Video & Transcript : 'behavioral support' :
Page 351 of 500
OR
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, I cannot support the appointments for the Quality Education Commission.
- And I would like to support him, but I cannot support the...
- And I would like to support him, but I cannot support the other two individuals that provide no diversity
- I support you and I'm grateful for your work.
- that at the same... ...citizens of Oregon and how we were going to support that.
OR
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, I cannot support the appointments for the Quality Education Commission.
- And I would like to support him, but I cannot support the...
- And I would like to support him, but I cannot support the other two individuals that provide no diversity
- I support you and I'm grateful for your work.
- While I am in full support of modernizing our... ...judgment panel.
Summary:
The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy.
The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate.
The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 24th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- I would love to have your support. Thank you very much.
- So I have a feeling your bill probably will get similar support.
- She added that they are not the only cooks in the kitchen, but they want to support the plan and support
- And if we're able to use this policy to help make sure that we are supporting family-wage jobs, ...supporting
- So we would ask for yes support. Thank you. Representative Waters. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Bills:
SB5420
Keywords:
veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26 - Afternoon Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:41:35.839><c> uh</c> established to financially support uh established to financially support
- data support that hypothesis?
- </c><01:30:57.040><c> of</c> bill and continued support of bill and continued support of Minnesota's<
- </c><01:32:17.840><c> House</c> encourage all of you to support House encourage all of you to support
- </c> support of house file 3609. support of house file 3609.
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes.
The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings.
Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/6/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise in support of it.
- So far we have not received support. We continue to hold out hope that we'll receive that support.
- Great bill, making sure we're supporting families who have littles who need that support before something
- But I didn't have that support.
- But I didn't have that support.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Review of the Minnesota Senate’s 2026 Session | Senator Erin Murphy May 22nd, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But the Senate DFL was determined despite some of the behavior in the House and not getting bills put
- despite<00:01:01.080><c> some</c><00:01:01.240><c> of</c><00:01:01.320><c> the</c><00:01:01.360><c> behavior
Summary:
The interview focused on the Minnesota Senate DFL’s end-of-session accomplishments and frustrations. The senator said the caucus entered the session expecting little to get done in a divided, election-year legislature, but instead passed a range of major measures, including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, gun violence prevention, an independent Office of the Inspector General, consumer protections for homeowners associations, and a $1.2 billion bonding/infrastructure bill for water, roads, and bridges. He said the bonding bill was a success but criticized the limited funding for lead pipe replacement, noting only $15 million was included.
He also discussed affordability measures, especially a vehicle tab fee reduction negotiated in connection with the bonding bill, saying Democrats wanted the relief to take effect sooner but Republicans pushed implementation to January. He described other unfinished or blocked items, including a small business relief package tied to Metro Surge and efforts to protect Medicaid and SNAP from federal changes. He said many Senate proposals were developed through committee hearings and were meant to be negotiated publicly, but argued the House often failed to do comparable work, leading to last-minute deals and more party-line votes.
The senator was sharply critical of federal actions under the Trump administration, saying cuts and mandates were harming states, counties, Medicaid, and SNAP, and weakening the state-federal partnership. Looking ahead, he said interim work will likely focus on procedural changes and health care, including stabilizing HCMC and supporting rural hospitals. He said the session’s work was aimed at serving Minnesotans first, and expressed optimism about the upcoming election season and the possibility of changing legislative practices next session.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 20th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- protecting consumers, protecting high-road businesses from price gouging, from anti-competitive behavior
- the Attorney General's office, gives information about McDonald's and about that anti-competitive behavior
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- This is supported by the State Central Services Fund.
- This is supported by the aviation sales and use taxes. Next item is B3.
- It is supported by tuition fees and insurance reimbursements.
- It is supported by revenue from commissary sales.
- Support Enforcement.
Committee:
All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
Summary:
The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements.
In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed.
The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (05/01/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I report I support retaining this bill. I report I support retaining this bill.
- </c> cognitive function, less behavioral cognitive function, less behavioral issues,<01:02:32.480><c>
- </c> certainly do not support retaining this. certainly do not support retaining this.
- </c> feeding hungry kids and supporting feeding hungry kids and supporting families.<01:05:59.839><c>
- </c> supporting New Hampshire public schools. supporting New Hampshire public schools.
Summary:
The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn.
The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not.
Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to urge you to please support Senate Bill 7.
- Largely, there's too much money behind the support of these kinds of bills, but so little support from
- Even when in supportive homes, in supportive communities, they are at a higher risk of violence and mental
- Even when in supportive homes, in supportive communities, they are at a higher risk of violence and mental
- And also, I'm on behalf of today's voice to support and make my voice heard to support the Senate Bill
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues.
Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters.
Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:59.880><c> file</c> today to ask you to support file today to ask you to support file 2228
- Please support House File 2228.
- support for House File 856.
- Please support Bill HF 2215."
- Please support HF 2215.
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
Keywords:
homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/05/2026 - House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- for those of you who may be unfamiliar with NCSL, we are the nation's nonpartisan organization supporting
- developers in the private sector from creating tools that incite self-harm, violence, or criminal behavior
Committee:
House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- According to this release, this includes support for on-premise accounts such as bars, restaurants, and
- amendment here does is it would provide that mental health coverage, substance abuse disorder, and behavioral
Bills:
HB441
Committee:
House Health
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- And according to this release, this includes support for on-premise accounts such as bars, restaurants
- this amendment here does is it would provide that mental health, substance abuse disorder, and behavioral
Committee:
House Health
Keywords:
hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax, excise tax, age verification, underage sales, product testing, certificate of analysis
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- left takes the child support the child left takes the child support the child support<00:25:46.480><c
- It’s…” The child support worksheet that courts The child support worksheet that courts use<00:26:36.000
- </c><00:28:53.120><c> worksheet</c> appear on the child support worksheet appear on the child support
- </c> going to ask you to support this bill. going to ask you to support this bill.
- </c> that support support tax caps. And Mr. that support support tax caps. And Mr.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- AI supports learning. AI supports learning. It never replaces the educator.
- This is a bill that's public safety and victim support.
- So I would definitely appreciate your support on this bill.
- Senators, I support this bill.
- The question for the Senate is: Shall Senate Bill 12— support.
Summary:
The Senate convened with 33 members present and one excused absence, then proceeded through prayer, the pledge, and approval of the prior journal. Members also received communications, including notice of a temporary substitute senator and a governor’s letter withdrawing a reappointment to the Idaho Human Rights Commission, which was referred back to State Affairs.
The chamber then considered several gubernatorial appointments. The Senate adopted committee reports and confirmed Brian Skigliano and Leighton Lining to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights, Gregory Donica and Nora Carpenter to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and later Salvador Cruz’s appointment was also taken up in the sequence of business. Senators highlighted each nominee’s background and qualifications, and the reports were adopted without recorded opposition. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 108, which urges federal action to protect Idaho livestock owners from adverse grazing-permit consequences when filing depredation claims; Senate Joint Memorial 106 was sent back to committee after a correction was noted.
On legislation, Senate Bill 1227 passed after debate over a framework for generative AI in education. Supporters said it would preserve human judgment, local control, and parent transparency while helping schools prepare for AI; opponents raised concerns about vague definitions, implementation, and possible overreach. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1226, expanding DNA sample collection to include misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, with supporters citing public safety and victim accountability and one senator noting budget concerns. Finally, Senate Bill 1225 as amended passed, codifying university presidential search procedures and changing public disclosure rules so only the sole finalist’s name is released, with a minimum 10-day public vetting period. The Senate adjourned after miscellaneous announcements and set its next meeting for the following day.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Children and Families May 11th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Children and Families
Transcript Highlights:
- But it has received wide bipartisan support.
- But it has received wide bipartisan support.
- Klein, representing Missouri Right to Life, here to go on record in support of Senate Bill 999.
- And so we encourage you to support this language, put it forward.
- But what I am confident of is that if we continue to suggest there is poor behavior among our medical
Committee:
House Children and Families
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there's no need for this restriction, and so please do join me in supporting the expansion of
- Colleagues, I would like to express appreciation for the support of this bill.
- And so with that, again, thank you very much for your support.
- And I stand in support of House Bill 2177. Thank you. The system is closed.
- long, even in a case where the defendant has expressed significant remorse and understanding of the behavior
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized guests including participants in the Southern Arizona Water Leadership Institute and the Doctor of the Day, and then moved through a series of procedural actions, committee reports, and Committee of the Whole calendars. The chamber considered several House bills dealing mainly with water policy, air quality, local regulation and airport buffers, timeshare sales, advertising/digital goods refunds, elections, probation, radiologic technologies, firefighters, health care, property tax, state agencies, tourism, employment relationships, motor vehicle warranties, the State Fire Marshal, education, and retirement system provisions. Several floor and committee amendments were adopted, including amendments to HB 2428, HB 2875, HB 2877, HB 2029, and HB 2010; one amendment to HB 2029 failed on a 13-14 vote.
On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2006, HB 2050, HB 246, HB 262, HB 2089, HB 2090, HB 292, HB 298, HB 2122, HB 2126, HB 2138, HB 2176, HB 2177, HB 2173, HB 2178, HB 2179, HB 2258, HB 2310, HB 2323, HB 2324, HB 2395, HB 2010, HB 2029, HB 2132, HB 2261, HB 2428, HB 2875, and HB 2877, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous or near-unanimous support to more divided outcomes on HB 2026, HB 2132, HB 2261, and HB 2877. HB 2026 drew criticism over assured water supply and commingling concerns, while HB 2029’s statewide water-conservation analysis amendment was defended as a responsible use of public funds. HB 2177 drew supportive explanations from senators noting its importance for tribal waiver-related services.
The Senate also concurred in House amendments to SB 1092, SB 1430, and SB 1479, then adopted final readings on those measures. SB 1092, dealing with dangerous crimes against children probation, passed 18-10 after debate over judicial discretion and sentencing policy; SB 1430 passed unanimously; and SB 1479 passed 20-1. The session concluded with the Senate adjourning until April 8, 2026, at 10 a.m.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Feb 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to take every opportunity to thank this legislature for their support.
- I hope I'm not saying that wrong, but the State Police Foundation is a group of supporters of the State
- And it's largely made up of businesses and business owners and just members of our state that are supportive
- members of this committee know that you have people working behind the scenes that do a great job supporting
- And so I have a lot of concern about that because, you know, this was a repeated behavior that was occurring
Committee:
All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Summary:
The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about efforts to reduce vehicle pursuits and fleeing from law enforcement. Members discussed prior legislation that made fleeing a felony and enhanced penalties when suspects exit moving vehicles, and the State Police reported those changes, along with a social media/public service campaign and work with prosecutors, were associated with a 29% decline in pursuits from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. Members also asked about a recent mistaken PIT/TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; the agency said the family was not injured, had requested privacy, and the trooper involved was terminated. The committee also received an overview of the Arkansas State Police Foundation, which funds scholarships, emergency assistance for troopers’ families, and facilities and training support, with no lobbying role reported.
The committee then heard from the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on officer decertification and hiring accountability. Director Chris Chapman explained that every officer separation must be reported, that files are flagged when conduct may warrant decertification even if it does not meet that threshold, and that hiring agencies must be told about prior misconduct before they can add an officer to their roster. He said the commission now receives more decertification requests than before, with requests rising from 158 in the prior three-year period to 256 in the last three years, and that 147 officers were pending hearings, down from a prior backlog that had stretched to about four and a half years. He also said the commission meets every other month for two-day hearings, and that most decertifications involve integrity or honesty issues.
Members asked about open investigations, citizen complaints, appeals, and public access to decertification records. Chapman said resignations during internal affairs or criminal investigations are flagged, citizen complaints are usually handled through supervisors, chiefs, sheriffs, or prosecutors and may lead to decertification review if warranted, and decertified officers can appeal to circuit court. He added that decertification records are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be used in civil claims. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee meeting at the fish hatchery in Lonoke.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Feb 18th, 2026
ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to take every opportunity to thank this legislature for their support.
- I hope I'm not saying that wrong, but the State Police Foundation is a group of supporters of the State
- It's largely made up of businesses and business owners, and just members of our state that are supportive
- members of this committee know that you have people working behind the scenes that do a great job supporting
- I have a lot of concern about that because, you know, this was a repeated behavior that was occurring
Committee:
All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE
Summary:
The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hager and other agency leaders about vehicle pursuits and tactical vehicle interventions (TVIs, formerly PIT maneuvers). Hager said Acts 734 of 2020 and 82 of 2022, which increased penalties for fleeing in a vehicle, along with a public campaign and work with prosecutors, helped reduce pursuits by 29% from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. He said the agency also added 120 troopers during that period and that the goal is to protect innocent civilians, officers, and suspects. Members asked about where pursuits occur most often, prosecution practices, the possibility of making fleeing charges non-pleadable like DWI, and a recent mistaken TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; Hager said no one was injured in that incident and called it inexcusable.
The committee also discussed the Arkansas State Police Foundation. Hager explained that the foundation is a private support group made up largely of businesses and citizens that raises money for trooper-family scholarships, emergency relief for troopers affected by disasters or family hospitalizations, and facilities and training support, including the driving track. He said he was not aware of any lobbying activity by the foundation and praised its staff and leadership for supporting the agency beyond what the state budget can provide.
Next, Director Chris Chapman of the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training described the state’s decertification and officer accountability process. He said every separation from an agency must be reported, and if an officer leaves under circumstances that may warrant decertification, the file is flagged so any future hiring agency must be told the full history before the officer can be added to a roster. Chapman said the commission has increased decertification requests from 158 in the prior three years to 256 in the last three years, with 147 officers currently pending hearings, and that the backlog has been reduced from about four and a half years to about a year and a half. Members asked about resignations during investigations, appeal rights, citizen complaints, and FOIA access to decertification records; Chapman said those matters can trigger review, appeals go to circuit court, and the records are generally public. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee visit to a fish hatchery in Lonoke County.