Transcript Highlights:

• Over the year, during the session, I wanted to let you know we do have a work group working on legislation
• We work with outside companies who help.
• to working conditions.
• work from home.
• I also work at the Environment Department for 15 years.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently working on a market rate survey and a cost analysis because we're Working on a market
• And so we are working on that.
• Are you all working on getting one, or can you kind of give us the status of that? Working on it.
• I appreciate your work. ...with both parents working all the time. Thank you.
• I appreciate your work. Fair.

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee received an extensive update from the Office of Early Childhood on Arkansas child care and early learning funding streams, including CCDF/School Readiness Assistance (SRA), Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), Head Start/Early Head Start, EIDT, PDG B-5, and local school district funding. Staff explained how each stream is funded and administered, noted that federal SRA funding follows the family while ABC funds go to agencies, and reviewed current enrollment, provider counts, spending, and compliance data. They also reported that co-pays and tighter enrollment verification have stabilized SRA spending, that ABC allocations are now based more on demonstrated community need, and that a market rate survey and cost analysis are underway to inform future reimbursement decisions. Members asked about provider closures, wait lists, utilization rates, infant-toddler shortages, suspended licenses, workforce pay, and whether the state tracks outcomes for children who attend different early childhood settings. Staff said there are about 1,800 licensed providers, with recent net capacity gains but ongoing closures for reasons including financial strain, ownership changes, retirement, and relocation. The SRA wait list was reported at 2,364 families covering 3,428 children, with priority given to federally defined categories such as homelessness, foster care, special needs, teens, and TANF families. Officials also said they do not currently track average tuition, workforce turnover, or long-term child outcomes across all providers, though they do have some ABC readiness data and are exploring better data systems. The committee also heard from Forward Arkansas’s Center for Early Learning Solutions, which described a new statewide effort focused on early childhood systems improvement. The presentation highlighted a landscape analysis showing families’ difficulty finding infant-toddler care, providers’ administrative burden, and interest in shared services, better data systems, and quality supports. The center outlined projects on local lead networking, governance and finance analysis, tech-enabled child care management systems, and an open-source HQIM pilot. Members discussed the need for more funding, better coordination across agencies, and stronger data on child care access, affordability, and outcomes. No votes were taken beyond the initial motion to approve the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies that building permits are still required for mechanical and gas work even if that work was
• It clarifies that for any work performed under the $7,500 exemption, the person performing the work,
• even if that work work done was valued at less than $7,500.
• It clarifies that for any work performed under the $7,500 exemption, the person performing the work other
• my experience working with almost four decades in the electric utility industry, working eight years

Bills: S0468 , S0822 , S1234 , S1260 , S1580 , S1706

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills. SB 468 would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control and allow release of patient records in good faith; it was reported favorably with support from animal welfare groups. SB 1706 narrows eligibility for the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to buildings with at least 80% owner-occupied units and residents at or below 80% of area median income, and it also passed favorably. SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was amended extensively to clarify permit exemptions, private-provider rules, and timelines, then reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1260, dealing with building inspections after emergencies, was amended to require state-term contracts for inspection vendors and then passed. SB 822 would require professionally managed community associations above a budget threshold; an amendment raised the threshold to $750,000, added a parcel-count trigger, and allowed direct-hire credentialed managers, after which the bill was reported favorably. SB 1580 would increase penalties for illegal gaming operations, add enforcement tools, and clarify procedures for veterans organizations; after removing a fantasy sports provision, it also passed favorably. The committee also heard from several appointees and reappointees to the Public Service Commission and Florida Gaming Control Commission. Public Service Commission nominees Anna Ortega and Robert Payne were questioned closely about utility hardening projects, ratepayer costs, and the role of the Office of Public Counsel. Gaming Commission reappointee Julie Brown and appointees William Spacola, John DeQuilla, Peter Cutterman, and Tina Rep discussed illegal gaming enforcement, audits, agency operations, and their backgrounds in law, regulation, law enforcement, and public service. Several members raised concerns about contract timing and evidence handling at the Gaming Commission, while others praised the nominees’ experience and service. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees on tabs 1 through 7. Members then requested favorable placement on the record for specific bills, including SB 468, SB 1234, SB 1260, SB 1580, and SB 1706, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So anyway, thank you for all of your work.
• Thank you for your time and for your work. Thank you.
• But thank you for all of your work.
• We work under a surgeon's supervision.
• I want to thank all of you for your work, and please share my gratitude to Mayor Wu for all of the work

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all wanted them to work, and they work well for some people.
• They don't work for us anymore. They us. They don't work for us anymore.
• </c> work for a health care system. work for a health care system.
• These services work.
• and school so I hours between work and school so I started<02:02:03.440><c> working.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We would never prevent a teller from working somewhere else.
• We would never prevent a teller from working somewhere else.
• I worked remotely from Washington, where I live.
• orders if work is being done by an unlicensed contractor.
• orders if work is being done by an unlicensed contractor.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 2479 would create a wage recovery program within L&I to advance part of unpaid wages to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship, funded by civil penalties, while also increasing and restructuring wage theft penalties and complaint prioritization. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, labor advocates, and employer representatives from the work group, said it would help workers get paid faster and was a consensus proposal; questions focused on how the current complaint process works and whether general fund money would be needed. Engrossed House Bill 1941, as amended, would allow licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives, with the striking amendment limiting any cooperative to three producer licenses; supporters said cannabis producers should have the same cooperative tools as other agricultural sectors, while some testimony urged future changes for interstate commerce and warned against consolidation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476 would expand the spirits, beer, and wine theater license from 120 to 200 seats per screen and add stronger alcohol-control measures when minors are present; theater operators and LCB supported the change, and committee questions focused on youth access and enforcement. House Bill 1526 would allow snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass in addition to beer; the sponsor said it simply modernizes the license, and LCB noted a likely fee alignment issue and a small revenue impact. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 would void non-compete agreements and expand related notice and non-solicitation rules, with testimony split between labor and worker advocates supporting broader worker mobility and business and health care groups seeking narrower exemptions for executives, physicians, and financial institutions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting or coercing employees to accept microchip implants, with no testimony offered. Substitute House Bill 2405 would create a three-year pilot for earlier PTSD treatment coverage in workers’ compensation for eligible occupational disease claims, with L&I supporting it as a way to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The committee also took public testimony on these bills, with strong pro and con positions noted on the wage recovery, cannabis cooperative, and non-compete measures. In executive action, the committee adopted a striking amendment and passed House Bill 1069, narrowing it to Department of Corrections employees and making supplemental retirement bargaining mandatory, despite concerns from one member about the change. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on House Bill 1347 concerning cannabis testing labs, then passed it to Rules; passed Second Substitute House Bill 1701 on liquor licensees sharing property; passed House Bill 291 on employee information for public employers to Ways and Means; passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229 updating engineer registration provisions; passed House Bill 2264 on unemployment eligibility for workers in employer-initiated layoffs; passed Substitute House Bill 2472 adding enforcement for sprinkler contractors and fitters; and passed Second Substitute House Bill 2345 on paid family and medical leave premium allocation. A striking amendment to Second Substitute House Bill 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board was not adopted, and the bill then passed to Rules. The committee also announced it would hold House Bill 1066 for later action and planned to return the next day for its final executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:16.920><c> on</c> you know, we would and we've worked on you know, we would and we've worked
• </c><00:15:33.600><c> Um</c> work. Um still a lot of conversation. Um work.
• </c> to keep working on the language. to keep working on the language.
• </c> place and working for the last 15 years. place and working for the last 15 years.
• Good work, Brian, dear friend. Yeah, great work. Good to see you. Well done, Brian.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:32.320><c> food</c> the unlicensed exempt homestead food the unlicensed exempt homestead food
• And once she was married, and after she had been doing sort of secretarial work and accounting work,
• </c> had been doing sort of secretarial work had been doing sort of secretarial work and<00:40:47.200
• :49.359><c> would</c> and accounting work, um she would and accounting work, um she would actually<00
• </c><01:22:28.080><c> in</c> In my opinion, um, having worked in In my opinion, um, having worked in

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• some of them even a million dollars, involving a lot of work that was construction work, and that's
• It's all construction work, and it needs to be overseen.
• The lineup was of cities and counties who said, 'We want to permit this work.
• Please help us be allowed to permit this work.' ...through cities and counties.
• The lineup was of cities and counties who said, 'We want to permit this work.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard SB 456 by Senator Ashby, the Community Beautification Act, which would create an exemption allowing muralists to do commissioned mural work without obtaining a contractor’s license. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify existing law, preserve public art and placemaking projects, and still leave in place applicable safety, permitting, and contract requirements. Support testimony came from the City of Sacramento’s arts manager and muralist Jaya King, who described mural projects as fine art and community engagement rather than construction, and from numerous local governments and arts organizations, including the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County, Sacramento, Stockton, Glendale, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Riverside, Escondido, and the California Travel Association. Opposition centered on concerns that the exemption could weaken consumer protections in contractor licensing law. One member of the public argued that mural projects can involve construction-related work such as surface preparation and installation, and that licensing requirements, down payments, insurance, and background checks protect consumers and should not be bypassed. A representative of the State Building and Construction Trades also expressed concerns but said the author’s office had been engaged and a follow-up meeting was scheduled. Several committee members spoke in favor, saying murals are clearly public art and an important part of neighborhood identity and local culture. The chair and other members described the bill as a common-sense clarification that would reduce barriers for artists and cities seeking to permit mural projects. The committee then voted 9-0 to pass SB 456 and re-refer it to the Business and Professions Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's support them in this extremely important work.
• He called me at work. He violated the restraining order repeatedly.
• We are working with Senator Pizzo who had put forth this change.
• And normally I would not even bring up a debate, but I'd like to work with you.
• Whitney worked with you for years, Representative Baker, for 10 years.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we got unlicensed vehicles with the other tag. They take the tag off the front.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• That's something we've been working on for a couple of days now.
• do the work of fixing these animals.
• I've built my business working every day for the last seven years.
• I've been doing this work for almost five years.
• As much as I'd like to watch Senate committees at work, I didn't quite watch those at work.

Bills: SB38 , SB17 , SB41 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have heard that in Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, they are also working to change this no
• But we've worked hard with the industry folks to try to accommodate their issues as well as the agency
• folks worked hard uh with the industry folks to<00:04:27.840><c> try</c><00:04:28.080><c> to</c><00:
• We also would like to thank Representative Cleorne for working with us, and we'll continue to do that
• He said there was an individual working in the dining area who looked but did not try to help.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, it's worked in the past where we've allowed coaches who are trusted by the school principals
• You've done several pieces of good work here to be able to further.
• In my current role, I work with athletes of all ages, from elementary school students to professional
• This amounts to unlicensed psychiatric practice and has contributed to tragic outcomes.
• And I am working with Assembly Member Gabriel and Assembly Member Irwin on their bills as well.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for all your hard work. hard work.
• Sanchez, and I also want to hand it to my colleagues for their hard work on the bills before committee
• wildfire risk mitigation planning do pass as amended to require Cal fire to contract out for certain work
• SB 234 Nilo, toxic heavy metals work group holding Zad Miss Sanchez is a principal co-author SB 603 Nilo
• SB 35 Umberg, Unlicensed Alcohol and Drug Programs, hold in committee.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> working on payraises for your agency. working on payraises for your agency.
• If it's not working, I can't work on it if I don't know it.
• ><c> if</c> it's not working, I can't work on it if it's not working, I can't work on it if I<02:12:59.119
• </c> living downtown and working downtown. living downtown and working downtown.
• </c> employees that work for surplus. employees that work for surplus.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• "Where does he work?" "He works from his home as well, from the state, and there is no space.
• They've been working very hard.
• And we've worked to remedy that.
• They're very eager to get to work. They have a lot of work before them.
• </c><02:44:26.640><c> So,</c> and working out well. So, and working out well.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now there's a lot of unlicensed broker activity.

Committee: Senate Investigations And Government Operations

Summary: The Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee met on May 12, 2026, with Chair James Skoufis noting it could be the committee’s final meeting of the session and that the agenda included 44 bills, many involving local tax matters. Most measures were moved and reported with little discussion, including several Tax Law, Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, Public Officers Law, and local authorization bills. A number of bills were also referred onward, including S. 3649, which Skoufis recommended against because noncompliant municipalities could lose significant funding; it was defeated. Other measures were referred to Finance, Judiciary, Energy, or Codes, including S. 8221B, a bill on ticket resale and consumer protections, which Skoufis said would cap many fees, limit live music resale above face value, require disclosure of ticket holdbacks, tighten broker licensure, and close refund loopholes. Members briefly questioned the ticket-resale bill, asking what consumer benefit it would provide and which tickets would be covered. Skoufis explained that the bill was aimed at reducing price gouging, especially for concerts and some smaller events, while carving out Broadway and sports. He also said the bill would address hidden ticket allocations and refund practices that had been problematic during the pandemic. The committee then voted to report the bill to Finance. Several other bills drew negative recommendations or were defeated, including S. 8447 and S. 8619, both of which were defeated after no-vote recommendations. S. 9284 was referred to Judiciary, S. 9741A to Finance, and S. 9924 to Codes. The committee also reported a state land transfer bill for the Richardson Center Corporation and approved or reported numerous other bills, ending with S. 10188, which approved Section 2 of Chapter 316 of the Laws of 2025. Skoufis thanked the clerk, staff, and members at the close of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm happy to acknowledge that there's still work to do. but I don't want the work that's left to do
• These are families that are, they're working.
• They show up, they work hard.
• All you got to do is go work at some fast-food restaurant and then go work at a... school and who wants
• How are people who have to work? If they're low income, they have to work.

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bill gives us an opportunity to work bill gives us an opportunity to work across<00:02:01.360><c
• We want to work with everybody.
• </c> do protect consumers because I worked do protect consumers because I worked for<00:14:41.680><c>
• </c> is a former federal prosecutor, worked is a former federal prosecutor, worked for<00:14:48.000><
• </c> hard work and protecting our citizens. hard work and protecting our citizens.