Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development - Senate
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Bills discussed (13)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
HB1385
Act 374
· 4 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “HB1385 C. Cooper TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OIL AND GAS COMMI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION; AND TO REQUIRE THE OIL … | C. Cooper | Notification that HB1385 is now Act 374 |
|
SB368
Act 445
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB368 Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MINERAL, TIMBER, AND OTHE…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MINERAL, TIMBER, AND OTHER RESOURCES ON STATE LANDS; TO REDUCE … | Irvin | Notification that SB368 is now Act 445 |
|
SB400
Act 933
· 2 mentions in transcript, agenda
Matched: “Senate Bill 400 to amend fair funding. So.”
|
TO AMEND THE FAIR-FUNDING PROGRAM. | Irvin | Notification that SB400 is now Act 933 |
|
SB407
Act 577
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER. SB407 Gilmore TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACT…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987. | Gilmore | Notification that SB407 is now Act 577 |
|
HB1149
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…amie Scott RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1149 Vaught CONCERNING VEGETABLE GARDEN PROTECTION. REGULAR AGEN…”
|
CONCERNING VEGETABLE GARDEN PROTECTION. | Vaught | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB281
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCERNING CERTAIN PERMITS. SB281 Gilmore TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING AGRICULTURE; TO ESTABLIS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING AGRICULTURE; TO ESTABLISH THE PRODUCER BILL OF RIGHTS FOR COMMODITY … | Gilmore | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB290
Act 921
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…IRE CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATED TO COMMODITY CHECKOFF PROGRAMS. SB290 B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERM…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF … | B. Johnson | Notification that SB290 is now Act 921 |
|
SB315
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “AGENDA (REVISED 03/12/2025 @ 2:00 PM Removed SB315 From Agenda Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE FARMER PROTECTION ACT. | B. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB396
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…ND TO AMEND THE NOTIFICATION RELATED TO LEASES AND PERMITS. SB396 A. Clark TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUNTING AND FISHING LI…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS STATE … | A. Clark | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB415
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987. SB415 Crowell TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO MAINTAIN A DELINQUENT LIST OF BUSINESSES FAILING … | Crowell | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB421
Act 578
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…HOLESALER OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS FOR THE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. SB421 Hester TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSI…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANSAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT … | Hester | Notification that SB421 is now Act 578 |
|
SB84
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…rs and Staff Only'. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle SB84 B. Johnson TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERM…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF … | B. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB85
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…SSUANCE OF PERMITS IN WATERSHEDS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER. SB85 Caldwell TO PRESERVE PUBLIC PROPERTY; AND TO PRESERVE TIMBE…”
|
TO PRESERVE PUBLIC PROPERTY; AND TO PRESERVE TIMBER AT THE PINE TREE RESEARCH STATION. | Caldwell | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
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Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
0:09
Uh, Representative Cooper. Are you there? He has
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
0:13
a move him on top the list like everyone they're busy and have other committees
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
0:18
to go to. Reverent Cooper, if you would identify yourself for the record and, uh, you'll be recognized. We're
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
0:26
presenting. Uh, house bill 1385. Yes, Chair. Thank you. Representative Cameron Cooper,
Representative Cameron Cooper
Unverified
0:31
District 57. Have House Bill 1385. This is a very simple bill. It's
a constituent-driven bill. It requires notification to members of the General Assembly. When the oil and gas commission is holding a public hearing for a wastewater injection well permit, which would be located in our districts. Uh, the reason for this bill is last year, uh, my district and Senator Desma's district, a wastewater injection disposal well was permitted. Now, if you don't know what that is, this is a well where production water or frack water from natural gas wells is disposed of.
Now, while this was an issue, as you may remember a decade or more ago, there were, there were earthquakes in north central Arkansas and it was tied to these disposal wells. So an administrative moratorium was put in place by the Oil and gas commission on these wells. An administrative moratorium just means that the director of the oil and gas commission isn't going to automatically grant a permit for these wells. Has to go before a full hearing of the Oil and Gass Commission. Well, my constituents in the area didn't know anything about this until the well was under construction.
Of course, they're very concerned. It's also located near a recognized fault line near the town of Enola. It was tied to a form of earthquakes in the 1980s. So there was great concern there, but it was past the point that they could enter a public comment or any enter any opposition to it. Now they're all in gas commission is required to post notice in a newspaper, but we know that people aren't reading newspapers, people aren't looking for public notices and the want ads on, on things like that. So, um, I'm just asking that the
oil and gas commission, uh, notify the members of the legislature. That are where that where that wastewater uh injection well is is proposed, uh, let the members of the legislature know that that's happening. Um, the oil and gas commission already notifies the county judge, so it would just add us to that list of notifications, and then we were able to share that information with our constituents, my constituents in that area, uh, I know some of them personally, and if I'd known this was happening, I could have, uh, let them know about that, let them know there's a public hearing, they
have an opportunity to, to enter public comment and enter opposition on this. That's all it does. I, I did work with the oil and gas commission on, uh, adjusting some language and allowing them to Uh, submit that notification via email to us instead of a written letter. OK. Question, Senator Lenning? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh,
Speaker 6
3:06
you referenced uh that these notifications are already like in the newspaper. This isn't doing away with those, right? This is just adding additional notification requirements. OK, thank you.
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
3:16
Anyone else? Seeing none, no one had signed up to speak for or against. Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak for or against. See no represent Cooper, you close for your bill. Got a motion to pass from Senator Crow, second from Senator Leding. All in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations, your bill passed. OK, next, Senator Clark. Not here since Urban.
Senate Bill 400 to amend fair funding. So.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
4:01
I'm sorry, it's, I think Senate Bill
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
4:11
368 1. I'm sorry, I missed it. Yeah. Senate
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
4:14
Bill 368. Thank you. Missy Urban District 24, um, members, this is a modification of the natural Resources Committee membership. And
Jack, sorry. I just want to make sure I have it. Thank you. OK, so we worked together with the Department of Energy and Environment, um, this Natural Resources Committee is an entity of the commissioner of State lands and is responsible to, it's responsible for handling the request to lease mineral rights on state lands, um, energy and environment is currently represented on the committee by 3 positions, the director of production and
conservation of the oil and gas commission, the state geologist, and the director of the division of Environmental. The bill modifies the membership of the Natural Resources Committee from 9 current members, uh, to 7 members and removes ENE's redundant representation. Bill consolidates its 3 positions down to 1, the Secretary of Energy and Environment or his Or his or her designee. The bill also adds that all members, um, and appoint a designee to the
committee and because of the change, the bill also removes notification requirement previously required to the 3 ENE seats and changes it to the Secretary of E&E, um, the commissioner of State lands approves this proposal, and it was a collaboration between the commissioner of State lands and the Department of Energy and Environment.
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
6:11
Questions from the committee? I have one concern. I just read your bill. I hadn't read it and, and that's, uh, With the appointment of all the secretaries that has legislative like the fact that we have to the Senate has to confirm those people. And now we're giving them the ability to appoint someone that we have no idea who they are, where they're qualified or anything of that nature. That does give me a little heartburn. I would, I would be happy if if those, if you would have been
that and say they could appoint their, his or her designee with the
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
6:49
approval of the Senate. I'm not sure if we've ever had approval authority of any designees. We, we do have approval authority of the Secretary of the Department of Ag, the commissioner of State lands is a constitutional officer state game and fish
commission. Uh So I'm not sure if we've ever had senatorial authority
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
7:13
over a designee. Oversight for the legislature on those other appointments. Any other questions? No one, no one had a question, OK. Uh, saying all the questions don't want to sign up, speak for or against anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against. Take no pleasure of the committee. Motion to pass 2nd, all in favor. Senator Disbank, Senator
Crow, all of those. Congratulations Bill Pa.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
7:47
I appreciate it. My other bill, uh, is awaiting an amendment, so I don't have that
Speaker 19
7:54
yet. Thank you, look at it another day. All right, uh,
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
8:01
Senator Crow, you recognized? I'd like to uh introduce some special guests we have in the audience today. We have some pages. Henry Witcher, Mary Witcher, Cameron Gooch, Aidan White, and Drew Napolis.
Stand up please. Henry and Mary Claire, my pages
today, and they're from my hometown and so very, very proud to have everybody here. Good. come to the table and introduce yourself and, and discuss your bill. Do you have a bill? Did you bring a, you didn't bring a bill? OK, thank you all very much. We're so glad you're here. Hope you
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
8:40
have a good time today. I hope you learn a lot.
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
8:46
Uh, any other senators in the room have a bill to present? Understone. Well The Stone's going to present the Senate Bill
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
9:09
407. Uh, Matt Stone state senator District 2. I presented a bill this morning for Senator Gilmore and this bill originated from
the Department of Agriculture is considered to be a cleanup bill, um, from the deals with catfish processing and how they're paid and how they pay for their, their, um, their suppliers that come in in regards to Act 365 of 1987 and uh the, the, I know there should only been 3 companies that have been licensed pursuing. To this act since 1987. The nature of the catfish processing industry has changed dramatically in Arkansas since the law's passing and industry
supports this bill and I think it just brings um payment processing and the catfish industry to forward to 2025. With that, I'm open to any questions. Committee, you want to
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
10:05
have a question? Chian, anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against this bill? Seeing no one, said Stone like close rebuild? I'm closed, closed, Senator Crow, got a motion to pass. That's his second. Senator Dising seconds, all in
favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations. Uh, with no other business on the agenda, we're adjourned.
Agenda
Call to Order
SB368 Irvin TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MINERAL, TIMBER, AND OTHER RESOURCES ON STATE LANDS; TO REDUCE MEMBERSHIP OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE; AND TO AMEND THE NOTIFICATION RELATED TO LEASES AND PERMITS.
HB1385 C. Cooper TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION; AND TO REQUIRE THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION TO NOTIFY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONCERNING CERTAIN PERMITS.
SB407 Gilmore TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CATFISH PROCESSOR FAIR PRACTICES ACT OF 1987.
Adjourn
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SENATE, Mar 13, 2025 | Agenda | 2 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
Senator Steve Crowell
Unverified
Representative Cameron Cooper
Unverified
Speaker 6
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 19
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified