Video & Transcript Research : 'coffee berry borer'

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HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2018, I don't know, we were also dealing with coffee berry borer at the same time, so there was all
  • One of our challenges is the coffee borer, quick response.
  • In 2018, I don't know, we were also dealing with coffee berry borer at the same time, so there was all
  • One of our challenges is the coffee borer, quick response.
  • One of our challenges is the coffee borer, quick response.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first considered three gubernatorial nominations. GM510, Faith Tui Pulotu to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, received strong support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, though the nominee was not present online. GM614, Mark Gordon to the Environmental Advisory Council, also drew unanimous support from state and private testifiers; Gordon described his environmental health and safety background and said he could commit the time needed. GM696, James Falconer to the Advisory Board on Pesticides, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Falconer discussed his long experience in coffee and sugar, including work responding to coffee leaf rust and the need for timely pesticide tools. All three nominations were recommended for advise and consent and were adopted by four-member votes. The committee then heard several agriculture bills. HB 1603 HD1 would allow the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend agricultural park leases without the current county-population restriction; supporters called it an equity measure and asked that it apply to all ag park leases, while the department gave standard testimony. HB 1707 HD1 would create a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program; supporters said transportation is a major production cost and suggested amendments to define “necessary supplies” and explicitly include honey. HB 2155 HD1 would establish an agricultural statistics program, with supporters emphasizing the need for better data to guide planning. HB 2594 HD1 would direct a study on insurance coverage for small producers, which supporters linked to recent storm damage and the lack of tailored insurance products. HB 2595 HD1 would create a regional agricultural feasibility and food systems production working group; supporters said it should consider markets as well as crop suitability and regional conditions. Members asked questions about lease competition, transportation reimbursement amounts and anti-double-dipping safeguards, the usefulness of agricultural data, and whether state or federal insurance models could be used as templates. Testifiers generally said the bills would help reduce costs, improve planning, and support small and neighbor-island producers, while noting that implementation details and funding levels would need further work. The committee then voted to pass all five bills with amendments, generally including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and in the case of HB 1707, the committee adopted the suggested amendments to define necessary supplies and add honey to the covered commodities.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 2015 HD1 clarifies the labeling and advertising requirements for roasted coffee, instant coffee, and
  • coffee, instant coffee,<01:20:47.040><c> and</c><01:20:47.280><c> ready</c><01:20:47.520><c> to</c><01
  • :20:47.679><c> drink</c><01:20:48.080><c> drink</c><01:20:48.480><c> coffee</c> coffee, and ready to
  • drink drink coffee coffee, and ready to drink drink coffee beverages<01:20:49.440><c> based</c><01:20
  • </c><02:02:58.800><c> Chair's</c> to coffee labeling. Chair's to coffee labeling.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 11, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • for coffee that is grown and processed in the state.
  • And next we have Suzanne Shriner, Kona Coffee Farmers Association, on Zoom, not present.
  • Next, we have House Bill 2015 relating to coffee labeling.
  • House Bill 2015 relating to coffee labeling.
  • We're going to take the recommended amendments by the Kona Coffee Association and we're going to change
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Excuse me, HB 2119 relating to coffee pest control, temporary reestablishes the coffee berry borer and
  • berry borer would be eradicated, completely eliminated.
  • berry borer would be eradicated, completely eliminated.
  • Vice Chair. coffee, and ready-to-drink coffee coffee, and ready-to-drink coffee beverages<01:42:23.960
  • Moving on to us HB 2119, which reestablishes the coffee berry borer and coffee leaf rust pesticide subsidy
Bills: HB1736, HB1620, HB1695
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-EDT, AEN Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We had hearings this morning talking about pesticide subsidy for coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust
  • We had hearings this morning talking about pesticide subsidy for coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust
  • We had hearings this morning talking about pesticide subsidy for coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust
  • are too large and it is impractical for other treatment methods to be used, such as for black twig borer
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • , specifically hascaps and kiwi berries.
  • , specifically hascaps and kiwi berries.
  • , specifically hascaps and kiwi berries.
  • , specifically hascaps and kiwi berries.
  • </c><03:54:42.479><c> uh</c> the EM Emerald emerald ash borer uh the EM Emerald emerald ash borer uh
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • Berry? No. Mrs. Berry, no. Ms. Bolden? No. Ms. Bolden, no. Mr. Burns? Ms. Bolden? No. Ms.
  • Representative Berry. Ms. Berry from absent two voting yes.
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns? Mrs. Berry? Yes. Ms.
  • Berry. Mrs. Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry? Yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Bush?
  • Leader Representative Berry. Leader Representative Berry.
Summary: The House received a series of Senate communications and committee reports, then took up a long consent calendar and several individual measures. Early actions included passing consent calendar items, recognizing Freedom of Speech Week and Juneteenth, and hearing numerous introductions and tributes, including remarks honoring House fellows, Father’s Day, and Representative Mara Gorman. The chamber also adopted several procedural motions and recesses, with roll calls recorded throughout. Among the bills considered, the House passed House Bill 134 on animal cruelty, increasing penalties for repeat offenses; House Bill 131 with Senate Amendment 1 on pet stores and animal welfare; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320 on technical corrections to the Delaware Constitution; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407 on technical updates to the Hazardous Substance Control Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 on salary supplements for certain school employees; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act, on land use and permitting reform; House Bill 459 on restricting energy drink sales in schools; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 439 on electric moped and motorcycle disclosures; and House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, after amendment delaying its effective date to July 1, 2027. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 459 was adopted, and House Amendment 1 to House Bill 444 was adopted before final passage. The House also rejected House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 after debate over salary supplement policy for school-related certifications, then passed the substitute bill itself. House Bill 407 prompted questions about the increase in civil penalties, which DENREC said was intended to update outdated fines and align the penalty structure with other laws. House Bill 444 drew floor speeches emphasizing voting rights protections and concerns about voter suppression and dilution. The session ended with the House moving to recess after continuing consideration of House Bill 355, the Speaker Truth Act, which had just adopted an amendment changing damages language to attorney’s fees and costs.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force 10/8/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • :05.839><c> other</c><00:43:06.079><c> ve</c> hunting for berries or other ve hunting for berries or
  • berries? berries?
  • </c> plain blank plants, mushrooms or berries plain blank plants, mushrooms or berries at<01:14:44.560
  • </c><01:34:11.600><c> are</c> supposed to I don't know if berries are supposed to I don't know if berries
  • ,</c> whether it's mushrooms or berries, whether it's mushrooms or berries, there's<01:35:57.440><c>
Keywords: 1183, house
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Mr. Bolden? Yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr.
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Ms. Bolden, yes. Mr. Bolton, yes. Mr. Mrs. Berry?
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden, yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr.
  • Berry, yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden, yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr. Carson, yes. Mr.
  • Berry, yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden, yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Thank you. Mrs.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with a moment of silence for Ted Williams, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then accepted the previous day’s minutes and moved into a series of recognitions, beginning with House Resolution 27 designating June 24, 2026 as Staff Appreciation Day. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber spent much of the meeting honoring legislative staff across both caucuses, with members and staff introducing themselves and being recognized for years of service and behind-the-scenes work. The House also recognized staff member Justin, who is leaving for a position with the Delaware State Board of Education, and later gave farewell remarks for Representative Kevin Hensley and Representative Charles Postles, both of whom are retiring. Numerous members spoke in tribute to their service, constituent work, and personal character, and both Hensley and Postles offered remarks thanking colleagues, staff, and family. The House then received communications from the Senate, including several bills and resolutions passed and returned, and a notice of Senate concurrence on other measures. Representative Wilson-Anton made a brief statement explaining her vote on Senate Bill 100 and reaffirming support for marriage equality and related civil rights issues. The chamber also took up Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, which set the official revenue estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; both were read, called to roll, and passed by constitutional majority votes of 37-4 and 40-1, respectively. Finally, the House considered Senate Bill 335, the operating budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Representative Williams presented the budget on behalf of the Joint Finance Committee, describing major funding items including raises for state and education employees, health insurance and retiree benefit funding, developmental disability services, Medicaid growth, purchase of care, and maintenance of reserve funds. Several members praised the committee’s work, while Representative Shupe said he would vote no, citing concerns about the budget’s 6.3% growth despite appreciating the committee’s effort. After the budget presentation and comments, Leader Harris moved that the House recess for party caucuses, and the House stood in recess until the call of the bell.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Eight - Wednesday, April 8 - Morning Session

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Two-thirds of all Americans drink coffee, and 32% of those who drink coffee spend at least $5 each day
  • on coffee.
  • That's $54 million spent at least $5 on coffee every day.
  • Two-thirds of all Americans drink coffee, 32% of those who drink coffee spend at least $5 each day on
  • the coffee.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 112-1. Members spent a large portion of the morning on personal privilege remarks and introductions of guests, including FFA and Farm Bureau youth groups, school officials, veterans advocates, business leaders, and other visitors. There were also remarks congratulating candidates and election workers following the previous day’s election. The chamber then took up several committee reports and floor motions. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3239, dealing with the workforce diploma program for adults seeking a high school diploma through virtual instruction, was reconsidered after an earlier defeat. Supporters argued it provides a second chance for adults, improves wages and workforce participation, and should be funded through the foundation formula; opponents said it would divert money from K-12 and that other adult education options are cheaper. After debate, the motion to reconsider passed 94-49, the previous question was ordered, and the bill was ultimately third read and passed 94-48. Members also passed House Bill 1772, which aims to reduce barriers and costs for attorneys handling foster care and adoption cases to help children reach permanent homes, by a vote of 121-18. House Bill 2096, increasing state matching funds for regional planning commissions and updating the statewide commission list, passed 104-37. House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease research task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development with annual reporting and a sunset in 2030, was perfected after supportive testimony emphasizing research coordination and accountability. House Bill 2422, raising a recording fee from $4 to $5 to support the Department of Agriculture’s land survey program and add rulemaking authority, was also perfected and printed after debate; an amendment to redirect the fee toward housing trust fund purposes was withdrawn. The House then recessed until 2 p.m.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • So I got you a thousand-piece coffee stirrers. So they are... Thank you. Coffee stirrers.
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr.
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolton? Yes. Mr. Bolton, yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr.
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Ms. Bolden, yes. Mr. Burns? No. Mr. Burns, no. Ms.
  • Berry? Yes. Mrs. Berry, yes. Ms. Bolton? Yes. In Bill 13. Mrs. Berry? Mrs. Berry? Mr. Burns? Yes.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and read several committee reports and communications into the record. Members also observed moments of silence for two young people who had recently died, and the prayer and pledge were offered before the chamber moved into business. Consent calendar number 28, consisting of several resolutions, passed by voice vote. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes and retirement remarks for Representative Jeff Holowski, who was praised by colleagues for his work on financial literacy, veterans’ issues, health care, diabetes policy, and constituent service, as well as for his military service and community involvement. Holowski thanked staff, colleagues, and his family, and said he was retiring to spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. The chamber also recognized former Representative Harvey Kenton as a guest. The House then acted on several measures. Senate Bill 286, as amended by House Amendment 1, passed 40-0 and extends consumer protections and dealer equity standards to ATVs, side-by-sides, and vessels. Senate Bill 179, which updates the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission and its bench book/data analysis process, passed 27-14. Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 23, the housing supply and affordability bill, was presented with extensive explanation and questions about local control, zoning, and implementation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure. Senate Joint Resolution 18, designating August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day and directing flags at half-staff, was also discussed in emotional remarks about overdose losses and the state’s ongoing response. The House later recessed for party caucuses.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 1/22/25

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:37:59.640><c> with</c><00:37:59.800><c> a</c> simply having a cup of coffee with a simply having
  • a cup of coffee with a with<00:38:00.280><c> a</c><00:38:00.440><c> constituent</c><00:38:01.119><c>
  • public safety; disability, obviously a big interest issue for cities; and then you see emerald ash borer
  • However, almost every city where emerald ash borer shows up now has a million-dollar-a-year problem with
  • public safety; disability, obviously a big interest issue for cities; and then you see emerald ash borer
Keywords: 1183, house
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Eight - Wednesday, April 8 - Morning Session

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Myra Berry, superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, as well as Dr.
  • Berry, Dr. Collins-Adams, and my Uncle Bush feel very special, and make them feel welcome.
  • Myra Berry. She is the superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, as well as Dr.
  • Thirty-two percent of those who drink coffee spend at least $5 each day on coffee.
  • That's $54 million spent at least $5 on coffee every day.
Keywords: 959, house, all
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Berry. Yes. Representative Bush. Yes. Representative Berry. Yes.
  • Representative Berry? Representative Bush? Representative Bush? Thank you.
  • Representative Berry? Representative Bush? He disappeared that quick. Absent.
  • We’re voting on HB 459, Representative Berry. Yes. Representative Bush?
  • We're voting on House Concurrent Resolution 137, Representative Berry.
Bills: SB293, SB279, SB293, SB279
Summary: The House Education Committee met and first heard Senate Bill 293, the Youth Camp Licensing Act, which would amend child care licensing rules for youth camps. The sponsor said the bill, with amendments, would remove accreditation language, clarify shelter requirements for outdoor camps, and eliminate limits that had restricted the number of children camps could serve, especially for families using purchase-of-care assistance. YMCA and school representatives testified in support, saying the measure would expand access to safe, affordable summer care for low-income working families. The committee voted to release the bill. The committee then approved Senate Bill 328, which would require the Department of Education’s school facility evaluation instrument to be established by regulation and to include lead-based paint hazards in the standard of good repair. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee supported the bill, explaining that lead had not been included in the original evaluation tool and that the new language would improve transparency and public comment. Senate Bill 318, updating the Delaware State Education Association special license plate program, also passed after DSEA testified that proceeds support scholarships for educators and students pursuing education careers. House Bill 443, dealing with background checks for education volunteers and mentors, passed as well. The sponsor said it would allow DOE to continue receiving wrapback reports for mentors in the state mentoring program and ensure state and federal criminal background checks remain in place. The committee also released Senate Joint Resolution 15, which directs DOE to reevaluate Delaware’s use of the SAT, modernize the accountability framework, and develop additional measures of student achievement and readiness; supporters argued the SAT does not capture career and technical pathways or other indicators of success. House Bill 459, which prohibits the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or events, passed after discussion focused on whether the bill would affect possession versus sale and whether it could lead to student discipline; DOE said the bill only bans sales, and the sponsor said an amendment would clarify intent. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 137 passed, directing DOE to review math instruction and MTSS supports statewide; testimony emphasized low math proficiency and the need for stronger, more coherent interventions. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 279 on occupational therapist salary placement, with discussion centered on aligning OT compensation with other specialist roles and broader salary regulation updates, though the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

SENATE CONVENES Apr 28th, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Stan Berry, who passed away unexpectedly not very long ago.
  • Stan Berry was not just my state representative, but he was also family.
  • And I said, that looks a lot like Stan Berry.
  • Whereas Representative Stanley Jack 'Stan' Berry, formerly of Dover, Arkansas, passed away on Monday,
  • Stan Berry was someone anyone you talked to just knew for his kindness.
Keywords: 1204, all