Video & Transcript : 'governor powers' :
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Nov 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We had a We had a Libertarian governor who was not going to raise any taxes, Mr. Chairman.
- Then we had a Democratic governor who, like all good Democrats, lowered the taxes.
- In addition to that, we had a Republican governor who was not going to raise any taxes.
- Governor Richardson's infrastructure projects.
- Have you had occasion to speak to the governor? Is it a priority for her this coming 30 days? Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Education Committee Jul 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Both Assembly Bill 664 and Assembly Bill 662, which was signed by the Governor and is the task force
- Both Assembly Bill 664 and Assembly Bill 662, which was signed by the Governor, which is the task force
- And remember, we're not talking about citing a new nuclear power plant in the Delta, right?
- Last year, the Legislature and the Governor approved AB 1390, which updated the compensation levels for
- Shavika Pilari Sadi, on behalf of Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, in support.
Summary:
The committee heard several education bills, beginning with AB 387 on youth sports safety and AED access. The author and supporters, including youth sports and cardiac safety advocates, said the bill would improve coordination between youth sports organizations and facilities to ensure AEDs are available and emergency response is better prepared. School administrators, county groups, and school business officials opposed unless amended, citing liability, cost, staffing, maintenance, and school security concerns. Members asked about AED portability, CPR training, and liability; the author said committee amendments were accepted, but the bill was held due to lack of quorum while negotiations continued.
AB 467 would codify the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, allowing it to seek multi-year grants and other outside funding after an initial state appropriation sunsets. Supporters said the center has already trained faculty, supported paid internships and fellowships, and reached thousands of Californians, while opponents were absent. Members questioned whether codification was premature before the required report is due in 2027; the author said the measure was needed now to stabilize fundraising. The bill was also placed on hold for lack of quorum.
A major portion of the hearing focused on AB 664 and AB 2694, both dealing with community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 664 would authorize Southwestern College to seek up to four targeted bachelor’s programs to address local workforce shortages in South San Diego County; students, local officials, and community college advocates supported it, while CSU and UC opposed, arguing for a statewide solution and concern about the master plan. AB 2694 proposed a broader statewide framework for community college bachelor’s degrees with stronger workforce and partnership requirements, reduced program caps, and limits on duplication; it drew support from community college groups and students, but CSU and UC again opposed or opposed unless amended. Members discussed place-bound students, workforce needs, transfer pathways, and the need for a master-plan-level approach, but no votes were taken because the committee lacked a quorum.
The committee then heard AB 917, which would require certificated employees in very small school districts and certain county-run programs to receive permanent status under the same rules as larger districts. CTA and many educators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, while small school district and ROP representatives opposed, saying the current flexibility is necessary to manage enrollment swings, staffing, and specialized regional programs. Testimony emphasized the tension between job security for educators and operational flexibility for small LEAs; the hearing continued with more opposition testimony after the excerpt ended.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Mar 31st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Vice Chair Powers. Here. Representatives Anderson. Here. Beltz. Here. Brandenburg? Here.
- Senator Powers. Thank you, Chairman.
- Senator Powers. Thank you, Chairwoman. How long has this been creeping up on you?
- Chair Hauck and Senator Powers, I started farming in 1980 with my brother. He started in '82.
- Senator Powers. Thank you, Chairwoman. I do want to... Thank you, Chairwoman.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Jul 17th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And The legislation was approved and signed by the Speaker, and it was sent to the Governor.
- But the Governor vetoed our Legislation, our funding at that time.
- Financial Barriers and Infrastructure Advocacy and Collective Power.
- We're working with the Western Area Power Authority.
- NQA will own the power line when it's complete. Thank you, Madam Chair.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Housing Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- with the author and hope that we'll be able to resolve our concerns before the bill advances to the Governor
- To the Governor. Thank you. Thank you very much.
- And we all know that HOAs have government-like powers in many cases.
- I have a lot of respect for homeowners associations, but also, given their government-like powers, wanted
- That's kind of my philosophy on these views because they do have the powers of government.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Housing met without a quorum at first and operated as a subcommittee, then later established a quorum and took up several housing-related bills. Early presentations included AB 2390, a cleanup bill on housing streamlining and project modifications, which was described as clarifying that minor and subsequent modifications are reviewed under the standards in effect when the original application was filed; there was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due pass motion but held on call for absent members. AB 1890, which would increase state matching support for Napa County farmworker housing centers from $250,000 to $500,000 annually and extend the program through 2036, drew strong support from Napa County officials, the Farm Bureau, hospitals, and vintners, and was also moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 956, an ADU bill allowing more flexibility in how accessory dwelling units are built and clarifying application of ADU law in common interest developments, drew support from housing advocates and opposition from the League of California Cities over density, infrastructure, and local control concerns; the committee discussed amendments to avoid triggering density bonus law, then passed the bill as amended to Local Government, with some members expressing reservations or abstaining. The consent calendar, including AB 739, AB 2162, AB 2320, and AB 2692, was also acted on and held on call for absent members.
Later, the committee heard AB 939, which would remove a 180-day resale restriction for certain income-restricted ownership units when a nonprofit affordable housing organization is ready to buy and sell them to qualified low-income buyers. Supporters, including Habitat for Humanity and California YIMBY, said the bill would reduce vacancy, carrying costs, and delays in getting affordable homes to buyers; the California Association of Realtors opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could limit buyer choice, codify first-right-of-refusal provisions, and reduce wealth-building opportunities. Members questioned those concerns, and the author said amendments were being worked on; the bill was moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act, would require state housing agencies to develop a fiscal analysis and long-term financial plan for ending homelessness and addressing housing affordability; it received broad support from supportive housing, civil rights, and homelessness organizations, with no opposition filed, and was moved to Appropriations and held on call. AB 1184, an HOA transparency bill requiring more notice and access around litigation and recordings, was moved to Judiciary after discussion about whether it duplicated existing HOA law and whether the proposed amendments were too broad. AB 2035, a narrowly tailored bill for Laguna Woods Village to lower the vote threshold needed to petition a court to amend outdated CC&Rs, was supported as a one-time fix and moved to Judiciary. Finally, AB 1573, pulled from consent, would add survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking to housing element target populations; supporters said these groups are overrepresented among people experiencing housing instability and should be explicitly included in local housing planning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- the obligations imposed by the bill are triggered by a state emergency proclamation issued by the governor
- You all have the power to change this.
- You have the power to give these families a real chance to rebuild and come home, because when they do
- But for the state of California, I know there's the Cal Assist program, which the governor did implement
- But, um, you know, but it's not, it's not as if there's kind of an equal balance of power in this situation
Committee:
House Banking and Finance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1217 has the power to give survivors something we don't have right now: a real chance...
- SB 1217 has the power to give survivors something we don't have right now: a real chance at safety, at
- Yeah, so in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Governor Newsom allocated, I believe, $103 million to the CalVCB
- Also representing EMAC, Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities, South Bay People Power, Vietarize,
- committee as well, that we did pass SB 54, the California Values Act, that was signed into law by the governor
Summary:
The committee heard several privacy, technology, and public safety bills. SB 898 would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long software support will last and to notify consumers when support is nearing its end; Consumer Reports supported the measure, while members raised concerns about private enforcement, notice mechanics, and replacement obligations for leased devices. The bill was amended and passed 5-1 to Judiciary, with the measure placed on call.
SB 1279 would authorize Long Beach to install additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway under the same privacy and equity guardrails as the existing pilot program, including limits on data use, no facial recognition, warning periods, and reduced fees for low-income recipients. Supporters cited severe crashes and fatalities on PCH, while opponents raised civil liberties and due process concerns and questioned how the system identifies the actual driver. The committee approved the bill 6-2 and placed it on call.
SB 1111, the Artificial Intelligence Abuse Protection Act, would create civil remedies for non-consensual AI voice, image, and video cloning and digital replicas. Support came from SAG-AFTRA and Common Sense Media, and members discussed concerns about background images and employer liability, including a request to preserve a rebuttable presumption for good-faith employers. The bill passed 7-1 to Public Safety and was placed on call. SB 1217 would create a DOJ-run clearinghouse for survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfakes to request removal from online platforms; survivors and advocacy groups testified in strong support, and members discussed privacy, cybersecurity, funding, and the lack of a private right of action. It passed 8-0 to Public Safety and was placed on call.
The committee also heard SB 1095, which would require fusion centers and participating agencies to adopt MOUs barring use of sensitive personal information for immigration enforcement or racial/identity profiling, require annual reporting, and allow audits and inspections. Supporters argued fusion centers have operated with too little oversight and have been used to circumvent state privacy and immigration laws; some members supported the transparency goals while others raised concerns about operational ambiguity and the bill’s interaction with existing law. The discussion continued, with the author and members debating the scope of permissible information sharing and enforcement consequences for violations.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Feb 12th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Transcript Highlights:
- There possibly could have been ones prior to that, but unless I had not talked to the powers that be,
- Now, if this is state, do we have, does the state demand if the governor give some money Does the state
- demand if the governor give some money to, or do we have a law that requires them to have an audit if
- based on the fact that it's been funneled through your committee, I believe your legislative oversight power
- I believe your legislative oversight power would allow you to defer it and bring them to the end of the
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Dec 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want to emphasize the value of having two powerful collaborative research engines here in the state
- This is not a power grab. This is an... ...invitation to be a convener and a partner.
- third, I will say thank you on behalf of the committee for, I think what we really heard from the governor
- third, I will say thank you on behalf of the committee for, I think what we really heard from the governor
- SNAP is America’s largest anti-hunger program and is recognized as a powerful anti-poverty tool.
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity.
The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is.
A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations.
The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 5th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Messages from the governor, there are none. Messages from the Senate, there are none.
- At a time when the state faces limited housing and homelessness funding, transfer taxes can be a powerful
- They're shutting down refineries with bad regulations and now we've got the governor and the legislature
- opportunity to homeschool my own children during that time, I've seen firsthand the transformative power
- AB 1454 is a powerful step forward. Supporting our educators and especially our students.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- When paired with the largest Teacher pay raise in state history, this expansion becomes a powerful tool
- The Fine Arts Allotment is more than a funding line; it's a declaration that Texas believes in the power
- Our kids deserve full funding, and Governor Abbott promised us full funding.
- The Lieutenant Governor had a big piece in that too, as well, I think.
- Similarly, the teacher incentive allotment is a powerful tool to expand investments in educators and
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The highlight so far is passing my first bill, and then having it sent to the Governor, and the Governor
- So we're trooping through ponds and water, and power lines are down. We found them.
- it, now we are expanding it, and we are expanding it, and we do have the ability and we do have the power
- There are a few pieces that I certainly would have liked to have stayed in this bill, but that is the power
Bills:
HJR 138 , HB 42 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB 677 , HB 426 , HB 668 , HB 1699 , HB 2017 , HB 2128 , HB 2038 , HB 3783 , HB 3717 , HB 2316 , HB 3686 , HB 2563 , HB 3883 , HB 4021 , HB 2788 , HB 2663 , HB 3305 , HB 3173 , HB 3474 , HB 1105 , HB 3531 , HB 3490 , HB 3597 , HB 1295 , HB 3512 , HB 3010 , HB 3112 , HB 4215 , HB 3223 , HB 3464 , HB 3120 , HB 4214 , HB 4511 , HB 3704 , HB 4081 , HB 4783 , HB 4063 , HB 2783 , HB 4937 , HB 5085 , HB 2510 , HB 3426 , HB 4361 , HB 1169 , HB 2516 , HB 2347 , HB 4034 , HB 4700 , HB 3560 , HB 5150 , HB 3860 , HB 3146 , HB 3924 , HCR 98 , HCR 92 , HB 1520 , HB 1545 , HB 5265 , HB 1887 , HB 1914 , HB 2402 , HB 2306 , HB 2350 , HB 3000 , HB 3237 , HB 3326 , HB 3211 , HB 1056 , HB 2081 , HB 2187 , HB 3092 , HB 3308 , HB 3526 , HB 3750 , HB 4219 , HB 4230 , HB 4290 , HB 5238 , HB 4804 , HB 4749 , HB 245 , HB 1465 , HB 294 , HB 793 , HB 809 , HB 3928 , HB 334 , HB 2037 , HB 1973 , HB 285 , HB 4341 , HB 1043 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1729 , HB 2498 , HB 1314 , HB 1353 , HB 3960 , HB 3923 , HB 2221 , HB 2517 , HB 2518 , HB 2213 , HB 5092 , HB 3748 , HB 5246 , HB 4344 , HB 1482 , HB 4044 , HB 2702 , HB 4264 , HB 2807 , HB 2898 , HB 3181 , HB 3250 , HB 2091 , HB 2115 , HB 2542 , HB 2768 , HB 3349 , HB 4406 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 3133 , HB 3133 , HB 4960 , HB 3214 , HB 2145 , HB 1201 , HB 5061 , SB 29 , SB 879 , SB 65 , SB 1745 , SB 412 , SB 412 , SB 1746 , SB 1238 , SB 1341 , SB 522 , SB 1532 , SB 1378 , SB 1062 , SB 2066 , SB 1963 , SB 2204 , SB 1366 , SB 2077 , SB 1967 , SB 1151 , HB 1618 , HB 2156 , HB 2615 , HB 2615 , HB 2349 , HB 1926 , HB 569 , HB 1762 , HB 38 , HJR 138 , HB 42 , HB 104 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB 677 , HB 426 , HB 668 , HB 1699 , HB 2017 , HB 2128 , HB 2038 , HB 3783 , HB 3717 , HB 2316 , HB 3686 , HB 2563 , HB 3883 , HB 4021 , HB 2788 , HB 2663 , HB 2663 , HB 3305 , HB 3173 , HB 3474 , HB 1105 , HB 3531 , HB 3531 , HB 3490 , HB 3490 , HB 3597 , HB 1295 , HB 3512 , HB 3010 , HB 3112 , HB 4215 , HB 3223 , HB 3223 , HB 3464 , HB 3120 , HB 4214 , HB 4511 , HB 3704 , HB 4081 , HB 4783 , HB 4063 , HB 2783 , HB 4937 , HB 5085 , HB 2510 , HB 3426 , HB 4361 , HB 1169 , HB 2516 , HB 2347 , HB 4034 , HB 4700 , HB 3560 , HB 5150 , HB 3860 , HB 3146 , HB 3924 , HCR 98 , HCR 92
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The powers of local government and the power of the state.
- Scott Norman Jr.: It's been a priority throughout that time with Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker, and
- the Governor, and we have more to this session.
- But today, when we do not have unlimited water, we do not have Frank Bliss: Unlimited power, and when
Committee:
House Land & Resource Management
Keywords:
affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 4th, 2025
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, Secretary Kinney, I asked him Deputy Secretary Shelton to be here, but they had asked the governor
- They looked down at the license plate and reported it to then-Governor Tony Anaya, and he got on it.
- entities to construct, plan, design, purchase, install, or connect local solar energy systems used to power
- My name is Alicia Shaw, and I am the Campaign Director for Public Power New Mexico.
- We happily support HB 128, speaking as a resident in a rural community that is subject to power outages
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The Senate's Special Election Results / The Spirit of Civility / Minnesota's Housing Needs Feb 2nd, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- continue to chair their committees, while the Republican senators who served as co-chair under the power-sharing
- continue to chair their committees, while the Republican senators who served as co-chair under the power-sharing
- continue to chair their committees, while the Republican senators who served as co-chair under the power-sharing
- You know, I think cities, as we do as the legislature, we don't like it when the governor tells us what
- You know, I think cities, as we do as the legislature, we don't like it when the governor tells us what
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- when we're School District um Governor when we're School District um what<00:21:34.480><c> is</c><00
- We have not just a power but an affirmative duty to act where citizens are deprived of their rights by
- differential of adults there was a power differential of adults organized<01:27:32.440><c> against</
- I will say this: the power, and I've spoken to this many, many times, the power of local control and
- the ability to vote in elected members of the representative communities is a powerful one.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials.
Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials.
Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/26
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- to change in the state of with the power to change in the state of Minnesota<00:07:38.319><c> we</c>
- I would also like to address Governor Walls's comments that only the gun industry is testifying here
- </c><01:26:59.440><c> I</c><01:26:59.520><c> know</c> signed into law by the governor?
- I know signed into law by the governor?
- </c> with the perceived power of the state. with the perceived power of the state.
Committee:
House Public Safety Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, uh, done a lot of work with labor over the years, realized the power and strength that delivers to
- with labor over the years realized the with labor over the years realized the the<00:04:31.560><c> power
- I just got to say, for starters, I'm a little bit concerned about the consolidation of power on this
- It's a very important one, and the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general have spoken pretty
- It's a very important one, and the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general have spoken pretty
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Apr 22nd, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- emerged regarding legislative term limits: the loss of institutional knowledge and expertise, shifts in power
- Yes, they think it did apply to the governor at about 48%. 38, 30% The governor at about 48%. 30% thought
- They believe it prevents a concentration of power in the legislature.
- And so they're telling us that, for example, 48% of them believe that it applied to the governor, and
- And I thought it was an excellent 15-minute or so tutorial on separation of powers.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
CHILDREN & YOUTH COMMITTEE- SENATE & AGING, CHILDREN & YOUTH, AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- HOUSE Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- crazy, or you've got your head in the sand if you think that social media is not as harmful as a high-powered
- crazy, or you've got your head in the sand if you think that social media is not as harmful as a high-powered
- And on Governor Hutchinson's first day... ...my boss at the time got a call, Director John Selegg, and
- we got a call directly from Governor Hutchinson.
- She was aware of Governor Hutchinson's desire, and what she wanted to do was look at the Savery system
Summary:
The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth met to approve prior minutes, confirm Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee, and receive several presentations. The Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review team reported on unexpected child deaths in Arkansas, saying its 2023 review covered 148 of 170 non-natural deaths, with the remainder unavailable due to criminal investigations or missing records. Of the reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined, and members discussed how the report’s recommendations could be used by agencies and nonprofits for prevention work and grant applications. Committee members also asked about age breakdowns and how the data could be shared without identifying individual cases.
The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was intended to confront data on juvenile incarceration and system outcomes. Senator Missy Irvin, judges Troy Braswell and Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described the state’s long-running reform efforts, including the SAVRY risk assessment, diversion programs, and efforts to keep more youth in their communities. They said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, but also emphasized ongoing gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and school-based supports. Members raised concerns about school data sharing, behavioral health access, and how to better identify youth with disabilities or trauma earlier.
Judge Braswell and others stressed that many youth in the system have significant trauma, family instability, or unmet treatment needs, and that judges need individualized information to make decisions. Several members discussed the role of schools, the school safety dashboard, and the need for stronger community providers, especially in rural areas. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided data on commitments, facility use, demographics, offense levels, length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, and costs. He said commitments rose after the pandemic and then began to decline, while secure and detention costs increased with the need for more beds; he also noted that most youth in custody have behavioral health needs and that DYS works closely with DCFS, courts, and providers. No final action was taken on HCR 1010 during the discussion.