Video & Transcript Research : 'dig safe'

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NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 7th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • to work on all these aspects to make sure not only that we have the right healthcare, but we have safe
  • I know that takes a little bit of digging, but I think those are some factors that we should consider
  • However, I could not, without doing additional digging—and I may be digging a very deep hole to find
  • access to health care for New Mexicans is to stand up against corporate buyouts, protect workers with safe
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Dec 5th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it'll be fiscal year 2030 before we could sort of dig out from that.
  • And then Echo Glen Children's Center, you know, their safe operating capacity is 112.
  • You'll hear references to safe harbor.
  • That's not the safe thing to do. That's not the best thing for the young person.
  • What's the safe operating capacity of Echo Glen, please? 112 today.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on the effects of H.R. 1 on Washington’s Medicaid, developmental disability, long-term care, and food assistance systems, followed by a separate discussion of juvenile rehabilitation caseloads and placement capacity. DSHS officials said HR1 could affect home equity rules, immigration-related eligibility, work requirements for some expansion-population enrollees, and provider taxes, while also creating a future opportunity for a new 1915(c) waiver. Advocates and providers warned that any state response that cuts home and community-based services would worsen already thin provider networks, increase waiting lists, push more people into hospitals or out-of-state placements, and strain families and workers. A pediatric behavioral health expert and a supported living provider said Medicaid reimbursement is already too low and further reductions would threaten outpatient, residential, and inpatient services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and severe behavioral needs. The committee then turned to SNAP and the state food assistance program. DSHS said HR1 would tighten work requirements and exemptions, end some immigrant eligibility for the federal program, eliminate the SNAP education program, raise state administrative costs, and eventually require Washington to share in benefit costs based on its error rate. Officials estimated large numbers of residents could lose or see reduced benefits, with significant added state costs. Anti-hunger advocates, a food bank director, and a SNAP recipient described the program as essential for low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, and said the changes would increase paperwork, reduce benefits, and worsen food insecurity while also harming local food economies. Testimony emphasized that food banks cannot replace SNAP and that work requirements may be difficult to meet for caregivers, people with disabilities, and those facing child care or transportation barriers. In the juvenile justice portion, the Caseload Forecast Council presented the JR forecast, which is currently mostly flat through the end of the biennium but expected to grow modestly over the longer term. Members discussed how policy choices, including the 2019 JR-25 law, have increased lengths of stay for adult-sentenced youth in JR, while diversion and other reforms have affected regular JR trends. A court researcher explained the data available to help forecast admissions and noted ongoing efforts to improve data sharing with JR, AOC, and county systems, though staffing and system-lag issues limit how quickly data can be produced. Juvenile court administrators and DCYF officials described the community-based juvenile justice continuum, rising complexity in the JR population, overcrowding at Green Hill and placement constraints at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, and the need for more flexible community transition and mental health capacity. No votes were taken.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 022 Feb 5th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • exercise it safely and consistently. exercise it safely and consistently.
  • We want to make sure everyone stays safe.
  • We want to make sure everyone stays safe.
  • <02:03:08.400> Uh sure everyone stays safe. Uh sure everyone stays safe.
  • ><02:05:13.360> known, feel safe, supported, and known, feel safe, supported, and known, attendance
Keywords: 981, all
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 7, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. The resolution was read at length and grounded in the history of Black history commemoration, Carter G. Woodson’s work, the evolution from Negro History Week to Black History Month, and Colorado-specific Black leaders and pioneers such as Barney Ford, Clara Brown, John T. Gunnel, Joseph H. Stewart, and others. Members emphasized that Black history is American history and that the centennial observance should honor both the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent. Several representatives spoke in support. Representative Bacon described the resolution as an important tradition and said the chamber should record its history. Representative Joseph framed Black history as a living story of resilience, innovation, and justice. Representative Jackson said the resolution matters especially amid efforts to erase or minimize Black history, and tied it to Colorado figures and to her own family history. Representative Carter highlighted the importance of naming schools after Black Coloradans and introduced guests, including educators and community members connected to the resolution. Representative Gonzalez also spoke in support and honored a community member, Tony Gomes, who died of cancer. Representative DeGraaf stated full support for the resolution but offered a lengthy amendment to add more historical references, including Black patriots of the American Revolution, Nat Love, James Beckwourth, Harriet Tubman, and the Tuskegee Airmen. The transcript ends during his proposed amendment, and no final vote or disposition on the resolution is shown in the excerpt.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, May 15, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is safe. It is effective.
  • It is safe. It is since the 1920s. It is safe.
  • The amendment is not agreed to. ready and safe. I urge my colleagues to ready and safe.
  • :16.960> with<01:38:17.199> every requires safe storage devices with every requires safe
  • <01:57:51.440> to before them, returning home safely to before them, returning home safely
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Sep 11th, 2025

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • I just want to return the compliment and thank you for digging in here along with our very talented staff
  • visits, lower strain on hospital systems, and maintain herd immunity to keep the entire community safe
  • And so hopefully we'll dig into that. It's really just what I want to underscore there.
  • in the Health Trailer Bill 144 that ensure California maintains coverage for vaccines known to be safe
  • This trailer bill language ensures that we can keep delivering reliable, safe drinking water. water while
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Aug 20th, 2025

Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • I would tell you that I think that's one of the areas that we Should focus on and people feeling safe
  • of Caltrans, the district directors, and our alpine communities to make sure we're looking at those safe
  • I think, transparently, I'll have to dig into that and get back to you.
  • that visitors from around the world know that when they come to California, they're going to have a safe
  • For committee members, non-committee members, or members of the public who wish to dig into the snapshot
Keywords: 988, house, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 19th, 2026

ALC-EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • Track over the past two years to perform repairs and maintenance on playing surfaces to keep the field safe
  • Track over the past two years to perform repairs and maintenance on playing surfaces to keep the field safe
  • So the Georgia Center is the consultant that we used to sort of dig pretty deep into what the issues
Keywords: 1204, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll reiterate the fact safe bridge.
  • <00:43:29.119> and roadway investments and safe and roadway investments and safe and accessible
  • And uh again, as a safe road zone.
  • So, like the safe and sober rides home.
  • , under what circumstances it's safe, etc.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll be able to dig in and get you an answer or get you the information you needed.
  • I appreciate you coming in and visiting, and have a safe travel home. All right.
  • I'll just say all of it's safe.
  • How do we make sure we continue to store that safely?
  • It's been a pleasure, and travel safe.
Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Mar 18th, 2025

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • $900-something thousand every single year in the budget just to be able to make sure that kids are safe
  • Why not have those reports, since we're really trying to dig and find out information, hopefully that
  • Why not have those reports, since we're really trying to dig and find out information, hopefully that
  • between the cup and the lip is—I don't know what's happening—and so the hope is that this committee will dig
Summary: The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably. The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • map or relied on their phone or dig map or relied on their phone or dig people<00:20:03.039>
  • Today, we honor and our loved ones safe.
  • weapon that was not kept in a safe way. weapon that was not kept in a safe way.
  • You cannot officers who keep us safe.
  • Thank you, and I yield back. our communities safe. National Police our communities safe.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25 - Part 1

Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are not safe.
  • They are not safe.
  • Suffice it to say that the tribe at that time did not have the means or the familiar they are not safe
  • the only familiar they are not safe the only thing<00:30:34.320> that<00:30:34.440> makes<
  • happy to follow up if folks want to dig happy to follow up if folks want to dig more<00:45:03.119
Keywords: 1183, house
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS, HHS Public Hearings 03-23-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the less we have to dig, the better.
  • the wastewater above ground and then discharge it in an existing cesspool, made to make sure it's safe
  • , but you can avoid the cost of digging the cesspool and the leach field, both of which are very expensive
  • So the less we have to dig, the better.
  • the wastewater above ground and then discharge it in an existing cesspool, made to make sure it's safe
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several cesspool-related measures. HB 1730 HD2 would create a cesspool conversion implementation working group to help the Department of Health review rules and practices and develop changes to make conversions more affordable. DOH and DLNR stood on written testimony, while environmental and wastewater advocates strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for dedicated staffing, technical expertise, and smaller, more focused advisory groups. Members discussed the high cost of upgrades and the need for new technologies that reduce excavation and leach field costs. The bill was passed with amendments, including clarifying the DOH director’s discretion over the size of the working group, and the committee noted DOH’s appropriation request for consideration. HB 1985 HD1 would extend certain cesspool conversion deadlines and authorize funding for consultants, while also advancing outreach and education. Testimony split sharply: advocates supported the education component but opposed deadline extensions as premature, arguing the state still has many years before the 2050 mandate and should not weaken the conversion timeline. The committee agreed to amend the bill to delete the deadline-extension portion, keep technical changes, and note DOH’s position request. HB 1749 HD2 would require sellers to disclose cesspools to buyers before a real estate purchase contract is executed and direct DOH and the Real Estate Commission to create a standardized form. Realtors supported the intent but asked to avoid duplicative statutory form requirements, and advocates stressed that disclosure should be prominent and not buried in paperwork. The committee adopted amendments removing the standardized-form mandate and passed the bill. HB 1921 HD2 would allow certain existing cesspools in priority level three areas to continue serving dwellings with additional bedrooms under conditions. DOH brought the measure, and supporters from the real estate and environmental sectors discussed innovative wastewater technologies, retrofits, and composting toilets as ways to reduce costs while improving treatment. The committee amended the bill to require DOH director-approved wastewater technology using solid waste separation for bedroom-count increases and to clarify priority-level determinations using block-level data from the Hawaii cesspool prioritization tool, then passed it. The committee also heard HB 2310, an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to restore funding used to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the federal shutdown; DHS, public health, children’s advocates, and others supported it, and members questioned why it was not handled through the budget. The discussion clarified that the bill sought new money to move quickly for ACA-related premium support. No final vote on HB 2310 was shown in the excerpt.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • support for a wide range of important programs, from affordable housing to transit, wildfire prevention, safe
  • At this hearing, I would like to dig deeper into how the proposed amendments impact consumer costs and
  • I won't ask you to respond to each one, but the others: it's eliminating safe drinking water funds while
  • one million Californians lack access to safe drinking water.
  • To dig in a little bit more on the MDI, the MDI has been doubled, and I think my facts is that the MDI
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 held a joint hearing on CARB’s proposed amendments to the cap-and-invest regulations. Opening remarks from senators emphasized the 2025 reauthorization of the program through AB 1207 and SB 840, and focused on whether CARB’s April revisions faithfully implement legislative intent while balancing climate ambition, affordability, leakage prevention, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Several senators raised concerns that the proposal could reduce GGRF revenues, weaken funding for transit, affordable housing, wildfire prevention, drinking water, and other community programs, and shift too much support toward industry. Others stressed the need to protect businesses and consumers from higher costs and to avoid leakage and refinery closures. Senator Cortese’s statement, read into the record, warned that the proposal could jeopardize transportation funding commitments. CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez said the amendments respond to legislative direction and public comment, and described four main changes: increased electric bill credits, a larger manufacturing decarbonization incentive (MDI), additional compliance support for industry, and removal of post-2030 allowance allocations from the current rulemaking. She said the proposal keeps the cap aligned with 2030 and 2045 targets, maintains affordability protections, and is intended to reduce emissions while minimizing leakage and supporting in-state jobs. CARB staff also said the MDI would have guardrails, require applications and reporting, and be tied to emissions-reducing facility upgrades. The Department of Finance explained that GGRF revenue estimates are highly uncertain and are updated periodically based on auction data. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the amendments are significant and could materially affect environmental ambition, industry support, utility credits, and GGRF revenues. LAO highlighted that the MDI could add allowances above the cap, potentially reducing certainty that 2030 targets will be met, and noted that the proposal appears to shift more allowances to industry and fewer to GGRF than current regulations. LAO also said the proposed GGRF estimate of about $8 billion through the decade could be insufficient to fully fund lower-priority tiers of programs. In questioning, senators pressed CARB on whether the proposal would raise consumer costs, whether free allowances or MDI funds would actually lower prices at the pump, how leakage is measured, and whether the Legislature’s budget assumptions would need to be revised before final action. No votes were taken during the hearing; the discussion was informational and focused on questioning CARB and fiscal staff ahead of the board’s planned May 28 consideration of the amendments.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Dec 11th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll be looking at a safe vehicle driving track where we teach all of our police officers across the
  • We had a very safe State Fair. We had very little events. It was extremely useful.
  • We had a very safe State Fair. We had very little events.
  • Travel safely. I know that they've been asked.
  • Everybody's digging in.
Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 3/18/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to thank Co-Chair Davids for his just digging into this issue really seriously.
  • I want to thank Co-Chair Davids for his just digging into this issue really seriously.
  • I want to thank Co-Chair Davids for his just digging into this issue really seriously.
  • provided a mini refrigerator to safely provided a mini refrigerator to safely store<01:12:34.680
  • We can't dig a deeper hole and think we're going to get out of this hole.
Bills: HF4343
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We currently have public safety messaging campaigns on seat belts, click it or ticket, DWI, drive safe
  • <00:43:58.760> or click at or ticket DWI drive safe or click at or ticket DWI drive safe or
  • <00:49:47.400> thank<00:49:47.559> you<00:49:47.680> Mr make us all less safe
  • thank you Mr make us all less safe thank you Mr chair<00:49:49.520> thank<00:49:49.760> you
  • <00:54:12.480> at was sort of uh trying to take a dig at was sort of uh trying to take a dig
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/3/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • And we've been told by both the MPCA and the PCA that when we dig that up, the contamination becomes
  • A new water tower is essential to maintaining safe and reliable water service for our residents.
  • <00:58:31.280> Without<00:58:31.680> a clean, safe drinking water.
  • Without a clean, safe drinking water.
  • <01:21:06.239> drinking uninterrupted access to safe drinking uninterrupted access to safe
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Insurance Committee Jun 10th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the folks in opposition, a couple of clarifying points I'd like to dig into a little bit.
  • Once a fire goes through an area, that to me seems like a fire-safe area after that because a lot of
  • So let's dig down on the home hardening a little bit because we've passed some legislation in the recent
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met as a subcommittee due to a lack of quorum, and first heard AB 1559 by Assembly Member Calderon. The bill would add consumer protections when insurers use aerial imagery for underwriting or coverage decisions by requiring notice before collecting images, giving policyholders access to images used, and allowing an in-person inspection if an image is used to non-renew, cancel, or reduce coverage. The Department of Insurance and United Policyholders supported the measure, citing complaints about outdated or inaccurate drone, satellite, and aircraft images; local governments, AARP, and Realtors also supported it, and there was no opposition. The committee later voted 6-0 to pass AB 1559 to the Privacy Committee. The committee also heard AB 2038 by Assembly Member Harabedian, which would extend wildfire-related non-renewal moratoriums for homeowners, including extending protections for total-loss properties and homes within or near a fire perimeter. Supporters, including the Consumer Federation of California, United Policyholders, and the League of California Cities, argued that rebuilding after major fires is taking much longer than expected and that homeowners need more time and stability. Opponents from the insurance industry warned that extending moratoriums, especially to adjacent zip codes, could further constrain insurers, worsen availability and affordability, and push more business to the FAIR Plan. Senators raised concerns about the zip-code-based perimeter and whether the bill should be tied to home-hardening standards, but the author said the bill simply extends existing timelines and would continue negotiations on amendments. The committee voted 4-0 to send AB 2038 to Appropriations. File items 1 and 3 were taken up as consent items and approved 6-0. The committee then adjourned.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Feb 12th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for safe travels into the Capitol to get to work for the people and for our homes and our communities
  • We hear the reports, but we can do a little bit of a dig or dive.
  • We hear the reports, but we can do a little bit of a dig or dive.
Summary: The committee opened with prayer, approved the January 8 minutes, and then reviewed education audit reports. The first report concerned Northwest Arkansas Community College, which had two findings: repeat internal control deficiencies that caused material misstatements in the financial statements, and a tuition revenue loss tied to a Workday system issue that failed to charge some students after drop-add changes. College officials said the problems were misclassification and process issues rather than missing funds, described corrective steps including checklists, monthly closing procedures, and approval controls, and attributed some issues to staffing turnover and the Workday implementation. Members asked about accountability, staffing, and whether students should have been billed; the report was filed as reviewed. The next report was Cedarville School District, where auditors found improper personal credit card charges of $794 by a former elementary teacher. The employee reimbursed the district, and the matter was referred to law enforcement, the prosecuting attorney, the attorney general, and the Professional Licensure Standards Board. Members asked whether any licensing action would follow, but staff said they were only aware that no further action had been taken by the board. The final finding was for West Memphis School District, which had a repeat capital assets issue involving failure to capitalize $851,000 in construction expenditures for a baseball-softball complex, along with other asset-recording and inspection discrepancies. The superintendent said the district had recently begun using Arkansas Legislative Audit for the first time after previously using a private CPA firm, and described new controls such as multi-level purchase approval, tagging, separation of duties, and inventory cleanup. Members questioned why the district had not been audited publicly before and how private audits are handled; staff explained that private audits are still reviewed and findings come before the committee. The report was filed as reviewed. The meeting ended with notice that 28 school districts had no findings and then adjourned.