Communications explained that the bill would update outdated law so cable and broadband providers are treated like public utilities for reimbursement when forced to relocate facilities for highway projects, while preserving the Transportation Cabinet’s discretion over reimbursements. Members asked about the current reimbursement process and fiscal impact; witnesses said the bill does not change cabinet discretion and therefore has no fiscal note. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 443, which would shift the east end signage of the H. Rogers Parkway farther east to US 23 in Prestonsburg to reflect the already four-laned section and support future federal funding efforts, also received favorable expression. House Bill 444, a commercial driver’s licensing measure brought by the Transportation Cabinet and amended by committee substitute, would align Kentucky reporting requirements with federal law and allow drivers age 18 and older to qualify for a hazardous materials endorsement, with limits excluding school buses and interstate transport. Members discussed the safety rationale and the need for drivers in agriculture and propane delivery; the bill was reported favorably with the substitute attached. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 493 on towing and storage of motor vehicles. Representative Pollock and a Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance witness described it as a cleanup bill aimed at transparency and enforcement against predatory towing and inflated charges, and members noted constituent concerns about towing practices. The bill was reported favorably with a committee substitute attached. The committee also reviewed Administrative Regulation 600 KAR 1:041, which updates disadvantaged business enterprise certification rules to conform to federal nomenclature and related federal changes; the regulation was reviewed without further action.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • Leader Harris, Madam Speaker, I move that we adjourn the current legislative day.
  • You know, he said, 'Being a legislator, you can really change people's lives.'
  • And I've got to tell you, one of my difficult legislative days happened this past...
  • Debbie Gottschuk from the Division of Legislative Services.
  • But at the same time, I also have a responsibility here as a legislator.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and read several committee reports and communications into the record. Members also observed moments of silence for two young people who had recently died, and the prayer and pledge were offered before the chamber moved into business. Consent calendar number 28, consisting of several resolutions, passed by voice vote. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and retirement remarks for Representative Jeff Holowski, who was praised by colleagues for his work on financial literacy, veterans’ issues, health care, diabetes policy, and constituent service, as well as for his military service and community involvement. Holowski thanked staff, colleagues, and his family, and said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The chamber also recognized former Representative Harvey Kenton as a guest. The House then acted on several measures. Senate Bill 286, as amended by House Amendment 1, passed 40-0 and extends consumer protections and dealer equity standards to ATVs, side-by-sides, and vessels. Senate Bill 179, which updates the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission and its bench book/data analysis process, passed 27-14. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 23, the housing supply and affordability bill, was presented with extensive explanation and questions about local control, zoning, and implementation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and directing flags at half-staff, was also discussed in emotional remarks about overdose losses and the state’s ongoing response. The House later recessed for party caucuses.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • But today's hearing is focused on the legislative budget agreement.
  • legislative budget plan.
  • Carolyn Chu, Legislative Analyst's Office, the only thing I might offer in addition is that the legislative
  • We're supportive of many elements in the legislative budget agreement on H.R. 1.
  • Jim Lindberg, Friends Committee on Legislation of California.
Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, as the main item. Committee leaders described the legislative budget agreement as a balanced two-year plan with about $355.9 billion in total spending, $253 billion from the General Fund, and $36.5 billion in reserves. The Legislative Analyst and Department of Finance said the package assumes about $5.5 billion in higher revenues than the May Revision and uses those resources for a mix of spending changes, including higher Proposition 98 support, additional child care slots, housing and homelessness funding, delayed Medi-Cal reductions, and added support for counties, public hospitals, and distressed hospitals. The administration said the plan resembles the May Revision’s overall structure but includes new spending and revenue assumptions, and members noted that separate revenue trailer bills would be heard later in the week. Much of the committee discussion focused on Medi-Cal, H.R. 1, and the impact on immigrants, low-income workers, counties, and hospitals. Several senators criticized the budget for locking in savings from delayed or reduced Medi-Cal coverage and for not including a mechanism to restore eligibility, while administration and LAO staff said the package delays some reductions but does not automatically reinstate coverage. Finance staff said roughly 1.5 million to 2 million people with unsatisfactory immigration status would move from managed care to fee-for-service, with coverage largely unchanged except for certain services not federally allowed. Members also discussed county administrative funding, indigent care, public hospital support, and the expected rise in uncompensated care. Other topics included In-Home Supportive Services, child care, homelessness funding, Prop. 36, courthouse construction and new judgeships, transit and cap-and-invest/GGRF funding, local journalism, and workforce or reentry programs. Committee members split along party lines in their comments. Democratic members generally supported the agreement as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects core services, preserves reserves, and makes targeted investments in education, housing, health care, and justice system capacity. Republican members argued the budget relies on unrealistic revenue assumptions, does not sufficiently reduce spending, and includes costly policy choices and tax increases. Public testimony largely came from advocates and stakeholders who supported IHSS, Medi-Cal, child care, domestic violence services, hospitals, transit, and other programs, while some business and health plan representatives raised concerns about tax proposals and the shift from managed care to fee-for-service. The chair then moved the committee to public comment and indicated that the revenue bills would return later in the week; no final vote on AB 109 is reflected in the portion provided.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman Beaullieu, so we have legislation there, but any law could change that legislation with a simple
  • When we talk about pay for public servants, in our case legislators...
  • But how can we help you with legislation to help protect children in the future?
  • We are hoping to work with the legislative body to make sense.
  • So we look forward to some legislation in that area. Okay.
Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 03/12/26

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> the legislative session. the legislative session.
  • </c><00:02:35.880><c> session</c> needed to be within legislative session needed to be within legislative
  • </c> during the longer of the two legislative during the longer of the two legislative sessions.<00:04
  • This is irresponsible legislating.
  • as as legislators to know that?
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And Chas Alamo, the Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • Chaz Alamo with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • And then I know you're going to continue to move your legislation.
  • We support Ortega's legislation, 1576.
  • 1576 primary reason Ortega's legislation 1576.
Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard presentations on the Department of Industrial Relations’ labor-related budget items, with the main focus on proposed trailer bill language to reform the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and a related budget change proposal for staffing. DIR said SIBTF has grown far beyond its original purpose, citing the 2020 Todd decision, expanded eligibility based on chronic or asymptomatic conditions, and a backlog that has grown to more than 30,000 pending cases. The administration argued the reforms would restore guardrails, reduce liabilities and employer assessments, and speed processing for severely injured workers; the LAO said the proposal was largely consistent with its prior recommendations. Members raised concerns about using trailer bill language for major policy changes, the retroactive application to open cases, and the impact on workers already in the queue, while supporters from employer groups and public agencies backed the proposal as necessary to control costs and restore sustainability. Public comment was split, with injured-worker advocates opposing the retroactive changes and business/public employer representatives supporting the reforms. The committee then heard the SIBTF workload request, which would phase in 177 positions over five years at a cost of $36.5 million, including staff for the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Office of the Director Legal Unit, and administrative support. DIR said the additional staffing is intended to address very high caseloads and reduce processing times, but emphasized that the request assumes the reform package is adopted; LAO agreed the staffing increase made sense if paired with reforms. Members asked about vacancy rates, current staffing, and whether the workload request would become the new normal, and DIR said it would monitor caseload trends and adjust future requests as needed. Finally, the committee received an update on the California Workplace Outreach Program (CWOP), which DIR described as a partnership with community-based organizations to educate workers and help employers comply with labor laws. DIR reported that CWOP has reached 1.75 million workers and employers and made 8 million touchpoints since 2020, with the current round awarding $50.7 million to 87 partners for a two-year period through June 2027. Members and public commenters highlighted the program’s role in reaching immigrant, farmworker, janitorial, nail salon, and other vulnerable communities, and several speakers urged continued funding at $30 million per year for five years. No votes were taken during the hearing.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • You should have a copy of the legislative briefing for the NMMI future.
  • The second one is the General Nolls Legislative Scholarship.
  • Thus, there is a greater demand on the NOLS Legislative Scholarship.
  • What's also happened in that period of time is legislative increases.
  • That's our fault as legislators. We should pass a gas tax.
Keywords: 996, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (09/30/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh it it for uh future legislation.
  • Without legislation, then the committee can't pass legislation.
  • We, um, without legislation, then the committee can't pass legislation.
  • Without legislation, then the committee can't pass legislation.
  • Without legislation, then the committee can't pass legislation.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 518 and House Bill 652FN, both related to the family court system and child/family matters. HB 518 drew extended discussion about DCYF/DCYF’s role and whether the bill should be retained, amended, or studied further. Representative Love argued the agency is deeply troubled, citing abuse cases, lack of training, and fear among constituents, and said he would vote against ITL while preferring interim study so the bill could still be used as a future amendment vehicle. Other members emphasized that the family division has ongoing reform work underway and that abolishing or moving cases to superior court would not solve the underlying problems. On HB 652FN, the subcommittee chair and Representative Pearson gave a detailed defense of the family division, explaining its history, statewide structure, caseload, and the rationale for specialized family courts. Pearson said the bill would reverse progress by shifting jurisdiction back to superior court, overload dockets, and deprive families of judges with specialized expertise. He pointed to reforms already underway, including simplified forms, more mediation, and review of possible judicial bias patterns. Several members and public comments supported keeping the bill as a tool for reform rather than killing it, while critics argued the family court system suffers from due process, oversight, and rule-of-law problems. The committee also heard broader testimony on family court concerns, including allegations of systemic bias, discovery limits, unsworn witnesses, and lack of oversight, as well as support for mediation as a less adversarial and more effective option. Some members said the judiciary needs more judges and mediators, but that budget constraints limit those improvements. The discussion ended with no final vote recorded in the excerpt; instead, members continued debating whether the bills should be ITL’d or retained for interim study and further reform work.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Jun 30th, 2025

Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, concern, can you tell me a little bit about recent legislation, if that's even been?
  • That we can then legislate, the legislation together with. Thank you. river. Thank you, Mr.
  • One of the things that that legislative finance report, Mr.
  • Um, human trafficking, uh, uh, uh, that is a legislative priority.
  • You know, what are they seeing, and we can't legislate that unfortunately.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Helen Kirstean with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
  • So, building on the observations from the Legislative Analyst's Office, I guess, two things.
  • So, building on the observations from the legislative analyst office, I guess, two things.
  • From the Legislative Analyst’s Office, I guess two things.
  • Furthermore, contrary to what legislative staff and the LAO have said, legislative oversight is not reduced
Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

CODE REVISION COMMISSION Apr 9th, 2026

CODE REVISION COMMISSION

Transcript Highlights:
  • reimbursement of members, and I believe, I would imagine that since we're in session today, the legislative
  • members there would be no reimbursement for today; that we would either get our legislative per diem
  • At the end of each legislative session, when the cumulative supplement is created, we have our editorial
  • If you're creating legislation and you're creating a new commission, typically it's all batched into
  • or the actual substantive legislation has been expired or deleted?
Summary: The commission first approved the prior meeting minutes and then adopted the annual authorization for expense reimbursement for commissioners performing official duties under Arkansas Code 25-16-902. Members noted that legislative commissioners would not receive reimbursement for the meeting day if they were already in session and receiving legislative per diem. The commission then heard a LexisNexis proposal for pricing increases and replacement volumes for Arkansas Code publications. LexisNexis said the proposed increase was about 7 percent, citing higher costs and the producer price index, and recommended replacing three volumes in 2026 and four in 2027 based on supplement size and the age of the volumes. Members asked about public pricing, the basis for selecting replacement volumes, and whether a statewide contract for judicial legal research services might be possible; LexisNexis said it would connect the senator with its sales team. The commission approved the pricing and replacement volume proposal. Staff also provided an update on the codification project for state treasury funds. The project will move duplicative fund-creation language into Title 19 only, repeal duplicate provisions elsewhere in the code, and be presented later as a technical corrections bill. Members discussed whether any funds appeared obsolete and whether future legislation could eliminate unused funds, and staff said DFA maintains a list of obsolete funds that could be included in future cleanup work. The chair said the commission would likely meet again in the fall to consider technical corrections, and the meeting adjourned.