Transcript Highlights:

• Who knows<00:11:02.959><c> whether</c><00:11:03.279><c> the</c><00:11:03.519><c> small</c><00:11:03.839
• ><c> you</c><00:11:13.600><c> to</c><00:11:14.079><c> the</c><00:11:14.399><c> chair</c><00:11:14.800
• :36.160><c> has</c><00:11:36.320><c> to</c><00:11:36.480><c> be</c><00:11:36.640><c> a</c><00:11:37.440
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah.<00:11:45.600><c> I</c><00:11:45.839><c> guess</c><00:11:46.000><c> I'm</c><00:11:
• we'll</c><00:11:58.720><c> take</c><00:11:58.880><c> away</c><00:11:59.040><c> the</c><00:11:59.279>

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 24 and September 27 meetings unanimously. It then reviewed a spreadsheet and draft report tracking the status of various dedicated funds, with members deciding which items should be kept active, removed, or flagged for follow-up next year. Several funds were identified as no longer needing action because they had been repealed, terminated, or were already handled elsewhere, including mosquito-related funding, child care licensing, and the prescription drug affordability board item. In other cases, members agreed to keep the fund on the list but remove question marks and add notes for future review or for another committee to address. A number of funds drew more detailed discussion. Members agreed that the Fish and Game fee increase issue should not be handled by this committee directly, but that staff should notify the relevant sponsor/department that a legislative change would be needed. They also discussed a medical cannabis fund that was running down significantly; the committee agreed to keep it active, note the concern, and send a letter to the department and Representative McDonald suggesting that HHS review whether fees or another revenue source should be changed, with the possibility of a late bill if needed. The lead poisoning prevention fund was also kept, with a note that the department should take action if it wants changes, and the committee discussed a grants-and-aid escrow-related item, concluding it should remain active and be kept on the list. Members also discussed several legacy or special-purpose funds. They agreed to recommend deleting the broodstock reference, to keep the emergency fund while asking for a better explanation of its funding source, and to retain the building maintenance fund as active. The Recovery Monument fund was identified as inactive and likely eligible for transfer of its remaining $1,000 to the addiction treatment and prevention fund. The Matthew Elliott Trust Fund prompted the most extended discussion; members concluded it should not continue as-is and agreed to draft a letter to the Attorney General recommending that the fund be closed through probate court and the remaining $5,657 transferred to Fund 122, or otherwise handled as unclaimed property if appropriate. The committee also discussed a firemen’s association-related transfer and agreed it should remain, while noting that any broader change would require legislation and a sponsor in the relevant policy committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean to July or August or September, because I like being here, I like doing the work. ...or August
• or September, because I like being here, I like doing the work, I like the interaction with all of you
• About 11. About 11 people.
• Then on September 30, 2027, ADE has to report on the status of the implementation of the program.
• Then on September 30, 2027, ADE has to report on the status of the implementation of the program.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We<00:11:08.480><c> I</c><00:11:08.800><c> assure</c><00:11:09.120><c> you</c><00:11:09.600><c> every
• </c><00:11:14.079><c> I</c><00:11:14.240><c> was</c><00:11:14.399><c> going</c><00:11:14.560><c> to</
• <00:11:16.800><c> you</c><00:11:16.959><c> don't</c><00:11:17.200><c> you</c><00:11:17.440><c> don't<
• I I I would<00:11:22.959><c> if</c><00:11:23.120><c> I</c><00:11:23.279><c> may,</c><00:11:23.519><c>
• I I do believe<00:11:25.120><c> that</c><00:11:25.360><c> it</c><00:11:25.600><c> is</c><00:11:25.839

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.079><c> with</c><00:11:00.240><c> a</c><00:11:00.480><c> very</c> So we have to manage this with
• specific intention of delivering the results<00:11:03.360><c> that</c><00:11:03.600><c> we</c><00:11
• :03.760><c> put</c><00:11:03.920><c> in</c><00:11:04.079><c> our</c><00:11:04.320><c> proposal</c><00
• it<00:11:05.680><c> is</c><00:11:05.839><c> a</c><00:11:06.079><c> cooperative</c><00:11:06.560><c>
• </c><00:11:07.200><c> So,</c><00:11:07.360><c> it's</c> It is a cooperative agreement.

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Until 11:59 on June 2nd. With that, would the Secretary please call the roll?
• Section 11 is replacement of mobile data computers and associated equipment.
• In Sections 10, 11, and 12, those items have to be dealt with before September of 2026 and then September
• So we scrambled quickly because the program starts in September to recruit as many families as we could
• And we also knew that there was a September reporting deadline in AB 348 to the legislature.

Bills: AB6 , AB102 , AB131 , AB212 , AB213 , AB220 , AB259 , AB282 , AB376 , AB396 , AB479 , AB503 , AB570 , AB572 , AB574 , AB576 , AB593 , SB185 , SB207 , SB507 , AB6

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:03.760><c> you</c><01:11:03.920><c> commissioner</c><01:11:04.679><c> you</c><01:11:05.199><c>
• you thank you and<01:11:05.920><c> I'll</c><01:11:06.199><c> just</c><01:11:06.600><c> say</c><01:11
• <01:11:09.000><c> after</c><01:11:09.239><c> every</c><01:11:09.560><c> testifier</c><01:11:10.360><c
• ><01:11:24.800><c> um</c><01:11:24.920><c> in</c><01:11:25.520><c> form</c><01:11:25.760><c> a</c><01
• perfect<01:11:26.679><c> union</c><01:11:27.120><c> it</c><01:11:27.520><c> doesn't</c><01:11:27.880

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:11:15.040><c> I</c><02:11:15.280><c> rise</c><02:11:15.599><c> today</c><02:11:15.920><c> to<
• We<02:11:24.880><c> all</c><02:11:25.040><c> know</c><02:11:25.280><c> a</c><02:11:25.520><c> strong<
• .<02:11:35.840><c> Thankfully,</c><02:11:36.560><c> IDA</c><02:11:37.760><c> changed</c><02:11:38.320
• </c><02:11:39.679><c> At</c><02:11:39.920><c> its</c><02:11:40.159><c> core,</c><02:11:40.560><c> IDA
• That's how<03:11:46.399><c> we</c><03:11:46.560><c> can</c><03:11:46.640><c> honor</c><03:11:46.960><

Bills: HR432 , HR312 , HR311 , HR310 , HR309 , HR308 , HB1676 , SB356 , HR1372 , HB2175 , HB1461 , HB2466 , SB2283 , HB1830 , HR1009 , HR1008 , HR323 , HB5131 , HB4503 , HR573 , HB2916 , HB2306 , HB2290 , HB2389 , HB2388 , HB3857 , HB2293 , HR655 , HB4285 , HR1276 , HB2302

Keywords: federal labor relations, executive order, labor management, federal oversight, government reform, wildlife conservation, Pittman-Robertson, state plans, environment, approval process, Secretary of the Interior, Secure Rural Schools, reauthorization, federal land payments, county payments, state payments, payments in lieu of taxes, PILT, rural counties, forest counties

Transcript Highlights:

• proper perspective, I refer you to the first sheet of paper located behind tab 3, a letter dated September
• 11, 2019, from Governor DeSantis, addressed to the governor's agency heads.
• proper perspective, I refer you to the first sheet of paper located behind tab 3, a letter dated September

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met for its first meeting of the year, with roll call and member introductions followed by an orientation on the committee’s role in reviewing agency rulemaking. Staff explained that JAPAC/JAPSI oversees whether agency rules stay within statutory authority, reviews proposed and existing rules under Chapter 120, and can recommend objections when rules enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes. The committee also adopted its biennial rules of procedure by motion and roll-call vote. The main substantive item was staff’s recommended objections to 32 existing Agency for Health Care Administration rules. Staff said the common issue was a sunset provision added to rules, which they argued is not authorized by Chapter 120 because rules may be amended or repealed only through formal rulemaking, not allowed to expire automatically. Staff noted the sunset language could create confusion and affect interrelated rules, and recommended formal objections. The chair reported that he and the vice chair had met with the agency, which agreed to work on compliance and amend the language. No public testimony was offered. After brief committee discussion, including questions about timing, the chair said the agency would return with a compliance proposal at the next scheduled meeting, likely in February. The committee deferred further action on the 32 recommended objections until that meeting, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's see those hands for September 1. Those for July. Okay.
• Um so two obvious choices September 1.
• Um so two obvious choices would<00:03:01.519><c> be</c><00:03:01.760><c> September</c><00:03:02.319><
• So let's see those hands for September 1. Those for July. Okay.
• This would also prohibit us investing those funds from September through February.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• guard<01:11:04.320><c> rails</c><01:11:04.640><c> in</c><01:11:04.800><c> place</c><01:11:04.960><c>
• I always<01:11:06.640><c> liken</c><01:11:07.840><c> um</c><01:11:08.000><c> the</c><01:11:08.320><c>
• 11:30.640><c> a</c><01:11:30.880><c> little</c><01:11:30.960><c> bit,</c><01:11:31.280><c> right?
• :11:50.400><c> that</c><01:11:50.640><c> first</c><01:11:50.960><c> guard</c><01:11:51.280><c> rail.
• <02:11:26.719><c> uh</c><02:11:27.119><c> to</c><02:11:27.280><c> take</c><02:11:27.520><c> place.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• He's<01:11:26.640><c> suing</c><01:11:26.960><c> the</c><01:11:27.120><c> federal</c><01:11:27.440><c
• </c><01:11:32.560><c> that</c><01:11:32.800><c> he</c><01:11:32.960><c> hopes</c><01:11:33.199><c> to
• ><c> that</c><01:11:34.400><c> will</c><01:11:34.560><c> go</c><01:11:34.719><c> to</c><01:11:34.960>
• As many here will remember, the attacks of September 11, 2011 occurred after our national security agencies
• As many here will remember, the attacks of September 11, 2001, occurred after our national security agencies

Bills: HB7567 , SCR33 , SB1318 , HR1224

Keywords: agriculture, food security, farm programs, sustainability, conservation, nutrition assistance, budget resolution, fiscal responsibility, government funding, budgetary levels, congressional budget, foreign intelligence, digital currency, privacy, surveillance, FISA, civil liberties, rules resolution, special rule, House Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Theodore Marvin Riley to be registered on or before September 30, 2025. Mr.
• It's certainly not at the time that he was required to file by September 30, 2025.
• Its term starts January 11, 2027.
• January 11, 2027.
• , exhibit 11, Senate Bill 60 The petitioner argues that any increase from any source is enough, but that

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 11 of Item E, you have E3, the intergovernmental contracts for your review today.
• CMS will only let us use the money until September 30th.
• Number 11, DHS with Healthcare Services Group.
• Number 11, DHS, DCFS, with Charles Hoskin, PLC. This is for legal representation.
• Number 11, DHS, DCFS, with Charles Hoskin, PLC.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next would be consideration to approve the minutes from the September 15th, 2025 meeting.
• But when we look at state prevalence, basically the state average is 11% of adults over the age of 65
• We're going to try to do a meeting in August and then maybe two in September if we can squeeze them in
• Maybe two in September if we can squeeze them in.

Committee: All ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met to introduce members, adopt its rules and procedures, approve prior minutes, and authorize the co-chairs to approve special expenses. The main discussion focused on updating the Arkansas State Plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, with David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association outlining major changes in prevalence, caregiving burden, diagnostics, and treatment since the prior plan. He noted rising disease and caregiver numbers in Arkansas, the expansion of amyloid PET access, the growing use of blood-based biomarkers, and the availability of FDA-approved treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla, while emphasizing that access, insurance coverage, and provider education remain major barriers. Members and presenters also discussed the need to better reach rural primary care providers, who may not be aware of new diagnostics and therapies, and the bottlenecks caused by limited specialists and infusion capacity. There was concern about overreliance on blood tests without confirmatory evaluation, and several members stressed the importance of collaboration, public education, and promoting brain health through exercise and diet. The council also heard about existing programs such as the dementia services coordinator, the BOLD grant, caregiver respite grants, workforce training, and a pilot dementia resource center with UAMS Centers on Aging. The council approved a new four-part outline for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction and brain health/early detection, strengthening family caregiver support, improving access to diagnostics and treatment, and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce and crisis response. Members also agreed to consider future agenda items on new treatments, brain health and lifestyle prevention, workforce training, and possible legislative changes to the enabling statute. The meeting ended with discussion of scheduling the next meeting, tentatively set for August 12 in Hot Springs, and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was actually a separate Section 11 item 5.
• That was substantially complete in September.
• Chairman, is on page 11, the TPF project funding.
• On page 11, the TPF project funding, the 5% entity cost, Mr.
• Laws of 2025 general fund appropriation, Section 11, cost of $10 million.

Summary: The committee first received a detailed New Mexico DOT District 5 presentation from Rhonda Lopez. She reviewed District 5’s budget, staffing vacancies, completed and ongoing special appropriations from 2020 through 2025, active construction projects, maintenance work, STIP and local government funding, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64, the status of the 5% local match for Transportation Project Fund projects, and the New Mexico 371/Navajo Route 36 intersection; DOT said the match agreements were in place or waived where eligible, and that the Navajo Nation funding agreement was nearly finalized. The chair then moved the agenda to bills before finishing the remaining presentations later. House Bill 270, dealing with contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on public works projects, was presented by Rep. Borrego as a follow-up to the 2024 workforce development and apprenticeship trust fund law. The bill would remove an exclusion for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance contracts and require contributions unless a trade classification has no approved apprenticeship program. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training programs. Members raised concerns about notice, added costs, and whether contractors with existing programs would be paying twice. A motion to table failed on a tie vote, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie vote, leaving the bill in committee and available for reconsideration. Ranking Member Brown then presented House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, with a planned distribution beginning in 2029, including a 5% use for federal matching funds. The bill would also dedicate a portion of the gross receipts tax on electricity and redirect part of the motor vehicle excise tax to grow the fund. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association supported the concept, saying it would help sustain DOT and address the state’s road maintenance gap. Members questioned the electricity tax component, its effect on ratepayers and data centers, the interaction with SB 2 and bond financing, and how projects would be prioritized. A motion to pass failed on a tie vote, and the ranking member suggested the bill could be reconsidered with an amendment removing the electricity portion. The committee then heard a District 4 DOT presentation from assistant district engineer Cruz Sudoste, covering the district’s geography, budget, staffing, completed and active projects, STIP and local government programs, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of transportation project funds and the impact of aging equipment on repair costs. The presentation concluded without any vote or other action on the district report.

Transcript Highlights:

• was a grant, a five-year grant, that the LPTE will continue in various forums after it ends this September
• We had, 'I don't understand what an IEP is' at 11%.
• We had 40 respondents say employment. 32 said skills for independent living. 11 said resources needed
• We had 40 respondents, say, employment. 32 said skills for independent living. 11 have resources needed
• Do you have plans to do anything with this after the grant ends in September?

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Permit Commission on Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes before hearing a presentation from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE). Presenters from UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion, the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Northeast, and Lawrence Public Schools described LPTE as a five-year grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence through community partnerships, work groups, and family engagement. A major focus was a family survey designed to better understand barriers to transition planning and IEP participation. Presenters said the survey response rate increased sharply after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Survey findings showed common barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, transportation, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition planning. The data also suggested that many families expect college or employment outcomes for their children, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, indicating a communication gap rather than a lack of services. Lawrence school staff explained that the district has a five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a developing online transition hub, and that they are using the survey results to improve visibility and access to existing supports. Committee members discussed the need to start transition planning earlier, expand real-world work experiences, improve outreach to Latino families, and better connect students with college, trade, and employment pathways. Several members suggested partnerships with summer youth employment, volunteer programs, and college or alumni panels. The presenters said the grant ends in September, but the resource hub will continue through the Arc and they are exploring ways to sustain the consortium model. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, an update that committee members would meet with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer, and notice that the next meeting would feature the Office of Veteran Affairs before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment seven deletes page 11, lines 17 through 28 in their entirety.
• Amendment seven deletes page 11, lines 17 through 28 in their entirety, and then Amendment eight maintains
• So we are, we opened in September of 2005, if anyone has a calendar, September 3rd, by the way.
• You pay the pharmacy five bucks, you bill the plan 11 bucks, and you pocket the difference.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments. The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state. HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, with 11 present, we have established a quorum.
• This September, he would be starting kindergarten. ...many milestones with Calvin.
• This September, he would be starting kindergarten.
• There's no actual way to tell how old the child is, whether it's 10, whether it's 12, whether it's 11
• be anything like that. to tell how old the child is, whether it's 10, whether it's 12, whether it's 11

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• They also, as a request of the September 2024 ALC meeting, included a list of all the contracts on the
• They also included, as requested at the September 2024 ALC meeting, a list of all the contracts on today's
• Contracts numbers 10 and 11 are both with DHS, DCFS, for intensive in-home services for Division of Children
• I'll mention that number 11 is $9 million, and it also includes transitional support for young adults
• On item E, page 19, that takes us to number 11, with the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The review subcommittee met to consider a supplemental agenda, methods of finance, an alternative delivery project, discretionary grants, and a large slate of construction, out-of-state, and in-state contracts. The supplemental item was a $2.6 million out-of-state contract with Tyler Technologies for a mobile app that would let citizens access state services through a single sign-on, initially for DFA vehicle and licensing services, with possible expansion to other agencies. Members also reviewed five methods of finance, including University of Arkansas projects for roof and cooling tower replacements, a new $100 million academic classroom building at U of A Fayetteville, a police department renovation at UA Fort Smith, and a boiler/chiller replacement at Hope-Texarkana. Questions focused on project timing, why some items were being reviewed after work had begun, and the high estimated cost of the Fayetteville classroom building; DFA explained that projects under $250,000 are not reviewed and that the larger project was still in design and would later seek a guaranteed maximum price. The committee also reviewed two DHS discretionary grants: one for targeted youth advocacy in southwest Arkansas and another adding $582,000 for family-centered treatment training and implementation. In the services contract section, members discussed construction-related contracts, including an ASMSA electrical scope increase tied to three-phase power requirements and the U of A Fayetteville architect contract for the classroom building. Out-of-state contracts included major items such as ACT Education’s $17 million amendment to provide required pre-ACT testing for 9th and 10th graders, a $12.5 million DFA contract for rural health transformation grant management, DHS’s $16.5 million EBT services contract with updated chip-card and fraud-prevention features, and ADH’s special procurement for the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The committee also reviewed U of A system consulting contracts for financial advisory and sponsorship strategy work, with university officials saying the outside expertise was needed for specialized planning and revenue-generation efforts. In-state contracts covered corrections reentry services, nursing board investigations, foster care and child welfare services, DHS office janitorial work, emergency management radio system expansion, veterans’ home nursing staffing, and UAMS grants consulting. A lengthy exchange centered on the Department of Corrections’ reentry housing contract, with members pressing officials about vacant beds and urging fuller use of the program, while corrections staff said placements depend on screening and eligibility. Another discussion addressed the balance between out-of-state and in-state contracting, with a member noting the large dollar volume going to out-of-state vendors and asking whether Arkansas vendors receive any preference; State Procurement said current law does not allow an in-state preference. The committee approved the supplemental agenda, the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, the discretionary grants, and the contract lists, and then received routine reports and an emergency action report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from House District 11, downtown Albuquerque, and several neighborhoods in the near North Valley.
• of the committee's work plan includes a proposed meeting location outside of the state capitol on September
• We have meetings planned out of town that are between Santa Fe, but none of these are after September
• We only have one meeting that falls after that September date, which is October 22nd through 24th.
• will be meeting in July twice, August once, and then to highlight one out-of-state meeting after September

Committee: House Legislative Council