Representative Randy Torres
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Committees
- Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs (House)
- ALC - Administrative Rules
- Children & Youth Committee - Senate & Aging, Children & Youth, & Legislative Affairs- House
- Education Committee (House)
- Energy (Joint Committee)
- Insurance & Commerce (House)
- Judiciary Committee (House)
- Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)
- Public Transportation (House)
- Revenue & Taxation (House)
- State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House)
Recent Meetings
| Date | Committee | Speaking Time |
|---|---|---|
| April 28, 2026 | — | 27s |
| Aug. 14, 2025 | ALC - Administrative Rules | 29s |
| July 7, 2025 | Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House) | 400s |
| June 23, 2025 | Children & Youth Committee - Senate & Aging, Children & Youth, & Legislative Affairs- House | 251s |
| June 18, 2025 | Energy (Joint Committee) | 106s |
| April 16, 2025 | — | 102s |
| April 15, 2025 | — | 47s |
| April 9, 2025 | — | 478s |
| April 9, 2025 | Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs (House) | 1743s |
| April 8, 2025 | — | 46s |
| April 8, 2025 | Revenue & Taxation (House) | 244s |
| April 7, 2025 | — | 180s |
| April 7, 2025 | Insurance & Commerce (House) | 486s |
| April 3, 2025 | Revenue & Taxation (House) | 26s |
| April 3, 2025 | Judiciary Committee (House) | 201s |
| April 2, 2025 | Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs (House) | 597s |
| March 20, 2025 | — | 86s |
| March 20, 2025 | Public Transportation (House) | 29s |
| March 19, 2025 | — | 9s |
| March 19, 2025 | State Agencies & Govt'l Affairs (House) | 78s |
| March 18, 2025 | — | 62s |
| March 18, 2025 | Revenue & Taxation (House) | 182s |
| March 18, 2025 | Public Transportation (House) | 66s |
| March 13, 2025 | Education Committee (House) | 248s |
| March 12, 2025 | Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs (House) | 61s |
| March 4, 2025 | Public Transportation (House) | 32s |
| Feb. 27, 2025 | — | 32s |
| Feb. 26, 2025 | Aging, Children & Youth, Legislative & Military Affairs (House) | 6s |
Recent Transcript Excerpts
that behavior changes. Yeah, I just think that if I were hit with a $500 fine or court cost or whatever as a parent, I would be the change agent as it relates to that
system. Okay, so help me understand,
how can the parents be held responsible for the things that are going on? I mean, what deterrence is there if the parents aren't going to be held accountable for fines and court costs?
rather than the parents of these children?
the state did that. Representative Torres, you're recognized. So just to clarify, would it be an accurate statement to say that this would basically transition the fines and court costs to the Arkansas taxpayers
That's a pretty dramatic promise, and that, I mean, you can't just shut something down because they don't meet certain standards yet. I think the whole point of this study is to make the improvements, but I just, that kind of alarms me, to be honest. And if I can give you further clarifications,
Representative Torres, you recognize. Yeah, I'm reading the bill here, and one of the things, because you're saying this resolution has teeth. I mean, if we agree to it, we're going to have to follow through with it. And under, you know, lines 18 through 23, it talks about, you know, where there exists an urgent need for construction, renovation, acquisition, and all these different things. It says the center is overseen by the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services to implement the reform plan proposed by this resolution to replace the facilities where conditions of confinement support ceasing operations with facilities that do not meet contemporary juvenile justice national best practices.
that would like to speak for or against this bill? Okay. Representative Torres, would you like to close for your bill? Sure. Thank you, Madam Chair. Overall, this bill is meant to remove barriers for relatives and other foster parents, helping children get placed in homes faster while still ensuring some level of training for caregivers. And with that, I'll close. And I'll make a motion due pass. Thank you.
This simplifies the process for relatives. If a relative wants to become a foster parent called a provisional foster home, they won't have to complete the same amount of training as other foster parents. This gives DCFS flexibility. The division will set rules to further streamline the process for provisional foster homes, making it easier and quicker for family members to step in and care for children. And with that, I'll take any questions. Are
So House Bill 1921, this bill aims to make it easier for people, especially relatives, to become foster parents in Arkansas by reducing the training requirements. Here's a simple breakdown of what it does. Number one, it limits training hours for foster parents. The bill caps the number of training hours required for foster parents to 15 hours of initial training to get approved, and then six hours of training each year to stay approved. Okay, the Division of Children and Family Services can lower these requirements if needed.
the amendment. And would like to I would appreciate a motion to pass. We are all having wording problems today. Okay, we have
okay okay so lines three through nine basically
line three through five is being deleted from the bill right i
Yeah. Yeah, I understand. Any other questions on the amendment? Oh,
struggle on. Okay. So page two, line three,
Yeah. Then section 2 is left in there. I'm sorry. Right. Okay. Yeah, section 2 is left in.
amendment you bet so this amendment basically just deletes page two lines three through nine working with the division of children and family services we just surmised that this paragraph is unnecessary so it's just being struck out of the bill. Are
And while the amendment is being passed out, I wanted to ask if Ms. Tiffany Wright could join me. you can go ahead and
recognized to present your amendment when everybody has it. Thank you, Madam Chair, members. Randy Torres, District 17.
but in the paragraph above, that memorandum of understanding is crossed out. Is that going to create any conflicts since, yeah. No, basically there will
Bills Discussed
| Bill | Title | Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| SB340 | TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING CERTAIN FEES, EXPENSES, AND COSTS IMPOSED ON A JUVENILE OR THE PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR CUSTODIAN … | 4 |
| HB1834 | TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES. | 3 |
| HB1798 | TO ESTABLISH A GREEN ENVELOPE PROGRAM. | 3 |
| SB577 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO … | 3 |
| HB1523 | CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS SILVER ALERT SYSTEM; AND TO … | 3 |
| HB1845 | TO ALLOW THE ELECTRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE OWNERSHIP OF MOTOR VEHICLES; TO AUTHORIZE ELECTRONIC LIEN, TITLING, AND … | 3 |
| HB1921 | TO AMEND THE CHILD WELFARE AGENCY LICENSING ACT; TO AMEND THE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR FOSTER PARENTS; AND TO … | 3 |
| HB1887 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING STATEWIDE CHILD ABDUCTION RESPONSE TEAMS. | 3 |
| HB1997 | TO CREATE A ZONING EXEMPTION FOR CHILDCARE FAMILY HOMES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | 3 |
| SB567 | TO AMEND AND MODERNIZE THE LAW CONCERNING THE APPORTIONMENT OF INCOME DERIVED FROM MULTISTATE OPERATIONS; AND TO CHANGE THE METHOD … | 3 |
| SB605 | TO CREATE THE DELTA TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL EXCISE TAX ACT; AND TO TAX DELTA TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL PRODUCTS. | 3 |
| SB530 | TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS WOOD ENERGY PRODUCTS AND FOREST MAINTENANCE INCOME TAX CREDIT. | 3 |
| HB1960 | TO PROVIDE THAT THE LESSEE OF A LEASED MOTOR VEHICLE IS THE OWNER FOR PURPOSES OF THE ASSESSMENT AND PAYMENT … | 3 |
| HB1556 | TO AMEND ARKANSAS MUSIC APPRECIATION DAY; AND TO CHANGE THE DATE ON WHICH ARKANSAS MUSIC APPRECIATION DAY IS CELEBRATED. | 3 |
| HB1698 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR AN EMPLOYEE'S MEMBERSHIP IN A HEALTHCARE SHARING … | 3 |
| HB1796 | TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF GENDER INFORMATION ON AN ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD. | 3 |
| HB1018 | TO CREATE THE STRONG FAMILIES ACT; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR EMPLOYERS THAT PROVIDE PAID FAMILY AND … | 2 |
| HB1216 | TO CREATE THE FREE MARKET ZONES ACT; AND TO EXEMPT A BUSINESS LOCATED IN AN OPPORTUNITY ZONE FROM THE INCOME … | 2 |
| HB1015 | TO AMEND THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX LAWS; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN. | 2 |
| HB1203 | TO PROTECT ARKANSAS TAXPAYERS FROM A TAX TO COLLECT TAXES. | 2 |
| HB1472 | TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR PARTS PURCHASED TO REPAIR AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY AND TIMBER EQUIPMENT … | 2 |
| HB1190 | TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR TEACHERS. | 2 |
| HB1026 | TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS PROMISE ACT; AND TO CREATE AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR TUITION PAID FOR AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT … | 2 |
| HB1485 | TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR SALES TO CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT VETERANS' FACILITIES. | 2 |
| HB1500 | TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS BY REPEALING THE THROWBACK RULE. | 2 |
| HB1501 | TO ADOPT FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW REGARDING DEPRECIATION AND THE EXPENSING OF PROPERTY; AND TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT ALLOWED FOR … | 2 |
| HB1670 | TO CREATE THE PRECEPTOR TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM; AND TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL OR COUNSELING PROFESSIONALS TO TRAIN CERTAIN … | 2 |
| HB1538 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE NET OPERATING LOSS INCOME TAX DEDUCTION; AND TO INCREASE THE CARRY-FORWARD PERIOD FOR THE … | 2 |
| HB1540 | TO AMEND THE INCOME TAX CREDIT AND THE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION RELATED TO MAINTAINING, SUPPORTING, AND CARING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL … | 2 |
| HB1469 | TO CREATE THE BROADBAND EXPANSION AND EFFICIENCY ACT; AND TO CREATE A SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR MACHINERY AND … | 2 |