Video & Transcript Research : 'commerce'

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences May 7th, 2025

Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Transcript Highlights:
  • contributions to the equitable access to credit program, which is administered by the Department of Commerce
  • contributions to the equitable access to credit program, which is administered by the Department of Commerce
  • contributions to the equitable access to credit program, which is administered by the Department of Commerce
Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 7, 2025, with quorum present. The commission approved the October 22, 2024 meeting minutes and then received its annual open government refresher from the Attorney General’s office, which reviewed key requirements under the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including record retention, response deadlines, exemptions, and meeting notice rules. Staff then provided a 2025 legislative session update, noting that the legislature passed 23 tax-preference-related bills, with several signed by the governor and others pending. Highlights included bills that extended or repealed certain preferences, added reporting requirements for newspaper and digital content exemptions, authorized JLARC to adjust its work plan when data is unavailable, and created a new exemption for zero-emission buses. The commission approved updates to the 2026 tax preference review schedule, which includes eight preferences in seven reviews, and approved unchanged testimony questions for 2025. The commission also received the 2025 expedited preference review report covering 52 tax preferences, presented as an interactive table drawing on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies. Staff then outlined the process for developing the next 10-year review schedule for 2027-2036, including surveying the legislature, incorporating new and repealed preferences, and considering a possible rolling 10-year schedule. No public comment was registered. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of Ron Buing’s long service on the commission and an announcement that the next meeting would be held August 6, 2025.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The considerations we had this session were number one, we had the reclassification of the commerce department
  • You notice on line 17 the reduction of $16 million from the Department of Commerce.
  • You see the positive $16 million here that offsets the negative $6 million you saw coming out of commerce
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Mar 19th, 2025

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is actually Allison Riley with the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce.
  • This is Allison Riley, the Public Policy Director at the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and I am in
  • My name is Adrian Gomez, on behalf of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Mar 3rd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE AND TOURISM WILL NOW COME TO ORDER.
  • CODIFIES FLORIDA STATUTE, THE STATEWIDE OFFICE ON MANUFACTURING WITHIN A DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LED BY
  • NEXT WE HAVE COLTON FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAVES IN SUPPORT.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/19/26

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • the point in session where we get a lot of bills on re-referral from other committees, like from commerce
  • There was one day I had all three bills heard in one day in commerce come over here, but there were very
  • This is coming to us from Commerce here.
  • This is coming to us from Commerce and<02:36:36.160> Consumer<02:36:36.640> Protection.
  • <02:43:04.960> and<02:43:05.200> Consumer<02:43:05.600> Protection Commerce and
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 04/29/26

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • Brian Cook from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Welcome to the committee.
  • I'm the director of tax, fiscal policy, and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
  • <00:35:43.880> Chamber Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
  • Chamber Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
  • <00:36:18.840> who 67 local chambers of commerce who 67 local chambers of commerce who support
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Transportation - 04/27/26

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, if we get large one-time infusions of funding, for example, Corridors of Commerce is a good example
  • <00:20:49.600> is<00:20:49.760> a for example, Corridors of Commerce is a for example
  • , Corridors of Commerce is a good<00:20:50.320> good<00:20:50.480> example<00:20:51.080
  • The FRSA and the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act established a national uniformity for
  • Um the FRSA and the Interstate Commerce Um the FRSA and the Interstate Commerce Commission<01:12
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CAA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 18, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST

Culture & Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • As well, testimony with comments from the Chamber of Sustainable Commerce. Apologies.
  • It authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to impose fines for any
  • of Commerce and Consumer Affairs<00:44:05.040> to<00:44:05.160> adopt<00:44:05.440>
  • I would also direct you to the written comments of the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • > Consumer<00:49:37.240> Affairs,<00:49:37.720> who<00:49:37.920> so Commerce
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2603 SD1, which would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra, require annual reports to the legislature, and appropriate funds. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from the orchestra, the Hawaii Youth Symphony, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, business and arts groups, and many individuals. Supporters emphasized the orchestra’s cultural value, its role in inspiring youth and supporting arts education, and its broader community impact. No opposition or questions were raised, and the chair offered praise for the level of public engagement around the measure. The committee then took up SB 3007 SD2, relating to culture and the arts, which would create an Office of Community Culture and Innovation within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, require annual reporting, appropriate funds, and establish a Community and Cultural Partnerships Program. The Attorney General’s office warned that section four, which separately funds preservation and relocation of artwork from Aloha Stadium, may be non-germane and should be moved to a separate bill; it also suggested the office would be more properly placed under DAGS rather than SFCA. SFCA Director Karen Ewald testified with concerns about added costs, staffing burdens, and the need for earlier communication, while also saying the agency could support the work if properly coordinated. Opposition testimony argued the bill was duplicative or unnecessary, while supporters, including Governor Abercrombie and Dean Sakamoto, said it would help communities, especially Chinatown, and could support planning and cultural revitalization. The chair noted roughly eight opposition testimonies and five in support, and questioned witnesses about coordination and the cost of relocating the Aloha Stadium artwork, which Ewald estimated could cost at least $1.2 million. The AG’s office said removing section four would substantially reduce legal risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 3019 SD2, a consumer protection measure that would cap ticket resale prices at no more than $3 above the original price for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to adopt enforcement rules and fines. The Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill, arguing it would strain limited enforcement resources, push sales to less regulated channels, and likely eliminate the protections offered by established secondary platforms. Chamber of Progress also opposed the bill, saying price caps would encourage black-market sales, scams, and fraud, and that resale markets serve legitimate consumer needs. In support, the National Independent Venue Association backed the measure, though the remainder of its testimony was not fully captured in the transcript excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:23:08.080> Um,<00:23:08.480> and Commerce, um, Kala Houi Hawaii.
  • Um, and Commerce, um, Kala Houi Hawaii.
  • We also have testimony in support from Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Climate
  • Maui Chamber of Commerce. Oh, with Maui Chamber of Commerce.
  • We have Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Sher Manor, in support in person.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a bill to expand the solar energy tax credit for single-family residential properties by removing certain cap amounts and raising the adjusted gross income limits for taxpayers to elect a refund of excess credits. The Hawaii State Energy Office and Department of Taxation both said they were standing on written testimony, while industry and advocacy groups largely supported the measure. Members questioned whether the income thresholds were set appropriately, how many taxpayers would be affected at different income levels, and how many would qualify for refundable treatment; Taxation said it did not yet have the requested numbers but was preparing a fiscal estimate. A major issue raised was drafting and administration: witnesses said the bill appears to apply differently to owner-purchased systems versus third-party leased systems, and Taxation said it likely could not easily verify household income for leased systems or cross-reference different taxpayers. Discussion also covered whether the credit should remain refundable, whether credits should be limited to amounts actually expended, and whether the bill should instead be structured to keep the credit with the system owner or lessor, with concerns about equity, market effects, and possible incentives to lease rather than buy. The committee then moved to HB 2316, which would align state restrictions on lead materials in drinking water infrastructure with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The Department of Health and other supporters testified in favor, and there were no questions from the chair. Next, HB 1566 on energy efficiency would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting, with the Hawaii State Energy Office providing technical assistance and a compliance survey prioritized for first responder facilities; testimony from state agencies and advocates was in support, and again there were no questions. For HB 1926 on Red Hill, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of Water Supply, and multiple organizations and individuals supported funding for remediation studies, environmental monitoring, groundwater research, independent testing, and a public dashboard, with DLNR emphasizing that decades of work remain necessary even after defueling and that the bill supports ongoing university and community partnerships. The committee then heard HB 1673 on landfill units. The Department of Health initially said it was in support but later corrected the record and stated it strongly opposes the measure, saying the bill would undo protections enacted last session that keep landfills out of areas over aquifers; the Board of Water Supply also opposed repeal of those protections, while the City and County of Honolulu supported the HD1 version that leaves siting decisions to the counties. Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi and the Energy Justice Network opposed the bill, arguing the original protections should remain and that the amended version had confused commenters; supporters of the original version urged restoring it and considering additional language on ash.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 29th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they inject that product into the stream of commerce and it makes its way to Texas and you are harmed
  • H.J.R. 8 to Business and Commerce, H.J.R. 31. to local government, H.J.R. 72 to local government, H.J.R
  • HB 491 to Business and Commerce, HB 609 to Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs.
  • HB 2798 to Business and Commerce, HB 2818 to Business and Commerce.
  • HB 3228 to Business and Commerce, HB 3307 to. local government, HB 4116, to Health and Human Services
Bills: SJR59, SCR30, SCR46, SB31, SB127, SB324, SB401, SB407, SB467, SB482, SB506, SB529, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB647, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB816, SB1013, SB1026, SB1049, SB1055, SB1065, SB1137, SB1169, SB1181, SB1383, SB1395, SB1410, SB1433, SB1524, SB1531, SB1568, SB1640, SB1666, SB1681, SB1718, SB1754, SB1757, SB1972, SB1980, SB2004, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2075, SB2076, SB2154, SB2173, SB2206, SB2225, SB2253, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2314, SB2322, SB2330, SB2351, SB2366, SB2371, SB2392, SB2398, SB2476, SB2533, SB2540, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2707, SB2717, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2779, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2877, SB2880, SB2885, SB2920, SB2938, SB2986, HJR4, HCR35, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB260, SB1786, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR46, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB1433, SB2322, SB2877, SB407, SB1718, SB1395, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB2253, SB584, SB1085, SB2314, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB1137, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB1055, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB647, SB1721, SB2268, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2371, SB2383, SB646, SB1169, SB1754, SB2779, SB2004, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2920, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2742, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB2722, SB506, SB2514, SB2623, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB467, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB31, SB2880, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB2351, SB410, SB659, SB816, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB482, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, HJR4, HB135, HB1109, HCR35, HCR64, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate - 03/24/25

Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:
  • In conversations with Commerce, there was $2.56 million requested of the original $1.2 million allocation
  • , In con in conversations with commerce, In con in conversations with commerce, there<00:17:07.760
  • What we actually really got under contract with Commerce was specifically that $3.6 million for back
  • What we actually really got under contract<00:43:36.000> with<00:43:36.240> commerce<00
  • with commerce was specifically that<00:43:37.599> 3.6<00:43:38.079> 6<00:43:38.319>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/11/25

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • [Music] Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, March 11, 2025.
  • Good afternoon, Chair Klein, members of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
  • > consumer<00:48:17.240> protection<00:48:18.240> my<00:48:18.359> name Commerce
  • and consumer protection my name Commerce and consumer protection my name is<00:48:18.680> Michelle
  • ask this question in the Commerce ask this question in the Commerce Committee<00:58:34.200> what
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • So far, the bill has passed out of the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judicial and Public Safety
  • So far, the bill has passed out of the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judicial and Public Safety
  • So far, the bill has passed out of the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judicial and Public Safety
  • 54.440> the So far, the bill has passed out of the So far, the bill has passed out of the Commerce
  • and Consumer Protection and Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judicial<00:14:57.360> and<00
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Community solar garden named for Melissa Hortman 3/3/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am deputy commissioner of Commerce for Energy, and I'm here today in support of the bill, HF 3556,
  • I am deputy commissioner<00:08:51.839> of<00:08:52.240> Commerce<00:08:52.560> for
  • of Commerce for Energy, and I'm<00:08:54.160> here<00:08:54.399> today<00:08:54.720>
  • > at<00:10:59.200> the Since 2023, the energy division at the Minnesota Department of Commerce
  • The Commerce-run CSG program has approved 134 total new projects.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: House File 3556 was presented as a bill to rename Minnesota’s community solar garden program the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. The author described the measure as a tribute to Hortman’s leadership and her role in creating the program, which was said to have helped launch Minnesota’s solar industry and expand access to clean energy. The bill was moved to the general register before testimony began. Testifiers from the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Commerce, solar industry groups, clean energy organizations, and community solar developers all supported the bill. They described Hortman as the original legislative champion of the 2013 community solar law and a driving force behind the 2023 revisions that increased access for low- and moderate-income households. Several witnesses said the program has become a national model, has generated jobs and investment, and has enabled renters, small businesses, schools, nonprofits, and households without suitable rooftops to participate in solar. Witnesses also shared personal reflections about Hortman’s accessibility, preparation, and willingness to listen, saying she treated people with respect and helped shape a durable clean energy policy framework. No opposition testimony or votes on final passage were recorded in the excerpt, but the committee did act to advance the bill to the general register.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Budget Jan 15th, 2026 at 08:15 am

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have the honor and privilege of serving as the current director of the Missouri Department of Commerce
  • concerned, consumer protection is the core mission and primary responsibility of the Department of Commerce
  • Primary responsibility of the Department of Commerce and Insurance across the varied industries we regulate
  • That'll conclude the budget presentation for the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
  • We talked about IT projects earlier today with the Department of Commerce and Insurance, but about the
Keywords: 959, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Mon Apr 21, 2025, 11:30AM HST - Day 54

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • 1308 was amended to have the same department designated to lead this effort after the Department of Commerce
  • 1308 was amended to have the same department designated to lead this effort after the Department of Commerce
  • different testimony that is relevant, as was the other testimony, but this is from the Chamber of Commerce
  • this is from the<01:06:27.599> Chamber<01:06:27.920> of the Chamber of the Chamber of Commerce
  • ,<01:06:31.039> a<01:06:31.200> wellrespected<01:06:32.160> business Commerce, a
Keywords: 910, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • the community, everything from community colleges to economic development councils to chambers of commerce
  • I ran a chamber of commerce before coming to the Assembly, and working with them was very rewarding.
  • Since launching my business, I have joined four different local chambers of commerce.
  • illustrates, resources like WEV, EDC, SCORE, the Workforce Development Board, and the Chambers of Commerce
  • SCORE, the Workforce Development Board, and the Chambers of Commerce are critical lifelines for small
Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 9th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • Governor's letter number 25, Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services, I believe, contains
  • Governor's letter number 29, Department of Commerce, DWS, contains special language.
Keywords: 1204, all
Summary: The committee met to quickly review a long agenda of agency and governor’s letters, with the stated purpose of referring items to the appropriate subcommittees and passing over the rest until next Tuesday. Under agency communications, letters from the Auditor of State, Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor were referred to personnel because they contained positions. Under the governor’s letters, a series of items were referred either to personnel or special language. Personnel referrals included letters involving the Department of Education, Department of Health, DHS divisions and offices, Department of Finance and Administration, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Public Safety. Special language referrals included items for the Department of Finance and Administration disbursing officer, Department of Correction, Department of Shared Administrative Services, Department of Commerce/Workforce Services, Energy and Environment, and other related requests; one education item and one public safety item were referred to both personnel and special language. No substantive debate or votes were described beyond the referral decisions. The chair then announced a busy schedule for the following week, including personnel, JBC, claims, peer review, and special language meetings on Tuesday through Thursday, and adjourned the meeting.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 9th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • Governor's Letter Number 25, Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services, I believe, contains
  • Governor's Letter Number 29, Department of Commerce, DWS, contains special language.
Summary: The committee met briefly to organize a long agenda and stated that its main purpose was to refer letters and requests to the appropriate committees, while passing over items not needing referral until the following Tuesday. No substantive debate on policy issues occurred; the discussion was procedural and focused on routing agency and governor’s letters. Under agency communications, letters from the Auditor of State, Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor were referred to the Personnel Committee because they contained positions. Under the governor’s letters, numerous items were referred either to Personnel or Special Language, including requests involving the Department of Education, Finance and Administration, Health, DHS divisions, Correction, Agriculture, Public Safety, Shared Administrative Services, Commerce/Workforce Services, Energy and Environment, and the Finance Disbursing Officer. Several items contained positions, several contained special language, and some contained both. The meeting concluded with notice of a busy schedule for the following week: Personnel at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, JBC at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Claims after JBC on Tuesday, Peer Review after JBC on Wednesday, and Special Language at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. No votes or substantive actions beyond referrals were recorded, and the meeting adjourned.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Apr 9th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • Governor's Letter Number 25, Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services, is believed to contain
  • Governor's Letter Number 29, Department of Commerce, DWS, contains special language.
Summary: The committee met briefly to review a long list of agency and governor’s letters and determine which items should be referred to subcommittees. The chair explained that the main purpose of the meeting was referral only; any letters not acted on would be carried over to next Tuesday’s agenda. Under agency communications, letters from the Auditor of State, Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and Lieutenant Governor were referred to personnel because they contained positions. Under the governor’s letters, several items were referred to personnel or special language, including requests involving the Department of Education, Department of Health, multiple DHS divisions, the Department of Correction, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Safety, Shared Administrative Services, Workforce Services, Energy and Environment, and the Department of Finance and Administration. No substantive debate or votes were described beyond the referral decisions. The chair then announced a busy schedule for the following week, with personnel, JBC, claims, peer review, and special language meetings set across Tuesday through Thursday, and the meeting adjourned.