Video & Transcript Research : 'ball machine'
Page 61 of 243
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- cap and so I had on a black hat ball cap and so I had on a black hat ball cap and so I had on a black
- ball cap and ball cap and ball cap and yes they in my car now you've seen me yes they in my car now
- I'm your next ball I'm your next ball game I'm the person that going to be game I'm the person that
- or evening and talk about ball or evening and talk about ball or whatever but when we come back in here
- Thursday afternoon what time does a ball Thursday afternoon what time does a ball game start in ela
Bills:
SB 2
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , I wonder if this is to protect our machines from a wireless device connecting to the machines.
- Oh, plus on the old machines, the ballot was down horizontal, so nobody could see it.
- I've never voted on ES&S machines, but I hadn't thought about somebody looking in through a window.
- Yeah, I can see a machine. And I like Dr.
- They were going, hey, the computer machines are messed up. They're going nuts.
Keywords:
election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code
Summary:
The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent.
The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending.
Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- One ballot scanner machine was randomly selected to be opened so that the paper ballots could be examined
- One ballot scanner machine was randomly selected to be opened so that the paper ballots could be examined
- One ballot scanner machine was randomly selected to be opened so that the paper ballots could be examined
- One ballot scanner machine was randomly selected to be opened so that the paper ballots could be examined
- <00:53:58.040>
so attempting to tamper with a machine so attempting to tamper with a machine
Keywords:
Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20
Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44
Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56
Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression.
The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup.
Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 08:02 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will prepare the machine. Has every member voted?
- The clerk closed the machine and announced the result: 32 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent and not voting.
- The clerk will prepare the machine. Has every member voted?
- The clerk closed the machine and announced the result: 32 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent and not voting.
- The clerk will prepare the machine. Has every member voted?
Summary:
The Senate took up a long second-reading calendar of House bills, mostly advancing them to third reading after brief explanations of committee strike-and-insert amendments. Measures discussed included property transfer tax language for quick claim deeds, an FDA drug development trial grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide as a qualifying offense, 529 account definitions, Opportunity Zones, a barber apprentice program, municipal/county expenditures, criminal-record disqualification for professions, civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, online training for estate executors, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, peer support services, the Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program, cybersecurity program authority, and several others. Several amendments were adopted, including technical or clarifying changes and substantive revisions such as raising contempt fines, adjusting compact background-check language, and adding employer immunity for the youth employment program.
The chamber also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 945 on pay for Adjutant General employees during a federal shutdown or furlough and Senate Bill 1042 on underground mine ventilation standards. Both bills then passed 32-0, and SB 1042 was made effective from passage by a 32-0 vote. The Senate received and advanced several House-passed supplemental appropriations for Homeland Security, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Revenue.
Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including resolutions to study the eastern gray fox decline and an upland game bird stamp, utility regulation changes, civil service and personnel reform, constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, E-Verify safe harbor, special education classroom cameras, a camping ban on certain public property, child care, tax efficiency, DUI-causing-death penalties, food regulation, mine subsidence, Medicare supplement guaranteed issue rights, medical cannabis fund allocations, domestic violence prevention, EMS funding, virtual currency kiosk regulation, metallurgical coal tax reduction, foundation allowance changes, workers’ compensation updates, wellness reimbursement programs, education code cleanup, school choice scholarship participation, and virtual instruction for foster students in temporary placement. The Senate then adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day, with committee meeting announcements following.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 7 January, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Open the machine. Got him, clerk. >> Is everyone voted?
- Closing machine. >> Madam Clerk, there's a quorum present. >> Mr.
- Report of select committees. machine. Madam clerk, there's a quorum machine.
Summary:
The House convened with a prayer by Representative Varner of Rankin County, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was declared present, and the House dispensed with the reading of the journal. There were no reports from select committees, and no resolutions, petitions, memorials, or other papers were presented.
During introductions, Representative Thompson of Lee County introduced Dr. Vernon Rayford of North Mississippi Medical Center as the doctor of the day. Representative McNite of Harrison County recognized court-appointed special advocates from several Mississippi regions in the North Gallery and welcomed them. The clerk announced upcoming committee meetings, including Rules after adjournment, Public Health shortly after adjournment, Education at 2:30, and an Appropriations B budget hearing the next day for several state boards and agencies.
Representative Haney of Harrison County invited members to a Gulf Coast delegation reception that evening at Trademark, noting king cakes on members’ desks. The Speaker also said committee assignments for two new members were being finalized and would be announced soon. No bill was taken up on the floor, and the House adjourned until 2 p.m. the following day.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources, February 12, 2026
Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- :09:21.679>
the <01:09:22.000>same at the same at the same bouncing<01:09:24.239>ball - bouncing ball out here in my opinion. bouncing ball out here in my opinion.
- 01:21:48.400>
that <01:21:48.719>can <01:21:48.960>see engineer has a crystal ball - 01:22:12.560>
borrow <01:22:12.800>his <01:22:13.040>crystal <01:22:13.360>ball - >> I gotta borrow his crystal ball. >> I gotta borrow his crystal ball.
Keywords:
groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee Apr 9th, 2025
State Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Somebody told me you're going to operate the wrecking ball.
- Basically on what you said, this is only my third session, but I've already noticed he's been a wrecking ball
Keywords:
cybersecurity, Office of Information Technology, data management, telecommunications, state government, emergency management, public awareness, promotional materials, education, state funding, Alabama State House, Montgomery, Legislative Council, demolition, state capitol, state capitol building, historic preservation, state property, inventory removal, fixtures
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- FOR EXAMPLE, THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION IN THE 1980S AND ATM MACHINES COULD EXECUTE THE CORE FUNCTIONS OF
- AS A RESULT BANKS SHIFTED THE FUNCTIONS AWAY FROM HUMAN BANK TELLERS AND TWO ATM MACHINES.
- AS MACHINE TOOLS GET BETTER AND THEY GET MORE ADVANCED NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE INHERENTLY DIGITAL.
- THEN YOU CAN TAKE IT TO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING MACHINE AND SAY PRINT IT AND THEN PRINT IT OUT OF CANDY
- IN TERMS OF TRANSFERABLE SKILLS THIS PROGRAM GIVES ME STRONG TECHNICAL FOUNDATIONS IN THINGS LIKE MACHINE
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- So generally speaking, we talk about machine systems that typically require human intelligence.
- Machine does not learn like that.
- What the machine does is it creates, it uses data sets, and it starts to make classifications.
- It's a lot harder for a machine to do that.
- So over time, with a whole lot of data, It's a lot harder for a machine to do that.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training.
Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini.
Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Sep 11th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- When you talked about Narcan being in the detention facilities, that they went a vending machine.
- Did that put money into the machine to get them?
- The vending machine that was provided by the state is in the lobby of the detention center. for family
- and friends, and it does look like a vending machine that you would get Coke or candy out of.
- But if you put nothing in, you push 'please dispense,' and a box of Narcan comes out of the machine,
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-05-13 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum. 97 members voting, a quorum is
- The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted?
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 88 yeas, 10 nays, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received a Senate message regarding SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. Representative Persons-Mulicka explained that the bill was a Senate conforming measure tied to budget policy, including changes affecting acceleration course weighting and the CAPE program. The House adopted a strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays.
After SB 2510 passed, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference. Speaker Perez then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking the budget framework agreement and arguing that the state budget has grown too large. He said the House remained committed to reducing state spending and revenue, discussed possible budget and tax-cut alternatives, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted the House’s work on property tax relief and said the chamber would continue negotiating.
The House then took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. Representative Garrison explained that it was identical to an earlier extension resolution except for the new end date. The resolution was adopted, and the House then approved a motion to adjourn for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business, to reconvene upon call of the chair.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-05-13 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum. 97 members voting, a quorum is
- The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted?
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 88 yeas, 10 nays, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then approved the journal and received a Senate message transmitting SB 2510, the pre-K through grade 12 education conforming bill. The House waived rules, read the bill by title, and heard brief explanation that the Senate version contained budget-related funding and policy changes, including adjustments to acceleration course weighting and CAPE funding. Members adopted a blank strike-all amendment to place the bill in the proper posture for conference, then advanced it to third reading and passed SB 2510 on final passage by a vote of 88 yeas to 10 nays. After passage, the House agreed to accede to the Senate’s request for a budget conference.
The Speaker then delivered extended remarks criticizing the Senate for breaking a prior budget deal and arguing that state government spending has grown too much. He said the House remained committed to reducing state revenue and spending, discussed possible budget and tax-cut approaches, and emphasized that property tax reform and state revenue reduction were separate issues. He also noted that the House select committee on property taxes would continue its work and rejected the idea of mailing $1,000 checks as a substitute for tax relief.
Finally, the House took up HCR 1633, a concurrent resolution extending the 2025 regular session until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. The resolution was read by title, explained as identical to a prior extension resolution except for the new end date, and adopted. The House then approved a motion to adjourn subject to the call of the chair for committee and subcommittee meetings and other House business.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- ID, is that you sign an affidavit at the polling location, and you are able to cast a ballot on a machine
- If you're able to present something from option two, you are able to vote on the machine because that
- and like I said, I do appreciate you removing the affidavit because that keeps them away from the machine
- But the problem is they would also have already voted on the machine, and there is no way that you can
- pull that vote once it is in a machine.
Bills:
HR118, HR196, HR237, HR285, HCR85, HB442, HB443, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR63, SB25, SB202, SB319
Keywords:
water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
Tourism and Gaming Working Group (TGWG) - Thu Jun 18, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The number of machines, the type of games that were allowed were there because they knew the risk of
- The number of machines, the type of machines, and frankly, the payout — like, you can control how much
- 47.040>
type <01:24:47.360>of number of machines, the type of number of machines, the type - <01:24:49.440>
Like, machines, and frankly, the payout. - Like, machines, and frankly, the payout.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 30th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I hope that these stress balls and stress squeezes will come in handy.
- Albuquerque Vista High School, so she's a middle schooler, but is playing ball at the high school.
- those contractors have invested millions—millions in equipment, asphalt plants, trucks, lay-down machines
Keywords:
nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 037 Feb 20th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Ball. >> Thank you, Mr. President.
- Senator Ball. Ball. Ball. >> Thank<00:50:15.040>
you, <00:50:15.280>Mr. - Senator Ball will take secondary bill.
- Nobody's got a crystal ball. I think the good senator from Brighton might have a crystal ball.
- <03:38:06.880>
Paul, Ball Paul, Ball Paul, Sullivan, Sullivan, Sullivan, Lindstat, Lindstat, Lindstat
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 18, 2026 journal, and received several committee and House messages. Judiciary reported juvenile parole board appointments to the consent calendar for confirmation, and Transportation and Energy reported Senate Bills 28 and 25 along with other measures. The House transmitted multiple bills to the Reviser of Statutes, and the Senate later agreed to take up a large group of House bills on special order and consent calendar.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to personal-privilege remarks recognizing visiting groups, including the Mad Moms and Mad Dads advocating for people with serious mental illness, and the Colorado Gifted and Talented Association. Members spoke about stigma and the need for mental health legislation, and about supporting gifted students and their families. These remarks were welcomed by the chair and other senators.
The Senate then considered a package of supplemental appropriation bills, including House Bills 1150 through 1179, covering agency budgets, school finance adjustments, education fund uses, and capital construction transfers. The committee of the whole adopted the package on second reading, and the full Senate later adopted the committee report by a vote of 33 ayes, with one excused and one vacant seat. The bills were ordered placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage.
House Bill 1151, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Corrections, drew extended debate. Supporters argued the bill was needed to cover existing obligations, avoid more costly jail backlogs, and prevent unsafe conditions, while critics said the department’s population management failures and broader sentencing policies were driving unnecessary costs and called for accountability and structural reform before more funding. Despite the debate, the bill was included in the adopted second-reading package.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 51 (3-20-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- roll call machine. Those opposed, nay. roll call machine. Those opposed, nay.
- roll call machine. Those opposed, nay. roll call machine. Those opposed, nay.
- roll call machine. Those opposed, nay. roll call machine. Those opposed, nay.
- call machine is open for your voting.
- And a roll machine. Those opposed, nay.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 2 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Open the machine. Madam Clerk, >> Close the machine. Madam Clerk, there's a quorum present.
- >> close<00:01:56.560>
the <00:01:56.720>machine. - <00:01:57.040>
Madam <00:01:57.280>clerk, >> close the machine. - Madam clerk, >> close the machine.
Summary:
The Mississippi House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then confirmed a quorum and dispensed with the reading of the journal. There were no select committee reports, and the chamber moved through routine introductions, including a guest introduction from the lady from DeSoto welcoming her husband, Dr. Gaya Remac. No bills were debated on the floor during this portion of the meeting.
Members used the announcements period to share several committee and event notices, including upcoming meetings for Energy, Judiciary A and B, Appropriations A, Public Health, Insurance, Gaming, Youth and Family, Rules, State Affairs, and AET. The clerk also announced that tomorrow was the committee deadline day for Senate bills, with the House expected to come in at 2 p.m. and then work Senate general bills on Wednesday and Thursday. One member noted a ticketed Mississippi Tourism Association/Mississippi Gaming Hospitality event, and another reminded members of the Capital Prayer Group meeting.
The House also paused for a moment of silence at the request of a member who referenced three military members lost over the weekend and others seriously injured overseas, and another member asked for prayers for Representative Earl Banks after the death of his mother, Miss Evelyn Banks. A separate adjournment-in-memory request was made for Miss Mary Everett, described as a longtime community leader. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2 p.m. the next day.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- > it<01:27:09.280>
uh <01:27:09.400>on <01:27:09.560>the <01:27:09.680>ball - <01:27:09.920>
part <01:27:10.320>of uh pretty much it uh on the ball part of uh pretty - much it uh on the ball part of uh<01:27:11.480>
the <01:27:11.840>Article <01:27:12.320 - <01:50:05.600>
that <01:50:05.800>one, they try to create machines that one, they try - to create machines that one, the<01:50:06.080>
public <01:50:06.440>wants, <01:50:07.320
Summary:
The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration.
The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support.
Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs.
The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Jun 4th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Transcript Highlights:
- We really have dropped the ball on a few things, but as a small city, as we just heard with Fargo, it
- The email that they sent us yesterday was very apologetic because they have dropped the ball and they
- The email that they sent us yesterday was very apologetic because they have dropped the ball and they've
- I should have went over and looked, but I dropped the ball on that.
- I should have went over and looked, but it was, I dropped the ball on that.
Summary:
The committee heard multiple audit and compliance reports involving Arkansas municipalities and a regional solid waste district. Several small towns were discussed for repeat findings involving delinquent water and sewer audits, municipal accounting noncompliance, and misuse of street funds, including Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove. In several cases, staff noted that turnback escrow was already being withheld because required water audits had not been filed, and some entities were reported to be current on payment plans only after staff updated the records through May 2026. The committee also reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which included findings on payroll approvals, contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, bidding, advertising costs, and the sale of trailers and other equipment. A separate report on municipal accounting noncompliance was presented for towns including Denning, Gum Springs, Fargo, Lead Hill, and Alma, with staff recommending some be removed from the 60-day list while others remained under review.
Several local officials appeared and explained the findings. Fargo’s mayor said the town was understaffed and had begun improving records, while Lead Hill’s mayor said the town had hired more office help and was working to complete overdue water audits. Alma’s officials said they were trying to catch up on audits and accounting issues. Jericho’s police chief defended the town’s traffic enforcement and said the town had adjusted speed limits and enforcement practices to avoid the speed-trap threshold, while staff clarified that the prosecutor decides whether to pursue penalties. Haynes officials said revenue losses and the loss of their police department had made it difficult to keep up with required street-fund payments, and Gilmore officials said they were working on IRS and other debts. The Pulaski County district director said the board had authorized many of the questioned practices and that some issues, such as advertising and vehicle use, were tied to public education and operational needs.
The committee took several actions. It approved minutes, accepted or filed some reports without objection, removed Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day list, and deferred action on several matters, including Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Haynes, and the Pulaski County solid waste district, generally until the September or August meeting. Motions to defer or file reports were adopted in multiple cases, and the committee also noted that some matters had been referred to the appropriate prosecuting attorney for further review. The meeting ended with recognition of visiting accounting students who were attending as part of summer internships.