Transcript Highlights:

• , the largest school district in the state.
• And what's really great is she is a graduate of Manzano High School.
• And what's really great is she is a graduate of Manzano High School.
• And what's really great is she is a graduate of Manzano High School.
• High School.

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB166 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , HJR5 , SB104 , SB193 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Sunni Buffalo School of Law. Sunni Buffalo School of Law.
• Many schools now exist because of you.
• Many schools now exist because of you.
• </c> pay for school construction projects. pay for school construction projects.
• Many<00:45:39.599><c> schools</c><00:45:40.160><c> now</c> Many schools now Many schools now exist<00

Transcript Highlights:

• 23:49.760><c> county</c><00:23:50.080><c> is</c><00:23:50.320><c> hit</c><00:23:50.559><c> by</c> school
• </c> and intel program uh night school and intel program uh night school classes<00:31:02.799><c> we<
• But if it's a full-scale ransomware lockup, which means schools out of business and testing is off, or
• But if it's a full-scale ransomware lockup, which means schools out of business and testing is off, or
• </c> and if you're if you're a school and if you're if you're a school administrator,<00:42:40.240><c

Transcript Highlights:

• I had, uh, your wife in school, Mr. Pollock.
• I had, uh, your wife in school,<00:04:40.720><c> Mr.</c><00:04:41.040><c> Pollock.
• </c><00:04:42.000><c> Um,</c><00:04:42.880><c> and</c><00:04:43.120><c> I'm</c> school, Mr.
• Um, and I'm school, Mr. Pollock.
• </c> we've seen an amazing increase in school we've seen an amazing increase in school pantries.<00:43

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs. A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations. The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• She currently serves as a clinical associate professor in its school of nursing and is scheduled to complete
• He also has a piece of Westmore High School. I'm a little bit partial.
• I have all more schools, but my kids went to Westmore, as the instructor knows.
• Colel Savage sweepstakes award for division one large schools, which is the highest recognition award

Bills: HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352

Transcript Highlights:

• He's fourth grade at Pan Park Elementary School. Please make him feel welcome. Thank you.
• :02:58.560><c> Pan</c><00:02:59.040><c> Park</c><00:02:59.440><c> Elementary</c><00:03:00.080><c> School
• </c> grade at Pan Park Elementary School. grade at Pan Park Elementary School.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's message numbers 719 and 720 withdraw nominations to the School Facilities Authority, file
• 00:02:10.879><c> nominations</c><00:02:11.440><c> to</c><00:02:11.640><c> the</c><00:02:11.760><c> school
• </c> 720 withdraw nominations to the school 720 withdraw nominations to the school facilities<00:02:12.800

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't want to go to school or to any events around town.
• I didn't want to go to school or to any events around town.
• I didn't want to go to school or to any events around town.
• School or to any events around town.
• With only misdemeanor charges, schools.

Bills: HB0008 , HB0009

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• when the ACA was was in middle school when the ACA was passed.
• We collaborate drug-free school zones.
• ,</c> through laser training in school, through laser training in school, &gt;&gt; correct?
• They go to medical school, college.
• The optometry school curriculum weekend.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It is still far from the work that we need to do, not just for those who, you know, businesses or schools
• It is still far from the work that we need to do, not just for those who, you know, businesses or schools
• </c><00:18:20.440><c> or</c> who you know businesses or schools or who you know businesses or schools
• These laws already confer an obligation on our employers, our public institutions, our schools to make
• These laws already confer an obligation on our employers, our public institutions, our schools to make

Transcript Highlights:

• Loyola High School called us to inform us Braun was not only graduating in the top ten in his class,
• That was five days before high school graduation.
• He was a school principal. Thank you. He was a school principal and had a five-year-old child.
• I finished probation successfully and graduated from high school.
• It's an old-school solution.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee until a quorum was established, then heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. SB 907 by Senator Archuleta proposed five DUI-related changes: requiring Watson advisements when DUI charges are pled down, allowing consecutive sentencing discretion for multiple deaths in one crash, adding enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders, increasing penalties for hit-and-run by drivers with recent DUI history, and treating gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated as violent felonies. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, argued the bill would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about overbreadth, legal doctrine, and the violent felony designation. Committee members generally supported moving the bill but urged further changes, especially on the violent felony and consecutive sentencing provisions. SB 907 was passed as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, which would create new offenses aimed at online exploitation networks that use minors to coerce, recruit, or extort other minors, including through intimate images and AI-generated images. The author, sheriff’s officials, and district attorneys described rapidly growing online abuse networks and argued current laws do not clearly reach adults who use minors as intermediaries or minors who participate in coercive extortion schemes. Opponents said existing criminal statutes already cover much of the conduct and argued the bill could unnecessarily criminalize youth behavior instead of focusing on platforms and prevention. Members expressed concern about the harms to children and the need to address evolving online threats, while also noting the bill’s juvenile provisions. SB 1015 was passed as amended to Appropriations and kept on call. SB 1285, also by Senator Durazo, would clarify that juvenile record dismissal under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 is a general dismissal statute and that dismissal and record sealing are separate processes. Supporters said the bill would preserve the rehabilitative purpose of juvenile court and help youth avoid lasting collateral consequences in employment, licensing, and military service. There was no opposition after PORAC withdrew its objection, and the committee approved the bill to the floor on a unanimous roll call, keeping it on call for absent members. SB 1342, another Durazo bill, would fix implementation problems in California’s automatic record clearance laws by addressing outdated pending charges, requiring local court records to match DOJ clearance records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It drew broad support and no opposition, and was passed to Appropriations, with one no vote from Senator Seyarto. Finally, the committee heard SB 1330 by Senator Aitken, which would extend enhanced penalties for assault or battery to utility workers performing their duties. The author and utility worker witnesses described increasing threats and assaults, including a recent shooting at a work crew, and said the bill would help protect workers who maintain essential water, gas, and electric services. The bill drew strong support from labor, utilities, and local government representatives. The transcript ends during public testimony on SB 1330, before any committee vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• School officials helped report. Law enforcement responded to the school.
• I know the schools do programs with nursing programs in the schools.
• So we have high school interns.
• Who have been sexually abused in the schools. And in all three cases, nothing was done about it.
• Chair, I would love to see NMSA come to one of these meetings because we have a serious school issue.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Director of the Arkansas Health Care Association, Arkansas and President of the Arkansas Health Care School
• of Conway, Coach Daniels, that some of you met last session, who was a teacher here in the public schools
• of Conway, Coach Daniels that some of you met last session, who was a teacher here in the public schools
• Bunch has a new nursing school where they're doing some workforce training.
• We may have her discuss some of what they're doing at their new nursing school.

Committee: All ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met with legislative members and agency, advocacy, and provider representatives present. The council adopted its rules and procedures, approved the prior meeting minutes, and authorized the co-chairs to approve special expenses. Members then heard an extensive update on the state Alzheimer’s plan and current developments in diagnosis, treatment, research, caregiving, and workforce issues. David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association described major changes since the first state plan, including the growth of blood-based biomarkers, broader access to amyloid PET scans, and the availability of disease-slowing treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla. He emphasized that Arkansas still faces major barriers in rural areas, including limited provider awareness, insurance coverage concerns, shortages of specialists, and long wait times for memory care and infusion services. He also highlighted caregiver burden, the need for better education and care navigation, and new efforts such as a dementia resource center pilot with UAMS, respite grants, and workforce training. Members discussed the importance of public education on brain health, diet, exercise, and risk reduction, as well as the need to collaborate with chronic disease partners and improve outreach to primary care providers. The council approved four proposed focus areas for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction, brain health, early detection and diagnosis; strengthening family caregiver support; improving access to diagnostics and treatment; and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce training and crisis response. Members also discussed possible legislative or statutory changes to keep the council active and engaged, and they agreed to pursue a future meeting in August, tentatively August 12 in Hot Springs, with additional meetings under consideration for later in the month. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I enlisted in the Army National Guard just after high school, served in Afghanistan in 2011, 2012, Operation
• And I represent an initiative at UMass Chan Medical School called Work Without Limits, and we provide
• a diagnosed disability, is between the ages of 18 to 35, and cannot be currently enrolled in high school
• Options, Grow Associates, Jewish Vocational Service, Massachusetts Regional Vocational Technical School
• , Center of Hope, and Polo Center for Massachusetts Regional Vocational Technical School, Center of Hope

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met and began with roll call, but did not have a quorum, so approval of prior minutes and an inspirational quote were tabled. A planned presentation from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee was canceled shortly before the meeting, and the agenda shifted to an informal discussion with two Treasury employees, Steve Kroder and Bill Collievis, about veterans with disabilities in the workplace. Kroder and Collievis described barriers veterans face, including stigma, employer misunderstanding, the need for frequent medical appointments, invisible disabilities such as PTSD and other service-connected conditions, and challenges for Guard and Reserve members balancing service with civilian work. They also discussed supportive practices in public employment, the need for better outreach to employers, the role of local veterans service officers, Military OneSource, TAP, and the importance of helping veterans navigate benefits and transition services. Commission members responded by emphasizing education, employer outreach, and possible resource-sharing through the commission’s website and toolkit. The committee then heard a presentation from Commonwealth Corporation on its Young Adults with Disabilities employment grant program. Staff explained the program’s funding, eligibility, training and placement model, and data from the prior cycle, including participant demographics, completion rates, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and wages. Members discussed benefits counseling, underemployment definitions, stigma around addiction as a disability category, and the need to connect grantees and participants with work incentives and benefits information. Commonwealth Corporation said grantees now receive training on benefits impacts and that the agency is open to further partnership. The meeting ended with a brief update on a planned commission event focused on youth and young adults with disabilities, inclusive workplaces, PCAs, and job coaches. Organizers said they were still securing a venue and were considering a hybrid or virtual format, with participation from youth organizations, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they would go to an office, they would go to a hospital, they would go to the school or wherever their
• These were more elementary-aged children who are now riding the school bus as latchkey kids rather than
• around their kids' schedules, so we talked to a lot of women who actually took jobs in their kids' school
• A lot of times, this is where you'll see school districts working closely with their public schools and
• No, but what the schools... Right. But a rating.

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the report found that Arkansas moms want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing most mothers want full-time work, 69% identified child care costs as a barrier, and many said flexible hours were the most important workplace support. She also described county-level dashboard data, the high cost of infant and toddler care, and examples from working mothers about spending most or all of their paychecks on child care. Members asked questions about labor force participation trends, the meaning of the child care cost figures, and how flexibility could be implemented across industries. The presenter and members also discussed the broader economic-development impact of child care shortages and the need for public-private partnerships. The Department of Education then gave an update on early childhood programs. Officials said they are building internal dashboards to improve transparency and data access for school readiness assistance, including enrollment, application, and provider participation monitoring. They reported that the state is still moving forward with the CLASS transition and expects to release transition funding to providers in the coming weeks using Preschool Development Grant funds. They also clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work and that the data is FOIA-able. Officials warned providers about a temporary payment delay during the transition to a new system, saying payments will stop June 30 and resume around July 14, with any owed funds processed then. Members raised additional concerns about early childhood special education funding, overpayment recovery from a child care center, audit requirements for Head Start and SRA funds, the market rate survey, and the status of local leads after a recompete. Department staff said they would follow up on special education funding levels and audit rules, noted that the overpayment case is under appeal, and said the market rate survey is still in procurement. They also reported that 23 local leads will cover all counties starting July 1, with no major job-description changes, and described a new PDG Partners stakeholder group and an upcoming June 23 QRIS webinar to gather provider and parent input. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have given some exceptions—some exceptions to universities, to schools, and to counties.
• It is equivalent to allowing weapons in schools, but not in the classrooms.
• at because the school is full of classrooms.
• I don't see any metal detectors in our schools and classrooms either.
• I don't see any metal detectors in our schools and classrooms either.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for armed security services for Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
• If it's totally adding the school for the blind and deaf, then maybe I can understand it if we have a
• Yeah, I don't know why the $735,000 is on there, but yes, it was to add the school for the blind and
• We are showing a total projected cost of $3.2 million on this contract because we added the school for
• But though we've added the school for the deaf and blind, which was one of the amendments that was done

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for armed security services for Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
• So when we added the security contract for the blind and deaf school, this is, we took over what was
• If it's totally adding the school of the blind and deaf, then maybe I can understand it if we have a
• Yeah, I don't know why the $735,000 is on there, but yes, it was to add the school for the blind and
• Before it was just for the Capitol Mall area, but we've added the school for the deaf and blind, which

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• What we have today is students primarily from Westmore High School.
• What we have today is students primarily from Westmore High School.
• For example, public schools, government agencies, private schools, agriculture, colleges and universities
• He is the Tishomingo School Board President, and you know what that means.
• students are eligible, not adult learners. ...so that only our traditional high school students are

Bills: SB44 , SB546 , SB1213 , SB1256 , SB1287 , SB1443 , SB1644 , SB1653 , SB1716 , SB1209 , SB1826 , SB1919 , SB1930 , SB1976 , SB2028 , SB2067 , SB2072 , SB2117 , SB710 , SB1477 , SB1405

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the daily prayer and pledges, introduced the Doctor of the Day, and welcomed several student and guest groups to the gallery. The chamber also laid over a few agenda items before moving through a long general order calendar of bills, most of them explained briefly by their authors and then advanced without objection to final passage. Measures passed included SB 44 on extending sales tax exemption treatment to contractors working for certain exempt entities; SB 546 on biometric data and controlled dangerous substance-related changes; SB 1213 on Department of Corrections inmate credit levels; SB 1256 requiring ignition interlock devices for repeat DUI bond situations; SB 1287 on abstractor licensing eligibility; SB 1443 on anesthetist physical status modifiers with an amendment excluding Medicaid plans; SB 1644 adding a reportable disease; SB 1653 joining the occupational therapy licensure compact; SB 1716 updating security breach notification rules and limiting class actions; SB 1826 removing a sunset from the local development and enterprise zone incentive leverage act; SB 1919 increasing the Tourism Development Act cap; SB 1930 on produced water handling and compensation; SB 1976 creating a tiered surety plan for small producers and then being adopted as an emergency; SB 2028 on raw milk advertising and labeling, also passed as an emergency; SB 2067 on financial institutions helping protect vulnerable adults from scams; SB 2072 on deed fraud and title theft; SB 2117 on contaminated grain authority and emergency treatment; SB 710 on teacher pathway pilot flexibility; SB 1477 restricting concurrent enrollment to traditional high school students and passed as an emergency; and SB 1405 reauthorizing the wildlife diversity income tax checkoff. The only bill to draw notable floor debate was SB 1209, which was reconsidered after initially failing, sent back to general order, and then passed 26-18. Supporters said it would reduce delays in eviction proceedings by excluding Sundays and holidays from summons timing, while opponents argued it would mainly help tenants who are already behind and burden small landlords. Senator Pugh later noted a personal-interest abstention on that vote. Several other bills passed with recorded votes ranging from narrow to unanimous, and some were designated emergency measures after final passage. The Senate concluded with announcements about upcoming events, including a reception, a visit from the Christian Employer Association, and the Bible reading marathon, and then adjourned until Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Boise, Idaho, District 19, and I am a senior in high school.
• I have, in fact, ridden a bike to school since fourth grade.
• Are you missing school right now? I am. What class is it?
• I have in fact written a bike to school since fourth grade.
• Are you missing school right now? I am. What class is it?

Committee: House Transportation and Defense