Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1001.
• Madam Clerk, please read the resolution a third time. House Resolution 1001.
• Read the bills, Madam Clerk. House Resolution 1002. Without objection, read the bill's second time.
• By third grade, a child must be able to read in order to learn.
• They teach their kids to read using the data-proven science of reading, not experimental methods that

Summary: The meeting was the opening of the Arkansas General Assembly’s 2026 fiscal session, beginning with quorum calls, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including law enforcement officers, a doctor of the day, nurse of the day, constitutional officers, Supreme Court justices, and family and friends of legislators. The House adopted House Resolution 1001 to convene a joint session for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s address, appointed committees to notify the Senate and the Governor, and later received the Senate into the chamber before recessing for the joint session. In the joint session, members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Stan Berry, then heard Governor Sanders’s fiscal session address. Her remarks focused heavily on the proposed budget and her administration’s priorities: fully funding education and the LEARNS Act, supporting teachers and literacy efforts, funding public safety and corrections, expanding the 1033 initiative to move people from crisis to career, and holding down government growth while pursuing further income tax cuts. She also highlighted economic development, low cost of living, and support for veterans, while emphasizing conservative policy themes and thanking several Arkansans whose stories illustrated the administration’s agenda. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on beyond the adoption of House Resolution 1001 and the procedural motions to adjourn the joint session and then adjourn the House until the next day. The House announced that Joint Budget would meet later that afternoon and again the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The following bills are on first reading referral to committee. The clerk will read the bill.
• The clerk will read the caption.
• Following resolution, the clerk will read the resolution.
• Following resolution, the clerk will read the resolution.
• Following resolution, the clerk will read the resolution.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to read them both in full.
• They have difficulty reading facial expressions and tone of voice.
• If allowed, I can read her testimony as well, but I'll share mine first. So my name is Stephanie.
• As in medicine, without policy intervention, ...leaders to navigate this alone.
• I am the father of two public school students in Reading.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I certainly suggest anyone that hasn't to read the commission report, but even beyond that, I think that
• I certainly suggest anyone that hasn't to read the commission report, but even beyond that, I think that
• So my reading of the bill is not that.
• And that's why we need more interventions.
• To us, that's a strong indication that there's a need for an additional policy intervention.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also submitted a statement in support of these bills to this committee, which I encourage you to read
• There's only one type of intervention that can prevent fatalities in that type of collision, and it's
• So one of the things that my read of this bill does is it exempts Waymo from Uber and Lyft fees that
• My read of the legislation is that Waymo would be governed by this chapter, and those fees are not in
• We read the situation. We act fast. We protect people. Waymo can't do that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we go into our agenda items, I just want to read, uh, for those on Zoom: please keep yourself
• I won't read through the entire thing.
• And you probably aren't close enough to be able to read it in detail.
• Um, some petitions there's no intervention. Other petitions we do have intervention.
• I mean, I also know I read a story somewhere; there might not be a lot of truth to it.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I did read. Did I read those cards in? I read them in, didn't I? Yeah. The first.
• I was an interventional cardiologist for my entire life, so I'm... ...I was an interventional cardiologist
• I'm sure if you read the newspaper or watch TV or listen to radio, you've heard of some of the chaos
• And then I know, again, I've talked to the attorney general who read the report and last week said there
• Again, I've talked to the attorney general who read the report, and last week said she didn't find any

Bills: HB9, HB177, HB181, HB202, HB225, HB398, HB459, HB540, HB906, HB1052, HB1057, HB1245

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter

Transcript Highlights:

• As I was reading through this, I do have some concerns over this.
• So that's the difference as I read the language and compare them.
• So that's the difference as I read the language and compare them.
• I read it over a couple times. Um, okay. I read it over a couple times.
• So I want the title of the bill to read appropriately.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to begin today by reading.
• The clerk will read the resolution.
• The clerk will read the resolution.
• The clerk will read the resolution.
• HB 3583 by Dutton relating to the reading instruction, assessment instruments and interventions provided

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the resolution.
• The secretary will read the resolution.
• The secretary will read the resolution.
• The secretary will read the resolutions.
• The Secretary will read the bill.

Bills: SJR1, SB9, SB40, SJR36, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, 1185, senate

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, obviously, anything that's done under statements in custody requires Miranda to be read.
• So, without reading from my notes, whenever it comes to investigating death cases, whenever the suspect
• Actually, I read through some of it last night just to try to absorb it.
• it on preventing violent crime, and particularly violent gun crime, there's so many different interventions

Summary: The committee met with Senators Garcia and Simon excused and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide and violent-crime investigations, focusing on access to blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, mental health records, and the legal limits imposed by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2. He explained that autopsy evidence collected by medical examiners is generally available to law enforcement, while hospital records and mental health/substance abuse records usually require subpoenas, court orders, or consent, which can delay investigations. He also discussed the difference between DNA testing and toxicology testing, the role of warrants and probable cause for living suspects, and the special rules that apply when a suspect is deceased. Members asked detailed questions about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, how medical examiners review prior medical history, and whether FDLE tracks data linking violent crime to mental health issues or follow up with regulators after incidents. Pollard said the agency follows investigative leads where relevant, but regulatory follow-up depends on the circumstances. He also discussed behavioral threat assessment and management, and said risk protection orders have been used effectively to prevent violence and can lead to court-ordered evaluations and services. The committee then shifted to crime lab capacity and turnaround times. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some evidence, with anything over 30 days considered backlog, but that sexual assault kits are prioritized and generally handled much faster, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. Members expressed concern about delays in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases and asked what resources would help reduce backlog; Pollard said additional analysts would improve turnaround times. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenter and adjournment after Senator Bernard moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to read a quick letter on behalf of Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
• So I'm reading the bill right now and I'm just confused on the fee, um.
• Um, that's going to be significant for us as far as being able to do specific interventions for people
• I was reading this bill earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to read a quick letter on behalf of Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in strong support of HB 3648, a bill
• So I'm reading the bill right now, and I'm just confused on the... Fee.
• fee of, say, a dollar, that's going to be significant for us as far as being able to do specific interventions
• I was reading this bill earlier.

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• RESEARCH AND INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE A DATA SET THAT HAS ALLOWED RESEARCH TO PROVIDE READING
• DESIGNING MECHANISMS AND INTERVENTIONS FOR DESIGNING HEALTH AND FITNESS HABITS.
• THINK ABOUT THE CONTINUUM OF LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS AS THEY MOVE FROM KINDERGARTEN – WHAT READ
• WE HAVE SERVED IN THIS WAY FOR DECADES AS A LEADER IN EARLY THE READING INSTRUCTION THAT RESULTS IN A

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First reading of Senate files.
• Reading of papers.
• Reading of papers. Mason. Section 112. Reading of papers.
• The clerk will give the bill a third reading. Third reading. House File 2551. Third reading.
• Third reading. Discussion number 3022. Third reading.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, will read the amendment. Amendment one.
• Senate Bill 1489 is before you on third reading and final passage. Will there be debate?
• Because if you read the fiscal note, we are still trying to get with.
• Senate Bill 1849 is Before you on third reading and final passage. Will there be debate?
• I'm sorry, the clerk will read the amendment. Mr.

Bills: HB1427, SB1403, SB1448, SB1489, SB1546, SB1557, SB1614, SB1377, SB1990, SB1439, SB1630, SB1632, SB1696, SB1796, SB1824, SB1362, SB1849, SB2066, SB2071, SB2104, SB933, SB1633, SB1224, SB1246, SB1280, SB1303, SB1346

Keywords: tax credit, clean-burning fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, environmental impact, vehicle modification, renewable energy, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, deceptive practices, exemptions, statutory exemptions, Corporation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• He had access to every early intervention program in the state.
• He had access to every early intervention program in the state.
• that by children being able to access services in the pediatric clinic, they can receive early intervention
• c> early pediatric clinic, they can receive early pediatric clinic, they can receive early intervention
• in order to make gains in intervention in order to make gains in the<00:57:56.480> areas<00:57

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1500 IN RESIDENTIAL COMMITMENT MEANING THE VAST MAJORITY OF KIDS WE SUPPORT THROUGH SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONS
• AND SOMETIMES A KID WHO CANNOT READ ON GRADE LEVEL OR DO MATH ON GRADE LEVEL WILL NOT AND SOMETIMES A
• KID WHO CANNOT READ ON GRADE LEVEL OR DO MATH ON GRADE LEVEL WILL NOT WANT TO RAISE THEIR HAND AND DO
• AN OUT LOUD READING BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF JUDGMENT.
• THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WAS BASED ON A PRETEST AND POSTTEST AND LOOKING AT ONLY ACADEMIC GAINS IN READING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a small reading room on the third floor of the Minnesota Senate building.
• I think that would be an interesting read. Yep, that'd be great.
• <00:15:07.240> um<00:15:07.440> that'd<00:15:07.639> be be an interesting read
• yep um that'd be be an interesting read yep um that'd be great<00:15:08.000> happy<00:15:08.240
• <00:45:54.200> during<00:45:54.520> this<00:45:54.760> last interventions during

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director. Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff. Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• ordered to third reading. ordered to third reading.
• reading and open for further discussion. reading and open for further discussion.
• reading and open for further discussion. reading and open for further discussion.
• The bill is on second reading. failed. The bill is on second reading.
• The bill is now on second reading. you. The bill is now on second reading.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all