Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development - Senate
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Transcript
1 document
Bills discussed (13)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB249
Act 291
· 4 mentions in chapter, agenda, transcript
Matched: “SB249 Stone TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES RELATED TO FORESTRY; AND TO AMEND THE … | Stone | Notification that SB249 is now Act 291 |
|
HB1149
· 3 mentions in transcript, agenda, chapter
Matched: “House Bill 1149. Danbo District 87.”
|
CONCERNING VEGETABLE GARDEN PROTECTION. | Vaught | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1279
Act 285
· 3 mentions in chapter, agenda, transcript
Matched: “HB1279 Lynch TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS EGG MARKETING ACT OF 1969; AND…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS EGG MARKETING ACT OF 1969; AND TO AUTHORIZE REPACKAGING OF EGGS … | Lynch | Notification that HB1279 is now Act 285 |
|
HB1450
Act 213
· 3 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “…? OK. I appreciate the chair of the committee working with. HB 1450 right now this is the Department of Aville. They do 6 separ…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING REPORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. | Painter | Notification that HB1450 is now Act 213 |
|
HB1487
Act 212
· 3 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda
Matched: “HB1487 Beaty Jr. TO AMEND THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS ON THE ARKAN…”
|
TO AMEND THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS ON THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION'S COMMITTEE. | Beaty Jr. | Notification that HB1487 is now Act 212 |
|
HB1441
Act 214
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1441 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS COORDINAT…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS COORDINATE SYSTEM OF 1983. | S. Meeks | Notification that HB1441 is now Act 214 |
|
SB218
Act 440
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…title HB1149 Vaught CONCERNING VEGETABLE GARDEN PROTECTION. SB218 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEA…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. | Irvin | Notification that SB218 is now Act 440 |
|
SB250
Act 292
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB250 Stone TO AMEND THE PEST CONTROL LAW; AND TO REASSIGN CERTAI…”
|
TO AMEND THE PEST CONTROL LAW; AND TO REASSIGN CERTAIN DUTIES OF THE STATE PLANT … | Stone | Notification that SB250 is now Act 292 |
|
SB259
Act 293
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB259 Gilmore TO TRANSFER APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DIRECTOR…”
|
TO TRANSFER APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR. | Gilmore | Notification that SB259 is now Act 293 |
|
SB267
Act 295
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB267 Irvin TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS ALTERNATIVE MOTOR FUEL DEVELOP…”
|
TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS ALTERNATIVE MOTOR FUEL DEVELOPMENT ACT; AND TO REPEAL THE ALTERNATIVE MOTOR … | Irvin | Notification that SB267 is now Act 295 |
|
SB251
Act 276
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…W; AND TO REASSIGN CERTAIN DUTIES OF THE STATE PLANT BOARD. SB251 Stone TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY O…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE ARKANSAS TRAILS COUNCIL; AND TO … | Stone | Notification that SB251 is now Act 276 |
|
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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- October 2, 2026
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
0:13
For economic development committee to order, uh, we got a good crowd today and I'm very appreciative of that. We have Farmer's Day in the capital today, and, uh, welcome and thank you all for being here. Uh. I was asked if they want to go get uh security. I said, no, these are the good guys. These are the ones that'll take care of you. We, we don't have to worry about that. We do have a crowd. I've got a special group of people I want to introduce. I'll have them stand and that's our state officers of the future farmers. Of America, if y'all would
please. These are the people that one day will take our place, and I'm thankful that we've got folks like this around. So, uh, I, I did, uh, tell them, and I want to tell all of our guests that, uh, uh, this is your, uh, building, uh, where your representatives, you have just as much right to come speak for Bill or against Bill as any lawyer, or any lobbyist. So, uh, I hope you learned something while you're here today, OK? With that being said, uh, we'll
get started, representative, uh, painter. We're gonna go a little out of order today. He has a meeting somewhere else. What bill are you
Speaker 6
1:25
presenting, sir? OK. I appreciate the chair of the committee working with. HB 1450 right now this is the Department of Aville. They do 6 separate reports and all they're asking is to keep the same information and all that instead of doing 6 separate reports they
would like to do just one long report. Other than that, I'd be
Speaker 13
1:53
glad to take any questions. We have a question. Senator, where's
Speaker 6
1:57
your Senate sponsor at? Uh, Senator Hill is, uh, getting a haircut right
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:06
now. OK. So, uh, that's why I'm. Any other questions? Hickey? That you read the bill for a second. That's fine. I'm not trying to hurry. Just, just one.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
2:17
So if I understood you right, now we're repealing this, but then you said they're gonna do 11 report. Where, where is that line in here that where we're gonna do the one. back here. A
submit annually. May may maybe it's on page 2 line 29. Yes, sir. Yes, it's
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
2:42
it's still prepare and submit annually to the governor a report of the Department of
Agriculture's activities, and that includes all these
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
2:51
boards and commissions that are OK. Any other questions? OK. Anyone in the audience wish
to speak for or against. Seeing none, pleasure of the committee. pass by, Senator Leding, seconded by Senator Scott. All in favor say
aye. All opposed. Congratulations. Appreciate it, Mr. Chair. Appreciate the committee. Yes, sir.
OK. uh Representative Volt. I.
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
3:32
House Bill 1149. Danbo District 87.
It is not. OK. Um, Senator Hickey asked for more clarification in the vegetable garden bill, so Mr. John Wilkerson went to work to
try to help me make it more, uh, explanatory where he, where it could be, not misinterpreted, um, so hopefully this fixes the issue and we can allow people to grow their own food. No matter where they live. OK.
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
4:20
questions, anyone? no Uh May I ask OK. Not seeing anyone
signed up for it. And one from the audience we should speak for or against, ma'am. Do you wish to speak for or against?
No, no, you have to come to the end of the table and identify yourself.
Yeah, you gotta sit, get it, get on the microphone. This is all recorded and live streamed and if you
Speaker 45
5:06
would identify yourself for the record. Libby farm and ranch in Pulaski County. This is a senator. Thank you. Um, so I'm president of the FSA for Pulaski County, and we have recently been split. From Lone Oak County, to, uh,
Try to give federal money to people. to raise gardens. Is this because I think that's ridiculous, but, uh, personally, and I'm just asking, is this playing in with that? Or is this just, I mean, by gosh, a garden
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
5:42
to do that. All this does is allow Uh, it, it prevents the city or county from, uh, passing ordinance said that you can't raise a garden on your own
Speaker 45
5:51
property. OK. Thank you. That's, I just. Having trouble with the federal side, and I was good. Thank you.
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
5:58
Thank you. Appreciate you coming. OK, Senator Hickey. Well, I think
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
6:03
the, I think the amendment actually changed it, so it says subdivision said does not prohibit the adoption of a local coordinates or regulation of a general nature that is not specifically regulate. So Well, what we are saying here if, if is it OK if I ask the sponsor. So what, what we're saying now is we did amend that to say that that the local government will still have the
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
6:28
ability to adopt an ordinance, an ordinance in which they are they have perimeters around how a garden can be done.
Speaker 57
6:35
Yes, sir. OK. Any other questions? Taking on you
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
6:40
on clothes for you. I'm close. I'd appreciate a
good vote. Uh, do pass by, uh, Senator Scott, seconded by Senator Crow. Uh, all in favor say aye, all folks, congratulations. Thank you. You're welcome.
You ready? All right, Sher Stone. I
Speaker 61
7:06
Which is, yeah. It's all. Get all your bills, take all yours. Uh, we're gonna, uh, Senator
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
7:16
Stone's got several bills to run. We're gonna do House Bill 12791. That's a bill that I ran before. It had a typographical error in
it when they, uh, engrossed it and all this amendment does, we're gonna run this amendment. All it does
Matt Stone
Unverified
7:38
is correct the typographical error. Uh, my name is My name is Matt Stone. I'm the state senator for District 2. I'm gonna run the, this, um, um, bill for um Senator Caldwell as he just stated it's gonna, uh, correct the topographical error. There's, there's a word that was done. Twice in the
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
7:52
staff when they typed it, uh, type two words in twice, all it does is correct that. It takes it out, so.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:00
Any, any questions for anybody? So, so just Senator Stone, I should have asked you this beforehand. So, so, Before that was a class A misdemeanor and I'm, I'm fine
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
8:14
with the penalty. I guess my only thing is, is
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:17
Senator Hickey, I, I think we're on a different bill. This is House Bill 1279, the egg Bill Hickey, that's the same one we had done last
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
8:24
week or we did, but, but staff when they wrote it, uh, had a typographical error and we had to pass
amendment to correct their typographical error, and that's all this does. OK. I
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
8:35
apologize. I was going down the list. OK, yeah, fair enough, that's
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
8:41
fine. All right. Very good. I'm closed for the bill. Motion pass motion to pass stone, seconded by Senator
Crow, all in favor say aye. All folks like sign.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
8:51
Thank you. What bill now, Senator Stone. Um, let's do, um, house bill. Representative Meek's bill, I'm running it for him. 144141.
Matt Stone
Unverified
9:04
members this bill deals with surveying in the state of Arkansas. Uh, the state uses a, um, a plane coordinate system, uh, that needs to be modernized. It was first established in 1927. It was updated in 1983 and it's time for it to be updated again. This let's surveyors use a standard when they measure and uh figure coordinates on land measurements to make sure there's consistency among what all the surveyors are doing in the state. And I'm open to any questions.
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
9:49
I'm gonna give a few minutes sir don't let you go over
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
10:13
the bill. Any questions, members? Senator Hickey, so, uh, and I don't see it anywhere in here, but this in no way would affect any adverts possession.
Typ lawsuits or something like that. It would not it's still
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
10:26
gonna be in place, so this, that is correct. We do have uh People, uh, here from the GIS and from the R dot to, uh, answer any questions if you'd like them to come. I'll be happy to bring them to the table if
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
10:38
you would like that, that, that's fine with me. I just, I didn't see it in here, but I wanted to make sure of that because I know that, uh, so much
of this land out here was, you know, pulled by chains or whatever it was years and years ago farmers have, uh, those lines may be off 2030 ft and I
just, I don't want to limit their uh ability to go before the courts
Matt Stone
Unverified
10:58
to do that Senator Hick. I, I believe the comment that I made is true, but just out of abundance of caution, I'm willing to bring them to the table where you can ask them and we can, you can get that
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
11:16
answered get your comfort level, Daniel Phillips. Who was Mm Well,
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
11:19
apparently the gentleman on the survey stepped down right back through here. There we go. There you go.
Oh. OK OK. OK sure if you would identify yourself
Daniel Phillips
Unverified
11:45
for the record? Uh, my name is Daniel Phillips. I'm the Arkansas State land surveyor. OK, Serge Teague, you have a question for
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
11:49
me, and again, I didn't see it in there, but I want to make sure that nothing in this bill, uh, would run contrary with any of our
adverse position, uh, statutes that we have in on the books or case law or anything to that
Daniel Phillips
Unverified
12:03
nature. Uh, no, Senator, this would not affect any of that. It's just a kind of a technical update to the, uh, mathematical, uh, coordinate system. Again, it appeared like it to me,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
12:12
but I just didn't want to leave it to chance. Appreciate the Answer. OK. Any other questions? Thank you. Mm
Speaker 16
12:19
Anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against the bill.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
12:32
See none stone you on clothes for your bill? I'm closed. I just
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
12:38
make a motion to pass. Motion do pass, uh, seconded by Senator Hickey. All in favor say aye, all opposed. Congratulations. What
Matt Stone
Unverified
12:56
All right, Senate Bill 249. Senate Bill 249 deals with people who hold themselves out to be arrested forester in the
state of Arkansas and in fact, they are not to be arrested forestry, you have to have a 4-year degree plus pass a rigorous test, similar to what an accountant does have they have to have a degree in accounting to take a, uh, take a, uh, a test to be a CPA and unfortunately, every once in a while someone will be in the timber business, so to speak, and they'll hold themselves. to be arrested, forced or, in fact, they are not. And currently this falls under the jurisdiction of Arkansas Forestry Commission, if they go
to somebody, all they can approach them with right now is a class A misdemeanor, which could result in their arrest. What they're wanting to do is put an intermediate step in if someone is holding themselves out to be a forester and in fact, they are not. They can find them first up to $5000 and if they cease and desist, no harm, no foul. they can move on. They can even give them the option to cease and desist without the fine, but if they continue to persist, then they can come back with the class A misdemeanor and have them arrested and go through, go
through the court system. This is just an intermediate step to put in there so they don't have to come out with a sledgehammer if somebody is unknowingly broken the law, they can work through it. And I'm open to any questions. Speedy, you want
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
14:32
to have a question? Oh, come on, Senator Hickey OK. So, so on the back, I did say
we, we are still going to leave the, uh, Class A misdemeanor in there. That
is correct. So, so like I say, it's just in addition, I did see that that was where I was going earlier. And I guess the thing is, just with our staff or whatever, there's no, there's no issues with the forestry commission himself imposing this fine. OK, so. Yeah, this is an agency bill and
Matt Stone
Unverified
14:56
there's, I don't, I haven't heard any opposition to this bill, and again, I'm not opposed, I
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
15:00
promise you. I just, I just want to make sure that there's, you know, that that's kind of our normal stand and I think that we do allow other
commissions to impose. penalties like that. Uh, I don't know what they call it a civil penalty, if that makes any difference, but, uh, it's a Senate bill, so we could. We
could look into that just to make 100% sure, so. OK, thank you. Senator Scott.
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
15:26
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, Senator Stone, I was trying to see the $5000 seems really high, like a high penalty to me, but my colleague beside us was trying to educate me on
how much damage somebody can do and forestry operating without it. It, so my question is, is this fine, this $5000 like where did it come from, or is it on par with what other states do? Just because I'm ignorant, I think that's a good question,
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
15:52
Mr. Chair. With your permission, I'd like to get Doctor Cunningham with the Arkansas Forestry Commission
Matt Stone
Unverified
15:57
to come up here and speak to that. I think that's in line with other Fines and everything that that runs to the Department of Agriculture, but Doctor Cunningham, will you come speak to that, please?
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
16:12
Good morning. Welcome. If you would introduce yourself for
Speaker 110
16:16
the record. No. I turned it off. Kyle Cunningham, State Forester, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and yes, that, that is a high amount. I don't foresee us ever having to go there. Um, it's really to keep us in line with other divisions in the Department of Act, and, um, you know, I, I foresee any penalties initially being much, much less than that, so.
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
16:35
Senator Gilmore. You're a, uh, he, he did want any, any other committee members?
Anyone in the room wish to speak for or against this bill.
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
16:50
See no, Senator Stone, would you like to clothes rebuild? I'm closed for the bill,
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
16:55
and I'd appreciate a good vote. Oh excuse me, motion. There you go, uh, let's do Senator Scott, a second. All in
favor say aye, all oppose. Congratulations. Do you have another bill? Yes sir,
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
17:05
I think I have 2 more. They all piled up on me this morning. That's right.
Matt Stone
Unverified
17:11
The next bill is also an agency bill for the Department of
Agriculture. What bill number? I'm sorry, it's House Bill 1487. House Bill 1487. So you recognize to present your bill. Thank you, Senator Caldwell. Currently, um, if there is a ethics violation charge against registered forester, it has to come to the forestry commission, and there's a subcommittee at the Forestry commission that deals with the registration of
foresters. So what could potentially end up happening is, is that the foresters on the forestry commission. Go to the subcommittee and investigate to see if, if, if in fact those charges are true if they are, then they have to be brought back to the forestry commission. Well, the Supreme Court and the state has concerns that people might be prejudiced because they said in a hearing, then have to come back and make a ruling. This, um, this bill would allow that committee to uh
to have 3 members of the forestry commission on there that are foresters for the investigation, plus one. member from UAM plus 3 ad hoc registered fortress they can break in to do that because the concern is that they disqualify members from the commission, they may, they may not be able to hold a quorum because they was on the subcommittee during the investigation. And so this is just a deal to clarify that we don't want the suggestion to be impropriety where people are wearing two hats and an investigation, so you have the
investigative unit, and then you have
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
18:48
the final people will have to to vote on it, so they don't
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
18:56
want to, um. Attain any process. Questions from committee. I can teller hey, you're, your mind is spinning. Turn
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
19:04
Mike on a piece of lead, uh, My only thing is, is, is it
the same, does it seem a little odd that we have the chair.
The chair is going to be allowed to appoint those 3 registered foresters. I just didn't know if we needed a, uh, uh.
You know, a little bit further reach from that, you know, for somebody else to do it because it's Uh, with your permission, I'd like
Matt Stone
Unverified
19:30
to invite Doctor Cunningham to, um, back to the table, maybe he can speak to that and get you comfortable with everything. Thank you, sir. if you would again introduce yourself for
Speaker 110
19:43
the record. Kyle Cunningham State Forester, Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
Uh, yeah, Senator Hickey, um, the way that is right now, uh, every registered forester on the forestry commission, the way it's written is to be on the registered foresters committee and so this is cleaning that up to limit it to 3. And currently we have 4 and kind of the mindset that I would see there is that, you know, we would rotate people on and off of that committee and not just have a set standard 3 people through time as far as the chair appointing them, that's the system we have right now and, um,
I, I don't know if there's another mechanism for doing that, to be honest with you, but, um,
Speaker 121
20:25
It's working for us so far, so fair enough. Thank you Gilmore. Yeah, just a point of
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
20:29
clarification. So these are members who are already
on the commission, so kind of like a quorum Court that has various committees, budget committee, whatever it is. It's made up of members of the commission and so you're just saying that you would currently we have two
Speaker 110
20:41
ad hoc and so what we'll be doing is adding a third ad hoc. Correct. OK, yeah, OK, thank you. Any other questions?
External So it's just ensuring that we have registered foresters that aren't on the
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
20:56
commission, Scott. I'm not if that's fine if you turnic and ask a question that we all could hear. Oh, I'm
Speaker 110
21:05
sorry. That's fine. OK, no problem. The question was the external so I'll just clarify that if you want real quick. That's fine. Uh, so, uh, it's just to ensure that there's outside input into any case that we review. And the, the main function of the registered Fors Committee is really applications
and are proven people. take the exam to be a registered forest. We don't get a lot of complaints, but when we do, we want to make sure we
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
21:33
have those mechanisms to handle this, we're good. OK Thank you very much. All right. Anyone
else in the audience wish to speak speak for or against
Speaker 100
21:42
this bill? There's stones you'd like to close for your bill? I'm closed
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
21:46
for the bill. With the motion do pass. All right, uh, all in favor say
aye. All opposed. Congratulations. You have one more bill? Pardon Is that it? No,
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
21:56
I just got one more. We're gonna, I'm not going to run one of them today, but I have one more, and it's um Senate Bill 250. Senate Bill 250.
Matt Stone
Unverified
22:14
So so you recognize? Thank you. The Senate Bill 250 is the agency bill. It's some cleanup language in here that they won't clarified, you know, during the
transformation of the last session, some of the duties of the plant board were taken over to, um, the Department of Agriculture, and it just wants to clarify that those duties are now in the Department of Agriculture, uh, another portion of the bill deals with testing currently someone takes a test to be uh uh applicator or have a license to be able to spray. Uh, pest control. If they fail the test, they have to wait 3 months before they can retake the test, and this will take shorten that three month period down to 14 days. And then the
third part of the bill is currently if someone has a pest control service, uh, this is just clarifies that all their vehicles that are service vehicles that are going on site and paints paint spraying for pest control have to be placarded where the name and and everything where it can be read. identify what company is doing the services. OK. I'll give you a second or two to read. Mm
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
23:24
Questions from the committee. Being known Anyone in the audience wish to speak for or against this bill? Saying no, would you like to close your
bill? I'm closed for the bill. I'd like to motion to pass
Senator Crow all in favor say aye. All opposed. Congratulations. Thank you.
That's what you get for having a silver tongue. Everybody wants you to run their bill for. Senator Urban.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
23:57
All right, Senate Bill 218, and we have a handout. 18. I have, I have
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
24:06
2 bills in front of your committee. Irv, if you would identify yourself for the record and you're recognized
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
24:13
to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. If, if you don't mind, let me just take a point of personal privilege and I, I brought reinforcements. These are the 4H uh 4H
cloverleaf of Greenbboro, Arkansas. Uh, here with me today, super proud to have these young men and women with us and they're some of their parents and helpers and granny Dorothy is right behind y'all, uh, with Andy sitting on her lap, um, and anyway, Granny Dorothy has been doing this for how many years over 50 years. She's The granny, Dorothy is the 4H leader for over 50 years, and she made her husband build a
room on her house just for, for H,
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
25:00
which I think is brilliant on behalf of the committee. Welcome. You all have fun. You need to learn that that the capital I've told this earlier people get tired of me telling you, but this is a public building. It's your building. You come in, you're welcome to come in and listen. And if you want to speak against Senator Irvin's bill, y'all go to the end the table in a few minutes. We'll let y'all
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
25:21
speak against her bill, said I, you recognize. Thank y'all. Thank y'all for welcoming them to the committee. Um,
members, this, uh, Senate Bill 218, we have uh some folks
here with the Department of Commerce, if they want to, um, I'll let them speak about this, but basically what we're trying to do is bring these two grant programs in line with one another, um, and then utilize as much as these funds as possible. Um, sometimes they'll have a grant cycle where, uh, they haven't given out all of the, the money and they want to be able to do that. So the changes reflected in this bill is really about efficiency, lining these two different grant programs that kind of at this at the same, um, being able to
administrator, administrated them, uh, similar in a similar manner, but then also make sure that funds, um, that are remaining, uh, can then be utilized upon completion of, of Of the applications. So, um, we do have some folks here from the Department of Commerce and first, we'll see. We went through this before and
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
26:23
I think we got our questions answered last week, so
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
26:33
Seeing none, anyone here uh in the audience wish to speak for or against this bill. So, uh, sent earlier on clothes. I'm motion to pass second from Senator Scott, all in favor say aye. All the folls say no. Committee before we leave today, we want to take a picture, so a committee members
and staff, if y'all hang around just for a few minutes, Senator Gilmore. Can I run my 2nd bill? Oh, I didn't know you had a second. I'm sorry. You're welcome. You recognize what bill number is
it, Senator. House Bill 267. Senate bill
Speaker 83
27:12
Senate Bill 277. And again, Senator Missy Irvin District
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
27:18
24. Or said her, you recognize to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, um, this is again with Energy and Environment department, uh, this bill eliminates the Arkansas alternative Motor Fuel
Development Act. Uh, the reason being this act was passed, but it hasn't been utilized since 2013, I believe. 2014, 2014. Um, and it was originally comprised of general improvement funds. And so, uh, additional funding for a second round of funding in fiscal, um, in 1415 was obtained from the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District, but those funds were never distributed. So, um, I think the direction was to try to clean up
different programs that were not being
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
28:07
utilized and uh that's what this bill reflects. OK. Question from the committee. See none anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against this bill. Saying none sent I
your clothes for Bill? I'm closed. I appreciate a good vote. Motion to pass and give more second with Senator Crow. All
in favor say aye, all opposed. Thank you. Congratulations and thank y'all for coming. You made our day today. Thank you for coming. And our and our.
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
28:39
So Gilmore, you have a bill to run. Senate Bill 259. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Senator Gilmore, District one, Southeast Arkansas. Oh You recognize sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Simple bill members comes to us from Commerce Department. Uh, this is just sort of a clean up from
transformation, uh, putting in statute what is in practice now, basically, um, just basically saying when those departments were merged, uh, it, it makes no sense to merge a department and then basically not have a director of, of a department reporting to the secretary. That's all this does, pretty simple build, happy to take questions. Question from the committee, Senator.
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
29:29
Normally with these we have uh upon confirmation by the Senate. So You know, any reason we didn't add that. In there
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
29:40
And I apologize, I just read it. No, I, I mean, I think under practice, I don't know that we need to, but I'm happy to,
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
29:51
uh, I'm happy to have that if it Gives a little more comfort. Well, you know, my thing is, is that I think there's been some talk that, you know, The Senate believes that, as I do, that we, yeah, I know you did. That we have, that we do have confirmation on, on, on all of these, but I just think that, uh, you know, with kind of that, uh, Uh,
thought that maybe we're not on some that maybe we should, should add it in here to make sure
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
30:16
we do. Again, I do apologize. I should have read that. No, no, no, I'm, I'm perfectly fine with, with that, um, again, I, I agree with you from the Senate standpoint, and I, the way I see it, it's a precedent that's there and something I didn't really think need to
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
30:31
be restated, but Does I apologize with this committee. Can we do a voice amendment on,
on there because if we can, I, I would offer that up just upon confirmation by the Senate.
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
30:43
Mm. Oh That way he doesn't have to anyone else have a bill
Speaker 146
31:03
to run while we while we work on this. Don't think, I don't think we
Speaker 147
31:15
can on the voice, to be honest with you. I
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
31:31
think it's got to be written. I think Mr. Chair, then I would make a motion to suspend the rules to do a voice amendment to say, uh, with confirmation
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
31:39
by the Senate. OK. That is Motion roommate spin rules all in favor say aye, all opposed. The rules are
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
31:46
suspended, you make your, make your amendment now, my verbal amendment would be to, uh, serve at the pleasure of the governor upon
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
31:53
confirmation of the Senate. All in favor of the amendment, say aye. I. You like clothes, anyone in the audience wished to speak for or against the bill. Like clothes rebuild. I'm closed. Appreciate a
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
32:04
good vote. Make a motion as amended. cruel But Yeah, uh, all in favor say aye,
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
32:17
all opposed. Congratulations Bill. OK. Anyone else have a bill they want to present before this committee. Saying none again on behalf of the committee, I thank everybody for coming. I hope you've learned something and, uh, uh, again, we're adjourned.
Agenda
Call to Order
RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
HB1279 Lynch TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS EGG MARKETING ACT OF 1969; AND TO AUTHORIZE REPACKAGING OF EGGS BY A RETAILER IF CERTAIN CRITERIA IS MET.
REGULAR AGENDA
HB1149 Vaught CONCERNING VEGETABLE GARDEN PROTECTION.
SB218 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
HB1441 S. Meeks TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS COORDINATE SYSTEM OF 1983.
SB249 Stone TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES RELATED TO FORESTRY; AND TO AMEND THE POWERS OF THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION.
SB250 Stone TO AMEND THE PEST CONTROL LAW; AND TO REASSIGN CERTAIN DUTIES OF THE STATE PLANT BOARD.
SB259 Gilmore TO TRANSFER APPOINTMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR.
SB267 Irvin TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS ALTERNATIVE MOTOR FUEL DEVELOPMENT ACT; AND TO REPEAL THE ALTERNATIVE MOTOR FUEL DEVELOPMENT FUND.
HB1450 Painter TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING REPORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
HB1487 Beaty Jr. TO AMEND THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS ON THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION'S COMMITTEE.
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SENATE, Feb 25, 2025 | Agenda | 2 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Ronald Caldwell
Unverified
Speaker 6
Speaker 13
Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr
Unverified
Representative Stetson Painter
Unverified
Representative DeAnn Vaught
Unverified
Speaker 45
Speaker 57
Speaker 61
Matt Stone
Unverified
Senator Matt Stone
Unverified
Daniel Phillips
Unverified
Speaker 16
Speaker 100
Senator Jamie Scott
Unverified
Speaker 110
Speaker 121
Senator Ben Gilmore
Unverified
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 47
Speaker 83
Speaker 146
Speaker 147