Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 15th, 2026

Joint ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Event Log

  • Matt Gilmore — Matt Gilmore is introduced as a scheduled witness and then identifies himself as being with the Department of Health.
  • Director Davis — Referenced as going around the state with staff to work with schools and provide guidance.
  • Mary Bentley — Asked about the high volume of complaints against nurses and whether the investigation system needs more staff or changes to reduce the turnaround time.
  • Chris Kalklazier — Introduced himself as Director of the Natural Resources Division at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
  • Matthew Ford — Introduced himself as Chief Legal Counsel for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
  • Dave Wallace — Referenced as being under the weather and unable to join the meeting.
  • Ashley Davis — Ashley Davis is introduced as a scheduled witness and then identifies herself as the Director of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
  • Stephen Meeks — The transcript appears to say 'Representative McGrew'; this is likely Representative Stephen Meeks asking the question about the soil classifier job and demand, but the name is uncertain.
  • David Dawson — David Dawson is scheduled to appear before the committee and is then identified on the record as General Counsel for the Board of Nursing.
  • Jane English — The chair called on Senator Jane English, and she asked what educational qualifications or degrees would be required to become a soil classifier.
  • Mark Perry — Mark Perry is recognized and continues a follow-up line of questioning about septic-related roles, asking what a designated representative can do that a soil classifier or designated representative could not do, and seeking clarification on the differences between those roles.